CE PROF 12:

PRINCIPLESOF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

TRAFFIC SIGNS AND A communication tool in

transportation
ROAD MARKINGS
PRE-TEST
NO.2

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TRAFFIC SIGNS
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TRAFFIC SIGNS

Traffic control device is the medium used for communicating between

traffic engineer and road users.
Unlike other modes of transportation, there is no control on the drivers
using the road. Here traffic control devices comes to the help of the traffic
engineer. The major types of traffic control devices used are- traffic signs,
road markings , traffic signals and parking control. This chapter discusses
traffic control signs. Different types of traffic signs are regulatory signs,
warning signs and informatory signs.

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REQUIREMENTS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

1. The control device should fulfill a need: Each device must have a specific purpose for the safe
and efficient operation of traffic flow.
2. It should command attention from the road users: This affects the design of signs. For
commanding attention, proper visibility should be there.
3. It should convey a clear, simple meaning: Clarity and simplicity is essential for the driver to
properly understand the meaning in short time. The use of color, shape and legend as codes becomes
important in this regard. The legend should be kept short and simple so that even a less educated
driver could understand the message in less time.
4. Road users must respect the signs: Respect is commanded only when the drivers are
conditioned to expect that all devices carry meaningful and important messages. Overuse, misuse
and confusing messages of devices tends the drivers to ignore them.
5. The control device should provide adequate time for proper response from the road users:
This is again related to the design aspect of traffic control devices. The sign boards should be placed
at a distance such that the driver could see it and gets sufficient time to respond the situation.

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COMMUNICATION TOOLS

A number of mechanisms are used by the traffic engineer to communicate with the road user. These
mechanisms recognize certain human limitations, particularly eyesight. Messages are conveyed
through the following elements.
1. Color: It is the first and most easily noticed characteristics of a device. Usage of different colors
for different signs are important. The most commonly used colors are red, green, yellow, black,
blue, and brown.
2. Shape: It is the second element discerned by the driver next to the color of the device. The
categories of shapes normally used are circular, triangular, rectangular, and diamond shape.
(except STOP and YIELD signs which has octagonal and inverted triangle shapes respectively).
3. Legend: This is the last element of a device that the driver comprehends. The legend should be
short, simple and specific so that it does not divert the attention of the driver. Symbols are
normally used as legends so that even a person unable to read the language will be able to
understand that.
4. Pattern: It is normally used in the application of road markings, complementing traffic signs.
Generally solid, double solid and dotted lines are used.
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TYPES OF TRAFFIC
SIGNS
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TYPES OF TRAFFIC SIGNS

There are several hundreds of traffic signs available covering wide variety of traffic situations.
They can be classified into three main categories
1. Regulatory signs
2. Warning signs
3. Informative signs

In addition special type of traffic sign namely work zone signs are also available. These type of
signs are used to give warning to the road users when some construction work is going on the
road. They are placed only for short duration and will be removed soon after the work is over
and when the road is brought back to its normal condition. The first three signs will be
discussed in detail in the next following slides.

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REGULATORY SIGNS
These signs are also called mandatory signs because it is mandatory that the drivers must
obey these signs. If the driver fails to obey them, the control agency has the right to take legal
action against the driver. These signs are primarily meant for the safety of other road users.
These signs have generally black legend on a white background. They are circular in shape
with red borders. The regulatory signs can be further classified into
1. Right of way series: These include two unique signs that assign the right of way to the
selected approaches of an intersection. They are the STOP sign and GIVE WAY sign.
2. Speed series: Number of speed signs may be used to limit the speed of the vehicle on the
road. The include typical speed limit signs, truck speed, minimum speed signs etc.
3. Movement series: They contain a number of signs that affect specific vehicle maneuvers.
These include turn signs, alignment signs, exclusion signs, one way signs etc.
4. Parking series: : They include parking signs which indicate not only parking prohibitions
or restrictions, but also indicate places where parking is permitted, the type of vehicle to
be parked, duration for parking etc.
5. Pedestrian series: They include both legend and symbol signs. These signs are meant for
the safety of pedestrians and include signs indicating pedestrian only roads, pedestrian
crossing sites etc.
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WARNING SIGNS
Warning signs or cautionary signs give information to the driver about the impending road
condition. They advice the driver to obey the rules. These signs are meant for the own safety of
drivers. They call for extra vigilance from the part of drivers. The color convention used for
this type of signs is that the legend will be black in color with a yellow background. The
shape used is upward triangular or diamond shape with red borders.

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INFORMATIVE SIGNS
Informative signs also called guide signs, are provided to assist the drivers to reach their
desired destinations. These are predominantly meant for the drivers who are unfamiliar to the
place. The guide signs are redundant for the users who are accustomed to the location.
Some of the examples for these type of signs are route markers, destination signs, mile posts,
service information, recreational and cultural interest area signing etc.

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 Supplements the traffic
signs
ROAD MARKINGS
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ROAD MARKINGS
The essential purpose of road markings is to guide and control traffic on a highway. They
supplement the function of traffic signs.
The markings serve as a psychological barrier and signify the delineation of traffic path and its
lateral clearance from traffic hazards for the safe movement of traffic. Hence they are very
important to ensure the safe, smooth and harmonious flow of traffic.
Various types of road markings like longitudinal markings, transverse markings, object
markings and special markings to warn the driver about the hazardous locations in the road etc.
will be discussed in detail in this chapter.

ROAD MARKINGS DEFINED

The road markings are defined as lines, patterns, words or other devices, except signs, set into
applied or attached to the carriageway or kerbs or to objects within or adjacent to the
carriageway, for controlling, warning, guiding and informing the users.
The road markings are classified as longitudinal markings, transverse markings, object
markings, word messages, marking for parkings, marking at hazardous locations etc.
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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS
Longitudinal markings are placed along the direction of traffic on the roadway surface, for the
purpose of indicating to the driver, his proper position on the roadway. Some of the guiding
principles in longitudinal markings are also discussed below.
Longitudinal markings are provided for separating traffic flow in the same direction and the
predominant color used is white. Yellow color is used to separate the traffic flow in opposite
direction and also to separate pavement edges.
The lines can be broken, solid or double solid.
a. Broken lines are permissive in character and allows crossing with discretion, if traffic
situation permits
b. Solid lines are restrictive in character and does not allow crossing except for entry or exit
from a side road or premises or to avoid a stationary obstruction.
c. Double solid lines indicate severity in restrictions and should not be crossed except in
case of emergency.
d. Combination line is when a broken and solid lines are combined. In such a case, a solid
line may be crossed with discretion, if the broken line of the combination is nearer to the
direction of travel.
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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS

Different types of longitudinal markings are

- center line
- traffic lanes
- no passing zone
- warning lines
- border or edge lines
- bus lane markings
- cycle lane markings.

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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS: CENTER LINE
Center line separates the opposing streams of traffic and facilitates their movements. Usually
no center line is provided for roads having width less than 5 m. and for roads having more than
four lanes.
The center line may be marked with either single broken line, single solid line, double broken
line, or double solid line depending upon the road and traffic requirements.
- On urban roads with less than four lanes, the center line may be single broke line
segments of 3 m long and 150 mm wide. The broken lines are place with 4.5 m gaps (figure
37:1).
- On curves and near intersections, gap shall be reduced to 3 meters.
- On undivided urban roads with at least two traffic lanes in each direction, the center line
marking may be a single solid line of 150 mm wide as in figure 37:2, or double solid line of
100 mm. wide separated by space of 100 mm. as shown in figure 37:3,
- The center barrier line marking for four lane road is shown in figure 37:4

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CENTER LINE

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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS: TRAFFIC LANE LINES
The subdivision of wide carriageways into separate lanes on either side of the carriage way
helps the driver to go straight and also curbs the meandering tendency of the driver. At
intersections, these traffic lane lines will eliminate confusion and facilitates turning
movements.
Thus traffic lane markings help in increasing the capacity of the road in addition ensuring more
safety. The traffic lane lines are normally single broken lines of 100 mm width. Some
examples are shown in figure 37:5 and figure 37:6.

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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS: NO PASSING ZONES
No passing zones are established on summit curves, horizontal curves, and on two lane and
three lane highways where overtaking maneuvers are prohibited because of low sight distance.
It may be marked by a solid yellow line along the Centre or a double yellow line. In the case of
a double yellow line, the left hand element may be a solid barrier line, the right hand may be a
either a broken line or a solid line .
These solid lines are also called barrier lines. When a solid line is to the right of the broken
line, the passing restriction shall apply only to the opposing traffic. Some typical examples are
shown in figure 37:7 and figure 37:8. In the latter case, the no passing zone is staggered for
each direction.

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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS: WARNING LINES

Warning lines warn the drivers about the obstruction approaches. They are marked on
horizontal and vertical curves where the visibility is greater than prohibitory criteria specified
for no overtaking zones. They are broken lines with 6 m length and 3 m gap. A minimum of
seven line segments should be provided. A typical example is shown in figure 37:9

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LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS: EDGE LINES
Edge lines indicate edges of rural roads which have no kerbs to delineate the limits upto which
the driver can safely venture. They should be at least 150 mm from the actual edge of the
pavement. They are painted in yellow or white.
All the lines should be preferably light reflective, so that they will be visible during night also.
Improved night visibility may also be obtained by the use of minute glass beads embedded in
the pavement marking materials to produce a retroreflective surface

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TRANSVERSE MARKING
Transverse markings are marked across the direction of traffic. They are marked at
intersections etc. The site conditions play a very important role. The type of road marking for a
particular intersection depends on several variables such as speed characteristics of traffic,
availability of space etc. Stop line markings, markings for pedestrian crossing, direction
arrows, etc. are some of the markings on approaches to intersections.
1. Stop line: Stop line indicates the position beyond which the vehicles should not proceed
when required to stop by control devices like signals or by traffic police. They should be
placed either parallel to the intersecting roadway or at right angles to the direction of
approaching vehicles.
2. Pedestrian crossings: Pedestrian crossings are provided at places where the conflict
between vehicular and pedestrian traffic is severe. At intersections, the pedestrian
crossings should be preceded by a stop line at a distance of 2 to 3 m for unsignalized
intersections and at a distance of one metre for signalized intersections.
3. Directional arrows: In addition to the warning lines on approaching lanes, directional
arrows should be used to guide the drivers in advance over the correct lane to be taken
while approaching busy intersections. Because of the low angle at which the markings are
viewed by the drivers, the arrows should be elongated in the direction of traffic for
adequate visibility. The dimensions of these arrows are also very important.
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TRANSVERSE MARKINGS

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OBJECT MARKING
Physical obstructions in a carriageway like traffic island or obstructions near carriageway like signal
posts, pier etc. cause serious hazard to the flow of traffic and should be adequately marked. They
may be marked on the objects adjacent to the carriageway.
1. Objects within the carriageway: The obstructions within the carriageway such as traffic
islands, raised medians, etc. may be marked by not less than five alternate black and yellow
stripes. The stripes should slope forward at an angle of 45 deg. with respect to the direction of
traffic. These stripes shall be uniform and should not be less than 100 m. wide so as to provide
sufficient visibility.
2. Objects adjacent to carriageway: Sometimes objects adjacent to the carriageway may pose
some obstructions to the flow of traffic. Objects such as subway piers and abutments, culvert
head walls etc. are some examples for such obstructions. They should be marked with alternate
black and white stripes at a forward angles of 45◦ deg. with respect to the direction of traffic. .
Poles close to the carriageway should be painted in alternate black and white up to a height of
1.25 m above the road level. Other objects such as guard stones, drums, guard rails etc. where
chances of vehicles hitting them are only when vehicle runs off the carriageway should be
painted in solid white. Kerbs of all islands located in the line of traffic flow shall be painted
with either alternating black and white stripes of 500 mm wide or chequered black and white
stripes of same width. The object marking for central pier and side walls of an underpass is
illustrated in figure 37:13.
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OBJECT MARKINGS

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WORD MESSAGES

Information to guide, regulate, or warn the road user may also be conveyed by inscription of
word message on road surface. Characters for word messages are usually capital letters.
The legends should be as brief as possible and shall not consist of more than three words for
any message.
Word messages require more and important time to read and comprehend than other road
markings. Therefore, only few and important ones are usually adopted. Some of the examples
of word messages are STOP, SLOW, SCHOOL, RIGHT TURN ONLY, etc.

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THANK YOU
Engr. Eduard Joseph M. Dela Cruz 0915 029 4592

Instructor eduardjoseph.delacruz@apcas.ph.education
SEATWORK
NO.2

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WEEKLY OUTPUT NO. 2
VLOG MAKING. By pair.

1. Locate at least 3 traffic signs and 3 road markings that can be seen in your area and describe
them in a video.
2. The video should be an Educational VLOG and “Tiktokable”. You can use any video editing
app.
3. Your VLOG should not be more than 2 minutes long.
4. Upload your video in Google classroom.
5. (3) Most creative vlogs will be exempted for Quiz no. 1.

Follow @ifern.enterprises on Tiktok for his “Road Traffic” Vlogs to get an idea.

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