It was once expected to replace the FHWA typefaces in many applications, although newer studies of its effectiveness have called its benefits into question.

[4] Reduced nighttime overglow or haloing was expected also to improve recognition rates for computer road sign detection.

[6] The standard FHWA typefaces, developed in the 1940s, were designed to work with a system of highway signs in which almost all words are capitalized; its standard mixed-case form (Series E Modified) was designed to be most visible under the now-obsolete reflector system of button copy, which has since been superseded by retroreflective sheeting.

Smaller counter spaces in the FHWA fonts reduced legibility, particularly when the letters glowed from headlight illumination at night.

Clearview was granted interim approval by the FHWA for use on positive-contrast road signs (light legend on dark background, such as white on black, green, blue, brown, purple or red) on September 2, 2004,[9] though not on negative-contrast road signs (dark legend on light background, such as black on white, yellow or orange), given its inferior legibility to the existing FHWA typefaces in these applications.

In addition to its appearance on road signage, a customized version of the ClearviewText typeface was adopted by AT&T for corporate use, including advertising, used from 2006 to 2016.

[12] Accordingly, the notice concluded, "FHWA does not intend to pursue further consideration, development, or support of an alternative letter style.

[22][23][24] The FHWA reinstated the interim approval on March 28, 2018,[14] per Division L, Title I, Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.