Traffic Control Devices
Road Signs are means of communication to the road users to warn and guide them in advance. Road signs fulfills multiple purposes such as they promote road safety, ensure orderly movement of road users on all roads, notify the road users of about road regulations / conditions and provide warning and guidance where needed. Road Sign should meet five basic requirements, which are as follows:
- Fulfil a need.
- Command attention.
- Convey a clear and simple meaning.
- Command respect from road users.
- Give adequate time for response.
Categories of Road Signs
Road Signs are basically divided into three categories:
- Mandatory/Regulatory Signs
- Cautionary Signs
- Informatory Signs
Mandatory/Regulatory road signs are usually have circular shape and these signs give order which must be followed by every road user. Violation of these road signs is a punishable traffic offence. The category of Mandatory Signs is as follows:
S.N. | Type | Shape | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Operational Control RED Circular Ring White Background Black Symbols |
Prescribe the limit of an operation or manoeuvre | |
2 | Prohibitory RED Circular Ring with Diagonal Bar White Background Black Symbols |
Prescribe the limit of an operation or manoeuvre |
|
3 | Compulsory BLUE Background White Symbols |
Prescribe the limit of an operation or manoeuvre |
Apart from the above three categories there are two other signs recognized worldwide. These are STOP and Give Way Sign. STOP Sign have red background and depicted in Octagon shape whereas Give Way Sign is depicted in a reverse Triangle with apex at bottom. Both signs are mandatory in nature therefore their violation is also an offence. The list of Mandatory/Regulatory signs is depicted hereunder:
STOP This octagon sign is used on roadways where traffic is required to stop before entering a major road. The vehicle shall proceed past the stop line only after ascertaining that this will not cause any damage to traffic on the main road. |
|
GIVE WAY This reversed triangle sign is used to assign right-of-way to traffic on certain roadways and intersections. The intention being that the vehicles controlled by the sign must give way to the other traffic having the right-of-way. Where this sign is found we must give way to the traffic coming from right side |
|
NO ENTRY This sign notifies that entry is prohibited for all vehicles. Certain pockets of an area or road are demarcated as "No Entry" areas for traffic. |
|
ONE WAY This sign denotes one way traffic. Vehicles can go but oncoming vehicles are not allowed. |
|
RIGHT TURN PROHIBITED This sign directs driver not to turn towards right side in any circumstance. |
|
LEFT TURN PROHIBITED This sign directs driver not to turn towards left side in any circumstance. |
|
U-TURN PROHIBITED This sign is used at places where vehicles are forbidden to make a turn to the reverse direction on very busy roads or accident prone areas. |
|
OVERTAKING PROHIBITED This sign is erected at the beginning of such sections of roads, especially on highways, where sight distance is restricted and overtaking will be dangerous. |
|
HORN PROHIBITED Excessive unnecessary honking is treated as unruly behavior in modern society. However, there are silence zones where honking is completely prohibited such as near hospitals and schools etc. |
|
NO PARKING This sign is erected where parking is not allowed but vehicles can stop for short duration to allow passengers to get into or get out of the vehicle. The sign should be accompanied by suitable kerb or carriageway markings. |
|
MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT This sign is erected at the beginning of the section of the road or area covered by a speed restriction, with numerals indicating the speed limit in kilometers per hour. |
|
NO STANDING This sign is erected at sections of roads where halting a vehicle even for a certain duration is prohibited which include boarding and alighting of passengers as well. Standing of vehicles in such areas can cause obstruction to the free flow of traffic. |
|
NO STOPPING This sign is erected where vehicles are prohibited to stop even temporarily. These include highly congested areas, very narrow road where stopping a vehicle can cause traffic congestion. |
|
RESTRICTION ENDS This sign indicates the point at which all prohibitions notified by prohibitory signs for moving of vehicles cease to apply. |
|
PRIORITY FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC This sign at the entrance of road, indicates the priority should be given to oncoming traffic. At narrow section of road where passing is difficult or impossible, traffic is regulated by preferable movement |
|
TONGA PROHIBITED This sign is erected on each entry to the road where tongas are to be prohibited. |
|
TRUCKS PROHIBITED This sign is used at the entrance to the road where movement of trucks is prohibited. |
|
BULLOCK CART PROHIBITED This sign is erected on each entry to the road where bullock carts are to be prohibited. |
|
BULLOCK CARTS & HAND CARTS PROHIBITED This sign is erected on each entry to the road where all types of slow moving vehicles except cycles are to be prohibited. |
|
HAND CART PROHIBITED This sign is erected on each entry to the road where hand carts are to be prohibited. |
|
CYCLE PROHIBITED In order to ensure the safety of cyclist certain roads which are meant for fast moving vehicles are prohibited for cyclists. |
|
PEDESTRIAN PROHIBITED This sign restricted the movement of pedestrian on road or adjoining area. This could be lane for fast moving vehicles, highways etc. |
|
COMPULSORY TURN LEFT These signs indicate the user must take a left turn in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. |
|
COMPULSORY TURN RIGHT These signs indicate the user must take a right turn in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. |
|
COMPULSORY TURN LEFT (in advance of junction) This sign indicates the user in advance that he should take a left turn from ahead in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. |
|
COMPULSORY TURN RIGHT: (in advance of junction) This sign indicates the user in advance that he should take a right turn from ahead in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. |
|
COMPULSORY AHEAD OR TURN LEFT This sign indicates the appropriate directions in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. Vehicles are supposed to move either of the given two directions i.e., left or straight. |
|
COMPULSORY AHEAD OR TURN RIGHT This sign indicates the appropriate directions in which the vehicles are permitted to proceed. Vehicles are supposed to move either of the given two directions i.e., straight or right. |
|
COMPULSORY AHEAD This sign indicates that the vehicle is only permitted to proceed ahead. |
|
COMPULSORY KEEP LEFT This sign is most frequently used on bollards or islands and refuges in the middle of the carriageway and at the beginning of central reserves of dual carriageway. The vehicles are obliged to keep left only. |
|
COMPULSORY CYCLE TRACK or CYCLE ONLY This sign indicates only cycle are allowed on the designated cycle track. |
|
COMPULSORY MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT This sign indicates that the vehicle should keep a minimum speed as specified in the sign. Driving at speed below the indicated speed is not permitted. |
|
COMPULSORY SOUND HORN This sign means the motor vehicles shall compulsorily sound horn at the location where the sign is placed. This sign is mostly put at sharp curves on hill roads. |
|
PEDESTRIAN ONLY This sign indicate that the area is designated only for the pedestrians and movement of other vehicle is not allowed. |
|
BUS ONLY This sign indicates that the road is a designated bus track where only buses are allowed to move. |
|
Mini Roundabout Mini roundabout sign is displayed at locations where a physical roundabout is not present on the road but instead the roundabout is marked on the road using road markings. Users need to obey the roundabout marking and are not allowed to drive over the marked surface. |
These triangular shaped signs give you warning about coming dangers on road and changes in the road conditions. The periphery of these signs is displayed in red and sign is made in black with white background.
RIGHT HAND CURVE This sign is used where the direction of alignment changes towards the right. The sign forewarns the driver to reduce the speed and proceed cautiously along the road. |
|
LEFT HAND CURVE This sign is used where the direction of alignment changes towards the left. The sign forewarns the driver to reduce the speed and proceed cautiously along the road. |
|
RIGHT HAIR PIN BEND This sign is used where the change in direction is so considerable that it amounts to reversal of direction. The symbol bends to right or left depending upon the road alignment. |
|
LEFT HAIR PIN BEND This sign is used where the change in direction is so considerable that it amounts to reversal of direction. The symbol bends to right or left depending upon the road alignment. |
|
LEFT REVERSE BEND This sign is used where the nature of the reverse bend is not obvious to approaching traffic and constitutes a hazard. If the first curve is to the right, a right reverse bend shall be used. If the first curve is to the left, a left reverse bend is used. |
|
RIGHT REVERSE BEND This sign notifies that entry is prohibited for all vehicles. Certain pockets of an area or road are demarcated as "No Entry" areas for traffic. |
|
ROAD WIDENS This sign is normally found in rural areas where a sudden widening of road causes a danger to traffic, such as, a two-lane road suddenly widening to a dual carriageway. |
|
NARROW ROAD This sign is normally found in rural areas where a sudden reduction in width of pavement causes a danger to traffic. |
|
NARROW BRIDGE This sign is erected on roads in advance of bridges where the clear width between the kerbs or wheel guards is less than normal width of carriageway. |
|
GAP IN MEDIAN This gap is installed ahead of a gap in the median of a divided carriageway, other than an intersection. |
|
CYCLE CROSSING This sign is erected in advance of all uncontrolled cycle crossings. |
|
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING This sign is erected in advance of both approaches to uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. |
|
SCHOOL AHEAD This sign is erected where school buildings or grounds are adjacent to the road where the traffic creates a hazard to children. |
|
PEOPLE AT WORK This sign is displayed only when people and machines are working on the road or adjacent to it or on overhead lines or poles. This sign is removed when the work is completed. |
|
SIDE ROAD RIGHT This sign is displayed in advance of the side road intersections where a large volume of entering traffic together with restricted sight distance is likely to constitute a hazard. The driver is warned of the existence of a junction. |
|
SIDE ROAD LEFT This sign is displayed in advance of the side road intersections where a large volume of entering traffic together with restricted sight distance is likely to constitute a hazard. The driver is warned of the existence of a junction. |
|
Y-INTERSECTION These signs are displayed on the approach to a bifurcation of any road. This sign warns of the existence of a junction and no other indication is given. |
|
MAJOR ROAD These signs are displayed in advance of crossing with the major road, where a sufficiently large volume of traffic together with a restricted sight is likely to cause a hazard. |
|
T-INTERSECTION This sign is displayed in advance of T-Junctions where the nature of inter-section is not obvious to approaching traffic. This sign is used to warn the driver of the existence of a junction. |
|
T-Intersection Major Road Ahead T-shaped intersection ahead, and the main road continues straight ahead. |
|
ROUNDABOUT This sign is used where it is necessary to indicate the approach to a roundabout. |
|
CROSS ROAD This sign is displayed in advance of the cross road where a sufficiently large volume of crossing or entering traffic with restricted sight distance is likely to constitute a hazard. |
|
END OF DUAL CARRIAGEWAY This sign warns users that the dual carriageway will be converted into a narrow road without having a median. |
|
WILD ANIMALS This sign warns the road users about possibility of movement of wild animals on the road. |
|
STEEP ASCENT This sign is displayed before a steep upgrade that may constitute a hazard to traffic. A gradient of 10 per cent and above is considered steep gradient. |
|
STEEP DESCENTP STEEP DESCENTP |
|
RUMBLE STRIP This sign is installed in advance of the rumble strips provided on the road to control the speed of the vehicle. |
|
DANGEROUS DIP This sign is used where a sharp dip in the profile of the road or a causeway is likely to cause considerable discomfort to traffic. |
|
SPEED BREAKER This sign warns the drivers of the presence of a speed breaker on the road./p> |
|
SLIPPERY ROAD This sign is used to warn that the section of the road ahead may be particularly slippery.. |
|
FALLING ROCKS This sign is used wherever rocks are liable to fall on the road seasonally or throughout the year. The symbol may be reversed to show the side from which rock fall is expected. |
|
BARRIER This sign is erected in advance of a gate controlling entry into a road. A definition plate with words "SLOW BARRIER AHEAD" or "TOLL BARRIER AHEAD" is also displayed on the sign |
|
OVERHEAD CABLE This sign indicates that the vehicle is only permitted to proceed ahead. |
|
CATTLE This sign is used where there is danger due to farm animals or cattle crossing on the road. |
|
FERRY This sign is used to warn the drivers about the existence of a ferry crossing across a river. |
|
LOOSE GRAVEL This sign is used on section of a road on which gravel may be thrown up by fast moving vehicles. |
|
QUARY SIDE OR RIVER BANK This sign is used to caution the driver of the presence of water by the side of the road and the impending danger. |
|
TRAFFIC SIGNALS This sign is used to caution the drivers of the presence of traffic signals. |
|
TRAFFIC MERGING AHEAD (FROM RIGHT) This sign warns users that there is a road ahead which is merging from the right hand side. |
|
START OF DUAL CARRIAGEWAY This sign warns users that the narrow road will be converted into a dual carriageway having a median. |
|
UNGUARDED RAILWAY CROSSING This sign is used on the approaches of level crossings where there are no gates or other barriers. An advance warning sign (with two bars) is installed at a distance of 200 meters and second sign (with one bar) is installed near the crossing. |
|
GUARDED RAILWAY CROSSING This sign is used to warn traffic on the approaches to the guarded railway crossing. An advance warning sign (with two bars) is installed at a distance of 200 meters and second sign (with one bar) is installed at the distance of 100 meters near the crossing. |
These signs inform the road users about the facilities available on the road like telephone booth, petrol pump, hospital, restaurant, repair facility etc. It is necessary for road users to inform about the facilities because as they drive they need some place to rest, eat, refuel their vehicle or repair it. These signs therefore help the road users and inform about the facilities which are available ahead on the road.
EMERGENCY SOS FACILITY In case of an emergency this sign is very useful for road users. This informs about an Emergency SOS Phone facility for calling help. |
|
FUEL STATION This sign informs about a fuel station available ahead. |
|
HOSPITAL This sign informs that there is a hospital ahead and in case of any emergency it could be useful for the road users. |
|
EATING PLACE This sign informs road users about availability of an eating place ahead. |
|
LIGHT REFRESHMENT This sign inform road users about availability of an outlet ahead for having light refreshments. |
|
RESTING PLACE This sign inform road users about a resting place ahead such as a hotel. |
|
REPAIR FACILITY This facility sign denotes about availability of a vehicle repairing centre approaching ahead. In case if they have any problem in vehicle, they can get it checked. |
|
NO THROUGH ROAD This sign inform road users that there is no through road ahead and it is closed for traffic. |
|
FIRST AID This sign informs about a first aid facility available ahead. This could be useful to the road users in case of an emergency. |
|
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY This sign inform road users about availability of a Foot Pedestrian Subway ahead. |
|
AIRPORT This sign informs road users about an airport approaching ahead. |
|
RAILWAY STATION This sign informs road users about a railway station approaching ahead. |
|
U TURN FACILITY This facility sign informs road users about a gap in median or a junction from where taking a U Turn is permissible. |
|
BUS STAND This sign inform road users about a bus stand approaching ahead on the road. |
|
POLICE STATION This sign informs road user about a Police Station approaching ahead. |
|
FOOT OVER BRIDGE This sign informs road users about availability of a Foot Over Bridge for crossing the road safely. |
|
FIRE EXTINGUISHER This sign informs road user about a facility where fire extinguisher is available. It can be used in case of fire caused due some road crash or any other reason. |
|
CHARGING STATION This sign inform road users about availability of Electric Vehicle Charging Station ahead. |
According to the category of vehicles, different types of parking signs are provided which are depicted below. The road users are required to park their vehicles as per the parking facility provided. It is essential to understand that “No Parking” sign is a regulatory sign and depicted in circular shape with a diagonal bar and “Parking” is a facility information sign which is depicted in rectangular shape having blue background. Parking a vehicle in a non-designated parking area may also lead booking of a No Parking ticket.
AUTO RICKSHAW PARKING This sign inform road users about place available for auto rickshaw parking. |
|
CYCLE PARKING This sign inform road users about place available for cycle parking. |
|
CYCLE RICKSHAW PARKING This sign inform road users about place available for cycle rickshaw parking. |
|
SCOOTER AND MOTOR CYCLE PARKING This sign inform road users about place available for scooter and motor cycle parking. |
|
TAXI PARKING This sign inform road users about availability of an outlet ahead for having light refreshments. |
|
CAR PARKING This sign inform road users about place available for car parking. |
These signs inform the road users about the facilities available on the road like telephone booth, petrol pump, hospital, restaurant, repair facility etc. It is necessary for road users to inform about the facilities because as they drive they need some place to rest, eat, refuel their vehicle or repair it. These signs therefore help the road users and inform about the facilities which are available ahead on the road.
STATE HIGHWAY This is Route Marker sign for State Highways. It has green background and white foreground. It informs road users that it is a State Highway bearing the number that is displayed on the sign. |
|
NATIONAL HIGHWAY This is Route Marker sign for National Highways. It has yellow background and black foreground. It informs road users that it is a National Highway bearing the number that is displayed on the sign. |
|
ASIAN HIGHWAY This is Route Marker sign for Asian Highways. It has blue background and white foreground. It informs road users that it is an Asian Highway bearing the number that is displayed on the sign. |
|
EXPRESSWAY This is Route Marker sign for Expressways. It has blue background and white foreground. It informs road users that it is an Expressway bearing the number that is displayed on the sign. |
The Flood Gauge sign is used on the section of road where water flows of logs in rainy season to give information to the road user about the depth of water. Such locations include low level bridges, roads passing through the river beds, under passes etc.
It is important to understand there when the level of water is above the danger level depicted on the Flood Gauge, the users should not drive through the road and should wait till the water level subsidizes.
This applicable for all types of vehicles ranging from two-wheelers to heave motor vehicles such as buses, trucks and trailers etc.