Making street signs is a complex process that involves many different people and skills. The maker is one of the most important members of the team, and their work is essential to ensuring that drivers can navigate safely around town. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what goes into making a street sign and who the maker is.
Who Makes Street Signs?
The answer may surprise you. While you might think that street signs are made by the Department of Transportation or your local municipality, the reality is that most street signs are actually made by private companies. One of the largest manufacturers of street signs is Traffic Signs Corporation. Traffic Signs Corporation is a national manufacturer and distributor of standard reflective MUTCD and DOT-compliant regulatory road and traffic signs.
The company manufactures and distributes a wide variety of street signs, including stop signs, yield signs, and speed limit signs [1]. In addition to manufacturing street signs, Traffic Signs Corporation also provides sign installation services and sign maintenance services.
What is the Purpose of Street Signs?
When it comes to driving, there are certain unwritten rules that everyone is expected to follow. For example, it is generally accepted that you should drive on the right-hand side of the road. However, there are also a number of written rules that are designed to keep drivers safe and informed. One of the most important sets of rules is the system of street signs.
Although they are often ignored, street signs play a vital role in the safe and efficient operation of our roadways. For example, stop signs and yield signs are used to control the flow of traffic at intersections, while speed limit signs help to keep drivers from exceeding the safe limit for conditions. In addition, street signs can also be used to provide important information about route changes or construction ahead.
While they may seem like a small part of the driving experience, street signs play a vital role in keeping everyone safe on our roads.
What Are Most Street Signs Made Of?
If you take a close look at most street signs, you’ll notice that they’re made of sheet aluminum. This has been the standard material for street signs since 1945. The aluminum is coated with an adhesive plastic that helps to make the sign more visible at night or in low-light conditions. This material is known as retroreflective, and it’s become the norm for street signs.
However, before the development of reflective plastics, street signs were made with glass reflectors. These reflectors were placed into the lettering and symbols on the sign to help make them more visible. While glass reflectors are no longer used, they played an important role in the development of today’s street signs.
How Do Street Signs Get Made?
Street signs are an essential part of any city or town, providing drivers with crucial information about where they are and where they need to go. But have you ever wondered how these signs are made? The process begins with a background sheet, onto which letters and symbols are cut from retroreflective sheeting.
This sheeting is made up of tiny glass beads embedded in a flexible plastic surface, which allows light from car headlights to be reflected off the indicator and back to the driver. Once the street sign copy is complete, it is then coated with a clear protective film to prevent fading and damage.
The finished street sign is then mounted on a post or pole and placed at the side of the road. And that’s how street signs are made.
Why Do Street Signs Glow?
Most street signs are retro-reflective, which means they contain tiny glass beads or micro prisms that reflect light back to where it came from. As a result, when you drive at night, the headlights from your car are reflected off the sign and back into your eyes, making the sign easier to see. While this may seem like a simple concept, retro-reflectivity is actually a fairly complex phenomenon.
In order for retro-reflection to occur, the angle between the light source and the reflective surface must be equal to the angle between the reflective surface and the observer. This special relationship is why street signs only glow when viewed from certain angles.
What Are Street Signs Attached With?
Street signs are often mounted on metal signposts that are placed in the ground. The signpost provides stability for the signs, which can be made from a variety of materials including aluminum, steel, or PVC. The signs are attached to the signpost using heavy brackets with pre-drilled holes.
Vandal-resistant bolts and nuts are the best bet for long-lasting mounted signs that will stay secure for years to come. In some cases, the sign may also be welded or otherwise permanently attached to the signpost. Parking signs are usually smaller than street signs and are often made from reflective material so that they can be easily seen at night.
Like street signs, parking signs are typically mounted on signposts using brackets and bolts. However, they may also be attached using chains or other methods. Whatever method is used, it is important that the sign is securely attached so that it does not become a hazard.
Conclusion
Street signs, though often taken for granted, are an important part of our lives. They provide us with guidance and direction when we need it most. The next time you see a street sign, take a moment to appreciate the hard work that went into making it.