Signs, signals, and pavements markings

Key Terms:
◦ Regulatory Stop
◦ Warning Sign



Roadway signs provide important information
about where you are, where you are going,
and what rules to follow.
Traffic signs have uniform shapes and color
and display words, symbols or a combination
of both.
There are two types of traffic signs:
◦ Regulatory Signs
◦ Warning Signs
(Signs Pre-test)

Regulatory Sign: regulates and controls the
movement of traffic.
◦ Inform you of laws that apply at a given time or
place.
◦ Regulatory signs are: white, black, green on white,
or white on black.

Most signs are vertical rectangles
◦ Signs show speed limits, turning restrictions, lane
use and pedestrian and parking controls.

Give commands or set limits. The four most
common regulatory signs:
◦ Stop Signs= eight sided, red, and tell you where to
stop
◦ Speed Limit Signs = indicated maximum speed you
can driver under ideal conditions.
◦ Yield Signs = give way to traffic on the cross road
or the road onto which you are merging if close
enough to cause a conflict or collision.
◦ Railroad cross buck signs= indicate that railroad
tracks are crossing the roadway
◦ (It’s a fact, figure 3.1, 2 Teach) (ROR roadway signs)





You must come to a full stop at a stop sign
White stop line is painted on the pavement in
line with the sign.
There may be two white lines indicating a
pedestrian crosswalk just beyond the stop
line.
You are required to stop in front of the first
white line you to-if there are no lines, stop in
front of or in line with the sign.
(Stop-sign Right of Way) pg. 28


As you approach a yield sign, slow down and
check oncoming traffic and the traffic behind
you.
You many need to slow down or stop and
wait until the roadway is clear of traffic before
you proceed. (may need to judge the speed
and distance and determine when its safe)


Shows the maximum, or fastest speed
allowed on a roadway.
Some also show minimum speeds.





Alerts you to changes in the condition or use of
the roadway ahead.
Warning Signs include: Road construction and
maintenance, school zones and crossings,
railroad crossings, curves, intersections, changes
in the width of the road, pedestrian, animal and
vehicle crossings.
All warning signs are either yellow, fluorescent
yellow-green, orange with black letters, they use
numbers or symbols and most are
diamond shaped.
Pg. 26-27 DEM

When you see a warning sign, increase your
level of alertness to changes in the roadway,
in traffic, or in environmental conditions.



Pedestrian: you must slow down and proceed
with caution. Children playing nearby may
dart into the street. (yellow-green sign
shaped like a house)
Railroad: slow down before you reach the
tracks and be prepared to stop.
Slow-moving vehicles: Use Caution-appears
on the BACK of horse drawn carriage, tractor,
self-propelled farm equipment, construction
and maintenance machinery.

Key Terms:
◦ Guide sign
◦ International Sign


Guide Sign: identifies roadways and routes;
provides information about mileage to certain
destinations; points out roadside services,
such as rest stops and service stations;
directs you to recreational areas, such as
nearby sites of interest.
(L1)


Identify Which route you are driving on. (fig
3.3)
N-S routes begin with an odd number
◦ Ex: I-55

E-W routes begin with an even number.
◦ Ex: I-474


Interstate routes that lead into cities have
three digits (195,395).
If a three digit route begins with an even digit
(295,684) goes around the city and connects
to interstate highways at both ends.
Figure 3.4, 3.5
Roadside service: Blue signs with lettering
Recreational Area: Brown with lettering.

Key Terms:
◦ Shared Left-Turn Lane
◦ Reversible Lane
◦ High Occupancy Vehicle Sign


Both roadway lines provide directions or
warnings for drivers.
White lines: Parallel to the roadway separate
same-direction traffic into lanes.
◦ Perpendicular to the roadway indicate pedestrian
crosswalks and where drivers must stop and
intersections and crosswalks.

Solid white lines between lanes of traffic
moving the same direction are meant to
discourage passing at high risk locations but
may not prohibit passing.




Used to separate traffic traveling in opposite
directions and the left edge of multi-lane,
divided highways.
Yellow lines may be single, double, solid, or
broken.
A single broken yellow line, or broken yellow lane
line (on your side) to the right of a solid yellow
line, means that you can pass if it is safe to do
so.
Double yellow lines divide a roadway, neither you
nor drivers in the opposite direction can cross
the yellow lines.



Parallel solid and broken yellow lines and with white arrows
that alternately left and right.
Vehicles moving in either direction can use this lane to make
left turns off the roadway to an entrance.
Using the left-turn lane safely:
◦ Don’t get in the lane too soon.
◦ What for vehicle pulling out of driveways and cross streets.
◦ Use the shared left-turn lane to only turn left.
◦ Figure 3.6 (pg.54)


Double dashed (broken) yellow lines are used
to make a reversible lane.
Improves the flow of traffic in one direction in
the morning and the opposite direction in the
evening (used in many cities)

Other markings include:
◦ Lines, arrows, and lettering designed to guide
drivers and pedestrians.
◦ White arrows and words identify stopping points
and pedestrian crosswalks.
 Ex: shared left turn lanes: consist of all three in order
to show drivers where they can make left turns.

High-occupancy-vehicle (HOV): specifies the
minimum number of passengers required (2
or 3 more) to use the restricted lane.
◦ During certain hours of the day some lanes may
become restricted.

Key Terms:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Traffic Signal
Flashing traffic signal
Pedestrian signal
Lane-use light


Keeps traffic moving in an orderly manner.
Controlled by a series of traffic signals,
arrows, flashing lights, pedestrian signals, or
the directions of a traffic officer.





Usually located at intersections, where the level
of risk increases.
More fatalities occur at intersections than at any
other locations. –why?
Traffic signals are used to control traffic by
indicating who has the right-of-way.
Special use signals may operate during specific
hours or on demand at school zones, fire
stations, and some intersections.
Traffic signals can be vertical or horizontal and
may have one to five separate lenses that give
information. (figure 3.7) (Signal sequence)



You must either stop of slow down,
depending on the color of the light.
Flashing red=must come to a complete stop,
just like a stop sign.
Yellow flashing= slow down and proceed with
caution

Indicate which lane(S) you can use at any
given time.
◦ Used to facilitate traffic flow in tunnels and bridges.
◦ What would you do? (pg.58)