Illuminating signs, including electronic message centers (EMCs), at inappropriate lighting levels hurts everyone. If the LEDs that light the sign aren’t bright enough, then the sign won’t be legible at night, and the sign loses its nocturnal value. The energy used to light the sign is wasted. Conversely, if the LEDs are lit too brightly, […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Visibility and Legibility
How Big Should a Sign’s Letters Be?
Signs need to be legible and readable, for both pedestrians and motorists. But the safety consideration becomes paramount for the latter. Consequently, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sets minimum standards for the letters that appear on the interstate signs that say “Cincinnati” and “Second St.” and “Next Exit.” These standards are outlined in the FHWA-produced […]
Continue readingCan a Sign’s Location Make it Worth $1.8 Million?
In Cincinnati, OH, a building was ideally situated on Pete Rose Way, proximate to the confluence of I-71 and I-75. In 1997, the building housed Caddy’s, a 50s style entertainment complex. The Cincinnati Bengals NFL football team was about to build its $400 million Paul Brown Stadium, and the land and building were being taken by […]
Continue readingDo Signs Economically Benefit Nonprofits?
A good wall sign appreciably helps Goodwill Industries By Richard Bass Signs have value. This has been demonstrated by such publications as “The Signage Sourcebook” http://signreference.org/the-signage-sourcebook/ and Signs of the Times magazine http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott, and through educational opportunities like the International Sign Assn.’s annual Signage Symposium. On-premise, or place-based, signs add value to a business and its […]
Continue readingCourt Overturns Madison, WI Ban on Portable Signs
This article, written by sign-code expert, John Gann, originally appeared in the September 2002 issue of Signs of the Times magazine. Madison, WI, has been rated by Money magazine as the best medium-sized city in the United States. The city owes its amenities not only to nature and the generosity of taxpayers, but also […]
Continue readingHow An Appraisal Could have Defeated Amortization in Mississippi
Mississippi circuit court upholds amortization of signage, but could this tragedy have been prevented? The following article originally appeared in the June 1999 issue of Signs of the Times magazine. By Dr. R. James Claus Thomas A. Claus contributed to this article. He is completing studies at Portland (OR) State University and will begin attending […]
Continue readingThe Economic Worth of On-Premise Signs, Part II
Appraising techniques can isolate the cause-and-effect value of on-premise signs to merchants This article originally appeared in the October 1998 issue of Signs of the Times magazine. By Dr. R. James Claus and Richard M. Bass Last month, the authors discussed the First Amendment protect ion that signs (as commercial speech) enjoy. In addition, they […]
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