Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Main Features Of The Traffic Sign

By Vicki Diaz


A traffic sign, also called a road sign, is a sign that is designed to provide drivers and people on the road with information. These may be placed above or on the side of roadways. The earliest signs of this sort were simple milestones made from stone and wood.

With the increase of traffic on the roadways in the 1930s came pictorial signs. These were developed for worldwide use and intended to be easy to understand so that people would be capable of understanding them. Many of the developed countries of today have simplified and standardized signage that is easy for all to comprehend. This is extremely important in guaranteeing safe roads when there are drivers who speak different languages. Europe was first to adopt this type of universal signage and many other countries have followed the lead.

The early sign was basic. It only included information on distance or direction. Signs that are used in modern times first came about during the 1870s and 1880s. This was a time when they were being used widely for bicycle riders. This mode of transportation was fast, hard to control and quiet. The signs proved useful of warning drivers of potential hazards ahead, distance and direction.

Following the introduction of automobiles, complex signs were created. These systems utilized more than just text to get across key information to people on the roadway. Pictorial symbols were applied to help signify that there were nearby intersections, curves, railroad crossings and bumps. Most of the work that went into developing these systems of signs occurred between the period of 1920s and 1940s.

There are many different categories that these can be placed into. General groups that are used for classification: restrictive or prohibitory; mandatory; priority; facilities, info or service; direction, position or indication; additional panels; danger warning; and special regulation. In Canada, America and Australia, there may be different classifications in place. Commonly used signage categories in these countries: warning, guide, light rail, temporary traffic, railroad, school, regulatory, bicycle and emergency management.

In America, the standards for placement, categories and graphics for these and pavement markings have been legally defined. The rules are all written in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is issued by the Federal Highway Administration. It is important to recognize that these regulations and the signs themselves will differ by nation and may impact the ability of one to drive in accordance with the law.

Signs may be used to share a wide range of information. They do this through text, symbols and even color. The main colors used for signage in North America, New Zealand and Australia: green, blue, red, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, and brown. Text on these is usually easy to read and basic. In cases where language is used, more than one language or translation may be added to a sign. In New Zealand, Australia, Canada and America, signs are usually in English.

A traffic sign is extremely important to roadways and is used in developed countries. These come with different symbols, text and colors, which can usually be comprehended on a universal level. They may be used on the side or above a road and are used to provide individuals with information.




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