SIMAD UNIVERSITY
Traffic Signs, Signals and
Pavement Markings
TARFFIC SIGNS
Definition Traffic signs are Recognizing traffic
signs
devices placed along, or
above a highway, roadway,
pathway, or other routes to
guide, warn, and regulate
the flow of traffic,
including motor vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians,
equestrians, and other
travelers.
They serve 3 different purposes:
(a) regulate traffic, movement,
or parking
(b) to warn of potential dangers
or changes in road condition
(c) to provide information and
Traffic signs have shapes that denote
guidance
specific meaning. The shapes allows you
to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and
sometimes the specific meaning of the
sign
The signing system
There are three basic types of traffic sign: signs that give orders, signs
that warn and signs that give information. Each type has a different shape.
A further guide to the function of a sign is its colour. All triangular signs are
red.
The signing system
The signing system
Regulatory signs
Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give
positive instruction.
Warning signs
Information
signs
Signs, Signals and Road Markings
Signs, Signals and Road Markings
Purpose: To become acquainted with the purpose and
meaning of traffic signs, signals and road markings.
Recognizing
traffic signs
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning. The
shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the
specific meaning of the sign.
Recognizing
This eight-sided
traffic signs octagon-shape is used exclusively for stop signs
The driver should immediately
recognize that it means stop.
STOP Some may have this small
supplemental plate which
4-WAY indicates whether other
traffic must also stop.
Is it necessary to stop completely at a stop sign?
If you want to pass your drivers’ license test it is!
You will often fail at the exam station if you “roll” a stop sign!
Is it necessary to stop completely at a stop sign?
If you want to pass your drivers’ license test it is!
You will often fail at the exam station if you “roll” a stop sign!
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Stopping Points
Most stops signs have
designated stopping points.
The front of the car.
What part of your car must stop
before the thick white limit line?
Why
should
STOP
In case
and
you
pedestrians
are present.
THINK
stop
there?
Where is your stopping point at this intersection?
With no white limit line, use the crosswalk lines.
Here, there are no white limit lines at the stop sign.
Where is your stopping point?
At the sidewalk.
At a point where you can see,
without getting into the intersection.
At this stop sign there is no stop line or sidewalk.
Where is your stopping point here?
Get in the habit of
“saying the signs”
to yourself as you see them.
Any ideas on WHY this sign is placed here?
The curve and tree is obscuring the stop sign.
WHITE STOP LINE
Where is the stop sign?
How do you know?
Can you identify the 4
stopping points in order?
- Thick white limit line
- Crosswalk lines
- Sidewalk
- At a point where you can see without
getting into the intersection.
Thought question: Besides allowing for pedestrians
to cross, what is another reason for stopping at the line?
Always stop at
the designated
stopping point!
Cars that overshoot their stopping point may
cause other drivers to become frightened. They may
hit their brakes hard, causing a rear-end collision.
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used exclusively for yield signs
The driver should immediately
recognize that they are yield to
other drivers or pedestrians. This
may require slowing down and
being ready to stop for other
traffic including bicycles and
pedestrians…as they have the
right of way.
Again simply following the letter of the law
could save you a lot of pain and suffering.
Sadly, 1000’s of accidents are caused by drivers failing to yield.
Failure to yield the right-of-way to others drivers is
one of the top five causes of accidents
SLOW DOWN AND BEGIN CHECKING
AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. You may have to stop.
What will you do as you
approach this yield sign?
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used exclusively for Railroad Signs
The driver should immediately
recognize that a railroad crossing
is ahead and be prepared to stop if
necessary.
This cross buck warns that
the crossing is imminent.
You need to be in the habit of slowing down and
checking the tracks every time you cross them.
Eventually you’ll drive in areas where
crossings do not have gates, bells and lights!
When approaching a railroad crossing
with no lights or gates and poor visibility (less than 400 feet)
to either side, you must reduce you speed to
to properly check the tracks enabling you to stop if necessary.
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used exclusively for No Passing Zone
This type of sign
NO
is rare in some
PASSING
states, but is used
ZONE
in others. Passing
is not allowed.
The hill prevent good
visibility of the road ahead.
Besides the solid yellow line on our side
what is another reason passing is not allowed?
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used exclusively for Warning Signs
The driver should immediately
recognize that there is a potentially
dangerous situation ahead.
Some examples would be
intersections ahead, divided road
ahead, merging traffic, winding road,
and construction ahead.
Flag person ahead
What are you expecting ahead?
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used for regulatory signs
The driver should immediately
recognize that these signs mean a
regulatory or warning action that
you must obey.
Some examples would be speed limit,
keep right, and parking signs.
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is used for regulatory, and guide signs
Some examples would be do not
enter, no parking and hospital.
TURN RIGHT
This sign means danger ahead
because you are going the wrong
way. The WRONG WAY sign tells
you that you are traveling the
opposite the direction of traffic.
You must stop and go back to the
road you were originally on,
when safe to do so.
There’s no road to the left.
After stopping, what must you do?
Any idea what this
regulatory sign means?
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
This shape is found on slow-moving vehicles. Examples would
be farm tractors, road maintenance vehicles and street sweepers.
This shape is used exclusively for slow-moving vehicles.
Extra caution must be exercised
as these vehicles can unexpectedly
stop or turn into quickly into your
pathway without warning.
Extra caution must be exercised
as these vehicles can unexpectedly
stop or turn into quickly into your
pathway without warning.
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Traffic signs have shapes that denote specific meaning.
The shapes allows you to know if you are faced with a regulation,
a warning, information or guidance and sometimes the specific
meaning of the sign.
This shape is also used for guide signs
Some examples would be recreational
areas, destination signs, and rest
Rocky Mountain areas.
State Park
What are the three D’s of green color signs?
Destination Distance Direction
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Before moving on…quiz yourself
on what was just covered
A) RAILROAD
B) DO NOT ENTER
C) STOP
D) WARNING
A) RAILROAD
B) DO NOT ENTER
STOP C) STOP
D) WARNING
A) YIELD
B) SLOW MOVING
VEHICLE
C) NO PASSING
ZONE
D) WARNING
A) YIELD
B) SLOW MOVING
VEHICLE
C) NO PASSING
ZONE
D) WARNING
A) Railroad
B) Do not
enter
C) Stop sign
D) Route sign
A) Railroad
B) Do not
enter
C) Stop sign
D) Route sign
A) RAILROAD
B) STOP
C) DO NOT ENTER
D) NO PASSING
A) RAILROAD
B) STOP
C) DO NOT ENTER
D) NO PASSING
A) Regulatory
B) Warning
C) Guidance
D) Caution
A) Regulatory
B) Warning
C) Guidance
D) Caution
A) Hazard
B) Curve to the right
C) No passing zone
D) Slow moving vehicle
NO
PASSING
ZONE
A) Hazard
B) Curve to the right
C) No passing zone
D) Slow moving vehicle
A) Warning
B) School Zone
C) Regulatory
D) Railroad
A) Warning
B) School Zone
C) Regulatory
D) Railroad
A) regulatory
B) warning
C) school
D) yield
A) regulatory
B) warning
C) school
D) yield
A) YIELD
B) WARNING
C) HAZARD
D) SLOW MOVING
VEHICLE
A) YIELD
B) WARNING
C) HAZARD
D) SLOW MOVING
VEHICLE
INTERSTATE
STOP
4-WAY
RED COLOR SIGNS
Red is used exclusively for STOP and Yield signs,
Do not enter signs, wrong way signs, for symbols on
certain regulatory signs and as part of Interstate and
certain State route signs.
DO NOT
WRONG
WAY ENTER
A red circle with a red line through it is also used to
denote that something is not permitted. The picture
inside the circle shows what you cannot do.
No Parking signs must be obeyed
- $500 dollar fine for littering
What 2 things is this regulatory
sign telling you?
Only travel in
this direction
ONE
WAY
BLACK COLOR
Black is used as a background for ONE WAY, night
speed limits (in other states) and inspection station signs,
and as a message color on signs with white, yellow,
or orange backgrounds.
WHITE COLOR
White is used as a background for route markers, guide
signs, and certain regulatory signs, and as message
color on signs with brown, green, blue, black, and red
backgrounds.
Rocky Mountain
State Park
ORANGE COLOR SIGNS
Orange color
signs are used as
a background color
for construction
and maintenance.
YELLOW COLOR SIGNS
Yellow signs are used as a background color for
warning signs and some school signs.
(except construction and maintenance signs)
GREEN
COLOR
SIGNS
Green color signs are used as a background color
for guide signs, mileposts, and street names, and
as a message color on permissive regulation and
parking signs.
MILE
FREEWAY
ENTRANCE Parking
4
this exit
BROWN COLOR Rocky Mountain
SIGNS State Park
Brown color signs are
used as a background
color for guide and
information signs that
relate to points of
recreational or cultural
interest and on some
street name signs.
BLUE COLOR SIGNS
Blue color signs are used
as a background color
for traveler services, REST
information signs, Civil AREA
Defense Evacuation
Route Markers and some
street name signs.
FLOURESCENT YELLOW-GREEN SIGNS
FLUORESCENT YELLOW-GREEN SIGNS
Fluorescent Yellow
Green is also used
as a background for
pedestrian, bicycle,
and school warning
signs.
Signs, Signals,
and Road markings
Before moving on…quiz yourself
on what was just covered
RED COLOR SIGNS
A) Regulatory
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
A) Regulatory
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
Yellow color signs
A) Regulatory
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
A) Regulatory
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
GREEN COLOR SIGNS
A) Parks & Recreation areas
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
GREEN COLOR SIGNS
A) Parks & Recreation areas
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Motorist services
BLUE COLOR SIGNS
A) Motorist services
B) Guidance
C) Warning
D) Construction
BLUE COLOR SIGNS
A) Motorist services
B) Guidance
C) Warning
D) Construction REST
AREA
BROWN COLOR SIGNS
A) Parks & Recreation areas
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Construction
BROWN COLOR SIGNS
Rocky Mountain
State Park
A) Parks & Recreation areas
B) Distance, direction, destination
C) Warning
D) Construction
ORANGE COLOR SIGNS
A) Motorist services
B) Guidance
C) Caution
D) Construction
ORANGE COLOR SIGNS
A) Motorist services
B) Guidance
C) Caution
D) Construction
Signs, Shapes and Colors
Quiz time…how much do you remember?
1)1) The eight-sided octagon shape is used exclusively for
______________.
1)2) What part of your car must stop at the white limit line?
__________________
1)3) This triangle shaped sign is used exclusively for
_________ signs.
1)4) At this sign, drivers must be ready to ______to other
traffic as they will have the ____ __ ____.
1)5) Round shaped signs are used exclusively for
__________________
6) This shape is used for ___ ________ _____
1)7) This diamond shape sign is used for _________
It is colored ______for general warnings and
_______for construction
8) This vertical rectangle is used for _________signs.
The three most used colors on these signs:
____________________________
1 9) Green shaped signs like this are
It - It
used as ______________signs.
10) This route sign is often found in more than one state.
This sign is a __________ route.
1) 11) This sign is also frequently seen crossing
state borders. This sign is an _____________route.
1) 12) This is a _____________ sign.
1 13) This shape always means ___________.
14) Four regulatory signs that have red in them:
_____________________________________
15) Brown color signs designate: ______________
16) Blue color signs indicate: _____________
1) 17) The newer school signs are what color? ____________
18) This sign would be ______ color.
19) This sign (with a picture inside)
means: _________
Pavement Markings
PAVEMENT MARKINGS
Definition:
Traffic markings are all
lines, patterns, symbols,
words, colors, or other
devices, except signs and
power-operated traffic
control devices, set into the
surface of, applied upon, or
attached to the pavement or
curbing and placed for the
purpose of regulating,
warning, or guiding traffic
Longitudinal lines
Yellow lines designate separation of traffic lanes flowing in opposite
directions or can be used to mark the left edge of one-way roadways
White lines delineate the separation of traffic flows in the same
direction or can be used to mark the right edge of pavements..
Red markings are used to delineate roadways that shall not be
entered or used.
Broken lines are permissive.
Solid lines are restrictive.
Dotted lines indicate guidance.
Yellow lines OR White
lines
Yellow Lines
•On a two-way roadway, the yellow center marking can
consist of :
• A normal broken yellow line
• A double yellow line, one of which is a normal broken yellow
line and the other is a normal solid yellow line.
• Two normal solid yellow lines (a double yellow line)
Yellow Lines
A normal broken yellow line
• Marks a two-direction passing zone. Traffic travelling in either
direction may pass other vehicles with care and the way ahead
is clear
Yellow Lines
A double (solid + broken) yellow
lines
• Traffic travelling adjacent to the broken line may pass other
vehicles with care, but traffic travelling adjacent to the solid
line is prohibited from passing
Yellow Lines
Two normal solid yellow lines
• Traffic from either direction is prohibited from passing
Yellow Lines
White Lines
•On a one-way road, white lines can be
• A broken wide line
• A normal or wide solid white line
• A wide double white line
White Lines
A broken white lines
• Separate lanes where you’re permitted to change lanes. Cross
the lane line marking with care.
White Lines
Normal or wide solid white lines
• You should stay in your lane
• The solid line means that crossing the line marking is
discouraged.
• You should only change lane when it is necessary to avoid an
incident
• It is often used to separate a through lane from an added
mandatory turn lane at intersection
White Lines
Double white lines
• You are prohibited from crossing the line. You must not change
lanes for any reason
Traffic Signals
Traffic
Signals
Traffic signals are
devices located at road
intersections and
pedestrian crossings to
control the flow of
traffic and enhance road
safety. They use a
universal colour code
(typically red,
Why Traffic
Signals?
• Conflicting traffic movements, make roadway intersections
unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians
• Intersections are a major source of crashes and vehicle
delay (as vehicles yield to avoid conflicts with other
vehicles).
Traffic
Signals
• GREEN means go IF THE WAY IS CLEAR. Take extra care if
you intend to turn left or right, and give way to pedestrians who
are crossing.
• AMBER means STOP. You may go on only if the amber appears
after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to
pull up might cause an accident
• RED means STOP. Wait behind the stop line on the carriageway
until GREEN shows.
Traffic
Signals
Traffic Signals : Advantages
Eliminates many conflicts by assigning right of
way.
May increase intersection capacity if properly
used.
Provisions for pedestrians to cross the street
safely.
Potential reduction of accidents, conflicts
Traffic Signals :
Disadvantages
Large stop time delay.
Fuel Consumption and Emissions.
Over-dependence.
Emergency Vehicles Delay
Right of way rules
Right of way rules
Scenario
1
Right of way rules
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2
Right of way rules
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2
Right of way rules
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3
Right of way rules
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3
Right of way rules
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4
Right of way rules
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5
Right of way rules
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6