Traffic Engineering

Module-6: Traffic Regulation and

Control
(Traffic Control Devices)

Dr. Hemant S. Chore

Department of Civil Engineering
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
G.T. Road Bye Pass, Jalandhar-144011
 Traffic control devices (TCDs)
The various aids and devices used to control, regulate and
guide the traffic to improve the overall traffic conditions on any
road network in they most convenient, safe and economic way.

• Traffic control devices:

Traffic Signs: Regulatory, warning and informatory
Traffic signals: Traffic control signals
Pedestrian signals
Specific traffic signals
Traffic/ pavement markings
• Traffic islands: Divisional, channelizing and pedestrian loading

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 Basic requirements of traffic control devices

• It should be capable of fulfilling an important need.

• It should command attention of the road users.

• It should convey a clear and simple message.

• It should command the respect of the road users.

• It should be located to give adequate time for response to the

message.

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How to comply with these basic requirements

Four basic considerations are employed to

ensure the basic requirements are met with.
They include:

• Design of devices

• Placement of devices

• Maintenance of devices

• Uniformity of devices

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 Traffic signs
• Regulatory / Mandatory /Prohibitory signs
These signs are meant to inform the road users of certain laws, regulations and
prohibitions. The violation of any of these regulatory signs is a legal offence and is
punishable as specified.
They are generally circular in shape with two exceptions- one octagonal in shape
and another one, inverted triangle.

• Warning / Cautionary Signs

These signs warn the road users about the existence of certain hazardous condition
that exist on or adjacent to the roadway and which otherwise would not be
immediately apparent.
They are triangular in shape

• Informatory / Guiding Signs

These signs are used to guide the road users along routes, inform them of
destination and the distance, thus, providing with information to make travel
easier, safe and pleasant.
They are rectangular in shape
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 Regulatory signs
• Stop sign (Octagonal in shape, red in colour with white border)

• Give way sign (Inverted triangle with apex downwards and red border and
white interior).

• Prohibitory signs: (Circular in shape, white in colour with red border and red
diagonal line) –
One way ; Motor vehicles prohibited; Prohibition of specified vehicle
class such as truck, cart, etc.; No entry; Overtaking prohibited; Horn
prohibited; U turn or Right turn prohibited.

No parking; No parking and No standing; Speed limit

Vehicle control signs include Width Limit, Height limit; Length limit; Load
limit; Axle load limit

• Compulsory direction control signs: Compulsory turn left, Ahead only; Keep left;
Ahead or turn left/ right, etc.
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Few typical mandatory signs (IRC)
(after Saxena, S.C. 2014)

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Compulsory direction control signs
(after Khanna et al. 2014)

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 Warning/ cautionary signs

These signs are in the shape of equilateral triangle with its apex pointing
upwards. They have white background, red border and black symbols.

Sharp curve; Right hand/ Left hand curve; Hair pin bend- Left/ Right;
Reverse bend –Left/ Right

Steep Ascent/ Descent; Narrow bridge ahead; Narrow road ahead

Gap in median; slippery road ahead; cycle crossing; Pedestrian crossing

School zone; Men at work; Ferry; Cross road; Side road (Left/Right); T-
intersection; Y-intersection; Major road ahead; Round about ahead; Dangerous
dip; Hump; Rough road; Barrier ahead; Falling rocks

Rialway crossing (Guarded / Unguarded)

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Few typical warning signs (IRC)
(after Saxena, S.C. 2014)

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 Informatory signs
• They guide the road user to their destinations and help in identification of
different important features along the route such as flood gauge, historical
places, cities/ towns, facilities, etc.

• The information signs are grouped under the following sub-heads:

- Direction and Place Identification Signs
- Facility and Information Signs
- Other Useful Information Signs
- Parking Signs
- Flood Gauge

• The informatory signs shall be of green background with the borders, legends
and word messages in white colour for NH and SH. For other categories of
roads, signs shall have white background with borders, legends and word
messages in black colour.

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Few typical informatory signs (IRC)
(after Khanna et al. 2014)

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Few typical informatory signs (IRC)
(after Saxena 2014)

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 Traffic Signals
Traffic signals are the automatic traffic control devices which
can alternately direct the traffic to stop and proceed at
intersections using red and green traffic light signals as per
the pre-determined time settings.

Main requirements of traffic signals are to-

- Draw attention of the road users.
- Enable them to understand the meaning of the light signal
- Provide sufficient time to respond
- Ensure minimum wastage of time

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 Advantages
• Orderly movement of traffic at intersections
• Improvement in the quality of traffic flow
• Reduction in accidents due to crossing conflict
• Highest traffic handling capacity amongst different types of intersections at
grade
• Opportunity of traffic of minor roads to cross the continuous traffic flow of the
main road at reasonable time interval
• Safe crossing of the road on part of the pedestrians
• Enhancement in speed reasonably along the major traffic road in respect of
properly coordinated signal system

Disadvantages
• Possible increase in rear end collisions.
• Improper design and location of signals may lead to violations of control system
• Electrical power failure or any defect in signal system may cause confusion
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 Terminology

• Signal cycle or cycle length: Time required for one

complete sequence of signal indications is called
signal cycle.

• Phase: Part of the signal cycle time that is

allocated to stop the traffic or to allow traffic
movement is called signal phase.

• Interval: Any division of the signal cycle during

which signal indications do not change is called as
the Interval

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Traffic signal head
(after Khanna et al. 2014)

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Pedestrian signal indications as per Indian practice
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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 Types of traffic signals

• Based on the purpose of control:

- Traffic control signals
- Pedestrian signals
- Special traffic signals

• Based on the mode of operation:

- Manually operated signals
- Fixed time automatic signals
- Automatic traffic actuated signals

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 Road Markings
• Road markings are used as a means of controlling and guiding the traffic.

• They are defined as lines, symbols, patterns, words, numerals, message or

other devices set up in the pavement, or applied or attached to the pavement
or kerb to control, warn, guide or inform the road users.

• They convey the message without diverting or distracting the attention of the
road users from the road or carriageway.

• White or yellow colours are generally used for marking to provide strong
contrast between the pavement and the markings.

• Raised pavement marker or reflective or non-reflective type are also used for
markings.

• Markings are applied either on the pavement or on nearby objects (piers,

kerbs, islands, abutments, etc.)
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 Different types of road markings

Carriageway/ Pavement markings

Centre lines; traffic lane line; pavement edge lines; no overtaking zone
markings; no parking zones; bus lane, etc.

Marking at intersections
Stop lines; Pedestrian crossings; Route direction arrows (Turn markings) ;
Give way; Marking on approaches to intersections; Speed change lanes;
Box marking, Word messages; etc.

Marking at hazardous locations

Obstruction approach markings; Carriageway width reduction transition
markings; Rail- road level crossings; Check barriers

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• Markings for parking
Parking space limits; parking restrictions; bus stops, etc.

• Word messages
Stop; Bus; Slow; Keep clear; Right turn only; Exit only

• Object markings
Objects within the carriageway
Kerb marking for visibility
Kerb marking for parking restrictions
Objects adjacent to the carriageway

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Typical centre line and lane markings
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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No overtaking zone markings
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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Carriageway transition marking showing reduction from 4
Lanes to 2 Lanes (after Kadiyali 2004)

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Pavement markings for transition from 4 Lane divided to 2
lanes
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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Details of stop line
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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Markings for ‘GIVE WAY’ indication
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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Location for pedestrian crossings
(after kadiyali 2004)

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Indian practice for pedestrian markings
(after Kadiyali 2004)

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Typical layout of a signalized junction showing carriageway
markings (after Kadiyali 2004)

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Typical layout of a signalized junction providing for separate
right turn lanes (after Kadiyali 2004)

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General principles of longitudinal pavement markings

▪ Solid lines are restrictive in nature and it is an

offence to cross or straddle such lines.

▪ Broken lines are restrictive in character and vehicles

can cross such a line provided this can be done with
safety.

▪ Double lines indicate maximum restrictions.

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 Materials and colours for markings

Materials:
- Paints as specified by Indian Standards
- Thermo plastic paint (with or without reflective properties) applied hot
- Prefabricated sheet materials (with or without reflective properties)
- Glue down plastic strips
- Raised pavement markers such as Metal and plastic inserts and road
studs set into or stuck to the road surface. It may be retroreflective
or non- retroreflective.

Colours:
-White
-Yellow

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 Traffic islands
They are the raised areas within the roadway to establish
physical channels through which the vehicular traffic may be
guided.

They often serve more than one function.

Based on the function, they are classified as:

- Divisional islands
- Channelizing islands
- Pedestrian loading islands
- Rotary or roundabout

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➢ Divisional islands: They are intended to separate the opposing flow of
traffic on a highway with four or more lanes.

➢ Channelizing islands: They are used to guide the traffic into proper
channel through intersection area.

➢ Pedestrian loading and refuge islands: They are provided at regular bus
stops and similar places for the protection of passengers. The channelizing
islands and divisional islands also serve the purpose of pedestrian refuge
islands in the cross walks at an intersection.

➢ Rotary island/ Roundabout: A central island of circular or elliptical or other

shapes, located in the centre of an intersection, used for the purpose of
channelization. The crossing manoeuvre is converted into weaving by
providing sufficient weaving length.

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Different types of traffic islands
(after Khanna et al. 2014)

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A Schematic illustrating reduction in conflict area due to
introduction of channelizing island (after Saxena 2014)

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 Bibliography

• Kadiyali LR (2004): Traffic Engineering; Standard Publishers, New Delhi

• Khanna SK, Justo CEG and Veeraragavan A (2014): Highway Engineering;

Nemchand and Bros., Roorkee

• Saxena SC (2014): Highway and Traffic Engineering; CBS Publishers and

Distributors, New Delhi

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