Signage plays a critical role in city planning. Road and safety signs play an important role in how residents and visitors navigate urban environments. In this article, we discuss how design improvements can enhance visibility, reduce driver confusion, and keep residents safe within shared spaces.

Road signs are crucial to smoothing traffic flow in urban settings, guiding drivers through intersections, speed limit changes, and pedestrian crosswalks. In metropolitan areas, neighborhood safety focuses on protecting pedestrians as they navigate their communities. While flashing lights enhance crosswalk awareness, further innovations in sign technology are pivotal for increasing driver awareness and improving pedestrian safety, especially where signals are not present. Some of these innovations include:

Installing pedestrian ahead signs 

In areas lacking signalized crosswalks, bright yellow pedestrian ahead signs that meet MUTCD standards can significantly increase visibility and remind drivers to slow down.

Reflective sheeting

To improve safety at night and during adverse weather conditions, reflective sheeting is designed with a pigmented translucent layer and an inner reflective layer of glass beads, arranged in a distinctive honeycomb pattern. This design ensures that when vehicle headlights hit the sheeting, light is reflected back more efficiently, enhancing sign visibility under all conditions.

High-visibility reflective post panels

Products that increase the visibility of traffic signs in populated areas can help reduce driver error and further protect pedestrians. Reflective post panels use the posts of road signs to extend the visibility of signs down the length of signposts. Ideal for new and existing signposts, reflective post panels:

• Extend the visibility of traffic signs by up to 300%
• Are made of non-corrosive materials
• Install in any environment
• Are easy to handle with no sharp edges
• Are available in 2-, 3-, or 6-feet lengths with custom sizes also available
• Are available in all traffic sign colors

Another innovative development in traffic sign technology centers on intelligent warning systems that enhance crosswalk visibility.

Rebounder In-Street Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign

Durable and cost effective, rebounder crosswalk signs have been proven to increase pedestrian safety at crosswalks without traffic signals. Rebounders work to increase the visibility of crosswalk locations, alerting drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing roadways.

Other plusses to consider about rebounder crosswalk signs include that they:

• Are MUTCD compliant
• Can display single or double-sided images
• Are made of high-density plastic
• Automatically return to an upright position after impact
• Are available in soil or surface mounting options

Another efficient way to remind drivers in neighborhoods to slow down involves radar speed signs.

Speed Warning Systems

Effective for slowing drivers down and increasing speed awareness, radar speed signs offer economical and straightforward solutions to improve road safety, in three versatile versions.

Basic Radar Speed Signs

Cost-effective, traffic taming and rugged, these radar speed signs are geared towards driver  and pedestrian safety. Designed for situations where drivers tend to need a reminder about their speed, this type of radar speed sign is ideal for roadways where it isn’t necessary to collect data or trigger speed warning messages. Equipped with bright LED numbers legible from up to 450 feet away, these basic radar speed signs increase awareness of safe driving speeds on neighborhood streets and feature:

• Ease of use with hand-held infrared remote
• Flashing electronic digits when speed limit is exceeded to alert drivers to slow down
• Installation inside sturdy metal cabinet
• Capability of operating on two scheduled events per 24-hour period

Smart Radar Speed Signs

With full-matrix displays that are capable of displaying letters, numbers, and graphic elements, speed-triggered messaging, and beacon outputs, smart radar speed signs also allow for data collection. Featuring bright numbers that can be seen from up to 750 feet away that can display messages, such as “TOO FAST” and “SLOW DOWN” in conjunction with driver speeds, these signs have built-in data collection and reporting software that can be stored for up to nine months. Other features include:

• Bluetooth enabling for laptops or Android devices
• Nearly unlimited program schedules
• Require the purchase of either AC power supply or a solar kit

Portable radar signs 

Battery powered and lightweight, portable radar signs are available in both basic and smart versions. Designed to run from 5 to 7 days, these signs can move around from pole to pole and be recharged with a built-in AC charger. Other innovations that help keep driver speeds in check and pedestrians safe are speed bumps.

LED Decorative Lighting 

In neighborhoods, strategically installing decorative LED streetlights that produce whiter, brighter lighting than incandescent bulbs, add curb appeal to neighborhood streets, while also promoting safer, more secure urban areas with increased visibility.

Innovations in road sign technology and pedestrian safety in cities are working to reduce driver speed and increase awareness of crosswalks with designs and devices that remind drivers to slow down and comply with safe speed limits. If you are looking for help with effective and affordable road signage for your city neighborhood, contact your local Signarama! Our pros can help with all your signage needs!