TERN
bBox Type · Ralph du Carrois, Erik Spiekermann · 2010
A custom typeface designed for the Trans-European Road Network, serving as the official signage face for Austrian and Slovakian motorways and electronic road signs in the Netherlands.
About
Developed by Ralph du Carrois in cooperation with Erik Spiekermann, TERN draws on Spiekermann's bitmap originals and extensive legibility research to produce a typeface suited to high-speed reading conditions. Three widths cover varied signage formats, with an italic available in the normal width. Greek and extended Latin scripts are supported, reflecting the typeface's deployment across multiple European nations.
Classification
A legibility-driven humanist sans designed for road signage, derived from bitmap originals by Erik Spiekermann and shaped by extensive legibility research. Its three widths and open letterforms reflect the demands of high-speed wayfinding environments.