The 2002 edition of the Standard Highway Signs book, published in both metric and English versions, is now available on the MUTCD website at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

The Standard Highway Signs book is a companion document to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Millennium Edition, Revision 1. However, The Standard Highway Signs book contains some frequently-used sign designs that are not found in the MUTCD.

The metric version of the book contains dimension drawings for all signs and pavement markings. It also contains the revised Standard Alphabets Series 2000. The English version contains dimension drawings for signs and pavement markings as well. The 1966 English version of the Standard Alphabets will be revised and distributed electronically in early 2003. In the meantime, the 1966 English Standard Alphabets are still current.

The Standard Highway Signs book prescribes design details for up to five different sign sizes. Larger signs are designed for use on freeways and expressways. They can also be used to enhance road user safety and convenience on other facilities, especially multilane divided highways and undivided highways with five or more lanes and/or high speeds. The intermediate sizes are designed to be used on two- to four-lane highways with low speed and volume. The smaller sizes are for use on bikeways and other off-road applications.

Ultimately, the choice of the most appropriate sign size is the responsibility of the engineers in the agency or jurisdiction with authority over the facility. These engineers should bear in mind that studies have shown that, as drivers age and as traffic volumes and speeds increase, large traffic signs are important for safe roadway operations. More detailed information on choosing sizes for specific sign applications can be found in the MUTCD.