Road signs are there for our safety. They do so much to ensure our benefit, yet they are often misunderstood and under appreciated.
They are erected at the side of our roads to inform road users of many different important things like speed limits, exits, locations, miles, warnings, etc. As traffic continues to get faster and faster, the tendency is for countries to adopt pictorial signs in an effort to simplify and standardize signs.
This is also to facilitate and accommodate international travel where language differences can create barriers and to reduce the risks in driving. Using pictures instead of words is usually the result of international standards.
This practice was originally developed in Europe and has been adopted by most countries to some degree. This makes it easier for many who travel abroad.
Traffic signs can be grouped into several types. For example, here are some categories: danger warning signs, priority signs, prohibitory and restrictive, mandatory, special regulation, information, facilities, service, direction position or indication.
The United States, Canada and Australia divide them into the following categories: regulatory, warning, guide, street, route marker, expressway, freeway, welcome, informational, recreation, cultural interest, emergency management, temporary traffic control, school, railroad, light rail and bicycle signs. I am sure you have passed most of these types.
Also in the United States, the categories, placement and graphic standards for traffic signs and pavement markings are legally defined in the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as the standard.
One informal distinction among all directional signs is the one between advance directional, interchange directional and reassurance signs. In more detail, advance directional signs appear at a certain distance from the interchange, allowing much notice to inform of each direction.
Many countries do not give information for the road ahead and only for right and left directions. Advance directional signs allow drivers to have precautions way before the exit as to prepare them for which actions they must take.
Often, they are found on expressways and motorways, but rarely appear on lesser roads; however, sometimes they do. Some examples include switch lands, double check whether this is the correct exit, slow down, etc.
Without these signs, many would miss their appropriate exits. Each nation is different, but the first approach sign on a highway for an exit is usually placed at least 1000 meters from the actual interchange. Typically, one or two additional advance directional signs will follow before the interchange.
Road signs originated in the Middle Ages in Rome and were milestones, indicating distance and direction. The Romans erected stone columns throughout their empire giving the distance to Rome.
Later on, multi-directional signs at the intersections became common, giving directions to cities and towns. As technology enhanced and automobiles developed, traffic signs became more important.
One of the first modern-day road sign systems was implemented by the Italian Touring Club in 1895. By 1900, a Congress of the International League of Touring Organizations in Paris was considering proposals for standardization of road indicators.
The basic patterns were set at the 1908 International Road Congress in Rome. Then, in 1909, nine European governments agreed on the use of four pictorial symbols which indicate bump, curve, intersection and grade level railroad crossings.
Between 1926 and 1949, much intensive work had been done on the international signs that eventually led to the development of the European road sign system.
The United States began its own road indication system, which was also adopted by several other nations as it continued to spread. Beginning in the 1960s, North American indicators began adopting international symbols and signs into its system to go along with the standards set by other countries.
The change was a gradual one over the years, and signs are still adapting as time goes on. Today, signs are usually metal as opposed to wood and are coated with retro reflective sheets in order to be visible during the nighttime and various bothersome weather conditions.
New generations of traffic symbols are based on electronic displays so that they can change their symbols and words to provide intelligent behavior by means of sensors and remote controls. We will just have to wait and see where technology will lead us next, but it will surely continue to develop.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick is a public safety representative for 25 years and has authored hundreds of articles relating to public safety and safety signs. He has worked in public safety for years promoting safe transportation practices.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 