Road Sign Meaning and Types: A Comprehensive Guide

Road signs are not new because facilities have been installing them on roads for so long for drivers’ guidance and safety. But few individuals still struggle to understand the meaning of the road sign. And that’s why we’ve prepared this guide for you, summing up everything that every business and citizen should know about road signs.

What is a Road Sign?

A road sign (often known as a traffic sign) is a small and colored board that is placed above or along the roads. Facilities provide them to communicate important information about potential dangers, ongoing situations ahead, restricted areas, or any guidance to drivers, pedestrians, and other users on the road. They come in different colors, sizes, shapes, graphics, and instructions to cater to different purposes. 

What is the Meaning of Road Sign?

Road sign meaning, or let’s say its purpose, is simply to convey certain information to everyone who is using a road and ensuring their safety. So whenever you see a road sign on board, you must know that it’s there to guide, alert, or warn you about what’s coming next on your way. 

Let’s take an example; suppose you’re driving fast on the road, and you see a black and yellow diamond-shaped “Speed Reduce Ahead” sign board. When you reach this sign, you must slow down your vehicle’s speed because there could be a chance that any construction or repair work is going ahead. But if you ignore the sign and proceed at high speed, you may end up putting yourself and others in danger. 

And the same logic applies to every other road sign. They all carry a message for you. All you have to do is just read, understand, and react in time.

Why Do Road Signs Matter (Especially for Businesses)?

Road signs are not just for the public. They matter a lot for businesses, too. Below, we’ve explained how these road signs can benefit your business:

• They guide your customers – Suppose you own a shopping complex, and a new driver or customer can’t find your location. They may get frustrated or end up going to another shopping complex. But if you place proper directional sign boards (along with your business name), your customers will easily reach your place. 
• They keep everyone safe – At road construction or worksite, delivery drivers, staff, or visitors often come. In such cases, you can place proper signs like “Construction work ahead” OR “Men at Work” ahead of your worksite. That way, you can guide drivers and tell them to drive cautiously. Plus, ensure your staff’s safety and reduce the risk of accidents around your site. 
• They create a professional image – At your office or worksite, you can place proper signs boards at roads for both clients and employees. Such as “Main Office,” “Delivery This Way,” or “Speed Limit 10 km/h”. This simple practice creates your professional image in front of your clients and shows that you care about details.
• They let you stay compliant and avoid fines – In many industries, especially construction or logistics, warning signs are legally required, such as “High Voltage” or “No Entry – Authorized Personnel Only” signs. So, if you properly place warning and guidance signs around your worksite, whether it’s on road or inside a building, you stay compliant with local rules and avoid heavy fines and punishments. 
• They expand brand and marketing opportunities for you – You can even use custom road signs and place them on roads. At JACKWIN, we manufacture personalized road signs that include your brand logo, colors, and message. It helps you attract more customers and even expand your brand. 

Different Types of Road Signs

• Регулирующие знаки

Regulatory signs generally tell you traffic laws and regulations. And that’s why they are must-follow for everyone. They are generally in red, yellow, and black colors. If you ignore them, you put someone in danger or risk a traffic fine. Below, we’ve gathered a list of common regulatory signs:

Stop Sign: They are in red color, octagon-shape. When you reach this sign, you must stop, look both ways, and then proceed to drive.

Yield Sign: Usually in red and white colors, triangle-shaped. It tells you to slow down, give way to other vehicles. If no one’s coming, you can continue to drive slowly.

Do Not Enter: Simply means you cannot enter. If you enter, you’ll put yourself in danger because these signs are mostly used in restricted zones or continuous oncoming traffic areas.

No U-Turn / No Left Turn / No Right Turn: These signs tell you about certain directions. Such as No U-Turn. That means you cannot loop back.

Speed Limit Sign: Most common sign and usually have an allowed speed written on them. So when you see this, you must drive on the allowed speed, otherwise you’ll be fined.

No Parking / No Stopping: Simply put, you’re not allowed to stop or park your vehicle.

One Way: It tells you that this road has one-way traffic, so you also drive in the same direction.

No Overtaking / No Honking: You’ll mostly see these signs in quiet zones, hospital areas, or narrow roads. They tell you that you’re not allowed to overtake and do unnecessary honking.

• Предупреждающие знаки

Warning signs, on the other hand, give you alert or warning of any potential hazard ahead. They are generally in yellow/ orange color with black symbols or text. Most commonly used on zones where giving drivers warning is crucial. Such as school zones, construction sites, etc. Now let’s discuss common warning signs and what they mean:

Curve Ahead / Sharp Turn: This sign warns you that a curve is coming up (either left or right). So you need to slow down and drive carefully.

Slippery Road: You’ll mostly see them during rainy or foggy areas. They simply warn you the road may be slippery. So you should drive slower and avoid hard brakes.

Pedestrian Crossing: When you reach this signs, you must stop and watch out for pedestrians. Once they cross, you can proceed. You’ll see this sign near schools, offices, or busy markets.

Animal Crossing: You’ll see them near any rural, forest areas or sites where animals often cross. This sign tells you that animals might suddenly cross. So you must drive slowly and watch out for animals.

Construction Ahead: Mostly placed near or around construction sites. Simply tells you that there’s ongoing road work or maintenance up ahead. So you drive slowly and cautiously. Because in such sites, lanes are often blocked, or the surface is uneven.

Traffic Signal Ahead: This sign simply warns you that you’re approaching a signal. So you must prepare to stop (if needed).

Railroad Crossing: You will see this sign 500 feet before crossing. This sign warns you that there’s a train track ahead. So you drive slowly, when you reach a railroad crossing, stop, and look for a train. If the crossing is clear, you can continue to drive.

• Guide Signs

These signs generally provide you with guidance about directions, route numbers, distance to nearby locations, service stations, and emergency services. They are usually in green, blue, and brown with white color text or directional graphics. Below is a list of common guide signs that you mostly encounter on roads:

Exit Sign: Mostly placed on highways, expressways, and freeways. They guide you about upcoming exits and sometimes include nearby cities or services.

Street Name Sign: You will mostly see them in residential areas. They show you the name of the road and street number. So you can easily navigate.

Route Markers: Commonly used on highways and roadways. They show you the route number or highway name so that you know that you’re driving on the right track.

Service Signs: You’ll often see them on highways or toll plazas. They tell you about nearby fuel stations, hospitals, food spots, rest areas, etc.

Airport/ Railway Station/ Bus Terminal Signs: They generally have a directional graphic and a message on them. That points towards any transport hubs. So you can easily reach the terminals.

Tourist Information Signs: These signs typically tell you about any near tourist places, such as parks, museums, historical places, or viewpoints.

• Informatory Signs

Well, if we talk about informative road signs, they don’t guide, alert, or warn. Instead, businesses place them to share useful information with customers or the public. They are usually in blue and white colors. Let’s now discuss the most common informative road signs:

Parking Sign (P): Tells you where parking is allowed, limited, or restricted.

Public Restroom / Washroom Signs: You will see them in tourist-heavy or customer-focused areas. Such as malls, markets, or service stations. They show the availability of toilets. 

Emergency Telephone or First Aid: These signs tell you where help is available in case of accidents or breakdowns.

Fuel Station Ahead: Simply tells you that there is a petrol pump coming up.

MUTCD Regulations for Road Signs

MUTCD regulations are the set of rules that tell facilities how, what, and where road signs should be used and placed. Following these regulations is mandatory for every facility, otherwise you end up having high fines and punishments. Here’s what those regulations say: 

1. Facilities must ensure to use road signs in standard shapes, colors, and fonts mentioned in the MUTCD.
2. Use road signs that have reflective sheeting for enhanced visibility at nighttime. 
3. Facilities also must ensure that road signs are placed on or along roads. So drivers and pedestrians can easily see them even from far distances. Plus, road signs are placed away from any trees or obstructions. 
4. All regulatory signs must be placed at least 7 feet above the ground, especially in urban areas. 
5. When road signs are not in use, facilities must ensure they are removed immediately.
6. Road signs boards must be mounted firmly. So they can withstand harsh weather conditions. 

Standard Colors and Shapes of Road Signs

In the market, road signs are available in different colors and shapes. However, MUTCD and OSHA strictly mandate the use of road signs for public roads that meet their mandated color and shape specifications. Table below tells you which color road signs are used for which purpose:

Apart from the color coding, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) also defines strict standards for the shapes of U.S. road signs. Their purpose is to ensure consistency and driver recognition. Below table will explain to you the shapes of road signs:

What is the Best Way to Learn Road Signs? – 4 Methods

Well, if you ask us how you can learn road signs, we would say learn, study, and practical exposure. Below, we’ve shared 4 few methods that you can adapt to remember road signs: 

Method 1: Group all road signs into types like regulatory signs, warning signs, guide and informatory signs (as we did earlier in the guide). Then, understand and learn which shape or color is designated for which purpose. For example, a round road sign is for a railroad crossing, and an upside-down triangle is for a yield. 

Method 2: There are several mobile applications and online games available on the internet that are specially designed to help learn road signs. You can install those apps and try practicing to learn road signs. These applications also have quizzes, digital flashcards or matching columns practices. This helps you understand your mistakes and learn quickly.

Method 3: Use mnemonics to learn and memorize road signs. This is ideal for those who are memory-based learners. For example, to remember Circle, you can think of it as a Track’s Cycle. That way, you’ll instantly recall that circular signs mean railroad crossings. For an upside-down triangle, think of the triangle’s shape as half of a Y. Now, this way you’ll instantly recall that Y means yield.

Method 4: You know that real learning happens when you actually practice it in real-time. So every time you’re on the road, start paying attention to the road signs around you. This helps you connect the sign to its actual purpose and setting. That way, this connection sticks in your memory better, and you’ll learn all road signs in no time.

Top 5 Locations to Install Road Signs

At Intersections and Junctions:

You know, at intersection and junction roads, 3-4 roads meet and cross each other. And in case any accident happens, that would cause a lot of damage. That’s why this is the most critical zone where proper traffic management is highly critical. With the help of warning and regulatory road signs, you can guide drivers to stop and look around for traffic lights and vehicles. 

On Construction Sites:

If there’s any construction or road repair work going ahead, you can place road signs, especially (road work ahead, reduced speed limit, or detour ahead) signs. That way, you can guide drivers about a potential danger, alert them to be cautious, and ensure the safety of your staff and workers. 

At Pedestrians Crossing:

People from different age groups and disabilities pass through pedestrian crossings. So it’s most important for you to place a Pedestrian Crossing sign board on the road. So that when every driver reaches the sign, they must look around for pedestrians, let them pass, and then proceed to drive. 

Near School and Playgrounds:

Like the pedestrian crossing, school and playground areas also have a lot of pedestrians, including kids and staff members, crossing the road. In such zones, you can install road signs like school zone ahead, reduced speed limit, and pedestrian crossing signs. That way, you can warn drivers to be cautious and drive slowly through these areas. 

On Highways & Expressways:

With the help of road signs, you can guide, inform, and warn drivers on highways and expressways about any lane changes, exits, detours, warnings, or any situation ahead. Here, you can use road signs like speed limits, exit signs, merge lanes, construction zone ahead, etc. 

Dos and Don’ts of Road Sign Installation

Dos:

• Before placing road signs on public roads, you must always check with local authorities or road safety guidelines and ensure that road signs meet standards.
• Install signs at eye level and in clear and unobstructed areas. So that drivers or pedestrians can easily see them.
• Stick to MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) and its mandated signs’ designs, colors, and shapes.
• We suggest you install road signs before doing any work on roads, such as lane blocking, repair work, or construction work. That way, drivers have enough time to react and understand.
• You should regularly clean and inspect signs for any damage, breakage, fading, or cracks, especially after storms or accidents. If you find any damaged ones, replace them immediately.

Don’ts:

• Most facilities make the mistake of overcrowding the area. So we suggest you avoid placing too many signs in one location. It can confuse drivers and can result in not following any signs.
• You must ensure not to place signs behind or along trees or buildings, as sign boards would be obstructed and drivers can’t see them.
• Every road needs different road signs. Suppose residential streets often require street signage, while roads require stop, pedestrian crossing, and other signage. So you must first analyze the road condition and then place road signs accordingly.
• Do not install signs without considering traffic flow. First, analyze the current traffic patterns and driver behavior, and then place road signs, especially near intersections.

To Wrap Up

To wrap this up, understanding each road sign’s meaning and types is crucial to comply with traffic rules. If you’re a business owner, safety professional, or road construction company and looking for durable road signs, check our catalog or contact us today. Our professional team can also personalize road signs for your business.