Traffic Signs, Road Markings and Traffic Signals

An important part of any road is the means by which the traffic engineering conveys information about the road and regulations to users. If this is done successfully it helps to make travel both safer and more efficient.

In the 21st century technology has reached a point where it is contributing to this process by the use of radio, in-car systems and roadside variable message. However, the primary mechanisms for communicating with the road users remain traffic signs and road markings.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of different sign designs. Traffic signs are divided logically into a number of broad types or categories:

· Warning signs: provide information to road users about hazards such as: junctions, changes of direction, carriageway width, gradient, low, opening or humped back bridges, etc.

· Regulatory signs: provide a message that must be obeyed, for example stop, ‘give-way’, banned turns, compulsory turns, no entry, one-way streets, prohibited vehicle types, weight and width restrictions, waiting and loading restrictions, speed restriction, etc

· Informatory signs: give road users information about features and factors which may help them in their journey. These include signs such as the sign showing that a road is a cul-de-sac, junction countdown signs, signs which inform drivers of the presence of an enforcement camera ahead.

A new type of information signs - variable message signs (VMS) has come into use in recent years.

There are two basic types of VMS: rotating boards and dot-matrix signs. Rotating board signs can have double sided or triangular prism signs. These signs are clear and easy to read; their main disadvantage is that they are restricted to two or three fixed messages. Dot-matrix signs use fibre optics to display a wide variety of messages and are, thus very flexible in operation. Modern signs are easy to read except in conditions of direct, bright sunlight. Recently some dot-matrix signs have been used for commercial advertising when they are not needed for traffic purposes.

· Direction signs provide information about routing, important places of interest such as railway stations, airports, etc.

· Temporary and miscellaneous signs: can warn of road works or direct traffic flow.

The traffic signs regulations set the following characteristics:

· Sign size and colour of traffic signs.

· What information is allowed to be displayed, particularly on warning and regulatory signs.

· Illumination requirements.

· The retro-reflectivity of materials to be used in manufacturing the sign face or road marking.

 

What are Russian equivalents for the following road markings types? Consult a dictionary if necessary.

Edge of carriageway, lane lines, parking areas, kerb lines, traffic islands, stop line, traffic lane arrows, pedestrian crossings, carriageway centre, bicycle storage areas.

Read the text and underline road markings mentioned here.

 

Road markings

It is not possible to overestimate the importance of road markings as part of the road system.

Usually the locations of edge of carriageway, lane lines, ghost islands and priority markings are as critical as the location of the kerb lines, traffic islands and other highway features.

Road markings not only guide road users but provide evidence of traffic regulations, such as pedestrian crossings, box junctions, keep clear markings and level crossings.

In rural areas the double white-line system uses double longitudinal lines. Solid white lines are used to prevent dangerous crossings of the carriageway centre line. Continuous white centre line markings must not be crossed and are used to prevent overtaking and reduce speeds on roads with poor visibility due to bends or hills. In urban areas solid lines delineate bus and cycle lanes, and stop lines.

Some important road markings terms:

· Carriageway: Part of the road intended for the movement of road vehicles

· Lane: One of the longitudinal strips into which a carriageway is divisible, whether or not defined by longitudinal road markings.

a) carriageway

b) lane

c) bus lane

· Bus lane

Part of a carriageway designated for buses and distinguished from the rest of the carriageway by longitudinal road markings. Taxis and, in some cases, cars occupied by several passengers may also be allowed to use a bus lane