2nd Webinar on Road Safety Engineering

for Improved Safety by IRF-India Chapter

Design and Provision of Signs and

Markings for Road Safety

Dr Ammu Gopalakrishnan
Transportation Safety Division

12th March 2021

Content

➢ Introduction
➢ Road Sign – Principles and Design
➢ Factors Influencing Traffic Sign Visibility
➢ Selection of Reflective Sheeting
➢ Road Marking – Principles and Design
➢ Visibility of Road Marking
➢ Raised Pavement Markers
➢ Other reflective Road Safety Solutions
➢ Vehicle Safety through Retro-reflective
Solution
Visibility Matters
Studies found that where more
visible signs are installed, crash
numbers have fallen between
25% - 46%.(1)

Edge line marking application

showed a reduction in crashes
by 19% and 37% net reduction
in fatalities.(2)

References: Ripley, D.A, Howard R. Green Company,

ITE ABO4H313, Quantifying the Safety Benefits of
Traffic Control Devices – Benefit-Cost Analysis of
Traffic Sign Upgrades, 2005 Mid-Continent
Transportation Research Symposium Proceedings.
Low-Cost Local Road Safety Solutions, The American
Traffic Safety Services Association. (2006).
Road Signs – Principles and Design
Why, What and Where to Place !!!

Peripheral Vision Decreases as Speed Increases

Source: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/behaviours/speed/laws-of-
physics/

➢ Design (Size, Shape, Font, Symbols)

➢ Placement
➢ Operation Maximum
Efficiency
➢ Maintenance
of Road
➢ Uniformity Signs

Reference: https://www.random-science-tools.com/physics/stopping-distance.htm
 Cautionary / Warning Signs
Size and Dimensions of Cautionary Signs and their Siting Distance
Design Speed Size Side (mm) Border (mm) Clear Visibility Distance of Sign
Distances (m) from Hazard (m)
Up to 50 kmph Small 600 45 45 45
51 – 65 kmph Medium 750 60 60 45 – 110
66 – 80 kmph Normal 900 70 60 110 – 180
> 80 kmph Large 1200 90 90 180 - 245

Principles of traffic signs and markings

References: IRC 67: 2012 “Code of Practice for Road Signs”.

 Sign Design
600 mm Triangle
Cautionary Sign Sizes and Icon Designs 15x15 (25 mm squares)

750 mm Triangle
19x19 (25 mm squares)

900 mm Triangle
22x22 (25 mm squares)

1200 mm Triangle
30x30 (25 mm squares)

Reference: IRC 67: 2012 “Code of Practice for Road Signs”.

 Design of Direction Information Signs
Flag Type Direction Signs
Advance Direction Signs (Shoulder Mounted) Reassurance Signs Gantry Mounted Signs
Place Identification Signs
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
TWO signs:
Minimum ONE sign: Minimum
“x” height “X” height distance “x” height “X” height “x” height “X” height Minimum clear
clear distance clear visibility
Design Speed (mm) lower (mm) upper between 1st (mm) lower (mm) upper (mm) lower (mm) upper visibility to the
visibility to from to the sign
case case and 2nd sign case case case case sign (m)
the sign (m) junction (m) (m)
(m)

75 105 50 60 84 35
Up to 30 km/h (60)* (84) (35)
20 -
(50) (70) (30)
100 140 75 75 105 45
31 – 50km/h (75) (105) (45)
45 45
(60) (84) (35) 200 280
(175) (245) 150
125 175 100 100 140 60
51 - 65 km/h (100) (140) (60)
90 50
(75) (105) (45)
150 210 125 175 75
66 - 80 km/h (125) (175)
135 90 – 150 70
(100) (140) (60)
200 280 150 210 105 250 350
81 - 100 km/h (150) (210)
165 150 – 225 100
(125) (175) (75) (200) (280)
200

225- 300,
250 350 200 280 135 275 385
101- 110km/h (200) (280)
225 See also 100
(150) (210) (105) (250) (350)
240
Note 1
300 420 300 420 180 300 420 260
111- 120km/h (250) (350)
260 See Note 1 See Note 1
(250) (350) (150) (275) (385)

*Note: The values in brackets are the minimum values to be adopted when there is site/space constraints.

Reference: IRC 67: 2012 “Code of Practice for Road Signs”.

Calculation of Advance Direction Sign (ADS) 1. Should know the Design Speed.
2. From Table 11.1 of IRC 67:2012,
select the font height.
3. Find the Stroke width.
1 s/w = ¼ of lowercase “x” height

Reference: IRC 67: 2012 “Code of Practice for Road Signs”.

Size of ADS for various Design Speeds

पनवेल खारघर लोनावला

>

>
Recommended Board height = 1150
1.15 m

<
2.03 m
Minimum Board height in m = 1010
Panvel Khargar , Lonavala

Small Letter 7.17 m

Height,
x=125 mm 7170
Recommended Total Length
1.96 m
6270
Minimum Total Length

पनवेल खारघर लोनावला

>

>
Recommended Board height = 1730 1.44

<
Minimum Board height in m = 1580 Panvel Khargar , Lonavala m

3.25 12.15 m
m
Small Letter 10760
Recommended Total Length
Height,
x=200 mm 9860
Minimum Total Length
3.13
m
Revision / Update on IRC 67 on Direction Sign Boards
IRC 67- 2012 MUTCD-2003 IRC 67-2020
Cases Legibility Index, defined as the distance
LI 50 LI-40 LI 45
Distance in Feet 50 40 45 at which material can be read with
Font Size Required-in inch 1 1 1
perfect accuracy (the legibility distance)
Font size Required-mm
100 125 110
-from 60 m divided by the character height.

Road Type Background

Expressway Blue
National Highway (NH) Green
State Highway (SH) Green
Major District Road (MDR) Green
Village Road (ODR and VR) White
Urban / City Road Blue
Other Scenario
Tourism related signs Brown ▪ Finger Type Direction Information Sign
for Pedestrians
▪ Boundary Sign at Entrance to a City/Place
▪ Tourist Destination Direction Information
Signs
Application of Traffic Signs

Minimum distance Road signs or their supports

between two signs shall not bear any advertising
should be 0.6*V, or other message that is not
where V is the 85th related to traffic control.
percentile speed in
km/h.

For signs on Shape and Uniformity of

footpath, minimum Signs to be maintained.
headroom shall be
2.1 m.
Application of Traffic Signs

Merging Ahead On Expressways -

Sign at 180 m Advance Guide sign should
ahead of the be placed at 500 m, 1 km
opening. and at 2 km in advance of
the exit.

Side Road Ahead at Stop Sign and Speed

120 m head of the Breaker Marking to warn
location. the road user in advance of
the entry to Major Road.
Factors Influencing Traffic Sign Visibility

41% from total share of crashes in India

occurred during nighttime (6 pm to 6 am)
in 2019.
Reference: Road Accidents in India, 2019, Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways, India.

Because what you see Is not always what you

during the day get at night !
Factors Influencing Traffic Sign Visibility
1. Age of the driver 2. Ambient light 3. Sign Position

4. Type of Vehicle
(50m) (100m) (160m)
Yishun
Town 1.6o 1.0o 0.60o Guide Sign viewed from a
Location
Car Truck
(50m) (100m) (160m)
0.8o 0.30o 0.20o
Reflective Sheeting Types Type IV Type IX Type XI
100% efficient
Intermediate Intermediate
Luminance full-cube
luminance Luminance
Type IV (HIP), VIII
technology
• 30% efficiency Warranty** 7 years 10 years 10 years
• Narrow cone shoulder shoulder
Sign Positioning- for all sign
• Long distance, mounted mounted
small vehicle Suitable Location positions
signs signs
Ra value-Obs./Ent.
Angles 𝛼& 𝛽= 0.2 / 360 380 580
Type IX -4 White colour**
• 30% efficiency
• Wider cone
Ra value-Obs./Ent.
• All vehicles, low Angles 𝛼& 𝛽= 1 / - Not defined 80 120
brightness 4 White colour

Type XI
• 58% efficiency
• Wider cone
• All distances, all
vehicles
Road Markings
There’s a Lot Riding on the Line
Roadway Infrastructure optimized for human and machine vision help enable safer navigation

Better road marking systems can further

improve Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
systems.
An optimally working LDW system can:
1. Prevent 7,500 fatal crashes annually
(US)1
2. Reduce injuries by 8.9% per annum in EU2
3. Provide a socio-economic benefit-cost
ratio of greater than 20:13

References:
1. Crash Avoidance Potential of Four Passenger Vehicle Technologies, Jermakian, 2011, Accident
Analysis & Prevention
2. Effects of Lane Departure Warning on Police-Reported Crash Rates, Cicchino, 2018, Journal of
Safety Research
3. Economics of Lane-Departure prevention technologies: benefits resulting from reduced traffic-
accident losses*, Miyoshi, 2017, ITEC
 Road Markings
• Road markings are for guiding and controlling traffic.

• It serves as a psychological barrier and signify the delineation of traffic path.

• Provides lateral clearance from traffic hazards for safe movement of traffic.

Classification of Pavement Marking

Colour Application Area
▪ Longitudinal Marking ( LM )
White Most Widely used colour for road marking because of
▪ Transverse Marking ( TM ) its visibility and good contrast.
▪ Hazard Marking ( HM ) Yellow Longitudinal marking where it is not permitted to
cross, parking restrictions
▪ Block Marking (BM)
Blue Three wheelers scooter rickshaws (TSR) and
▪ Arrow Marking ( AM) dedicated bus lanes.
Green Depict Bicycle lane and non-motorized
▪ Directional Marking (DM)
transportation
▪ Facility Marking ( FM) Red/Purple Hazardous Intersections and place where pedestrian
traffic conflicts with motorized traffic.
Reference: IRC 35: 2015 “Code of Practice for Road Markings”.
 Road Markings

Reference: IRC 35: 2015 “Code of Practice for Road Markings”.

Picture Courtesy: https://www.kstp.org.in/photo-gallery/gallery/photogallery/
Road Markings

The products combine to create proven infrastructure countermeasures

Wet Reflective Pavement Markings Save Lives

In India, crashes under adverse

weather conditions such as rainy,
foggy and hail/sleet accounted for
17.3 percent of total road
crashes during 2019.
Reference: Road Accidents in India, 2019, Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways, India.

Reference: “Safety Evaluation of Wet Reflective Pavement

Markers,” Craig Lyon, Bhagwant Persaud, and Kimberly Eccles.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) and Persaud Lyon, Inc.
2015, U.S. DoT, FHWA Sponsored Study
Performance Assessment and Monitoring (IRC-35:2015)
Section Parameter Standard Requirement, mcd/m2/lux
15.5 Performance Criteria
15.5.1 Daytime Visibility (Qd ) 130 during the expected service life - CC Road
100 during the expected service life – Asphalt Road
15.5.2 Nighttime Visibility (Dry RL ) 200 (Initial) & 80 (up to 2 Years) – Design Speed < 65 KM/Hr
250 (Initial) & 120 (up to 2 Years) – Design Speed 65-100
KM/Hr
350 (Initial) & 150 (up to 2 Years) – Design Speed > 100 KM/Hr

Nighttime Visibility (Wet Rec RL ) 100 (Initial) & 50 (Threshold, No period mentioned)
(In wet condition given requirements are irrespective of the design speed)

15.6 Skid Resistance BS 6044 55 BPN (Initial) & 45 BPN (Min threshold limit)
▪ Minimum Threshold level (TL) & warranty period required up to 2 years for Dry RL

11-24% Crash 8 ft increase in

reduction when dry detection
retro-reflectivity is increased by with increase in Retro
200-300 mcd/m2/lux reflectivity of 100 mcd/m2/lux
Reference: Adam Pike et al., “Pavement Markings—Wet Retro reflectivity
Standards,” Texas A&M Transportation Institute Report 2020-09.
Pavement Marking Requirements for Wet Reflective Visibility

Optical material solution – high

index

Controlled ran
box @ 2”/hour
rate

Wet Recovery ASTM Wet-Continuous ASTM

E2177-19 / EN1436 E2832-12 / EN 1436
• Condition of standard • Condition of continuous
wetness wetting
• Simulates wet reflectivity of Wet continuous • Simulates wet reflectivity of
marking after it’s stopped marking during rainfall
raining
ASTM E2832-12
• 5-10 mins to complete
• 3-5 mins to complete
Concept of Min. Wet Continuous Retroreflectivity (RR) from
Pavement Markings to Support a Min. Preview Time (PT)
RR (mcd Travel speed (km/h) vs. RR in Wet Continuous Condition
/m2/lx) 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120
5 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0
10 2.9 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1
15 3.1 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2
20 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2
25 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3
30 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3
50 3.8 3.4 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.4
60 3.9 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.5
90 4.1 3.7 3.4 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5
110 4.2 3.8 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.6
150 4.4 4.0 3.6 3.3 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6
200 4.6 4.1 3.7 3.4 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7
250 4.7 4.2 3.8 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8
350 4.9 4.4 4.0 3.7 3.4 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8
425 5.0 4.5 4.1 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.9
600 5.2 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.6 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9
800 5.3 4.8 4.4 4.0 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 Reference: Adam Pike et al., “Pavement Markings—Wet
Demarcation Line for Speed vs. RR trade-off to yield Retroreflectivity Standards,” Texas A&M Transportation
2~3s of PT; An older driver may require 3s of PT, in Institute (TTI), Report 2020-09.
which case the supported speed is even lower.
Night-time Visibility – Dry Conditions
Current Practice Current Practice

As per Standards As per Standards

Night-time Visibility – Wet Conditions
Current Practice Current Practice

As per Standards As per Standards

Raised Pavement Marker

On Median Side Shoulder Side / Shoulder Side Crossable Continuity Lane Travel Lane Line
Chevron marking
➢ RPM helps improve delineation along with road
Driver Behavior in response to Actively Illuminated Road
marking Studs: A Simulator Study- TRL
➢ RPMs increase preview distances 2 to 3 times
➢ Performs even during rainy / foggy or extreme
climatic condition

Reference - TRL Ltd, Published Project Report PPR143 by N. Reed

Reference: IRC 35: 2015 “Code of Practice for Road Markings”.
Road Stud – MoRTH 804, IRC 35-2015
Characteristics Specifications
Material It shall be Plastic Material moulded from ASA or HIPS or ABS
Compressive Strength 13635 Kg
Lens Single or dual prismatic cubes capable of providing total internal reflection
Slope of retro reflective 35 ± 50
Retro Reflective Are Min 13 sqcm

Category ‘A’ studs

C.I.L. in mcd/lx
Entrance Angle Observation Angle
White Amber Red
0 ° U 5 ° L &R 0.30 220 110 44
0 ° U 10° L&R 0.50 120 60 24

Category ‘B’ studs

C.I.L. in mcd/lx
Entrance Angle Observation Angle
White Amber Red
0 ° U 5 ° L &R 0.30 20 10 4
0 ° U 10° L&R 0.50 15 7.5 3
Solar Stud – MoRTH 804, IRC 35-2015
❖ Visible at distances of more than 800 m under
favorable conditions
❖ Distinctly visible during rainy and foggy
conditions
❖ Used in places where street lightings and other
roadside activities are present
Application Areas:

Exit Points Curves Median Opening Bridges/Flyovers

Bridges, Structurers, road crash prone locations and highly hazardous locations, Approach to
Curves, Lane transitions etc. Hazard Locations
Along the Road
Other Retroreflective solution for Road Safety, IRC 79-2019
Delineator Median Marker Hazard Marker Aluminum Backed Flexible
Prismatic Sheeting (AFP)

Application Application Application Application

➢ Enhance the visibility on Median Markers are used Road side hazard like ➢ Beam and post of the
road sections due to for improving median parapet of bridges, culvert, Metal Crash barrier.
mist. visibility during dark hours. guard rails etc. which are ➢ Porous concrete
➢ Fog or snowy condition. coming in the roadway. structures like
➢ To enhance the visibility roundabout
of the curved portion of ➢ At bull noses
road etc. ➢ Entry / Exit point of
tunnel etc., to enhance
night time visibility.

Reference: IRC 79:2019 Recommended Practice for Road Delineators

AFP Application
Electric post close to the
roads
Trees close to the roads

AFP- to make
it visible

AFP- to make
it visible
Case Study
DAY TIME NIGHT-TIME NIGHT-TIME
Vehicle Conspicuity

Visibility during adverse weather Read End collision during foggy Enhancing Vehicle Visibility
condition / nighttime

Indian Government Statutory Rules

AIS 90 - Uniform provisions concerning the approval of retroreflective markings for vehicles of category
1. Commercial Load Vehicles,
2. Passenger Carrying Vehicles,
3. Trailers - Long Vehicles,
4. Auto rickshaw and e-rickshaws
Truck Conspicuity Safety findings Peru Regulation of Law No. 30936
from the crash data (Issued in June 2020) for bicycle as sustainable
means of transport
2000 German Darmstadt Study
To circulate on public roads, cycles must have:
Over a one-year period, 37% of all truck side
and 41% of truck rear collisions during darkness a) Brake system.
and twilight were caused by the truck not b) A sound system.
having been recognized in time. c) Sheets of retroreflective material in such a way
that allows the visualization of the cycle laterally.
d) Front and rear lighting.
e) Helmet fastened.
41%
b) Retroreflective garment

rear end collisions could be

prevented with visibility

side collisions could be

37 % prevented with visibility
Visibility in the night !
Feasibility analysis of Road Safety measures – iRAP Study
Project Details : Mumbai Pune Expressway Road Accident Study
Safer Roads Estimated Cost Causality
Reduction

Delineation- Sign Board, Road Marking, RPM, Delineator Low 10-25%

Roadside Safety - Hazard Removal Low to Medium 25-40%

Shoulder Sealing Medium 25-40%

Realignment - Horizontal High 25-40%

Project Details : Location-A404 (A413 (Amersham) - M25 J18)-England

Safer Roads Estimated Cost Causality
Reduction

Pedestrian Crossing – Unsignalized- Marking, Sign boards, Low 25-40%

RPM
Speed Management-Gateway, Transverse Marking, RPM, Medium 25-40%
Sign Board, DFS, VMS
Road Surface Rehabilitation Medium 25-40%

Road Safety solutions are usually Low cost & have the capability to reduce causalities up to 40%
 Thank you
For more details, please contact your 3M Sales representative
or drop an email to
[email protected].
3M India Ltd.
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