Traffic Controls (PDF) - AAA Carolinas
Traffic Controls (PDF) - AAA Carolinas
Traffic Controls (PDF) - AAA Carolinas
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Traveling today’s roadways can be a<br />
frustrating, confusing journey through<br />
a maze of roadblocks, detours and<br />
traffic jams. To help keep you safe,<br />
traffic control devices are placed<br />
along, beside, or above a highway,<br />
roadway, or pathway. They are<br />
instrumental in guiding, warning, and<br />
regulating the flow of traffic,<br />
including motor vehicles, bicycles,<br />
pedestrians, and other travelers.<br />
This brochure provides information<br />
that can help you better understand<br />
traffic control devices and their<br />
importance in ensuring you are<br />
prepared to travel the highways and<br />
byways as safely as possible.
Purpose of<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Control Devices<br />
Wherever you travel in the United States, and<br />
whatever mode of travel you choose, you are<br />
guided by and expected to obey a common set<br />
of roadway signs and markings. These traffic<br />
control devices — signs, signals, pavement<br />
markings and other devices — help move<br />
vehicles and pedestrians safely and efficiently.<br />
They are placed in key locations to guide traffic<br />
movement, control vehicle speeds and warn of<br />
potentially hazardous conditions. They also<br />
provide important information to drivers about<br />
detours and traffic delays.<br />
The three basic goals of a traffic control device<br />
are to:<br />
• Attract attention;<br />
• Convey a clear, simple meaning; and<br />
• Give adequate time for response.<br />
Signs, signals, pavement markings, cones,<br />
barricades and warning lights feature dedicated<br />
colors, shapes and sizes based on the different<br />
functions they provide. Uniformity of design<br />
(color, shape, size and location) helps drivers<br />
quickly understand the messages of traffic<br />
control devices. All of this helps ensure the safe,<br />
efficient flow of traffic — whether you are<br />
driving on the New Jersey Turnpike or walking<br />
across a local road.<br />
Characteristics of<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Control Devices<br />
Color — Certain colors are used to trigger<br />
instant recognition and reaction. For example,<br />
stop signs are always red. Similarly, signals at<br />
intersections must have the same sequence of<br />
red-yellow-green to communicate stop-warning-go<br />
to drivers and pedestrians.<br />
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Nighttime visibility — <strong>Traffic</strong> control<br />
devices are made visible under nighttime<br />
operating conditions. They are either separately<br />
lighted or made of reflective material so that<br />
the light coming from vehicle headlamps is<br />
bounced off signs and other devices back to the<br />
eyes of drivers.<br />
Daytime visibility — <strong>Traffic</strong> control devices<br />
are designed with highly visible colors or a<br />
sharp contrast of messages against a<br />
background. Sometimes traffic control devices<br />
are lighted even for daytime viewing to draw<br />
attention to their messages.<br />
Shape and size — Signs have standard<br />
shapes and sizes to trigger instant recognition<br />
and reaction. For example, stop signs have an<br />
octagonal shape that no other sign is permitted<br />
to have. There are similar specifications for the<br />
shapes and sizes of many other traffic control<br />
devices for both permanent and temporary<br />
conditions.<br />
Location — <strong>Traffic</strong> control devices must be<br />
placed in locations that provide enough time for<br />
drivers to make appropriate safe maneuvers,<br />
such as entering or exiting a road or stopping<br />
and turning to avoid conflicts with other<br />
vehicles and pedestrians.<br />
Messages — <strong>Traffic</strong> control devices are<br />
designed with carefully chosen symbol or word<br />
messages of specific sizes and content.<br />
Placement is then determined by the amount of<br />
time drivers need to detect, read and<br />
understand messages to make appropriate<br />
vehicle maneuvers.<br />
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<strong>Traffic</strong> Signs<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> signs are the most extensively used form<br />
of traffic control devices in the United States<br />
today. More than 55 million traffic signs line the<br />
nation’s roadsides. They provide information<br />
about speed limits and road conditions and they<br />
direct traffic along certain routes and to specific<br />
destinations. By using signs, traffic control<br />
planners tell drivers what to do, what to watch<br />
for, and where to drive.<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> signs are designed to provide uniform<br />
instructions and guidance on distance and<br />
destination. They provide information about<br />
laws that apply, hazards and roadway design<br />
features.<br />
There are three basic types of traffic signs:<br />
• Regulatory;<br />
• Warning; and<br />
• Guide and Informational.<br />
Signs convey information to travelers with their<br />
color. There are currently nine traffic sign colors,<br />
and each has an exact meaning.<br />
• Green is used as the<br />
background color for guide<br />
and information signs. Green<br />
also is used for the legend on<br />
permissive regulation and parking signs.<br />
• Red is used for stop, yield, do not<br />
enter and wrong way signs, for<br />
text or symbols on some<br />
regulatory signs, and as part of<br />
Interstate and some state route markers.<br />
• Blue is used as the background color<br />
for traveler services information signs,<br />
emergency evacuation route signs,<br />
and as part of Interstate and some state route<br />
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markers. Blue signs also identify parking<br />
spaces for disabled drivers.<br />
• Orange is used as the<br />
background color for<br />
temporary traffic control<br />
signs, construction and<br />
maintenance signs.<br />
• Brown is used as the<br />
background color for guide<br />
and information signs related<br />
to points of recreational or cultural interest,<br />
for example, public recreation areas and<br />
scenic guidance.<br />
• Yellow is used as the<br />
background color for general<br />
warning signs (temporary signs<br />
not included) and school signs.<br />
• White is used as the<br />
background color for<br />
most regulatory signs<br />
and some route<br />
markers. White also is<br />
used as the text color on signs with red,<br />
green, blue, brown, and black backgrounds.<br />
• Black is used as the background<br />
color on one way, night speed<br />
limit, and truck regulatory signs.<br />
Black also is used as the text color<br />
on signs with white, yellow, orange, and<br />
fluorescent yellow-green backgrounds.<br />
• Fluorescent yellow-green is<br />
used as the background color for<br />
pedestrian, bicycle and school<br />
warning signs.<br />
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Signs convey information to travelers not only<br />
by their messages and color, but through their<br />
shape as well. Because special shapes are<br />
assigned to specific types of signs, travelers can
ecognize them quickly and react appropriately.<br />
The shape of a road sign tells you as much<br />
about the sign's message as its color.<br />
• Octagon: Exclusively for<br />
stop signs.<br />
Stop signs are always octagonal<br />
(eight-sided). A stop sign means<br />
that you must bring your vehicle to a<br />
complete stop before the marked stop line. A<br />
four-way stop sign means that there are four<br />
stop signs at this intersection. <strong>Traffic</strong> from all<br />
four directions must stop. The first vehicle to<br />
reach the intersection should move forward<br />
first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at<br />
the same time, the driver on the left yields to<br />
the driver on the right.<br />
• Triangle: Exclusively for<br />
yield signs in the United<br />
States.<br />
A triangular sign means you are<br />
to slow down and give vehicles<br />
crossing your path the right-of-way. If the way<br />
is clear, you may move forward slowly<br />
without stopping. Yield signs are usually<br />
placed where auxiliary roads lead into major<br />
roads.<br />
• Pennant: Advance<br />
warning of no passing<br />
zones.<br />
A pennant sign means that<br />
you are approaching a no passing zone. This<br />
sign is placed on the left side of the road,<br />
facing the driver.<br />
• Diamond: Exclusively to<br />
warn of existing or<br />
possible hazards on<br />
roadways or adjacent<br />
areas.<br />
These signs alert you of special conditions or<br />
dangers ahead. Words or symbols on the sign<br />
will show why you need to use caution. These<br />
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signs are generally yellow in color. Exceptions<br />
are orange construction signs and fluorescent<br />
yellow-green pedestrian signs.<br />
• Pentagon: School advance<br />
and school crossing signs.<br />
These five-sided signs indicate<br />
you are near a school. As you<br />
approach these signs, slow<br />
down and watch for children crossing the<br />
road. Stop, if necessary, and obey signals<br />
from any crossing guards.<br />
• Horizontal Rectangle:<br />
Generally for guide<br />
signs.<br />
These signs are usually rectangular, with the<br />
longer dimension aligned in a horizontal<br />
position. They are used for guide signs, some<br />
warning signs, and temporary traffic control<br />
signs. They provide information on routes,<br />
exits, distances and services in advance time<br />
for drivers to make safe, timely maneuvers on<br />
the roadway.<br />
• Vertical Rectangle:<br />
Generally for regulatory<br />
signs.<br />
These signs tell you the law, so<br />
you must follow their instructions.<br />
The sign shows you what is not<br />
allowed. Regulatory signs are red, black on<br />
white or white on black. Remember that a red<br />
circle with a slash means NO.<br />
International Signs<br />
Because many people travel worldwide, the<br />
United States uses many easily recognized<br />
international graphic symbols on traffic control<br />
signs. Following are some examples of<br />
international road signs you might encounter<br />
while driving overseas. These signs are graphic<br />
rather than textual in nature. As such, their<br />
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meaning tends to be easy to understand,<br />
although some signs are less intuitive. The most<br />
important information to remember is:<br />
• Red triangles are warnings;<br />
• Red circles are restrictions;<br />
• Squares and rectangles give guidance;<br />
• Blue circles are requirements;<br />
• Diamond signs indicate priority.<br />
Regulatory Signs<br />
Stop Yield Maximum<br />
Speed Limit<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Warning Signs<br />
Right Bend Intersection Uneven Road<br />
Prohibitory Signs<br />
No Entry<br />
No Entry for<br />
Power Vehicles<br />
Closed to All<br />
Vehicles<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Signal Lights<br />
The world’s first traffic light<br />
came into being before the<br />
automobile was in use, and<br />
traffic consisted only of<br />
pedestrians, buggies, and<br />
wagons. Installed in 1868 at an<br />
intersection in London, it was a<br />
revolving lantern with red and green signals.<br />
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Red meant "stop" and green meant "caution."<br />
The lantern, illuminated by gas, was turned by<br />
means of a lever at its base so that the<br />
appropriate light faced traffic.<br />
Today, the traffic signal light continues as an<br />
important part of our society and is one of the<br />
most recognized traffic control devices. <strong>Traffic</strong><br />
signals keep us safe by controlling and directing<br />
traffic and helping to protect pedestrians. They<br />
are placed at intersections to keep traffic<br />
moving and prevent crashes. They operate 24<br />
hours a day to ensure traffic is flowing correctly.<br />
Drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders must<br />
obey these signals unless an officer is directing<br />
traffic.<br />
Standard Lights<br />
Red — Come to a<br />
complete stop before<br />
the marked stop line<br />
and before moving into the crosswalk or<br />
intersection. After a complete stop, you may<br />
turn right on red at most intersections if the<br />
way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO<br />
TURN ON RED" sign, which means you may<br />
not turn until the light is green. In many areas,<br />
left turns on red from a one-way street into a<br />
one-way street also are allowed.<br />
Yellow — Clear the intersection or stop if you<br />
can, as the light will soon be red.<br />
Green — Go, but only if the intersection is<br />
clear. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in<br />
the intersection.<br />
Arrows<br />
Red — Come to a complete stop before the<br />
marked stop line.<br />
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Yellow — The yellow arrow means<br />
the same as the yellow light, but<br />
applies only to movement in the<br />
direction of the arrow.<br />
Green — A green arrow, pointing<br />
right or left, means you may make a<br />
turn in that direction. If the light is<br />
red at the same time, you must be in<br />
the proper lane for such a turn, and<br />
you must yield the right-of-way to<br />
vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection.<br />
Flashing<br />
Red — A flashing red light should<br />
be treated as a stop sign. Come to a<br />
complete stop and proceed with<br />
caution.<br />
Yellow — A flashing yellow light<br />
means you may move forward with<br />
caution. A yellow flashing light also<br />
is used to alert you to a warning<br />
sign such as a school crossing or sharp curve.<br />
Note: When approaching an<br />
intersection with an inoperative traffic<br />
signal, treat the light as a stop sign.<br />
Pedestrian Crossings<br />
At many intersections, pedestrians share the<br />
road with motorists. Getting across the street<br />
safely may be a nerve-racking situation, but<br />
signals will show you the way. Some signals use<br />
the words “walk” and “don’t walk.” Others use<br />
symbols to indicate the same instructions.<br />
Another device being used in many localities is<br />
the countdown pedestrian signal. Countdown<br />
pedestrian signals take the guesswork out of<br />
pedestrians crossing by letting them know<br />
exactly how long they have to cross an<br />
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intersection by displaying a countdown of the<br />
number of seconds the pedestrian has left to<br />
cross. This is very useful because mobility<br />
impaired pedestrians now can determine if they<br />
have an adequate period of time to complete a<br />
safe crossing.<br />
These words, symbols and countdown devices<br />
use color and/or a flashing message to<br />
communicate with pedestrians and motorists.<br />
At some intersections, you also may hear a<br />
sound that indicates to visually impaired<br />
pedestrians when they may cross safely.<br />
• Steady white<br />
words or symbols are<br />
"permissive." You are<br />
permitted to enter and cross the street in the<br />
crosswalk area.<br />
• Flashing orange<br />
words or symbols<br />
warn that permitted<br />
crossing is ending<br />
while the countdown device indicates the<br />
number of seconds the pedestrian has left to<br />
cross safely. Pedestrians in the street should<br />
continue to the other side or to a safety<br />
island. Pedestrians still on the curb should not<br />
try to cross because there is not enough time.<br />
• Steady orange<br />
words or symbols are<br />
"restrictive." You are<br />
not permitted to<br />
leave the curb or cross the street.<br />
Pedestrians are no match for a car, so make<br />
sure you look both ways and use caution – even<br />
when the signals allow you to cross the street.<br />
Watch for vehicles turning right on red. When<br />
the “don’t walk” signal begins flashing, do not<br />
panic. If you have started crossing, continue<br />
quickly and with caution. If you need to cross<br />
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an intersection that does not have pedestrian<br />
signals, watch the main traffic signal. Wait until<br />
traffic going in the direction you want to go has<br />
a green signal before you begin to cross. Cross<br />
with caution and watch for turning vehicles.<br />
Pavement Markings<br />
Pavement markings separate opposing streams<br />
of traffic and direct vehicles into proper<br />
positions on the roadway. For example,<br />
pavement markings define turn lanes at<br />
intersections and establish no-passing zones.<br />
White and yellow paint is customarily used<br />
along pavement edges and between lanes to<br />
keep vehicles in line. These lines may be solid or<br />
broken (long dashes), single or double. Unless<br />
you are turning, exiting a highway, or changing<br />
lanes, you should keep your vehicle between the<br />
lines marking your lane.<br />
Yellow Lane Lines<br />
Yellow lane lines separate lanes of traffic<br />
moving in opposite directions. Single yellow<br />
lines also may be used to mark the left edge of<br />
the pavement on divided highways and one-way<br />
streets.<br />
• A broken yellow line<br />
separates lanes of traffic<br />
moving in opposite<br />
directions. You should<br />
stay to the right of the<br />
line unless you are<br />
passing a vehicle in front<br />
of you. When passing,<br />
you may cross this line temporarily when it is<br />
safe to do so.<br />
• Double yellow lines: One solid, one<br />
broken. A solid yellow line to the right of a<br />
broken yellow center line means passing or<br />
crossing is prohibited in that lane, except<br />
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when turning left. If the<br />
broken line is closer to<br />
you, then you may cross<br />
the broken line only to<br />
pass another vehicle and<br />
only when it is safe to<br />
do so.<br />
• Double, solid yellow<br />
lines prohibit vehicles<br />
moving in either direction<br />
from crossing the lines.<br />
You may not cross these<br />
lines unless turning left<br />
when it is safe to do so.<br />
White Lane Lines<br />
White lane lines separate lanes of traffic moving<br />
in the same direction. Single white lines also<br />
may be used to mark the right edge of the<br />
pavement.<br />
• A broken<br />
white line<br />
separate lines<br />
of traffic going<br />
in the same<br />
direction. They<br />
may be<br />
crossed with<br />
care.<br />
• A solid white<br />
line marks the<br />
edge of the<br />
roadway or<br />
separates lanes<br />
of traffic moving<br />
in the same<br />
direction. You<br />
may travel in the same direction on both<br />
sides of this line, but you should not cross the<br />
line unless you must do so to avoid a hazard.<br />
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• Double solid<br />
white lines<br />
indicate that<br />
changing lanes<br />
is not allowed.<br />
• Solid with<br />
turn lane<br />
arrow<br />
- Solid white<br />
lines are<br />
used for<br />
turn lanes<br />
and to<br />
discourage<br />
lane changes<br />
near intersections. Arrows are often used<br />
with the white lines to show which turn<br />
may be made from the lane.<br />
- If you are in a lane marked with a curved<br />
arrow and the word “only,” you must turn<br />
in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is<br />
marked with both a curved and straight<br />
arrow, you may either turn or go straight.<br />
We all share the road and we must<br />
cooperate with others. Highway signs,<br />
signals, and markings communicate<br />
with us about using the road<br />
appropriately. For your safety and the<br />
safety of others, make sure you know<br />
how to "read" the traffic control<br />
devices and understand what they are<br />
telling you. <strong>Traffic</strong> control devices are<br />
put in place to help you stay alert and<br />
stay alive.<br />
This brochure is intended to be used for informational<br />
purposes only. It is not intended to be a comprehensive<br />
standard or guideline for the use or placement of traffic<br />
control devices.<br />
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Provided as a public service<br />
by your <strong>AAA</strong> club.<br />
For more information about<br />
<strong>AAA</strong> <strong>Traffic</strong> Safety Programs,<br />
contact your local <strong>AAA</strong> club's<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Safety Department<br />
or visit www.aaa.com.<br />
<strong>Traffic</strong> Safety Programs<br />
1000 <strong>AAA</strong> Drive<br />
Heathrow, Florida<br />
32746-5063<br />
www.aaa.com • 1-800-JOIN-<strong>AAA</strong><br />
Stock Number 3556 Copyright ©2005 <strong>AAA</strong>. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. October 2005