This article introduces the design, development and experimental testing of RutaCL, a typeface standard for highway signage in use in Chile since 2012. It presents an interdisciplinary study that discusses aspects related to both information design and typography. The study indicates that research about letterforms for distance legibility and technical development interacts with visual and functional contexts, and shows design decisions and performing results. Local needs and productive variables in an international scope are considered. Design decisions for the type system are showed and discussed according to a local, pilot implementation. A comparison with the previous typeface standard, called MOP Alphabet, and an experimental testing conducted as a research case are presented, evidencing performance in signage real use in highways. Finally, some considerations and practical recommendations are presented.