LTC 067-2006 Futura typeface testing for Wayfinding SignsMIAMI BEACH
OmCE OF aTY,' A ER
No. LTC # LETTER TO COMMISSION
067-2006
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: March 9, 2006 ~'~
SUBJECT: Futura typeface testing for Wayflnding Signs
As a result of permitting requirements from the Florida Department of Transportation, the
City is sponsoring a research project to test the legibility of the Futura typeface for use
in the Citywide Wayfinding Signage Project. The research project will be conducted
using temporary signs that will be in place during the week of March 20-24, 2006 at
various locations on Normandy Isle and Normandy Shores. The Administration has
engaged the assistance of North Beach Development Corporation and the Teen .lob
Corps to deliver the attached informational flyer to homeowners in the vicinity of the
temporary signs.
The location of the temporary test signs has no relationship to the planned locations for
the permanent directional signs. The temporary test signs will be located on Normandy
Drive and 71 s, Street because the posted 35 mph speed limit offers fhe opportunity to
test the sign legibility at that driving speed; and the temporary sign locations on North
Shore and Fairway Drive offer a nearby situation where the sign legibility can be
tested at a 25 mph speed. All temporary signs will be removed after the testing is
completed on March 24th.
The permanent directional signs will be installed sometime in the latter part of 2006.
They will be located only on arterial streets frequented by tourists and visitors such as
71 s' Street, Normandy Drive, Collins Avenue, Harding Avenue and Alton Road.
The consultant, Visual Communication Research Institute, will conduct the testing by
recruiting citizen volunteers to ride in the researcher's vehicle and read the test signs.
An instrument will measure the distance from which each sign message is legible to the
individual.
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F:\PLAN\$ALL\Meyers\Signage System\LTC Mar 2006.doc
COURTESYNOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF
NORMANDY ISLE &
NORMANDY SHORES
The City of Miami Beach is sponsoring a research project to test the legibility of
the Futura typeface for use on directional signs. When completed, these signs
will assist visitors to find their way to destinations throughout the city.
The research project will be conducted using temporary signs that will only be in
place during the week of March 20-24, 2006. The location of the temporary
test signs has no relationship to the planned locations for the permanent direc-
tional signs. During that week, the Visual Communication Research Institute will
conduct the testing by recruiting citizen volunteers to ride in the researcher's vehi-
cle and read the test signs. An instrument will measure the distance from which
each sign message is legible to the individual. This testing procedure is required
by the Florida Department of Transportation to document that the Futura typeface,
proposed for use by the City of Miami Beach, has equal or belter legibility than
the standard highway typefaces.
The temporary test signs will be located on Normandy Drive and 71st Street be-
cause the posted 35 mph speed limit offers the opportunity to test the sign legibil-
ity at that driving speed; and the temporary sign locations on North Shore Drive
and Fairway Drive offer a nearby situation where the sign legibility can be tested
at a 25 mph speed. All temporary signs will be removed after the testing is com-
pleted on March 24.
The permanent directional signs will be installed sometime in the latter part of
2006. They will be located only on arterial streets frequented by motorists such as
71 ~ Street, Normandy Drive, Collins Avenue, Harding Avenue and Alton Road.
Citizens who volunteer to participate in this research project will be paid $15.00
each. To be eligible, individuals must be either be 18 to 34 years old or 65 to
80 years old, read English fluently, and have a valid Driver's License. To sign up,
please contact Phil Garvey, Visual Communications Research Institute, at
814.237.4619.
For Miami Beach information, contact the Answer Center at 305.604.CITY.
MIAMIBEACH