AUSTIN (KXAN) — Everyone who’s been on a Texas highway has seen the signs.

The next time you’re sitting in Austin traffic, take a closer look at the words directing you where to go.

In 2004, Texas joined a handful of other states, and decided to start switching the font on the green signs.

Instead of the Standard Highway Alphabet lettering sanctioned by the Federal Highway Administration, the agency gave the Texas Department of Transportation the go-ahead to use a new font called Clearview.

Even though signage has been in place for a while, Central Texas drivers had a hard time spotting differences between the two when placed next to each other.

“If you switched them around I wouldn’t be able to tell which was which,” said Ken Farr, who is a local police captain.

Two mothers playing with their children at the park said they never noticed the change on the road, but saw subtle differences when they were shown the Clearview font.

“It takes up more of the space so it’s a little easier to focus on,” said Lauren Beach.

TxDOT spokesman Mark Cross said Texas went with the new font after reviewing research that highlighted the benefits, including a 2006 study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute that found the words are easier to read, and drivers can see the letters better at a distance.

In January, the FHA reversed its decision claiming the benefits did not prove to be true, and the “experiment” was over.

A TxDOT official wrote a letter laying out the reasons the state agency supports the continued use of Clearview, but Cross told KXAN the state will comply with the FHA’s decision.

The federal agency provides a lot of funding to Texas highways, some of which pays for the signage along with state highway dollars.

“Next thing you’re going to tell me is we’re going to spend government money to make these changes, right?” asked Farr.

The short answer is no. TxDOT will not have to go around pulling signs down immediately across the state, or use extra state or federal dollars to change the font on new signs. The agency says the signs, which range from $500 to $10,000 depending on size, will be replaced the same way they’ve always been — on an as needed basis due to age, wear and tear or damage caused by a crash.

Those who rely on the signs question why it is a discussion at all.

“I think it’s a little silly. I don’t think it really matters. I think we have enough to worry about with our roads here,” said Beach.