DSIR 12/180d

The Design of Direction Signs with Special Reference to Motorways

Date range	1959
Location	National Archives (see all files stored here)
Catalogue	See entry
File base	Series DSIR, subseries DSIR 12

Context

One of the key reports published by the RRL that helped to decide British motorway signposting policy, in advance of the Anderson Committee's report. It discusses, evaluates and justifies the various decisions that were made, including choice of colour, type of lettering, information content, layout, and crucially, which system to follow - established American or European practice.

Contents of note

• Example photographs of period Italian, German and American signage.

• Diagram of recommended RRL design for motorway sign: recognisably a diagrammatic fork sign, but with a green background and a red hexagon around the number "M6". It is not clear whether it was ever used, as the caption for the diagram is ambiguous.

• Comparison chart of German, US and Anderson Committee signs for motorways.

Links to other files

MT 95/200 Advance direction signs: Chiswick flyover (1957-1961)

MT 95/384 Designs of traffic signs: London-Birmingham motorway (1959-1973)

MT 95/605 Traffic sign design: signs for all-purpose trunk roads built to motorway standards (1959-1964)

People with camera copies

Chris Marshall has a complete copy.