Informational signs serve an important purpose in providing guidance, warnings, and other useful details to people in public spaces. The colors used on these signs are carefully chosen to convey different meanings and make the signs easily recognizable. In this article, we will explore the common colors used on informational signs and the meanings behind them.
Regulatory Colors
Regulatory signs give instructions that must be obeyed. There are three main colors used for regulatory signs:
| Red | Used for stop, yield, do not enter, and wrong way signs |
| Black | Used for one way directional arrows |
| White | Used for regulatory text like speed limits |
Red is universally associated with stopping and danger, so it grabs people’s attention on critical signs where adherence is required for safety. Black contrasts clearly against the sign’s white background. White stands out well against green guide signs.
Warning Colors
Warning signs alert people to possible hazards and dangers ahead. There are two primary colors for warning signs:
| Yellow | Used as background color on warning signs |
| Black | Used for warning text and symbols |
Yellow is bright and eye-catching, universally understood to signal caution. Black provides clear contrast against the yellow. Warning signs may also have a black panel at top, bottom, or both with yellow letters conveying supplemental information.
Guide Colors
Guide signs provide information to direct people to destinations, facilities, services, and more. Guide signs predominantly use these colors:
| Green | Used as background color on guide signs |
| White | Used for text like place names, arrows, and mileage |
The green background stands out distinctly from the surrounding environment. White text and symbols contrast sharply against the green for excellent legibility. Additional colors like blue, brown, or orange may indicate types of destinations like hospitals, cultural sites, recreational areas.
Other Informational Colors
Some additional standard colors are used on signs providing other types of information:
| Brown | Used for signs to historic sites and parks |
| Blue | Used for signs to roadside rest areas, hospitals, and service stations |
| Orange | Used for signs in construction zones and work areas |
| Purple | Used for signs indicating lanes restricted to high occupancy vehicles |
These colors visually communicate the type of information presented even before reading the sign’s text. They help attract attention to important informational details.
Accessibility Standards
In addition to conveying meaning through color, informational signs also adhere to accessibility standards to aid people with visual impairments or color blindness. Key considerations include:
– Contrast levels between text/symbols and sign background colors
– Use of uppercase for major words and lowercase for prepositions on text-heavy signs
– Symbols designed for quick recognition and understanding
– Tactile texturing and Braille incorporated
Meeting accessibility requirements ensures informational signs can be read and understood by all people to safely navigate spaces.
Sign Illumination
For increased visibility at night and in low light conditions, many informational signs are retroreflective or illuminated.
Retroreflective coatings reflect light back towards its source. This makes signs appear lit up when headlights shine on them. Overhead lighting can provide similar illumination.
Some signs are internally illuminated, meaning they have their own built-in light source. This ensures they are conspicuous 24/7. Illuminated signs are commonly powered by solar panels and LED lights for energy efficiency.
Material Durability
Informational signs are constructed from durable materials suited for long-lasting outdoor exposure and use. Common materials include:
– Aluminum – Resists corrosion, remains legible despite weathering
– Fiberglass – Impact resistant and virtually maintenance free
– Polycarbonate – Withstands high sun, heat, and cold extremes
– Reflective vinyls – Provide reflectivity for retroreflective signs
– Porcelain enamel – Extremely scratch, fade, and graffiti resistant
Sign substrates and coatings protect against wear, fading, and vandalism over years of service. Their durability retains the legibility of colors, text, symbols, and illumination.
Importance of Standardization
It is essential for informational sign colors and designs to be standardized. Consistent use of colors, symbols, placement guidelines, illumination, and accessibility features helps signs effectively convey meanings safely to all pedestrians and drivers navigating an environment.
Standard manuals like the FHWA’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provide unified criteria for all traffic signs on roadways across America. This aids sign recognition, understanding, and compliance. Similar standardization principles apply to other informational signage applications.
Conclusion
Informational signs employ colors strategically selected to convey regulatory, warning, guide, and other messages to the public. Standardized colors like red, yellow, green, black, and white make signs easily recognizable. They allow people to quickly understand the meaning and importance of the message before them. Accessibility adaptations and sign illumination further aid legibility. Durable materials retain legibility across years of service. Consistent use of colors and design standards helps informational signs provide for public safety and effective wayfinding.
