Design of Road Signs and Markings - An Introduction

Highway authorities have a legal duty to manage their road network so as to ensure the expeditious and safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It is for each authority to determine what signing is necessary to meet this obligation.

Road signs and road markings may be used to inform, guide or direct or to give effect to regulatory requirements. It is important to ensure that, regardless of the reason for the use of signage, the message presented to the road user is clear and concise.

To increase awareness of the principles of good signing as outlined in the Traffic Signs Manual.

On completion of this course delegates will:

• Understand how highway and traffic law, regulations and codes of practice influence the design and implementation of road signing
• Understand how to apply the principles of Health & Safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice to the design and implementation of road signing
• Be able to define the difference between signs specified in regulations and those used to give effect to traffic regulation orders
• Be able to define the options for the signing of major/minor priority junctions
• Understand the principles for the signing of waiting and loading restrictions
• Understand the principles for the signing of on-street parking
• Understand the principles for the signing of speed limits
• Understand the process to implement and sign a road closure
• Understand the use of hazard warning signs
• Understand the relationship between traffic speed and the size and siting of warning signs
• Understand how to design road marking schemes involving transverse and longitudinal markings, hatchings and worded messages.
• Understand the basic principles of sign design
• Be able to define the various types of direction sign
• Understand how a direction sign is structured to take account of route and destination hierarchy
• Be able to define when and where various colours are used in sign design

• Legal
  • Highways Act
  • Road Traffic Acts
  • Road Traffic Regulation Act
  • Traffic Management Act
  • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
  • Health & Safety at Work etc Act
  • CDM Regulations
• Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
  • Regulations
  • Prescribed Signs
  • Directions
• Chapter 3 - Regulatory Signs
  • STOP and GIVE WAY
  • Compulsory and Prohibited Movements
  • Waiting and Loading Restrictions
  • Parking
  • Speed Limits
• Chapter 4 - Warning Signs
  • Junctions
  • Hazard Warnings
  • Low Bridges and Level Crossings
• Chapter 5 - Road Markings
  • Junctions
  • Centre Lines
  • Warning Line
  • Edge Lines
  • Double Lines
  • Hatching
• Chapter 7 - The Design of Traffic Signs
  • X-height
  • TA 1/94
  • Standard Alphabets
  • Basic Design Principles
  • Direction Signs
  • Route/Destination Hierarchy
  • Panels & Patches

• Tutor presentation supported by comprehensive course notes
• Illustrations from experience with discussion
• Individual exercises
• Handouts to illustrate particular issues
• Greater awareness of the requirements of Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the Traffic Signs Manual
• Greater awareness of the requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions

• Employees of Highway Authorities and Consultants engaged in the management of the highway network and who might have any involvement in the design, procurement or implementation of road signing and marking schemes
• The emphasis of the course may be varied to meet pre-notified delegate requirements
• It is not essential for delegates to have detailed knowledge of the Traffic Signs Manual and other related standards or of the implementation of road signing and marking schemes but some experience/knowledge will aid participation in discussions
• Participants are encouraged to bring with them examples of schemes which present problems in signing terms, as a basis for further discussion