The correct answer is C. Keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Minimum speed signs are installed on roads to indicate the lowest speed at which vehicles are legally allowed to travel. These signs are intended to ensure that vehicles maintain a minimum speed to prevent congestion and promote smooth traffic flow. If vehicles drive slower than the minimum speed, it can lead to abrupt variations in speed among vehicles, which can create traffic bottlenecks and increase the risk of accidents. Therefore, the primary purpose of minimum speed signs is to help maintain a consistent and efficient flow of traffic.
The other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of minimum speed signs:
A. Show current local road conditions relates more to variable message signs or advisory messages rather than minimum speed limits.
B. Assure pedestrian safety is more related to crosswalks, speed limits, or traffic calming measures than to minimum speed signs specifically.
D. Test future traffic signal needs is not relevant as minimum speed signs do not serve to evaluate or test traffic signal requirements.