Highway Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings: Meanings and Functions, Study notes of Construction

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Markings, and

Work Zones

Signs, Pavement

Markings, and

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Markings, and

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This chapter includes information on highway signs that are intended to guide and inform you while you are driving. It includes information on the following:

• regulatory signs
• warning signs
• guidance signs
• work zone signs
• pavement markings

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs indicate the laws and regulations affecting the use of the highway. You must observe the instructions on regulatory signs unless directed otherwise by a Peace Officer.

Stop sign The stop sign is eight-sided with a red background and the word “STOP” printed in white. The octagonal shape is used only for stop signs. A stop sign means that you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop and be sure the way is clear before proceeding. The stop must be completed at the clearly marked stop line, or at the nearest crosswalk line. If there is no painted crosswalk or stop line, you must stop far enough back to allow sufficient room to allow a pedestrian to cross safely. This is called an unmarked crosswalk.

Yield sign The yield sign is triangular and is red and white. The yield sign means that you must reduce speed as your vehicle approaches the intersection. You must give the right of way, stopping if necessary, to any other traffic in, or closely approaching, the intersection.

School zone The school zone sign is five-sided with a fluorescent yellow- green background and two school children pedestrian symbols in black. This is the standard design across Nova Scotia since June 1, 2001. When children are present in a school zone, the maximum speed limit is 30 km/h where the approaching speed limit is 50km/h, or 50km/h where the approaching speed limit is higher than 50km/h whatever the time of day. You must slow down, watch for children, and exercise extreme caution, as with all driving situations. Your speed must be reasonable and prudent for existing conditions.

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Stop Sign

Yield Sign

School Zone Sign

Railway crossings Railway crossings are marked with a crossbuck sign which has a white background with a red reflective border. This has replaced the older sign which had “Railway Crossing” in black lettering printed on the crossbuck.

A yellow and black warning sign indicates that you are approaching a railway crossing. The direction or angle of the tracks across the road is reflected on the sign (in this case perpendicular).

As you approach the tracks, look both ways and listen, because you may have to stop. Trains can approach a crossing at any time. If there is a stop sign, you must come to a full stop before crossing. A railway crossbuck sign is used at the crossing itself. A smaller sign below the crossbuck indicates if there is more than one set of tracks.

Many crossings have flashing red lights or flashing red lights with gates. If the warning signal activates, you must stop before the gates lower across your side of the road. Do not move through a railway crossing when the gates are lowered.

Remember these railway crossing rules:

• When flashing red lights are used with crossbuck signs at the railway crossing, you must stop, just as you would stop for any flashing red traffic signal, and only proceed when it is safe to do so.
• If you are waiting for a train to pass, be patient.
• Do not move immediately after the train has passed. First check to make sure that there isn’t another train approaching.
• Be prepared to stop for vehicles that must stop at crossings, such as school buses, motor vehicles carrying passengers for hire, or vehicles transporting explosives or hazardous materials (these vehicles are marked with placard signs).

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Crossbuck Sign

This warning sign

is usually posted

in advance of

the Railway

Crossbuck sign

Indicates number

of tracks to cross

Other regulatory signs The most common regulatory signs are rectangular or square with a white background and either black or red lettering.

Many of these signs use a combination of graphics and symbols. For example, two cars in a green circle means that passing is permitted, whereas two cars in a red circle with a line through it means do not pass.

The accessible parking sign means that the space is reserved for persons with mobility disability who have a special licence plate or permit. The permit must be hung from the rearview mirror.

Warning Signs

Most warning signs are diamond-shaped with black lettering or symbols on a yellow background.

Warning signs caution you of changing road conditions ahead. The merge sign, for example, indicates an upcoming intersection where two separate traffic lanes are about to join and merge into one. Drivers approaching from both lanes are equally responsible for seeing that traffic merges smoothly and safely. You should be ready to yield the right of way when necessary.

Guidance Signs

Guidance signs are rectangular, usually with a green background and white letters. They provide information and directions, including route numbers and distances. Other signs with different colours guide you to facilities, services, and attractions.

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Stop Sign Ahead

Truck Entering

Slippery When Wet

Traffic Signal

Lights Ahead

Example of

Warning Signs

Pavement Markings

Pavement markings work with road signs and traffic signal lights to give you important information about the direction of traffic and where you may and may not travel. Pavement markings divide traffic lanes, show turning lanes, mark pedestrian crossings, indicate obstacles, and tell you when it is not safe to pass.

Rules about solid and broken lines Yellow lines separate travel lanes moving in opposite directions. White lines separate travel lanes moving in the same direction. A yellow dotted or broken line is used as the centre line on a two-lane, two-way road where passing with care is permitted in both directions. When the centre line consists of continuous double solid yellow lines, you cannot cross them to pass in either direction. On a two-lane road, passing with care is permitted if the broken yellow line is on your side of the centreline markings.

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Broken Centre Line

Double Solid Lines

Two-laned highway with climbing lane Climbing lanes are designed to allow faster-moving traffic to pass slower-moving traffic. All traffic must keep to the right unless passing. Vehicles travelling at less than 70 km/h must use four-way flashers when indicated by a posted sign on the right hand side of the road. Traffic wishing to pass must pass using the left lane, returning to the right lane when the pass is completed. Do not attempt to pass when you reach the solid line at the end of the climbing lane. The vehicle on the right has the right of way.

Continuity lines Continuity lines are painted on the highway at entry and exit ramps. They indicate the separation between the through- lane and the entry or exit ramps. They are wider than the regular lane-separation lines.

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Climbing Lanes

Continuity Lines

Two-way-left-turn lanes On certain multi-lane highways, the centre lane is reserved exclusively as a two-way-left-turn lane. This means that traffic travelling in both directions share the lane when making left turns. Never use this lane to pass or overtake another vehicle.

When a highway is divided into three or more lanes and a sign is posted or the pavement is marked designating the centre or middle lane as a two-way-left-turn lane, all drivers must drive to the right of the double lines except to prepare for a left turn.

Be careful when using this lane. Remember, other vehicles may also be using the lane from the opposite direction.

Complete a left turn in a two-way-left-turn lane in the following way:

• Turn on your left-turn signal, check traffic to the front and rear, and do a shoulder check to the left.
• When it is safe, slow down and gradually move into the two-way-left-turn lane as close to your exit point as possible. Do not drive in the two-way-left-turn lane for an extended distance.
• Reduce your speed and stop as near as possible to the point at which the left turn will be made.
• Yield to approaching vehicles. When the way is clear, complete the turn. Vehicles approaching in the turning lane from the opposite direction are also required to yield. Each driver must yield sufficiently to the other so that traffic moves smoothly without causing an immediate hazard to other drivers or pedestrians.

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No right turn on red signal. Wait for green light before making a right turn

No left turn permitted

Do Not Litter

No U-turn permitted. Do not turn to go in the opposite direction

No Stopping Passing Permitted

One-Way Sign. Indicates to drivers that traffic is allowed to travel only in the direction of the arrow

Do Not Pass Do Not Enter

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MAXIMUM

Keep to the right of the traffic island or obstruction

Hazard warning. If the black lines are sloped to the right, drive to the right of the sign

Hazard warning. If the black lines are sloped to the left, drive to the left of the sign

Through or right turn only

Change in maximum speed limit ahead. Be prepared to adjust your speed accordingly

Maximum speed limit. Speed signs indicate the maximum speed allowable under ideal conditions: Reduce your speed when poor conditions exist or visibility is restricted

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Divided highway ahead. Transition from an undivided to a divided highway

Bridge opening. Indicates to drivers that they are approaching a bridge that can be opened to permit the passage of boats

Right curve ahead. Posted speed sign indicates safe speed for this turn

Narrow structure ahead. Indicates a structure such as a road, bridge, culvert, underpass, overpass, or similar structure having a clear road width less than the width of the approach road

Right lane ends Sharp turn or bend in the roadway ahead. Checkerboard design is a warning to slow down; the arrow indicates the direction of the roadway

Lane arrows

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Chevron (arrow) signs are posted in groups to guide drivers around sharp curves in the road

Low Clearance. Underpass ahead; overhead clearance as shown

Merge. Prepare to merge with other vehicles

Right turn only lane. Indicates to drivers approaching an intersection in the designated lane that they must only turn right from the designated lane at the intersection— if this arrow was reversed the above would apply for left turns only

Straight through or left turn only lane. Indicates to drivers approaching an intersection in the designated lane that they must only proceed straight through or turn left

Two-way left turn lane. Indicates to drivers that the designated lane is reserved for left- turning vehicles only

Respect road workers and follow their directions. You are travelling through their workplace. They have families waiting for their safe return.

You are at greater risk of having an accident when travelling through a work zone. The biggest hazard is speed variations between vehicles. Drive at the correct speed for the conditions present. Be aware of the speed of vehicles ahead of you and behind you as you adjust your speed.

Travelling safely through a work zone

• Go on high alert. You are entering an area where an accident is more likely—Hands on wheel. Eyes on road. Mind on task. Cell phone off.
• Follow instructions on work zone signs and from traffic control persons.
• Travel no more than the speed limit. Travelling at a speed different from other vehicles causes the most accidents in work zones.
• Slow down safely when directed to do so. Take note of the speed of vehicles ahead of you and behind you, and adjust your speed to avoid collisions.
• Act promptly when signs direct your movement. For example, if you are directed to shift your vehicle to another lane, make the move as soon as it is safe to do so without impeding traffic.
• Leave extra space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. If you are hit from behind by a faster moving vehicle, this space could prevent your hitting the vehicle in front of you.

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Lane closures Take extra care on multi-lane roads when a lane is closed. The risk of accidents is high at merge points. Take the following precautions to avoid collisions:

• Adjust your speed when you see a merge sign or lane closure sign.
• Obey the “Do Not Pass” sign. It prepares traffic for an orderly merge.
• Merge as soon as safely possible. A common mistake is to approach the merge point at too high a speed in the lane to be closed, then to push into the other lane at the last moment. This causes collisions.
• Be courteous to road workers and other drivers.

Biggest cause of collisions at work zones

1 Vehicles travelling at different speeds As you enter a work zone, pay attention and adjust your speed gradually so that all vehicles move at the same reduced speed through a work zone. Be aware that the vehicles ahead of you may have slowed down more than you. You may collide with them if you approach too quickly. As you slow your speed, be aware of the vehicles behind you. If you slow too quickly, you may be hit from behind.

2 Driver inattention Driving through work zones demands all of your attention. Follow instructions on work zone signs, especially the “Do Not Pass” sign. Drivers who ignore signs place themselves and others at risk.

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