Traffic Eng.

Traffic Signs and Markings

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Traffic Signs and Road Markings

In this lecture;
--------------------1- Traffic Signs: Design Concepts.
2- Traffic Signs: Types
A- Regulatory signs.
B- Warning signs.
C- Guide signs.
D- Changeable message signs.
3- Road Surface Markings.

The information included in this lecture is largely taken from MUTCD (FHWA, 2012).

1- Traffic Signs: Design Concepts

According to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and
Highways MUTCD (FHWA, 2012 updated), the general functions of signs are to
provide regulations, warnings, and guidance information for road users. Words,
symbols, and arrows are used to convey the messages. Overuse of signs tends to
lose their effectiveness. Signs should be used only where justified by engineering
judgment or studies.
Classification of Signs
Signs shall be defined by their function as follows:
A. Regulatory signs give notice of traffic laws or regulations .
B. Warning signs give notice of a situation that might not be readily apparent

C. Guide signs show route designations

, destinations, directions,

distances, services, points of interest, and other geographical, recreational , or

cultural information.
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Design of Signs (Legend, Color and Size)

Uniformity

in

design shall include shape, color, dimensions, legends

, borders, and illumination or retroreflectivity.

Shapes
In general there are particular shapes be used exclusively for specific signs or series
of signs; Table 1 shows some of them.

Color
Most common uses of sign colors are shown in Table 2 below.

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Legend
The term legend shall include all word messages and symbol and arrow designs that
are intended to convey specific meanings. Sometimes a change from word messages
to symbols requires significant time for public education. Word messages should be
as brief as possible and the lettering should be large enough.
Size (Dimensions)
Smaller sizes of traffic road signs are designed to be used on bikeways and some
other off-road applications

Larger sizes are designed for use on

freeways and expressways, and can also be used on multi-lane divided highways and
on undivided highways having 5 or more lanes of traffic and/or high speeds. The
intermediate sizes are designed to be used on other highway types.
Retroreflectivity and Illumination
There are many materials currently available for retroreflection
methods currently available for the illumination

of

and various

signs. Regulatory, warning,

and guide signs shall be retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape and
color by both day and night. The requirements for sign illumination shall not be
considered to be satisfied by street or highway lighting.
Location
Examples of heights and lateral locations of signs for typical installations are
illustrated in Figure 1. Examples of locations for some typical signs at intersections
are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
Signs should be located on the right-hand side of the roadway where they are easily
recognized and understood by road users. Basically, signs in other locations should
be considered only as supplementary ) (to signs in the normal locations.

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Signs should be in general individually installed on separate posts or mountings

except where they supplement

or not conflict

each other. In

addition, signs should be located such that they do not obscure

) (

each

other and do not obscure the sight distance of drivers.

Overhead signs are usually used on freeways and expressways and at locations
where space is not available at the roadside.
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Posts and Mountings

Sign posts, foundations, and mountings shall be so constructed as to hold signs in a
proper and permanent position, and to resist swaying
displacement by vandalism

in the wind or

2- Traffic Signs: Types

A- Regulatory signs
Regulatory signs shall be used to inform road users of selected traffic laws or
regulations and indicate the applicability of the legal requirements

Regulatory signs shall be installed at or near where the regulations apply. The signs
shall clearly indicate the requirements imposed by the regulations and shall be
designed and installed to provide adequate visibility

and

legibility

Figure 4

shows different examples of regulatory signs.

Regulatory signs shall be rectangular unless specifically designated otherwise.
Regulatory signs have specific design features regarding size, shape, color, and
legend.

B- Warning signs
Warning signs call attention to unexpected conditions on or adjacent to a highway,
street, or private roads open to public travel and to situations that might not be
readily apparent to road users. Warning signs alert road users to conditions that
might call for a reduction of speed or an action in the interest of safety and efficient
traffic operations.
In general, all warning signs shall be diamond-shaped (square with one diagonal
vertical) with a black legend and border on a yellow background. Warning signs
usually have specific standards regarding sizes, shapes, colors, and legends. Figure 5
shows different examples of warning signs.
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C- Guide signs
Guide signs are essential to direct road users along streets and highways, to inform
them of intersecting routes, to direct them to cities, towns, villages, or other
important destinations, to identify nearby rivers and streams, parks, forests, and
historical sites, and generally to give such information as will help them along their
way in the most simple, direct manner possible.
Similar to the regulatory and warning signs, specific design standards should be
followed regarding location, color, shape, size, retroreflection, and Illumination for
guide signs.
Generally, guide signs on streets and highways shall have a white message and
border on a green background. Figure 6 shows different examples of warning signs.

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D- Changeable message signs

A Changeable Message Sign (CMS) also called Variable Message Sign VMS or
Dynamic Message Sign DMS - is a traffic control device that is capable of displaying
one or more alternative messages. Some changeable message signs have a blank
mode when no message is displayed, while others display multiple messages with
only one of the messages displayed at a time (such as OPEN/CLOSED signs).

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3- Road Surface Markings ()

Markings on highways and on private roads open to public travel have important
functions in providing guidance and information for the road user. Major marking
types include pavement and curb markings, delineators

colored

pavements, channelizing devices, and islands.

Markings have limitations. Visibility of the markings can be limited by snow, debris
,

and water on or adjacent to the markings. Marking durability is affected by

material characteristics, traffic volumes, weather, and location. However, under

most highway conditions, markings provide important information while allowing
minimal diversion of attention from the roadway.
Materials - Pavement and curb markings are commonly placed by using paints or
thermoplastics; however, other suitable marking materials, including raised
pavement markers and colored pavements, are also used. Delineators and
channelizing devices are visibly placed in a vertical position similar to signs above
the roadway.

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Colors Most used colors of pavement and curb markings are yellow, white, red,
and blue. Black can also be used in conjunction with these colors.
- White markings for longitudinal lines usually used to delineate

A. The separation of traffic flows in the same direction, or

B. The right-hand edge of the roadway.
- Yellow markings for longitudinal lines usually used to delineate:
A. The separation of traffic traveling in opposite directions,
B. The left edge of the roadways of divided highways, one-way streets or ramps, or
C. The separation of two-way left-turn lanes and reversible lanes from other lanes.
- Red raised pavement markers or delineators shall delineate:
A. Truck escape ramps, or
B. One-way roadways, ramps, or travel lanes that shall not be entered or used in the
direction from which the markers are visible.
- Blue markings are usually used with white markings for parking spaces for persons
with disabilities.
Functions - The general functions of longitudinal lines shall be:
A. A double line ======== indicates maximum or special restrictions,
B. A solid line discourages or prohibits crossing,
C. A broken line - - - - - - - indicates a permissive condition, and
D. A dotted line . . . . . . . . provides guidance or warning of a downstream change in
lane function.

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