Motorway (typeface)

Motorway is a typeface family designed by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert in the late 1950s for use on the United Kingdom's motorway network. It is most notably used on directional signs, providing high legibility at speed and in varying weather conditions.

The typeface consists of two main versions: Motorway Permanent (also known as Transport Heavy) and Motorway Temporary (also known as Transport Medium). Motorway Permanent is used for place names and route numbers on permanent signs, while Motorway Temporary is used for temporary signs, such as those erected during roadworks.

Key features of the Motorway typeface include a relatively high x-height, open counters, and distinctive letterforms that aid in quick recognition. These characteristics contribute to the typeface's effectiveness in its intended environment. The design was carefully considered to address the specific challenges of reading signs from a moving vehicle, taking into account factors such as viewing distance, angle, and lighting conditions.

While primarily associated with the UK motorway system, the principles behind its design have influenced signage typography in other countries. The typeface's clarity and legibility have made it a subject of study and inspiration for typographers and sign designers worldwide. The UK Department for Transport owns the copyright for Motorway, and its use is generally restricted to official road signage and related applications.