Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 7 -The Design of Traffic Signs 2013.pdf/12

 the horizontal spacing is generally 2.5 sw (as for words). However, for certain symbols the horizontal spacing is increased to 4 sw. Further guidance on symbol spacing is given in section 14.



The basic unit of measurement is the stroke width (sw), which is equal to one quarter of the x‑height of the letters. As a general rule, the x-height on any one sign should be the same for all legends. However, there are some designs where more than one x-height is used and in such cases the dimensions given in stroke widths will be based on the main x‑height unless stated otherwise.

In some cases it may be desirable to abbreviate place names. An apostrophe is normally used to indicate where letters have been omitted. Generally, an abbreviated word should not use more than one apostrophe. Where the lower case letter "b", "h", "k" or "l" follows an apostrophe there should be a space of 0.5 sw between the apostrophe and that letter. Certain abbreviations, such as "Mkt" for "Market" do not use apostrophes. Where a word is expressed as a single letter it is followed by a full stop (this is to ensure that it is linked to the next part of the name without the two capital letters, such as M and K in M. Keynes, being too close together). Where the single letter is the last character of a name which is not followed by a route number or mileage on the same line (e.g. Stoke-on-T or Tunbridge W) the full stop can be omitted. For other abbreviations full stops are generally not used. Examples of abbreviated place names, together with appropriate horizontal spacings, are shown in figure 2-3. Certain names are hyphenated (e.g. Ross-on-Wye) and the correct horizontal spacing for these is also shown.

Dimensions are measured to the tile outlines and not to the actual letter. This also applies to any symbol shown with an outline tile or grid.

The simplest sign is the supplementary plate as illustrated in figure 2-4. Where the legend is on two lines, the letter tiles are butted together vertically as shown. There may be some designs where it is necessary to insert a vertical space between the tiles. Figure 2-5 illustrates diagram 502 where a 2 sw gap has been introduced between “STOP” and "100 yds". This is because the legend is considered to have two distinct messages. The first, "STOP", gives an instruction and the second "100 yds" tells the driver when to carry out that instruction. The 2 sw vertical space helps to separate the two parts of the message and make the sign easier to read. Correct vertical spacing is important; it is the sign designer’s equivalent of punctuation. 11