billboards

Billboards are large outdoor advertising structures designed to display messages to passing motorists and pedestrians. They are typically freestanding signs positioned along highways, in commercial districts, and at transit hubs. Modern billboards use large typography, bold imagery, and high-contrast design to convey a message quickly from a distance.

Historically, outdoor advertising began with painted signs on walls and wooden hoardings. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, poster panels and freestanding billboards became common along railways and roads. Emerging digital billboards appeared in the 21st century, featuring LED displays and dynamic animations. In the United States, the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 sought to regulate billboard placement along federally funded highways.

Types include static billboards, which use painted or printed vinyl over a frame, and digital billboards that rotate messages on LED panels. Common formats include large horizontal boards and vertical poster panels. Design principles emphasize brevity, legibility at speed, simple imagery, and strong contrast; digital boards may optimize brightness and time of day to manage visibility and energy use.

Regulation varies by country and jurisdiction. Rules typically cover sign size, spacing, lighting, animation, and permitting. Safety and aesthetics concerns influence placement and removal. Digital boards raise issues of light pollution and driver distraction, while aging infrastructure can affect wind resistance and maintenance.

Economic factors include rental income for landowners and advertising rates, which depend on location and traffic. The market evolves with digital exchanges, programmatic buying, and public-interest policies aimed at reducing distraction or impact on urban design.