Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings Traffic Signs NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings Presentation 1 of 3 TOPICS: -Purpose of Signs -Types of Signs -International Signs

Before we begin... Let’s Talk About It Share your thoughts with a partner. Take 60 seconds to discuss: Why do you think traffic signs come in different colors and shapes? Signs image from: http://www.freshfreestuff.net/free/road-signs-traffic-light-vector.html Retrieved 7/31/10

Purposes of Signs Signs are designed to be easily understood Designed to ensure safety and communicate Regulate traffic, movement, or parking Warn of potential dangers or road conditions Provide information and guidance Traffic signs have uniform colors and shapes Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Colors convey traffic control information Colors Have Meaning Colors convey traffic control information Yellow warning/caution Black & White regulatory Orange work zone Blue services Red stop or prohibition Green direction or guidance Brown recreational Fluorescent Yellow-Green warning Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Shapes make recognition easier Shapes Have Meaning Shapes make recognition easier Octagon stop Triangle yield Diamond warning Pentagon school Shield - route Rectangle (tall & long) traffic regulations Pennant no passing Circle railroad ahead Cross Buck railroad crossing Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09 School image from: http://www.schoolmasters.com/categories/schoolmasters_products.cfm?category=Yell101246&bc2=2&div=sf Retrieved 12/22/09

Each convey a different type of information Types of Signs Three basic types of signs: Regulatory Warning Guide Each convey a different type of information Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09 Slow-moving vehicle image from: http://www.safetysystemshawaii.com/identification/slow-moving-vehicle/index.html Retrieved: 12/22/09

Control traffic and must be obeyed Regulatory Signs Control traffic and must be obeyed Most important regulatory signs Stop (unique shape) Yield (unique shape) Do Not Enter All other regulatory signs are either white squares or rectangles with red or black lettering Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Stop Signs Tells you where to stop (sign or line indicates where to make legal stop) Used at intersection of two (or more) streets Intersection may be a two-way or four-way stop Intersection image from: http://www.co.jackson.ms.us/news/whats-new.php Cross traffic image from: http://stillwater.org/content/2008/12&western.php 4-way image from: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/resources/intsafestratbro/ Retrieved: 12/22/09

Found where roadways merge Yield Sign Found where roadways merge Always slow and check traffic Be prepared to stop Proceed only when it is safe Pedestrian images from: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/7485 Roundabout image from: http://stephenrees.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/roundabouts-part-2/ Bike image from: http://achicagosojourn.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-do-they-want-from-us.html Retrieved: 12/22/09

Speed Limits Show maximum speed allowed sometimes also minimum Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions Poor weather condition, obey the basic speed law Basic Speed Law: Do not drive faster than is safe for current weather conditions, regardless of posted speed limit Advisory Speed Limits recommend safe speed Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Other Regulatory Signs Prohibited – some red circle with red slash Movement Other Restrictions/Prohibitions Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Most warning signs are yellow and diamond shape Intersections Lane changes Traffic Railroad Crossings Conditions Curves Chevrons Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09

Pedestrian & School Zones Slow down and watch for children! Subject to speed limits – either 15 or 25 mph Half an hour before and after school Some flashing lights indicate time of speed restrictions Violating crossing guard is misdemeanor in NV Crossing image from: http://www.ci.st-charles.il.us/departments/Police/TrafficAndParking/CrossingGuards.html Pedestrian signs images from: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/7485 15mph image from: Nevada Driver’s Handbook, page 25 Flashers image from: http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/casestudy.cfm?CS_NUM=27 Retrieved: 12/22/09

Railroad Crossing Crossbuck sign indicates location of tracks If lights flashing, you must stop If gate lowered, may not go around Passenger buses and truck with flammable or dangerous materials must stop at tracks Image from: http://www.indianalawyerblog.com/2009/01/indiana_train_accident_kills_d_1.html Retrieved: 12/22/09 A train can weigh over 10 million pounds and cannot swerve to avoid cars.

Violation in work zone result in INCREASED traffic fines Road Construction Orange signs - may include cones, drums, barricades, and flashing lights May include warning or directional lights SLOW DOWN and follow all directions Violation in work zone result in INCREASED traffic fines Caution/Move/Merge images from: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/pa_driversmanual/chapter_2.pdf Electric sign image from: http://www.dgmslaw.com/construction-zone-accidents.htm Workers image from: http://www.viewbritesafetyproducts.com/acatalog/Road_Construction_Vests.html Flagger image from: http://www.nevadadot.com/News/traffic_law/ Barrels image from: http://www.nevadadot.com/News/traffic_law/ Retrieved: 12/22/09

Work Zones Driving Tips Slow down Follow the signs Be alert Orange signs of work zones Enter with extra concentration, caution, and common sense. Driving Tips Slow down Follow the signs Be alert Remain calm Give trucks space They need more room to stop and change lanes. Double border images From: http://www.amblesidedrivingschool.com/traficsigen.htm Single boarder images from: http://ustrafficsign.com/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=6 Icon “pavement ends” image from: http://www.osha.gov/doc/highway_workzones/mutcd/6f_typesofdevices.html Retrieved: 12/30/09 REMEMBER: Speed limit applies regardless of the presence of workers and fines are doubled.

Several shapes and colors Guide Signs Several shapes and colors Destination and Mileage Route Markers Roadside Services Recreational Areas Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html New York Mileage image from: http://www.upstatenyroads.com/signshop2.shtml Quincy image from: Nevada Route image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_State_Route_512 Retrieved: 12/21/09

Route Signs Interstate signs blue and red Three-figure route numbers East-West routes = even numbers North-South routes = odd numbers Three-figure route numbers Start with odd number leads into city Start with even number goes around city Loops usually bypass cities Meets primary route at both ends Spurs is a short route Meets primary route at one end State Route County Route Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html 80 image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_(Nevada) 595 image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Boulevard_(Las_Vegas) 215 image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Beltway Retrived: 12/22/09

International Signs International signs convey information by symbols rather than words. According to international agreements: Danger warning signs either triangle or diamond Restrictive or prohibitory circle with red border, may have slash Mandatory directional signs usually blue circles Images from: International Road Signs Leaflet, 2008 edition - Ait-FIA Information Centre (OTA) http://www.reisen-tcs.ch/etc/medialib/travel/reiseinfos/pdf.Par.0040.File.tmp/MON_signaux_routiers_en.pdf Retrieved: 12/23/09

Stop for People Crossing International Signs See Worksheet Think: Red = restriction or warnings Blue = guidance Yellow = caution Green = information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Malaysia Obstruction Ahead S. Africa No Stopping Poland Tunnel Ahead Germany Bus Stop Mexico Inspection Area China Keep Your Distance Images from: International Road Signs Leaflet, 2008 edition - Ait-FIA Information Centre (OTA) http://www.reisen-tcs.ch/etc/medialib/travel/reiseinfos/pdf.Par.0040.File.tmp/MON_signaux_routiers_en.pdf Retrieved: 12/23/09 Switzerland Passing Place Australia Pedestrians may Cross Diagonally New Zealand Stop for People Crossing Canada Sharp Turn

Did You Know Final Thoughts The first STOP sign appeared in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. There were a variety of colors until the late 1920’s, when the background was standardized as yellow - for nearly 30 years. By 1954, a durable fade-resistant red coatings changed the STOP sign to the red color we see today. Images from: http://www.trafficsign.us/index.html Retrieved: 12/21/09