Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Traffic signs

Traffic signs or road signs are signs positioned at the side of roads to give information to road users. With increasing speed[citation needed] of transport, the tendency is for countries to adopt pictorial signs or otherwise simplify and exemplary signs, to aid international travel where language differences can create barriers and in general to reduce the risks in driving. Such pictorial signs use symbols in place of words and are usually a result of international standards. Such signs were first introduced in Europe, and have been adopted by most countries to varying degrees.

Traffic signs can be classified into several types. For instance, Annexe 1 of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (1968), which at 30 June 2004 had 52 signatory countries, defines eight classification of signs:

* A. Danger warning signs
* B. Priority signs
* C. Prohibitory or restrictive signs
* D. Mandatory signs
* E. Special regulation signs
* F. Information, facilities, or service signs
* G. Direction, position, or indication signs
* H. Additional panels

A sign with directions at Guntur, India

In the United States, Canada and Australia signs are categorized as follows:

* Regulatory signs
* Warning signs
* Guide signs
o Street signs
o Route marker signs
o Expressway signs
o Freeway signs
o Welcome Signs
o Informational signs
o Recreation and cultural interest signs
* Emergency management (civil defense) signs
* Temporary traffic control (construction or work zone) signs
* School signs
* Railroad and light rail signs
* Bicycle signs

No comments:

Post a Comment