TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (TCDs)

1.0 INTRODUCTION Definition: Traffic control devices shall be defined as all signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic, placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway, pedestrian facility, bikeway, by authority of a public agency or official having jurisdiction. The TCD Rule states: Traffic Control devices, whether used singly or in combination, must contribute to the safe and effective control of traffic and must: a) be safe and appropriate for the road, its environment or the use of the road; and b) not dazzle, distract or mislead road users; and c) convey a clear and consistent message to road users; and d) be placed so as to: i. ii. iii. iv. be visible to road users; and be legible to road users, if of a type that includes written words or symbols; and allow adequate time for the intended response from road users; and be maintained in good repair

1.1

Purpose of Traffic Control Devices

The purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the principles for their use, is to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all road users on streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel throughout the Nation.

Traffic control devices notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for the uniform and efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream in a manner intended to minimize the occurrences of crashes. Traffic control devices or their supports shall not bear any advertising message or any other message that is not related to traffic control. 1.2 Principles of Traffic Control Devices

To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements: a. Fulfill a need;
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b. Command attention; c. Convey a clear, simple meaning; d. Command respect from road users; and e. Give adequate time for proper response. 1.3 Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices Placement of a traffic control device should be within the road users view so that adequate visibility is provided. The location and legibility of the traffic control device should be such that a road user has adequate time to make the proper response in both day and night conditions. Traffic control devices should be placed and operated in a uniform and consistent manner. Unnecessary traffic control devices should be removed.

1.4

Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices Physical maintenance of traffic control devices should be performed to retain the legibility and visibility of the device, and to retain the proper functioning of the device. Clean, legible, properly mounted devices in good working condition command the respect of road users.

1.5

Uniformity of Traffic Control Devices Uniformity of devices simplifies the task of the road user because it aids in recognition and understanding, thereby reducing perception/reaction time. Uniformity assists road users, law enforcement officers, and traffic courts by giving everyone the same interpretation. Uniformity assists public highway officials through efficiency in manufacture, installation, maintenance, and administration.

1.6

Classification of Roadway Freeway: A freeway is a divided roadway with full control of access (no crossings at grade). Expressway: An expressway is a divided major roadway for through traffic, with partial control of access and generally with interchanges at major crossroads.
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Major: These roadways connect areas of principal traffic generation and are sometimes subdivided into primary and secondary. Collector: A collector roadway services between major and local roadways. These are streets used mainly for traffic movements within residential, commercial and industrial areas that give direct service to abutting properties.

Local: A local roadway is direct access to residential, commercial, industrial or other property. They make up a large percentage of the total street system, but carry a small proportion of vehicular traffic.

1.7

Color Code

The following color code establishes general meanings for 9 colors of a total of 13 colors that have been identified as being appropriate for use in conveying traffic control information. The general meaning of the basic colors are as follows: 1. Blackregulation 2. Blueroad user services guidance, tourist information, and evacuation route 3. Brownrecreational and cultural interest area guidance 4. Fluorescent Yellow-Greenpedestrian warning, bicycle warning, playground warning, school bus and school warning 5. Greenindicated movements permitted, direction guidance 6. Orangetemporary traffic control 7. Redstop or prohibition 8. Whiteregulation 9. Yellowwarning

2.0

PRINCIPLES OF TRAFFIC SIGNS

Function and Purpose of Signs

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2.1

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

2.2
2.2.1

SIGN SHAPE AND SYMBOL COMPREHENSION

Sign shape indicates the type of sign that is being used. Normally, this is identified in conjunction with the colour used. Table 1 identifies some examples of basic sign shapes and colours. Table 1: Examples of common shapes and colours of signs ype of sign Common sign shape

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2.2.2

SYMBOLS Symbols on signs can usually be seen, read and interpreted at a greater distance ahead of the decision-making point than a similar message conveyed by words. In addition, when they conform to internationally accepted formats, symbols can convey messages more clearly and quickly to drivers whose English may be limited.

It is important only standard symbols are used. Experience has shown it is necessary to properly assess road users understanding of symbols.

2.2.3

WORD MESSAGES Word messages should be as brief as possible and the lettering should be large enough to provide the necessary legibility distance. A minimum specific ratio of 1 inch of letter height per 30 feet of legibility distance should be used.

Abbreviations should be kept to a minimum. Word messages should not contain periods, apostrophes, question marks, ampersands, or other punctuation or characters that are not letters, numerals, or hyphens unless necessary to avoid confusion.

The solidus (slanted line or forward slash) is intended to be used for fractions only and should not be used to separate words on the same line of legend. Instead, a hyphen should be used for this purpose, such as TRUCKS - BUSES.

All sign lettering shall be in upper-case letters. The sign lettering for names of places, streets, and highways shall be composed of a combination of lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters.

2.2.4

Sign Borders Each sign shall have a border of the same color as the legend, at or just inside the edge. The corners of all sign borders shall be rounded, except for STOP signs.
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2.2.5

Retroreflectivity and Illumination Regulatory, warning, and guide signs and object markers shall be retro-reflective or illuminated to show the same shape and similar color by both day and night.

2.2.6

Standardization of Location

Standardization of position cannot always be attained in practice. Examples of heights and lateral locations of signs for typical installations are illustrated in Figure 2A-2, and examples of locations for some typical signs at intersections are illustrated in Figure 2A-3.

Guidance: Signs should be located on the right-hand side of the roadway where they are easily recognized and understood by road users. Signs in other locations should be considered only as supplementary to signs in the normal locations, except as otherwise provided in this Manual. Signs should be individually installed on separate posts or mountings (as much as possible).

Guidance in Locating Signs: Signs should be located so that they: a) Are outside the clear zone unless placed on a breakaway or yielding support), b) Optimize nighttime visibility, c) Minimize the effects of mud splatter and debris, d) Do not obscure each other, e) Do not obscure the sight distance to approaching vehicles on the major street for drivers who are stopped on minor-street approaches, and f) Are not hidden from view.

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Figure 2A-2. Examples of Heights and Lateral Locations of Sign Installations

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Figure 2A-3. Examples of Locations for Some Typical Signs at Intersections 2.2.7 Overhead Sign Installations

Overhead signs should be used on freeways and expressways, at locations where some degree of lane-use control is desirable, and at locations where space is not available at the roadside.
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Option: The following conditions (not in priority order) may be considered in an engineering study to determine if overhead signs would be beneficial: a) Traffic volume at or near capacity, b) Complex interchanges design, c) Three or more lanes in each direction, d) Restricted sight distance, e) Closely-spaced interchanges, f) Multi-lane exits, g) Large percentage of trucks, h) Street lighting background, i) High-speed traffic, j) Insufficient space for post-mounted signs,

Over-crossing structures may be used to support overhead signs. 2.2.8 Mounting Height The minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation of the near edge of the pavement, of signs installed at the side of the road in rural areas shall be 5 feet (see Figure 2A-2). The minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the top of the kerb, of signs installed at the side of the road in business, commercial, or residential areas where parking or pedestrian movements are likely to occur, or where the view of the sign might be obstructed, shall be 7 feet (see Figure 2A-2). Overhead signs shall provide a vertical clearance of not less than 17 feet to the sign, light fixture, or Sign Bridge over the entire width of the pavement and shoulders except where the structure on which the overhead signs are to be mounted or other structures along the roadway near the sign structure have a lesser vertical clearance. 2.2.9 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 in the wind or displacement by vandalism.
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