Guide to

TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS PRACTICE

By
R. A. Sudath
Deputy Director
Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit
Planning Division
Road Development Authority

April 2011
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

ABSTRACT

1. General
The development of road network and the increasing of both traffic volume and
speed, road user has highlighted an urgent need for proper Traffic Signs and Road
Markings for our road network. Though we have Gazette and the Manual for Traffic
Signs and Road Markings, there is no uniform guideline on application of traffic
signs and road markings for maintenance purposes and design purposes.
This guideline serve to clarify the location of fixing traffic sign boards, pedestrian
crossing, bus bays or bus halt and road markings at various locations for design and
maintenance purposes in the road network. In addition to that the guideline facilities
are to provide clear concise and consistent signage and road marking along the road
network.
This guide line helps to the maintenance Engineers and design Engineers to improve
the area of traffic signs and road markings in the maintenance work as well as the
design works.
This book consists of three main chapters Traffic Signs, Road Markings and
Delineators and these chapters illustrated by forty six type plans.

2. Legal Aspect
The guidelines and the type drawings are prepared according to the Convention on
Road Signs and Signals done at Vieena, Gazette no 444/18 dated 13.03.1987 for
traffic signs and road markings, Manual on traffic control devices part 1 and part 11
and new gazette which is going to be published reading with the Motor Traffic Act.

3. Reference Standards
I. Gazette no 444/18 dated 13. 03. 1987 on Traffic Signs and Road Markings
II. Manual on Traffic Control Devices Part 1 – August 2007
III. Manual on Traffic Control Devices Part 11 – August 2007
IV. Code of practice for Road Markings – The Indian Road Congress ( New
Delhi)
V. Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice – National Association of Australian
State Roads (Australia)
VI. Towards Safer Roads in Developing Countries – Transport Research
Laboratory (England)
VII. Vulnerable Road Users in the Asian and Pacific Region –Asian Development
Bank (Manila)
VIII. Traffic Signs – Department of Transport (Great Minster House, London)
IX. Traffic Sign Manuals – Department of Transport (Northern Ireland)
X. Local and International Research papers

In addition to the above reference, I considered the distribution of Traffic volume,

Pedestrian volume, road side activities, weather condition, geography, cultural
pattern, and behaviour of the road users such as drivers, riders, pedestrians to develop
the type plan and guide lines.
By now, these type drawings and guide lines have already been applied in various
locations of the road network under the maintenance work and foreign funded
projects implemented last few years. According to my knowledge, it is highly
successful and functioning smoothly.

………………..
R.A Sudath
Deputy. Director – Planning Division

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit,

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and foremost I would like to give my sincere thanks to Secretary, Ports and
Highways Mr. R.P.R.Pemasiri and Director General, Road Development Authority,
Mr. W.A.S.Weerasingha for giving me this invaluable opportunity to publish this
book.

My special thanks go to Add. Director General and Mr. R.M. Amarasekara, and Add.
Director General Mr. S. Yogendra for giving valuable suggestion to finish this
guideline.

My special thanks goes to Director Planning, Mr. H.M.K.G.G. Bandara for

encouraging me and his guidance to finish this early.

I would like to convoy my special thanks to Mrs. C.P.Yapa and Mrs. R. Apsara for
preparation of all type drawings and the staff of the Planning Division for supporting
me to finish this book.

I would like to thank Mrs. R.P. Mahagamage and other staff of the MIS unit for
giving kind support for finish the book.

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit,

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

CONTENTS

1 ROAD MARKING 1

1.1 MARKINGS AT INTERSECTION 1

1.2 MARKINGS AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSING 10
1.3 MARKINGS AT BUS STOP 29
1.4 LONGITUDINAL MARKINGS 34
1.5 MARKINGS ON HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS 38
1.6 OBJECT MARKINGS 45

2 TRAFFIC SIGNS 51

2.1 ADVANCE DIRECTION SIGN BOARDS 51

2.2 TRAFFIC SIGN BOARDS 51

3 DELINEATING DEVICES 57

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit,

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

LIST OF DRAWINGS

RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 1 Road Marking at Junction (Two Lane Road - (A)) .................. 3

RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 2 Road Marking at Junction (Two Lane Road - (B)) .................. 4
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 3 Road Marking at Junction (Multi Lane Road).......................... 5
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 4 Road Marking at Junction (Roundabout) ................................. 6
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 5 Road Marking at Junction (Signalize Junction) ....................... 7
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 6 Road Marking at Stop Sign ...................................................... 8
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 7 Road Marking at Give Way Sign ............................................. 9
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 8 Pedestrian Crossing at Junction (Two Lane Road) ................ 13
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 9 Pedestrian Crossing for T Junction (Two Lane Road) ........... 14
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 10 Pedestrian Crossing at Junction (Multi Lane Road) ............. 15
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 11 Pedestrian Crossing at Junction (Roundabout – Two Lane
Road) ............................................................................................................................ 16
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 12 Pedestrian Crossing at Junction (Roundabout – Multi Lane
Road) ............................................................................................................................ 17
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 13 Pedestrian Crossing at Junction (Signalized Junction) ......... 18
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 14 Pedestrian Crossing on Two Lane Road............................... 19
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 15 Pedestrian Crossing on Multi Lane Road ............................. 20
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 16 Pedestrian Crossing at Township (With Hard Shoulder) ..... 21
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 17 Pedestrian Crossing at Township (With Raised Walk Way) 22
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 18 Pedestrian Crossing at Township (With Parking Bay) ......... 23
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 19 Pedestrian Crossing with Cycle Crossing ............................. 24
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 20 Pedestrian Crossing with Bus Bay (Two Lane Road) .......... 25
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 21 Pedestrian Crossing with Bus Bay (Multi Lane Road)......... 26
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 22 Pedestrian Crossing with Bus Halt (Two Lane Road) .......... 27
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 23 Pedestrian Crossing with Bus Halt (Multi Lane Road) ........ 28
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 24 Detail of Bus Bay ................................................................. 30
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 25 Detail of Bus Halt ................................................................. 31
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 26 Positioning of Two Directional Bus Stop (Two Lane Road)32
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 27 Positioning of Two Directional Bus Stops (Multi Lane Road)
...................................................................................................................................... 33
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 28 Longitudinal Marking ........................................................... 36

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit,

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 29 Longitudinal Marking (Directional Arrows) ........................ 37

RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 30 Marking on Hazardous Location (At Sharp Bend) Type 1 .. 40
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 31 Marking on Hazardous Location (At Sharp Bend) Type II .. 41
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 32 Marking on Hazardous Location (At Transition of Lane) .... 42
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 33 Marking on Hazardous Location (Narrow Bridge) .............. 43
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 34 Marking on Hazardous Location (Speed Breaker) ............... 44
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 35 Object Marking Electrical Pole, Telecom Pole in the
Shoulder ....................................................................................................................... 47
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 36 Object Marking Electrical Pole, Signal Pole in the Median . 48
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 37 Pedestrian Hand Rails ........................................................... 49
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 38 Object Marking Kilometre Post & Guard Stone .................. 50
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 39 Advance Direction Sign Board (Two Panel) ........................ 53
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 40 Advance Direction Sign Board (Three Panel) ...................... 54
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 41 Direction Sign Board (Flag Type) ........................................ 55
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 42 Fixing Details of Traffic Sign Board .................................... 56
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 43 Guard Post and Guide Pole for Start and End of Centre
Median ......................................................................................................................... 59
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 44 Reflective Guide Pole for Road, Centre Median and Walk
Way .............................................................................................................................. 60
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 45 Reflective Guide Pole for Pedestrian Area ........................... 61
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 46 Guide Pole for Hazardous Location ..................................... 62

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit,

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

1 ROAD MARKING

1.1 Markings at Intersection

1.1.1 General
Carriageway markings within and in the neighborhood of an intersection ensure
orderly movement of traffic. Markings are resorted to even at unimportant
intersections. The type of carriageway marking for a particular intersection is the
function of several variables such as operational speed of vehicles, traffic volume,
available space, etc. The Engineer should choose the layout for a particular location
depending upon the condition at site. The markings for the various intersection types
illustrated in this section under consideration.

1.1.2 Type Plans for Different Types of Intersections

a. Road marking at Junction (Two lane road – (A)) - RDA/P/RSTM/TY/1

b. Road marking at Junction (Two lane road – (B)) - RDA/P/RSTM/TY/2
c. Road marking at Junction (Multi lane road) - RDA/P/RSTM/TY/3
d. Road marking at Junction (Round about) - RDA/P/RASM/TY/4
e. Road marking at Junction (Signalized junction) - RDA/P/RSTM/TY/5

1.1.3 Guide to Selection of Salient Markings

a. Stop lines
Refer the line no 4.01, 4.02 mention in the Gazette no 444/18 for stop line and
type plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/06 for stop line. The sign is intended for use on
roadways where traffic is required to stop before entering a major road.
Stop sign is provided only where the visibility is so restricted for a driver
entering the major road providing sufficient time for response that it is
essential for him to react. Other factors have to be taken into account such as
x Traffic volume on minor road and major road
x Gradient of the minor road
x Visibility along the major road at the stop line
x Accident record
x Bad alignment or unusual difficulties at the junction

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

b. Give way line

Refer the line no 4.03, 4.04 mention in the Gazette no 444/18 for give way line
and type plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/7 for give way line.
This line is applied where the roads meet at a junction have equal priority or
where the class “B” road meets class “A” road with good visibility or class
“A” road meets class “A” road with good visibility.

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Planning Division - RDA
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1.2 Markings at Pedestrian Crossing

1.2.1 General
Crossing of the carriageway by pedestrians, only at the selected places minimizes the
confusion. The success of pedestrian crossing in controlling both vehicular and
pedestrian traffic depends to a greater extent on where and how they are marked.
Pedestrian crossing should consist of (a) zebra lines; (b) give way line, (c) sig sag line
and (d) no over taking line.

1.2.2 Pedestrian Crossing at Intersection

Pedestrian crossings are provided at intersection where conflict exists between
vehicular and pedestrian movement. The site should be so selected that the
pedestrians are subjected to minimum inconvenience and the vehicular traffic too is
not interrupted too often. The location of pedestrian crossing at intersection should
fulfill the following condition to ensure safety of pedestrian.
a. Adequate visibility so that the driver of approaching vehicle has clear view of
the pedestrian on the pedestrian crossing and on the pedestrian foot path.
b. Sufficient space on the foot path or on shoulder for the pedestrian to wait.
c. Free from obstruction such as trees, sign posts, lamp or telecom post, etc. in
the path of pedestrian at either end of the pedestrian crossing.
d. The width of the pedestrian crossing is provided according to the pedestrian
volume that crosses the road. The width of the crossing generally is between
2.5m and 3.5m.

1.2.3 Cycle Track Crossing

The crossing of the carriageway by cyclists is provided at carefully designated
locations. Marking for cyclist crossing should be provided wherever a cycle track
crosses a road. The cycle track crossing should preferably be adjacent to a pedestrian
crossing when a such crossing exist.

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Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

1.2.4 Type Plans for Pedestrian Crossing at Various Locations

a. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Two lane road – (A)) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/8

b. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Two lane road – (B)) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/9

c. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Multi lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/10

d. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Roundabout – Two lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/11

e. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Roundabout – Multi lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/12

f. Pedestrian crossing at junction

(Signalized junction) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/13

g. Pedestrian crossing on
Two lane road RDA/P/RSTM/TY/14

h. Pedestrian crossing on
Multi lane road RDA/P/RSTM/TY/15

i. Pedestrian crossing at Town ship

(With hard shoulder) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/16

j. Pedestrian crossing at Town ship

(With Raised walkway) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/17

k. Pedestrian crossing at Town ship

(With parking bay) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/18
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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

l. Pedestrian crossing with

Cycle crossing RDA/P/RSTM/TY/19

m. Pedestrian crossing with bus bay

(Two lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/20

n. Pedestrian crossing with bus bay

(Multi lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/21

o. Pedestrian crossing with bus halt

(Two lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/22

p. Pedestrian crossing with bus halt

(Multi lane road) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/23

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1.3 Markings at Bus Stop

Bus bays allow buses to stop safely and with the minimum of adverse effects on other
traffic. This is best done with a segregated area adjoining the main road at an entry
and an exit point. This ensures buses stop off the main road without interfering with
other traffic and with less risk to passengers getting on or off. Locating of bus stop
near intersections should be carefully considered to avoid creating hazardous situation
and to minimize the obstruction to other traffic. The location of the bus stop at
intersection should fulfill the following condition to ensure safety of road users.

x Bus stop should be positioned on straight, level section of road and should be
visible from a good distance in both directions.

x Bus stops should be located beyond pedestrian crossing and after intersection
to avoid stopped vehicle disturbing pedestrian and other crossing activities.

x Where spilling of diesel fuel is likely to occur, concrete construction is more

suitable than a bituminous surfacing.

x A minimum of 2m for passengers standing area should be provided to ensure

the safety of the passengers and the proper functioning of the bus stops.

When sitting the Bus Stop, a team of officers comprising of Road Development
Authority, Central transport board or Regional transport board, Police department and
local authority should take a collective decision in order relocation of the same is
avoided when located.

a) The plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/24 indicate typical plan for construction of bus bay 
b) Type plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/25 indicate marking for bus halt 
c) Type plan RDA/P/RSTM/TY/26 indicate positioning of two directional bus stops for two
lane road 
d) Type plan RDA/P/RSTM/TY/27 indicates positioning of two directional bus stops for
multi lane road. 

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

1.4 Longitudinal Markings

Longitudinal pavement markings are lines place along the direction of traffic purpose
of assisting the driver of his proper position on the roadway. All longitudinal
markings shall be white, except no parking zone marking, pedestrian crossing area
and bus halt area.

Broken lines (line No.4.05 and 4.06 in the gazette) are permissive in character and
may be crossed with discretion, if traffic permits.

Solid line (line No. 4.07 in the gazette) is restrictive in character and indicates that
crossing is not permitted except for entry or exit from a premises or a side road or to
avoid a stationary obstruction. Double solid line (line No. 4.08 in the gazette)
indicates maximum restrictions and are not be crossed except in emergency situation.

The road width less than 6.2m wide carriageway, center lines are considered
undesirable as these entail discomfort and hazard. In such cases, center line is not
located.

Double lines (line No. 4.08 in the gazette) shall not be normally painted on a two lane
bridge except where restricted visibility makes it hazard.

Further sub-division of wide carriageway into separate lanes (line No. 4.09 in the
gazette) on either side of the center line helps to regulate traffic into proper lanes. At
intersections and on approaches thereto, marking of traffic lanes eliminates confusion
and facilitates; through and turning movements. Traffic lanes should also be marked
near pedestrian crossing, at other dangerous locations in rural and urban areas, in
congested areas where the carriageway can accommodate more lanes, and on
important one way streets.

Warning lines (line No 4.25 in the gazette) are marked on horizontal and vertical
curves where the visibility is greater than prohibitory criteria specified for no
overtaking zones but deferring by up to 15kmph. Warning lines are also used in lieu

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

of centerlines and lane lines at hazardous locations like approaches to intersections

and sharp curves, obstruction approaches etc.

Edge line (line No 4.10 and 4.11 in the gazette) indicates carriageway edges of roads
driver can safely venture. This continuous guideline makes night driving comfortable
particularly during bad weather condition.

Longitudinal marking adopting for different situations are shown in type plan
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 28

1.4.1 Directional arrows

In addition to the warning lines on approach to intersections, directional arrows
should be used to guide drivers in advance to occupy the correct lane to be taken
when approaching busy intersections, whether signal controlled or not. Because, of
the low angle at such markings are viewed, these must be elongated in the direction of
the traffic flow to provide adequate legibility. For speed up to 50kmph the arrow
should be 4m in length. For higher speeds, the length should be 6m. The direction
arrow nearest to the intersection should be 2m from the stop line or entrance to the
junction. The second arrow should be placed 15m before the first arrow and third
arrow should be 25m before second arrow. Fourth arrow, if use, should be placed 35m
before the third arrow. Recommended design of arrow are shown in type plan
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/29

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

1.5 Markings on Hazardous Locations

1.5.1 Sharp bend with asphalt strip

On sharp curves, where no – overtaking zone markings are required, they can also be
marked to form a shape of center island with an intervals of 800mm provided there is
ample room on either side to enable vehicles to negotiate the bend with reasonable
comfort without crossing the lines. The area within the splay and parallel section must
be hatched with inclined 100mm thick lines1m spacing as indicated in the figure
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 30 and RDA/P/RSTM/TY/ 31.

1.5.2 Carriageway Width Transition Markings

Where possible, changes in the width of carriageway should be avoided. If this is
inescapable, the driver shall be appraised of the change in the width by suitable
carriageway markings and road sings.

There are a number of solutions depending on the lanes which must be off-set or cut
out to change their widths. If one or more lanes are to be discontinued, the center and
the lane lines should be connected in such a way as to merge traffic into the reduced
number of lanes.

Throughout transition area the line separating the opposing direction of traffic shall be
marked no-overtaking zone. It should be born in mind that these lines, in themselves,
are not considered to be sufficient warning at such locations. They should always be
used to supplement the standard warning signs. Typical carriageway markings
showing transition from wider to narrow and vice-versa recommended for adopting
for different situations are shown in figure RDA/P/RSTM/TY/32 and
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/33

1.5.3 Rumble Strips (Speed Breakers)

“Rumble Strips” consist of a series of raised strips across the carriageway, arranged
into a system of several sets. The desired function of Rumble Strips is to alert drivers
when approaching a hazardous location or, even a road work area. By construction,
Rumble Strips some time act as a speed reducing devices but rather device that create

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

a noise inside the vehicle, when passing over them. Thus the height of each strip
should not more than a maximum of 10mm. The strips should normally be made of
white thermoplastic road marking material.

They should be arranged in set of 3 strips, and in 6 such sets, in order to give the
desired rumbling effect. The sets should also be arranged with a decreasing distance
between each set in order to give the drivers an impression of increasing speed, if they
remain the same speed. The typical plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/34 indicate typical
arrangement of Rumble Strips on a road section with a speed limit of 50km/h or
below and on a road section with speed limit above 50km/h.

1.5.4 Chevron Markers

Chevron Markers should be used along the outer edge of the shoulder of hazardous
bends where the centre line is continuous line. (line No. 4.07 and 4.08 in the gazette)
Minimum 5 numbers of boards should be provided for one location between two
tangent paints of the curve. Interval between two signs board are depend upon length
of curve and Driver should be able to see minimum 3 sign board at once.

Two chevron markers should be at each position and directed towards both direction
of traffic and angle between two sign board should be decide at the site.
The chevron markers should be angled towards the traffic all along the bend and
should not see the other direction chevron markers.

The height of the lowest edge of the sign above the level of road is between 1.2m and
1.5m depends on the vertical profile of the road.

The typical plan No. RDA/P/RSTM/TY/30 indicate typical arrangement of chevron

markers.

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

1.6 Object Markings

Physical obstruction in or near a carriageway are serious hazard and shall be

adequately marked. Typical obstructions of this type are, underpasses, piers and
abutments, monuments, traffic islands, median, channelizes ends, signal poles, culvert
headwalls, telecom or electrical poles, trees and structures having restricted vertical
clearance.

In some cases, object may not be actually within the carriageway, but may be so
closer to the edge as to constitute a hazard. This includes encroachments such as
subway piers, bridge abutments and hand rails, culvert head walls, etc. Such objects
should be marked with not less than five alternative red and white strips at an angle of
45 degree towards the side of the obstruction on which the traffic faces.

Signal poles or any other poles closer to the carriageway shall be marked with
alternate black and white horizontal strips up to a height of minimum 1.25m above
road level with 300mm band.

Other objects adjacent to carriageway such as guard rails, guard stones, trees that are
not likely to be hit unless a vehicle runs off the carriageway, shall be painted solid
white with a 300mm band in black paint above the rod level.

The pedestrian safety fence located in the edge of the raised walk way or along the
raised centre median shall be painted with Aluminium colour enamel paint. The
colour code number in …………………. When it is necessary to improve night time
visibility, pasted RSTM type IV reflection sticker as shown in the diagram as directed
by the Engineer.

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

Typical marking for km post, guard stone, road hump, Pedestrian safety fence and
objective in an adjacent to the road way are shown in type planes mention bellow.

a. Object marking
(Electric pole, Telecom Pole in the shoulder) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/35

b. Object marking
(Electric pole, Telecom Pole in the median) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/36

c. Object marking
(Pedestrian Safety Fence paint detail)
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/37

d. Object marking
(km post and guard stone) RDA/P/RSTM/TY/38

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

2 TRAFFIC SIGNS

2.1 Advance Direction Sign Boards

The advance direction signs are used to give information on important destinations;
they shall be placed ahead of intersection of routes leading to important towns and
other destinations.

The stack type sign has the advantage of reducing the size of the signboard as
compared with the map type sign, although the motorist is not able to visualize the
layout of the intersection from a distance.

Stack type sign

Refer Manual on Traffic Control Devices – Part 1 (August 2007)
Stack type does not give the layout of the intersection. The sign shall indicate the
direction in the following order from top to bottom
x Straight on
x Left
x Right

The number of rows required are provided depending on the far end destination and
the immediate next significant important town name.

Type plane for the Advance direction sign boards for two panel, three panel and four
panel and flag type direction board are show in type plan No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/39 to
No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/41

2.2 Traffic Sign Boards

Traffic signs are provided to (i) warn, (ii) regulate and (iii) direct the drivers to their
destination and enhance safety of non-motorizes traffic including pedestrian. Traffic
Signs consist of symbols, words and numerals. Use of symbols in traffic signs is

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

resorted to, as messages transmitted through them are easily & quickly understood by
the road user.
Traffic signs are provided alongside the road as follows
x Beside the footwork / shoulder ; or
x If the lateral clearance is limited, on the shoulder / foot walk; or
x On the center median: or
x As overhead signs placed across the road

Type plan for the details for traffic signs board is shown in type plan No
RDA/P/RSTM/TY/42

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 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

3 DELINEATING DEVICES

In a broad sense delineation stands for any device or treatment whose aim is to outline
the road. Delineating devices give the driver visual clues as to where the road is
going. Delineation is always helpful, but it is particularly important at bends. The
delineation of a road serves the following proposes.
x Safe limits of the road
x Helps drivers to control approach speed on bends
x Improves lane discipline
x Identified potentially hazardous situation such as sharp bends, starting and end
point of center median, embankment etc.
Delineating devices are known as retro reflective guide pole, guard pole, chevron
markers etc.

Delineators should also be provided

x On critical horizontal curves, especially on isolated curves with smaller radius
x On embankment higher than 3.0m with side slopes steeper than 1:4.
x On approaches to narrow bridges, structure or any other side obstacles.
x On section of highway with non-standard shoulder width
x At intersection, road approaches and median opening etc.

The retro reflective guide pole shall be positioned at the 2.4m outside the outer edge
of the carriageway, or minimum 600 mm away from the hard shoulder or in between.
For dual carriageway separated by median, guideposts shall be located on both sides
of each carriageway, with delineator facing the direction of traffic.

The height of the retro reflective guide pole or guard pole is 1.0m (a driver eye height
of the passenger car)

The approximate spacing of guide pole for horizontal curves are shown in bellow.
Radius of Curves (m) 0 - 15 15 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 250 250 - 350
Spacing (m) 5 10 15 25 30

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit, 57

Planning Division - RDA
 Guide to Traffic Signs and Road Markings Practice

The approximate spacing of guide pole for embankment filling area or reservoir area
is 30m. The approximate spacing of guide pole for center median is 15m and it is 3m
on walkway.

The typical plans No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/43 to No RDA/P/RSTM/TY/46 indicate

typical arrangement of reflective guide pole for some locations.

R.A.Sudath, Deputy Director, Road Safety and Traffic Management Unit, 58

Planning Division - RDA