DIRECTION SIGNS (R2)

Direction to be followed (R2-1 to R2-7)

a. Disc Type
Reflectorized Blue Background
Reflectorized white arrow

b. Plate Type

Black Legend. Reflectorized white background on plate. Reflectorized Blue background on disc
Reflectorized white arrow symbols.

These signs indicate the only direction(s) in which the motorist is obliged to follow. They are
normally used in conjunction with islands at channelized intersections. The disc signs can be
incorporated on rectangular plate with legends to supplement their meanings. Where necessary
 750mm diameter discs can be used to give greater visual impact to the motorist. The plate type is
only used in urban areas.

WARNING SIGNS

Application of Warning Signs

Warning signs are used to warn motorists of potentially hazardous conditions on or adjacent to the
road. The Warning Signs advise motorist of road conditions that require caution and may call for a
reduction in speed in the interest of safety and that of other road users.

Warning Signs tend to lose their effectiveness if used unnecessarily or too frequently. Their use should
be restricted to the minimum consistent with safety. A warning sign should not be used when drivers
can observe and appreciate the potential hazard ahead under normal conditions.

The particular sign to be applied to a specific condition shall be selected in accordance with the criteria
set out in this Section. The standard warning signs listed in this manual cover most conditions that are
likely to be met. If other warning signs are needed, the signs shall be of the standard shape and color for
warning signs, and the symbol used must be self-explanatory.

To avoid ambiguity, supplementary messages can sometimes be used. Sometimes of the commonly
used messages are also listed in this category under the Auxiliary series.
DESIGN

A standard sign shall be selected when choosing a sign for a particular purpose. If no sign meets the
conditions encountered a special sign may be used, provided it is designed in accordance with the same
principles as the standard signs in the appropriate classification.

In general, warning signs are triangular in shape (with one angle vertical), with a black symbol,
reflectorized red border on a retro-reflective white, or fluorescent yellow green background. Other
exceptions to this general rule are specified in the text.

The size of a warning sign should be suited to the conditions for which it is required. Traffic volumes,
speed, road conditions, background lighting and other factors will all influence the choice of the
appropriate size.

Where conditions require greater visual impact or emphasis, the larger size signs should be used with a
correspondingly larger symbol or legend. By referring to the letter sizes for any sign and equating these
to the required sight distances and legibility requirements, the most suitable sign can be selected for any
particular condition.

The size of one side of the equilateral triangular shaped signs shall not be less than 600mm. For high-
speed expressways, larger signs (up to 1200mm) are usually adopted.

Sizes of special signs with other shapes can sometimes be selected to give comparable warning to
drivers if the standard sign is found inadequate. Some of these special signs are included in this manual.

LOCATION

As warning signs are placed primarily for the protection of the driver who is not familiar with the road, it
is very important that their location and installation must be undertaken with care. Although guidelines
for their positioning are given below there will be instances where local conditions require different
treatment. Test runs should be made by day and by night from both directions to check the location
and mounting of each installation.

A warning sign should generally be installed on the right side of the road and be positioned so that it will
convey its message most effectively without circumstances the sign or a duplicate sign may be erected
on the left side of the road. Duplicate signs on the left side will usually be required on one-way roads.

Lateral placement and height of warning signs shall be in accordance with section 1.8.2

In urban areas advance warning signs should be placed at not less than 30.0m or more than 100.0m in
advance of the hazardous area, while in rural areas the signs should be placed at not less than 75.0m nor
more than 225.0m in advance of the hazardous area. The actual advance warning distances, determined
by factors such as nature of the hazard, reaction time, prevailing and desired speeds are shown in Table
3.1
For hazards requiring reduction in speed, an advisory speed as described in Section 3.12, may be
used in conjunction with the corresponding hazard warning sign.
Where it is desired to warn of more than one potential hazard at the same location, the signs shall
be installed on separate posts placed at distance not less than o.6Vm apart, where V is the 85 TH
Percentile speed in kph.
Signs indicating conditions that are temporary of intermittent in occurrence should be mounted so
that they can be set up and removed easily as required. If necessary, folding signs may be used such
that the message may be displayed only when actually required.

HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT SIGNS (W1)

These signs are used to indicate the type of road curve ahead the motorist. Basically, the following
types are considered: the sharp turn; the reverse turn; the curve turn; the reverse curve; the
winding road and the hairpin curve. An advisory speed plate can be used to supplement the
intention of these signs (seeW8-1)

There are three general sizes for this series. Size A is usually for use in urban low speed roads; size B
for rural roads with speed limits between 60 and 70kph. Size C for high speed rural highways.
ROAD WIDTH SIGNS (W4)

This warning sign is used at sudden change of road width either narrowing or widening of
carriageways. The types and sizes of these signs are shown in the table.
ROAD OBSTACLES SIGNS (W5)

These signs include those which warn motorist of unexpected road features such as change in road
pavement surface and infrastructure, hazards due to weather conditions and environment.
STEEP DESCENT (W5-4) AND STEEP CLIMB (W5-5)

The steep descent sign is used in advance of downgrade where vehicle speeds are likely to increase to
an extent that would make a vehicle difficult to control. The TRUCKS USE LOW GEAR sign (S1-3) should
be used in conjunction with this sign on the same post.

The steep climb sign (W5-5) is used in advance of long steep upgrades of 10% or more.

BLIND (W8-6); AGED (W8-7); SCHOOL (W8-8); DISABLED (W8-10)

The blind, aged, playground, school and disabled signs, as appropriate are used in conjunction with the
PEDESTRIAN and CHILDREN crossing signs (W6-1) and (W6-2)

SUPPORTS FOR GUIDE SIGNS

Roadside Signs

In urban areas where large signs need to be erected in the footpath, the sign and its supports should
present a pleasing appearance and supporting posts should not be erected where pedestrians are
likely to walk into them at night. Supporting structures which completely span a footway with
supports on each side are undesirable. On high-speed roads the use of breakaway supports should
be considered for roadside signs where they are likely to be struck by vehicles.
MOVEMENT INSTRUCTION SIGNS (S2)

Movement instruction sign included in this series as shown in the following table:
DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Traffic Signs - device mounted on a fixed support (permanent signs) or portable support
(temporary signs) whereby a specific message is conveyed by means of words or symbols placed or
erected for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
 Regulatory Signs - signs that inform road users of traffic laws and regulations which, if disregarded,
will constitute an offense.
 Special Instruction Signs - signs that instruct road users to meet certain traffic rule requirements or
road condition.
 Warning Signs - warn road users of condition on or adjacent to the road that may be unexpected or
hazardous.
 Guide Signs (Informative Signs) - inform and advise road users of directions, distances, routes, the
location of services for road users, and points of interest.
 Roadwork Signs - warn or advise of temporary hazardous conditions that could endanger road
users or the men and equipment engaged on roadwork.
 Overhead Signs - signs which provide means of displaying essential traffic information on wide
multi-lane roads, where some degree of lane use control is required, or where side-of-road
clearance is insufficient to accommodate a road side sign.
 Barriers - highway appurtenances designed to prevent vehicular penetration from the travel way to
areas behind the barrier such as to minimize damage to impacting vehicles and their occupants, and
to reduce the risk of injuries to pedestrians and workers.
 Flashing Lamps - warning devices used to supplement other controls and devices necessary to alert
motorist of construction and maintenance activities or obstructions in the roadway.
 Delineators - light retro-reflecting devices mounted at the side of the roadway, in series, to indicate
the roadway alignment.
 Traffic Cones - devices which may be conical in shape or tubular shaped capable of performing
channelization of traffic which may be set on the surface pf the roadway or rigidly attached for
continued use.
 Temporary Curbing - roadwork devices consisting of pre-cast concrete sections, sandbag, and
others which, may be used to guide traffic at the construction site.
 Flexible Post or Bollard - device used in place of rigid barrier posts or traffic cones with a minimum
of 450mm by 50mm wide with alternate bands of contrasting color as seen by approaching traffic
for delineation of traffic.

CLASSIFICATION OF SIGNS

Signs are classified in the following groups according to their use

 Regulatory Signs (Type R)

 Warning Signs (Type W)
 Guide Signs or Informative Signs (Type G)
 Signs for Expressways (Type GE)
 Signs for Special Purposes (Type S) and
 Hazard Markers (Type HM).

Standard Application

Uniformity of application is as important as standardization with respect to design and placement.

Identical conditions should always be treated with the same type of signs so that road users can readily
anticipate the course of action required.

To be effective, the road sign should meet the five basic requirements:
 Fulfill a need
 Command attention
 Convey a clear, simple message
 Command respect, and
 Give adequate time for proper response.

Each standard sign shall be displayed only for the specific purpose prescribed for in this Manual. Before
any new highway, detour, or temporary route is opened to traffic, all necessary signs shall be in place.

Signs required by road conditions or restrictions shall be removed immediately after those conditions
ceased to exist or the restrictions are withdrawn.

UNIFORMITY OF LOCATION

Signs are normally located on the right side of the road. In special circumstances, which are specified
herein, signs may be duplicated on the left side or mounted over the road. If the sign is located at an
exposed position, consideration may need to be given to the use of a frangible or breakaway type of
construction, or other means of safety protection for the road user at the supports.

LONGITUDINAL PLACEMENT

The longitudinal placement of certain signs is fixed by the nature of their message or their
characteristics use. Special care is required in the sitting of such signs to ensure that they are
prominently displayed to approaching drivers. Signs that give advance warning or information should be
located sufficiently in advance to enable the driver to react appropriately.

Generally, there should not be more than one signs of a particular type on each post, except where one
sign supplements another, or where route or directional signs must be grouped. Where it becomes
necessary to convey two or more different messages at one location, separate signs located at a
minimum of 0.6Vm apart (where V is the 85 th percentile speed in kph) should be used. For guide signs
on expressway and other high speed roads considerable greater distance may be required. Such signs
should not obscure or detract from one another.
DESIGN

Uniformity in the design or signs facilities identification by the road user. Standardization of shape,
color, dimensions, legends and illumination or reflectorization is important so that various classes of
signs can be easily recognized. The following general design principles have evolved:

 The driver should not be unduly distracted from his task of driving by reading a traffic sign.
 A traffic sign should be perceived and understood by the driver traveling at the 85% percentile
speed of the traffic on the road, in sufficient time for him to safety take any action necessary.

SHAPE

Standard sign shapes are:

 The octagon is reversed exclusively for STOP sign

 The equilateral triangle, with one point vertically downward is reserved for the GIVE WAY sign
 The circle symbol is mainly used for regularly signs
 The circle symbol may sometimes be mounted on a rectangular base either for easy recognition or
for additional information
 The equilateral triangle with one point vertically upward is used for warning signs
 The rectangle, usually with long axis horizontal is used for directional signs, service signs, road work
signs, signs for special purposes, and supplementary plates for warning signs
 The rectangle, usually with long axis vertical is generally used for facility information signs,
instruction signs, guide signs, and destinations of point of interest, and
 The pentagon, with point up is used only for pedestrian and school crossing sign.

SIZE

Minimum dimensions depend upon applications. Larger sizes are required for wider roadways and on
high-speed facilities

COLOR

The standard colors for signs are as follows:

RED is used as background for STOP signs, as border color on GIVE WAY signs, warning signs and
prohibitive signs in the regulatory type.

BLACK is used as legend color for signs having white, yellow, orange, fluorescent orange, fluorescent
yellow green background and as chevron for hazard markers.

YELLOW is used as background color for roadwork signs.

WHITE is the background color for most signs and legends for some colored background.
FLUORESCENT YELLOW GREEN is used as background color for signs related to pedestrian movement,
school zones, and road work hazard markers to give additional emphasis and guidance to vehicle
operators.

LETTER SERIES

There are six series of letters and numerals, ranging from the narrow series A to the broad series F. In
addition, the modified series E , which is mainly used in Directional Signs, is also included in this manual

Series A and B letters are not used on signs which, have to be used for moving vehicles as the legibility
distances are small. Series C is only used in specials cases. Series D and E are commonly used as they
provide the best legibility and aesthetics. Series F is not often used on large signs due to the wide space
required.

Standard letter tables given in appendix D for capital letters compromise 3 steps of spacing: narrow,
medium, and wide. Wider spacing is always used for lower-case letters. In the size Tables given in the
manual for each standard sign, the abbreviation following the letter size indicates the alphabet series A
to F or LC and the spacing as follows:

 N = narrow spacing
 M = medium spacing
 W = wide spacing and

Example:

 160 DM would mean 160 mm series D letters at medium spacing.

 90 LC would mean 90mm lower case letters that are always at wide spacing.

.
HAZARD MARKERS (TYPE HM)

GENERAL

This section covers the standard forms of hazard

markers. The most commonly used forms and sizes
are given. The hazard markers used for road works
are not included in this chapter. They are
separately provided in the Road Safety Manual

FUNCTION

Hazard Markers are used to emphasize to the

approaching driver a marked change in the
direction of travel and the presence of an
obstruction.

DESIGN

Hazard Markers are rectangular and generally

consist of series of alternate black and white
bands. The white portion is always reflectorized.
The bands may consist either diagonal strips where
only a target is required of for chevron where
directional, as well as target, properties are
desirable.

In recent years for single chevron one-directional

markers, red chevron symbol on white
reflectorized background is used in some countries
and has also been adopted in the Philippines. This
alternative is also included.

For the shapes illustrated, both size of board and

the number and spacing of the bands or chevrons
may be varied to suit visibility requirements.

In recent years for single chevron one-directional

markers, red chevron symbol on white
reflectorized background is used in some countries
and has also been adopted in the Philippines. This
alternative is also included
For the shapes illustrated, both size of board and the number and spacing of the bands or chevrons may
be varied to suit visibility requirements.

TYPES OF MARKERS

The types of markers and their overall sizes shown in Table 7.1