TRAFFIC

ENGINEERING
(10-1 to 10-10)
PRESENTED BY:
DE ROXAS, JESTHER G.
MACARANDANG, MIGUEL TRISTAN B.
TAÑAS, PRINCESS G.
10-1 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS
The importance of road signs have been
recognized world wide because of the increasing
incidence of road accidents due to the volume of traffic
and bad habits of motor vehicle drivers.
On June 6, 1973, Presidential Decree No. 207
was issued by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The three efficacy principle of Uniformity,
Homogeneity and Simplicity are not being inforced.
Instead, a very complicated mixture of International
and US rules are adopted which leads to
misunderstanding and consequently non-respect of
rules.
 Uniformity includes the prohibition to use
unofficial signs and markings.
Homogeneity requires that in the same
conditions, the user notices signs or marking with the
same value, same importance and located according to
the same rules.
Simplicity is to avoid superabundance of signs
that over strain the drivers having the tendency to
neglect the given instructions. Sometimes drivers
cannot read, understand, or register the meaning of
the signs or markings.
 Road Signs has the Following
Objectives
1. To lead to a safest road traffic.
2. To facilitate this traffic.
3. To indicate or to remind some particular
traffic rules.
4. To inform the drivers how to use the highway.
 The Different Categories of Signaling
Devices are:
1. Road traffic signs.
2. Road traffic signals.
3. Pavement markings.
4. Guide posts and delineators.
 Road Signs are Classified into the
Following Categories
1. Danger Warning Signs
2. Intersection Signs
3. Prescription Signs
a) Prohibitive
b) Obligation
4. General Information Signs
5. Direction Signs
6. Agglomeration Signs
7. Railway Crossing Signs
8. Temporary Signs (on road works)
9. Special Instruction Signs
 Visibility and Legibility
Signaling devices whether horizontal or
vertically installed has the following objectives:
1. To Inform
2. To Prevent
3. To Guide
4. Act as liaison agents between the driver and
the driver and the highway alignment.
 At night, drivers has no complete view of
the highway environment. His only guide is the
headlight. The percentage of fatalities at night is
double than during daytime.
This difference can be explain only by the
modification of one factor- Visibility. To be
effective, road signs and signaling must be
visible and readable considering human eye
limit that is not adaptable at night driving.
Visibility and Legibility of road signs or
pavement markings are dependent on
three parameters:
1. The Detection
2. The identification
3. The reading
Detection is the minimum area in contrast
with the environment perceptibility by human eye.
Identification is an analysis of the form and
color of the road signs to understand the messages
it conveys.
Reading is the fundamental role of road signs
conforming to alpha numerical language or by
symbol of information transmitted to the driver.
 TABLE 10-1 STANDARD FORM AND
SIZE OF ROAD SIGNS IN CENTIMETERS
Type Triangle Side Circle Diameter Octagon Width Square Side

Very Big 150 125 120 105

Big Size 125 105 100 90
Normal Size 100 85 80 70
Small Size 70 65 60 50
Very Small 50 45 40 35

The small type of road signs are used only when some
difficulties prevent implementation of the normal type
such as line of trees, mountainous road, reduced
shoulder, small side walks and the like. The very small
type is used exceptionally in cities for aesthetical
considerations.
 10-2 Basic Principle of Road Signs
The basic principle of road sign is to be
perceived clearly by a driver at relatively high
speed, whose attention is solicited by the
driving requirements. To be useful, road signs
must be efficient according to:
1. Valorization Principle
2. Concentration Principle
3. Legibility Principle
 Valorization Principle means to use only the
needed and useful signs. Too many road signs
lessen its efficiency. Regulatory and warning signs
should be installed sparingly because excessive use
of these signs will only decrease the authority.
Concentration Principle. When it is necessary
that some road signs must be seen at the same
time, they should be installed for the driver to see
at a glance by night and day.
Legibility Principle. Excessive efforts of
reading or memory cannot be required from the
driver.
 10-3 Warning (Danger) Sign
Warning Sign is used to warn traffic of
potentially hazardous conditions on or adjacent to
the roadway. Warning Sign is always Triangular in
Shape with one Vertical Angle and dark blue
symbol, two borders one white and red with
reflectorized white background.
There is no exception to this rule, and the use
of yellow color for background is strictly prohibited
for permanent signs.The yellow color is reserved
only for temporary signals used during road
construction or maintenance work.
 Objectives of Warning Signs
The objectives of warning sign is to attract driver’s
attention in the areas where his watchfulness has to increase
on account of the obstacle or of the dangerous points linked
to:
1. The highway structure such as curves, humps, dips and
narrowing.
2. Conditions of the road such as slippery, falling rocks and
the like.
3. Other transport infrastructure like opening bridge, airport
vicinity, railway crossing etc.
4. The condition of vehicles and pedestrian traffic,
pedestrian crossing, children area, two-lane highway after
a multi-lane highway.
5. Local circumtances such as: factory exit, quarry exit etc.
 ELEMENTS OF ROADS AND
HIGHWAYS

FIGURE 10-1 WARNING (DANGER) SIGN

 Fixed Messages Signs Includes:
1. Detailed direction to motorist of the freeways
and warning signs regarding destination and
lane occupancy.
2. Signs to notify motorists of the changes in
directions.
3. For low volume rural roads, only directional and
kilometric signs installed at intersections and
also signs for dangerous conditions.

Road signs should not carry commercial

advertisement other than for traffic control only.
 Installation of Regulatory and
Warning Signs
Regulatory and Warning Signs are installed sparingly
because excessive use of these signs will only decrease their
authority.
1. For oversize signs on expressway and freeways, white
letter on green background with white border is
recommended.
2. Large sizes of signs are effective on expressway of where
speed, hazard, accident experience or competition from
lights or other signs is extreme.
3. Excessive use of large signs should be avoided because it
makes the regular sizes less effective.
4. Non-reflectorized signs are satisfactory for most school
zone markings, parking control, men working and other
temporary warnings that are effective only in daytime or
illuminated by street lighting.
5. The traffic manual suggest that two signs, one black on
white, unreflectorized and other white on black
reflectorized be mounted on the same standard where
speed limits differ between day and night.
6. Signs with significance at night should be illuminated or
reflectorized.
7. The sign message must be simple.
8. An expressway or freeways usually have two messages
and no more than three regarding directions or
destination should appear on a single signboard.

Other important Place Information should be given on

separate signs. At turnoffs from limited access facilities,
directional sign may be used either:
1. To indicate the immediate maneuver without detail to
subsequent one or
2. To diagram those later movements on earlier signs.
 Effectiveness of Road Signs
As mentioned earlier, too many signs will make all of them less
effective. Large signs overwhelm any smaller ones. Thus, signs often
fail to accomplish its main purpose. For example:
1. Stop sign to control vehicle speed in residential areas are useless
for being ineffective.
2. Signs like “Slow Children at Play” have no effect on speeds.
Selection of sign message is important because driver react to
them differently.
3. The “Slippery When Wet” warning sign is not threatening, but
effective only when accompanied by flashers.
4. If signs convey incorrect information such as safe speed indicator
on curve warning sign suggest a speed slower than the driver find
easy and comfortable, they will ignore subsequently messages,
thinking that the signs are only fooling them.
5. If signs tell them that there is ongoing construction or
maintenance work ahead when none is actually in progress,
drivers will ignore all such signs.
 10-4 Intersection Signs
Article III of the Right of Way and Signals of the Traffic
Code is not clear. Therefore, it is necessary to define the right of
way can be reduced to three possible situations:
1. General Rule
When the vehicles approaches an intersection from
different roads, the driver on the left should yield the right of
way to the vehicle on the except as otherwise hereinafter
provided.
General Rule, right priority sign W 2-1
warning sign of the intersections
where the driver has to give way to
the vehicles approaching or entering
the intersection on the right.
2. Priority Road
Any vehicle running on this type of road
has always the right of way against the vehicle
coming from the right or from the left, except as
otherwise provided.
Priority Road: Sign 12-9 punctual
warning sign of the intersections
where the driver has priority against
all vehicles.

Priority Sign P1 and P2 is to inform the

driver that he is driving on a priority
road or street and that he has the right
of way.
3. Non-Priority Road
The driver of any vehicle entering a highway from the
private road shall yield the right of way to all vehicles
approaching, entering or in the inter section.
The Stop sign is used to ensure caution
before entering an intersection. A full
stop is necessary for safety.

The R1-1 Sign cannot be used alone. It is announce by R1-2a sign

installed before the intersections like a warning sign.
The GIVE WAY sign notifies the
obligation of the driver to give way to
all vehicles coming from right and left
without the obligation to stop.
 The Phillipine road signs manual (Revised Edition
1982) proposes no less than 22 traffic sign combination
for junctions and intersections. It is too much number
giving the drivers more confusion. The proposal is use
only six types of intersection signs for simplicity.
Exception to the Right of Way Rules
1. Vehicle drivers entering a highway from private road
must yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching
on such highway.
2. Driver of vehicle upon a highway of any category must
yield the right of way to police or fire department
vehicles and ambulances operating on official
business and the driver thereof sounding audible
signal of their approaches.
3. The indications of traffic signals or the orders of a
traffic officer, prevails against the right of way rules.
 In an intersection where some flows of traffic can
be conflict, it is suggested that the drivers must be:
1. Notified in time of existence of intersection.
2. Informed of the applicable right of way rules.
3. Able to see the vehicles approaching upon the other
roads.
The first two prescriptions will be implemented by
means of road signs the third is by sight triangles.
Location of the Intersection Signs
On Rural Areas, the normal distance between
intersections and the warning signs is 150 meters. This
distance can be modified according to site conditions and
the free operating speed. There are exceptional cases
where two very neat successive intersections can justify
location distance shorter than 100 meter.
 Distance Indication Sign
 Road signs located between 100 meters and 200
meters before an intersection do not have distance
sign.
 The road signs R1-2a and R1-2b are always located with
a distance sign.
 The roadside sign should be mounted clear of roadside
vegetation and clearly visible under low headlight
illumination by night.
 In Urban Areas, the distance between the successive
intersections is variable including the warning signs.
 In Urban Areas with public illumination, the signs can
be placed at 2.30 meters above the top of the curb.
 Sight Triangles

If possible, vehicle drivers should be given

the best visibility conditions. Thus, in designing
road intersections, the Free Flow Operating
Speed is considered, not the Design Speed.
The signal GIVE WAY is applied only to the
vehicles on the secondary road.
 Forms of Intersection Signs
1. Triangular in shape with one angle vertical.
2. Triangular shape with one angle at the
bottom.
3. Square and octagonal shape.
The triangular shaped signs with one angle
vertical are following the general rules for
warning signs.
 10-5 Prescription Sign
The Prescription Road Signs inform the
drivers of the traffic laws and regulations that
could be an offense to anyone who disregard
and violate it.
Prescription sign is installed only with the
approval of Public Authority having jurisdiction
of the premises to be removed any time if the
legal requirements of the signs become
inconsistent with the prevailing conditions.
 Prescription Sign is Classified into
Three Categories
a) Prohibitive Signs
b) Obligation Signs
c) End of Prescription Signs
The prescription signs are circular in shape, but
the regulatory purposes of parking applied to a zone, the
circle is placed inside a square.
1. The Prohibitive Signs have a white background, red
ring and prohibitive red bar, symbols, and letters.
Numbers are dark blue except the sign R3-1 with red
background and the Signs R5-10, R5-12 with dark blue
background.
The NO ENTRY sign has only white border. The
background is red with a horizontal white bar.
 In order to improve the legibility, only the
following signs includes transversal bar.
• No Left Turn, No Right Turn, No U Turn
• No Stop, No Parking
• No Use of Audible Warning Device
Prohibited Traffic
The sign RO indicated that all traffic is
prohibited on both directions for all
vehicles.
No Entry for all Vehicles
This sign R3-1 indicates in the
beginning of the one way road that the
vehicles can only circulate in opposite
direction.
The No Left Turn – No Right Turn
The turn prohibition is applicable at
the next intersection. The signs can be
completed by auxiliary sign M4 giving
the category of vehicles.

The No U Turn
This signs is used to notify the U-Turn
prohibition up to the next intersection.
This intersection is included in the
prohibition.
The No Overtaking Sign
The R3-16 sign signifies the drivers that
it is prohibited to overpass any vehicle
except the two wheel vehicles without
sidecar. The R3-16 sign must be
completed by continuous line marking
on the pavement

Stop Control
The R3-17 sign is used to notify the
proximity of a control point where the
vehicle has to stop. The sign is divided
into two by a dark blue horizontal bar.
 10-6 Obligation Signs
The meaning of the following Obligatory Direction signs
R2-1 - Obligation to continue straight ahead
R2-2 (R) - Obligation to follow the right direction
R2-2 (L) - Obligation to follow the left direction
R2-3 (R) - Obligation to turn the obstacle by its right side
R2-3 (L) - Obligation to turn the obstacle by its left side
R2-4 (R) - Obligation to turn right
R2-4 (L) - Obligation to turn left
R2-8 (R) - Obligation to go straight ahead or to turn right
R2-8 (L) - Obligation to go straight ahead or to turn left
R2-9 - Obligation to turn right or left
R2-10 - Obligation to use the roundabout
The Obligation Signs are circular in shape. The
background is dark blue. The symbols and
border is white. If the administration enforces
prohibition or an obligation sign, it has to inform
the driver the end of this restriction to the
highway use. For example; the No Passing Zone,
the No Parking Zone, the speed limit, the
prohibition to use audible warning signal and
others.
 10-7 End of Prescription Signs
The end of all prohibition signs is also circular in shape
and represents the same bar sign obligation symbol. A
red bar from the right top to the left bottom cancels this
obligations. The R4-2 informs the drivers of the end of all
the previous prescriptions. However, it does not include
the law that prescribes the national speed limit.
The R4 notifies the driver of the end of all particular
speed limits other than those defined by general laws,
speed limits previously applied to all vehicles or only to
one or several categories. The sign should not be setup
on the road where the speed limit is greater or smaller
than the ones prescribed by the general rules.
 10-8 Direction Signs
Direction signs are divided into four categories.
1. Advance direction sign
2. Intersection direction sign
3. Reassurance of confirmatory sign
4. Entering and exit of urban area

These four categories are well defined in the Philippine Road

Signs Manual. In Europe, a different green is used for
background of the sign. It is more intense with an emerald tint.
These green signs with white letters, borders, and arrows are
used for national highways. For expressways and freeways, blue
background signs are used. The letter symbols and borders are
all white. For small rural roads, white background signs with
black letters, number and borders are used.
 Entering and Exiting Urban Areas
It is necessary to advise all vehicle drivers that they are entering
an urban area where the condition of traffic is different.
The driver should be informed that he is entering the city of X
and to refrain from being attracted by anything except to look at
shop signs only to know where he is.
The sign EB10 is rectangular in shape with white background, red
and white borders and dark blue letters. At the end of the city
proper, another sign EB20 notifies the driver that he is leaving
the place and that he can resume his speed under the traffic
regulations.
These two signs, limit the area where the attention of the driver
is concentrated. Outside the city limit after the EB20 sign, the
condition of driving will be different giving the driver the signal
to resume his speed.
 10-9 Informative Sign
The objectives of this sign is to give the driver miscellaneous
information useful in his driving and general knowledge. The
signs are square in shape with dark blue background, white
symbols and letters bounded by white borderline. Informative
signs may include red symbols and bar notifying the end of
prohibitions etc.

Material Requirements
Sign panels for warning, regulatory and informative signs are
manufactured from aluminum sheeting of at least 3mm in
thickness. The reflective sheet used for road signs consist of
spherical lens elements embedded in transparent plastic having
smooth, flat surface with protective pre-coat adhesive which are
pressure sensitive for manual application or tack free heat
activated for mechanical vacuum heat application.
1. The reflective sheeting should be flexible to permit
application and adhesion to moderately embossed surface.
2. The sheeting should be solvent resistant capable of
withstanding cleaning with petrol, diesel fuel, mineral spirits,
turpentine or methanol. It should be weather resistant
without discoloration, cracking, blistering, peeling or ant
dimensional changes.
3. The sheeting must show no cracking or reduction in
reflectivity after dropping a 25mm diameter steel ball from a
height of 2 meters into its surface.
4. The adhesive should permit the reflective sheeting to adhere
accurately 48 hours after application of 90 degrees Celsius
temperature.
 Pavement of Signs
The position of individual sign depends upon its purpose and
circumstance peculiar to its location. If possible, location should
be standardized. Positioning provide another set of cues to
motorists. The Manual recommended the right positions for all
situations to wit:

1.Warning, Regulatory and Advisory signs for rural roads are

mounted 1.80 to 3.60 meters from the pavement edge with the
bottom of the sign 1.50 meters or more above the roadway.
2. On high speed roads, warning signs are posted as much as 450
meters ahead of the hazards.
3. Rural road warning sign distance should be place about 250
meters and 75 meters in urban areas.
4. A horizontal clearance not lees than 60 centimeters between
the curb face near the edge of the sign a minimum height of 2.10
meters above the curb is prescribed where vehicles may park
along the curb.
5. Sign positing must fall whiting the driver's field of view so that
drivers may not be looking way from the roadway.
6. If the signs are not illuminated, they must appear int the
headlight tove effective at night.
 10-10 Traffic Signals
Traffic signal is defined as all power operated traffic control
devices, except flashers, signs and marking for directing or
warning motorist, cyclist or pedestrian.
Each of the different types of signals serves as one or more of
the following functions:
1. Provide orderly movements of traffic
2. Increase the traffic handling capacity of intersection
3. Reduce the frequency of certain types of accident.
4. Coordinate traffic under conditions of favorable signal
spacing so that it flows nearly continuously at definite speed.
5. Interrupt heavy traffic to permit crossings by other vehicles
or pedestrian.
6. Control the traffic lane use.
7. Provide ramp control at freeway entrances.
8. Interrupt traffic for emergency vehicles and at movable
bridges.
The belief of laymen and public officials that traffic signals could
provide solution to all traffic problems, has led to the numerous
unsuccessful installation of traffic signals. The unfortunate
results of unplanned installations of the traffic signal are:
1. Excessive delay to motorists and pedestrians.
2. Disobedience to signal indications and other particular
installations
3. Diversion of traffic to less advantageous and undesirable
routes.
4. Increased accident frequency like rear end collisions and
pedestrians.
Signs and directions are enforceable only if they are installed
under legal authority. Model legislation is found in the Uniform
Traffic Laws and Ordinances.
Traffic Signals are Classified into:
1. Pre Timed Signals – where traffic time intervals are divided to
the various traffic movements.
2. Traffic Activated – where time intervals are controlled as a
whole or in part by traffic demands.
Modern signals are electrically operated. Individual unites have
spearate red, yellow and green lenses with 20 or 30cm. diameter
each has its own light sources. The 30cm. lens is specified for
intersection where 85% speed exceeds 60km. Per hour for all
arrow applications and for problem locations. Signals pedestal of
brackets are mounted outside the roadway limit, sometimes
they are suspended above the intersection by cables, mast arm
or other support.
Positive Meaning of Each Color
1. Steady circular green – means go
2. Green arrow – means go to such
direction.
3. Solid Red light – Stop and wait for a
green indication.
4. Flash red – means an arterial stop sign.
5. Flashing yellow – means proceed with
caution.
6. The use of steady yellow for cautions is
prohibited except as warning between
green and red indication.
 Signal Control
A solid state mini processor for intersections control must be
available. The mini processor receives inputs from detectors, and
interprets their meaning, then select the appropriate set of
signals from those in the processor's memory bank. These
devices can accept thousand of instructions per second and
respond very quickly to any changes in the traffic.
 Synchronized Movement
Under normal traffic volume, coordinated signals at various
intervals estimated from 750 meters to more than a kilometers is
estimated from 750 meters to more than a kilometers is effective
in making smooth flow of traffic. On the contrary, when the
street is loaded to capacity, coordination of signals is ineffective
in making smooth traffic flow.

The four systems of coordination are:

1. Simultaneous coordination
2. Alternative coordination
3. Limited progressive
4. Flexible progressive
 Simultaneous Coordination
Makes all color indications along the street alike
at the same time. It produces high vehicle speed
between stops but have low overall speed.
 Alternative Coordination
All signals changes their indication at the same
time, but adjacent signals along the street show
different colors. This is fairly well on a single
street that has approximately equal block
spacing. It is also effective in controlling traffic in
business areas several blocks on one side but
only when the block lengths are approximately
equal in both directions
 Limited Progressive System
Retains a common cycle length providing
separate “GO” at each intersection to motor
traffic progression. This gives continuous or
nearly continuous flow of vehicle group at
designated speed in one direction and
discourages speeding between signals.
 Flexible Progressive System
Provided with a master control that commands
the controller for the individual signals. The
systems give proper coordination between
signals and make predetermined changes in
cycle length, cycle split, and offsets at intervals
during the day. For example, the cycle length of
the entire system could be lengthened during
peak hours to increase the road capacity and
shortening other time to decrease delays.