Signs, Signals, And Roadway Markings

Chapter 2 Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings

Chapter 2 Objectives ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

State the meaning of the eight shapes and eight colors used for traffic signs. Describe the actions to take at STOP, YIELD, and speed limit signs List five situations where the warning signs might be used Explain how guide signs and international signs help you when driving Explain what to do at a green light, a yellow light, and a red light. Describe the action to take when you approach a flashing red signal or a flashing yellow signal. Describe the actins to take with pedestrian signals and traffic control officers’ signals. Describe the difference between broken yellow lines and broken white lines. Explain the differences between a shared left turn lane and a left turn lane. List six types of special roadway markings.

8 Basic Sign Colors and Shapes ► Each

color and shape has a special meaning. ► By knowing the meanings of the colors and shapes you can get valuable information from a sign, even at a distance. ► Each traffic sign has a purpose.

8 Basic Sign Colors White: Regulatory (speed limit)

Orange: Construction or detour

Black: Regulatory (one way)

Blue: Motorist Service (rest area)

Red: Stop, Yield or prohibited Green: Guide (highway exit)

Yellow: Warning (lane reduction) Brown: Public recreation and cultural interest

8 Basic Sign Shapes

Octagon: Stop

Triangle: Yield

Horizontal Rectangle: Round: Guide Railroad Crossing

Pentagon: School

Pennant: No Passing

Vertical Rectangle Regulatory

Diamond: Warning

Types of Signs ►A

regulatory sign: such as a STOP sign controls traffic. ► A warning sign: alerts you to possible hazards and road conditions. ► A guide sign: gives you directions.

Regulatory Signs

Stop Sign ► ► ► ►

► ►

A STOP sign is used on a road that crosses a main highway or a trough street. The STOP sign is a red octagon with white letters and border. Always come to a full and complete stop. Once stopped you must yield the right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles in or approaching the intersection. To yield means to allow others to use the intersection before you do. Using the right of way means you accept the privilege of immediate use of the roadway.

Where to Stop? ► The

location of the STOP sign or stop line assists you in where to stop. ► If there is only a STOP sign stop before entering the intersection. ► Stop where you can see approaching traffic, but stop before reaching any crosswalk.

4 Way Stop, Who Goes First? ► ►

►

► ►

The driver who stopped first should be allowed to go first. When vehicles stop to the right or left of each other at the same time, the driver on the left should yield to the driver on the right. When stopped across the intersection facing oncoming traffic, the driver going straight should be allowed to proceed. A driver turning left should wait. Show your intention to proceed by moving forward slowly before entering the intersection. Check for traffic ahead and to the sides before entering the intersection

Yield Sign ► Always

slow or stop, and give the right of way to traffic when approaching a yield sign. ► It is found where roadways cross or merge. ► Slowing enough ahead of time can often permit you to proceed without completely stopping. ► However always be prepared to stop.

Speed Limit Signs ► Speed

limit signs are used to manage traffic flow at safe speeds. ► States are permitted to establish their own speed limits. ► Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. ► When roadway or traffic conditions are not ideal, apply the basic speed law. ► Follow all speed limit signs.

Minimum Speed Limit ►A

minimum speed limit is set for roadways such as expressways, to keep traffic moving. ► This speed limit tells you not to drive slower than the posted minimum speed unless conditions are less than ideal, then follow the basic speed law.

Advisory Speed Limits ► These

speeds are set for special conditions. ► They are usually posted under warning signs. ► They indicate the maximum suggested speed under ideal conditions. ► Speed should be lower when conditions are less than ideal. ► Be aware of school zones.

Other Regulatory Signs ►

Regulatory signs:  Direct traffic to turn or go straight.  Direct one way traffic  Control parking and passing

►

►

Signs with red words on white or white words on red tell you what not to do Black lettered words usually tell you what you have or can do.

Warning Signs

Diamond Shaped Warning Signs ►

► ►

►

A diamond shaped warning sign can help you avoid surprise situations. Most warning signs are diamond shaped. Warning signs have black symbols or lettering on a yellow background. Be prepared to slow or stop when you see a warning sign.

School Signs/Zones ► Two

signs are used in school zones. ► A school zone sign, only showing 2 children is posted within a block of a school. ► A school crossing sign shows children in a crosswalk area. This sign is posted at intersections or crossings used by children. ► Be extra alert in school zones.

No-Passing Sign ►A

yellow pennant-shaped sign with black letters may or may not be posted on the left side of the roadway. ► This sign is posted at the start of the no passing zone and provides advance warning of where a no passing zone starts. ► A no passing sign is used in conjunction with a yellow solid line on the roadway.

Construction Signs ► An

orange sign, in a diamond or rectangular shape, alerts you to construction zones. ► Be alert in a construction zone. Be ready to slow, stop, or drive around workers and equipment. ► Follow directions from signs and any worker directing traffic.

Railroad Signs ►

►

►

► ►

A round yellow sign with a black “X” warns of railroad crossing ahead. This sign is posted about 250 feet before a railroad crossing in an urban area and 750 feet in a rural area. A large “X” might be painted on the roadway as an additional warning. The crossing itself is marked with a white crossbuck sign. Flashing red lights and/or crossing gates might be there as well.

Guide Signs

Guide Signs ►A

guide sign provides a variety of information. ► Guide signs mark routes, intersections, service areas, an other points of interest.

Route Signs ► Local,

state, US, and interstate routes are posted with route signs. ► All signs display route numbers. ► Interstate route signs are red, white, and blue shields.

Numbering System for Interstate Routes ►

►

An east-west route is even numbered. (I 90 is Jane Addams Tollway) Numbering starts South and ends North. An north-south route is odd numbered (I 55 is the Stevenson Expressway). Numbering starts West and ends East.

►A

three-figured route that starts with an odd number leads into a city. (I 190 O’Hare entrance) ► A three-figured route that starts with an even number, bypasses or goes around a city. (I 294 is the Tri-State Tollway)

Numbering System for IL State Routes ► Even

  

IL 72 (Higgins Road) IL 58 (Golf Road) IL 64 (North Avenue)

► Odd

  

ending numbers run East-West

ending numbers run North-South

IL 59 (Sutton Road) IL 23 (State Street) IL 83 (Kingery Highway)

Other Guide Signs

► ► ►

Green guide signs provide information on destinations ahead and distances to be traveled. Blue signs highlight highway services such as food, fuel, and lodging. Brown signs direct you to recreation areas such as a state park.

International Signs ► ► ►

International signs convey information with symbols rather than words. Most of these are common sense once you have established a basic understanding of signs. The U.S. had adopted several international signs for use on highways.

Traffic Lights ► Various

combinations of traffic lights can be place at intersections to control traffic.

Traffic Lights ►

Green light

 You can proceed only if the intersection is clear. When approaching a green light check cross and oncoming traffic.  When approaching a stale green light be prepared for the light to turn to yellow.  The Green light will be mounted at the bottom or right on the traffic signal.

►

Yellow light    

►

Make every effort to stop safely for a yellow light. Sometimes you might be too close to do so. So you will have to proceed with caution. The yellow light will appear in the center of the traffic signal.

Red light

 You must come to a full stop at a red light.  Stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if no stop lines are used.  The red light will be mounted on the top or to the left side of the traffic signal.

Computerized Traffic Lights ► Most

traffic lights are computerized. ► The computer uses various sensors and timers to control the flow of traffic.

Right Turns (Or Left) on Red ► All

states allow right turns on red unless otherwise posted. ► Come to a full stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians and others in the intersection. ► In some states one way streets that turn on other one way streets turning left on a red light is permitted unless otherwise posted.

Flashing Signals ►A

flashing signal alerts drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop. ► A flashing red signal is the same as a STOP sign, so a full and complete stop is made. After you stop yield to traffic, and proceed only when the intersection is clear. ► When you see a warning sign and a flashing yellow signal, slow down. Be prepared to stop.

Arrows ►

► ►

►

Traffic must flow in the direction that a green arrow is pointing. Arrows are used in conjunction with traffic lights. If you are in a lane with a green arrow pointing left or right you must turn in that direction. Most intersections in urban areas use protected left turn arrows. They can be before or after the oncoming traffics’ green signal.

Lane Signals ► Sometimes

traffic in some lanes needs to go in one direction for a certain period of time and in the opposite direction at another period of time.  The Kennedy expressway is a great example of this. The Express lanes run inbound (into the city) in the morning rush and outbound (out of the city) during the evening rush.

► In

situations like this lights hanging overhead show weather or not a lane could be used at that time. Each light is a lane signal.

Pedestrian Signals ►

►

►

A pedestrian signal is used at an intersection with heavy traffic. These signals or symbols are mounted near traffic lights. Pedestrians should only cross at an intersection when they face a WALK signal or symbol. Pedestrians must clear the intersection or wait when a DON’T WALK signal or symbol is displayed.

Officer’s Signals ► Officers

signals override all other signs, roadway markings, or signals. ► Follow the instructions of the officer.

Yellow Line Markings ►A

broken yellow line separates two-way traffic. It also means a driver may pass only when no traffic is coming from the opposite direction. ► A solid yellow line on the driver’s side of the center line indicates no passing is allowed. ► Passing is only allowed only when the solid yellow line no longer appears on the driver’s side of the highway (dashes on your side) ► Two solid lines prohibit passing both ways or not to cross these. Some cities allow you to turn into a driveway or alley after yielding the right of way.

White Line Markings ► ► ► ► ► ►

Broken white lines separate lane of traffic that are moving in the same direction. You may cross these lines when changing lanes or to pass someone. Solid white lines keep drivers in their lanes and restrict lane changing. White arrows are painted in lane to tell you when and where to turn. Solid white lines are used along the side of a roadway to mark the edge of the roadway. Solid white lines are also used to mark pedestrian crosswalks and stop lines.

Rumble strips ► Rumble

strips are short sections of corrugated roadway. These strips alert you through the noise your tires make when you drive over them. ► Rumble strips warn of hazards such as a major or dangerous intersection, toll plaza, or an unexpected need to stop or reduce speed. ► Sometimes they are used at the edge of the roadway to warn you that you are getting too close to the edge of the pavement.

Raised Roadway Markers ► On

some streets/highways drivers might have a difficult time seeing the driving lanes at night. Raised or lowered roadway markers (reflectors) are used. ► Roadway markers are color coded. White markers are used at the edge of a roadway or between lanes. Yellow markers may locate the left edge of an expressway or in conjunction with the broken/solid yellow line that divides traffic moving in opposite directions. If you see RED markers you are going the wrong way.

Other Roadway Markings ►A

special white marking on the roadway is used to show you where an exit ramp starts. It is dangerous and illegal to make a list minute decision to cross this area. ► The railroad marking using an “X” and two R’s on each side of the roadway warn you that a railroad crossing is ahead. ► School crossings or zones might have “School” written on the pavement. ► Curbs alongside a road may be painted to indicate parking is not permitted. The markings may be yellow, white, or red.

Multiple Choice 1.

What does a round traffic sign mean?

a. b. c. d. 2.

A construction zone sign is?

a. b. c. d. 3.

Yellow Blue Green Orange

Which of the following is not an example of a traffic signal?

a. b. c. d. 4.

Yield to other traffic Railroad crossing Stop Pedestrian crossing

Flashing lights Arrows School zone sign Pedestrian signals

Two solid yellow center lines on a two-lane highway indicate?

a. b. c. d.

No passing from either way Passing both ways Passing only with caution Passing on the left only

Multiple Choice (answers) 1.

What does a round traffic sign mean?

a. b. c. d. 2.

A construction zone sign is?

a. b. c. d. 3.

Yellow Blue Green Orange

Which of the following is not an example of a traffic signal?

a. b. c. d. 4.

Yield to other traffic Railroad crossing Stop Pedestrian crossing

Flashing lights Arrows School zone sign Pedestrian signals

Two solid yellow center lines on a two-lane highway indicate?

a. b. c. d.

No passing from either way Passing both ways Passing only with caution Passing on the left only

Completion 5.

6. 7.

8.

A ____ signal is used at heavy traffic intersections to tell people who are walking whether they should proceed or wait. International traffic signs use ____ rather than words. A lane on a busy street that helps drivers make safer mid-block left turns is called a ____ . A ____ sign controls traffic.

Completion (answers) 5.

6. 7.

8.

A pedestrian signal is used at heavy traffic intersections to tell people who are walking whether they should proceed or wait. International traffic signs use symbols rather than words. A lane on a busy street that helps drivers make safer mid-block left turns is called a shared left-turn lane . A regulatory sign controls traffic.

Review Vocabulary 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Sign that alerts you to possible hazards and road conditions. Signal that alerts drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop. Sign set on roadways like primary highways and expressways to keep traffic moving safely. Signal, usually overhead, that tells whether a lane can or cannot be used at a specific time. Speed limits set for special conditions such as sharp curves Sign that gives directions

Review Vocabulary (answers) 9. 10. 11.

12.

13. 14.

Sign that alerts you to possible hazards and road conditions. warning sign (c) Signal that alerts drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop. flashing signal (a) Sign set on roadways like primary highways and expressways to keep traffic moving safely. minimum speed limit (f) Signal, usually overhead, that tells whether a lane can or cannot be used at a specific time. lane signal (b) Speed limits set for special conditions such as sharp curves. advisory speed limits (d) Sign that gives directions. guide sign (e)

End of Chapter 2