140 Traffic Signs | Traffic Symbols

Right/Left Hairpin Bend

• To indicate curves of small radii with a huge change in direction

• Where there  is almost reversal of direction

Right/Left Reverse Bend

• To indicate right bend followed by a left bend or vice versa

• Where two curves in the opposite direction separated by a tangent less than 120 m lengths in plains & 30 m length in hills.

• Also installed where the reverse bend is not obvious as per the authorities.

Series of Bends

• To beware of the driver of the zigzag route.

• Where the section has several bends over a long distance.

• Repeated at regular intervals if the section is too long.

Side road

• To just warn the drivers of the presence of junction ahead.

• Before the main road intersections, where a large amount of traffic with limited sight distance can cause a hazard.

T-intersection

• To just warn the drivers of the presence of junction ahead.

• Installed before an approaching T-junction, which is not obvious.

• The width of bands indicates the relative importance of roads.

Y-Intersection

• To just warn the drivers of the presence of junction ahead.

• On the approach to a bifurcated road.

Cross Road

• To just warn the drivers of the presence of junction ahead.

• Before crossroad intersections, where a large amount of traffic with limited sight distance can cause a hazard.

Roundabout

• To indicate an approach to a roundabout

• Installed before an upcoming roundabout

Traffic Signals

• To caution the drivers of the presence of traffic signals

• Installed 50-100 m before the presence of traffic signals

Major road ahead

• To indicate the presence of a major road ahead

• Installed on the route before it crosses a major road, where a large amount of traffic with limited  sight distance can cause a hazard

• Not used for intersections having Traffic Signals

Staggered Inter-section

• To indicate the presence of 2 junctions whose distance < 60 m

• To just caution the drivers of the presence of an intersection

Merging Traffic Ahead

• To warn the drivers to slow down their speeds where traffic from other road is merging

•  At the point where traffic from other merges with the on-going lane

Narrow Road Ahead

• To safeguard  the drivers from accidents caused by a reduced carriageway

• Erected on such road sections where reduced width of carriageway may pave danger to traffic

Road Widens

• To safeguard  the drivers from accidents caused by an increase in the width of the carriageway

• Erected on such road sections where an increase in width of carriageway may pave danger to traffic

• Installed when the 2-lane road suddenly widens to a 4-lane road

Narrow Bridge Ahead

• To warn the drivers of a narrowed carriageway on the bridge

• INSTALLED ahead of bridges where –
• Clear width between curbs < normal width of the carriageway

Reduced Carriageway

• To beware the driver of the drop in the width of the carriageway ahead

• Installed on Undivided carriageway; when a certain segment of pavement is shut down for maintenance

Gap in Median

• To enlighten the driver if he wants to take a U-turn or proceed across the adjoining route

• Installed prior to a gap in the median on a divided carriageway

• Not provided at the intersection; where the presence of a break in the median is self-understood

Pedestrian Crossing

• To warn the vehicle drivers to slow down their vehicles & proceed with caution to avoid accidents due to unrestrained pedestrians

• Installed in advance of both approaches to uncontrolled pedestrian crossings

• Essentially required when visibility of crossing is obstructed by bend, etc.

School Ahead

• To prevent the passing traffic from posing a hazard to children

• Erected where School or grounds are adjoining to road

Lane Closures

• To beware the driver for the closure of a section of road ahead

• On multi-lane highways, where a particular section of the carriageway is closed for the traffic

• This closure may be due to many reasons:
• Maintenance of that section
• The accident occurred, etc.

Men at Work

• To warn the drivers of the men/machines working either
• On the road
• Adjoining the road
• On overhead lines/poles

• Located on the approach side of the work area
•  Another sign with supplementary plate – END at the left side of the work zone

• The sign is discarded immediately after the work is over

Danger Warning Sign

• To make the drivers slow down their vehicles for safe travel

• At a location where the driver may face any kind of danger

Cycle Crossing

• To warn the drivers to proceed with safety

• Installed before any Uncontrolled cycle crossings

Cycle Route Ahead

• To make the drivers slow down their vehicles

• At a location where cycle route is coming up

Dangerous Dip

• To assure the drivers can avoid the discomfort whilst traversing owing to the dip

• At locations where a sharp dip in the profile of carriageway is encountered

Speed Breaker

• To warn the drivers of the existence of speed breakers

• Installed 50-60 m ahead of a speed breaker

• Repeated, if necessary; with distance written on a supplementary plate as “10 m”

Rough Road

• To make the drivers slow down their vehicles for safe travel

• At the location where the road surface is rough

Loose Gravel

• To warn the drivers to proceed with safety

• On a road section where gravel is hurled up by vehicles traversing at high velocities

• The sign is immediately removed after the threat is taken care of

Slippery Road

• To warn the drivers to proceed with safety

• Installed ahead of exceptionally slippery road sections

• The sign is immediately removed after the threat is taken care of

Barrier

• To beware the drivers of a barrier ahead

• Before a gate controlling entry into a road

• SLOW, BARRIER AHEAD installed at 200 m distance
•  DEAD SLOW, BARRIER AHEAD AT 50-100 m distance in plain & 30-60 m in hilly terrain

Tunnel Ahead Warning

• To slow down the vehicle for safety near the tunnel

• At location ahead of a tunnel

Falling Rocks

• To warn the users of the rocks falling down

• At places where rocks are expected to fall either seasonally or throughout the year

• For seasonal falling of rocks, the sign is covered during the non-falling season

Wild Animals likely to be on Road Ahead

• To make the users slower down their vehicles for safe travel

• At locations where wild animals may come across the road

• Nearby sanctuaries whilst Pavagadh, Saputara

Airport/Airfield

• To warn the users of the presence of the airport or airfield ahead

• At 50-100 m ahead of airport/airfield

Unguarded Railway Crossing

• To warn the users of approaching railway crossing without barrier or gates

• At 200 m away from crossing for warning
• Near the crossing

• The distance of second sign from crossing –
• 50-100 m in plain
• 30-60 m in hilly terrain

Guarded Railway Crossing

• To warn the users of approaching a guarded railway crossing

• At 200 m away from crossing for warning
• Near the crossing

• The distance of second sign from crossing –
• 50-100 m in plain
• 30-60 m in hilly terrain

Hazard Marker

• To beware the driver of roadside hazards like bridges, trees & illuminate them by Object Hazard Markers

• On the roadside for left/right side hazard

• To inform the drivers before their approach to a junction
• Gives information regarding the type of junction
• To inform the destinations that can be lead to from different exits
• To identify the route & indicate its status within the network

• To direct the road user of the facility provided ahead on the section

• Located at the entry of the  road section leading to the facility
•  A white directional arrow is located at the bottom to guide the direction

Parking signs

• To guide various  vehicle drivers where to park their vehicles; or where parking is restricted

• Parking signs are installed where a particular type of parking is allocated

Flood Gauge signs

• To inform the road users the height of the flood above the road level

• Flood gauge signs are erected at causeways & submersible bridges

• To aid the driver in locating essential facilities like 
• Signs for a person with disabilities
• Route marker sign: Erected with respect to the type of highway

•  To locate the concerned facility
•  Erected on the roads on the signposts

• On each road entry where bullock carts  are  prohibited

• On each road entry where hand carts  are  prohibited

• Erected where horse riding  is prohibited

• Erected where entry of buses  are prohibited

• Erected where entry of car is prohibited

• On each road entry where truck  entry is prohibited

• Erected where entry of tractor is prohibited

• Erected where entry of construction vehicles is prohibited

• On such highway sections, where the movement of two-wheelers is needed to be prohibited

• On each road entry where cycle entry is prohibited

• Indicates blowing horn is forbidden

• Useful near hospitals, Silent zones

• Used at locations where entry of vehicles is not allowed

• Erected on the left side of the road at –
• End of the one-way road
• Each intersection along the one-way road

• Located at the entry to the one-way street and repeated at intermediate intersections

• At Unsignalized intersections, placed at near left & far right corner of the intersection
• At signalized intersections, placed near appropriate signal faces

• Located at Unsignalized intersection, where a side road forms a T-junction with a two-way road and
• Traffic is required to turn in one direction only

• Used at the intersection of a one-way street to supplement the one-way signs

• Indicates overtaking is hazardous owing to restricted sight distance

• Erected on each side of the road at start intervals along the road section on which restriction is imposed

• This sign means vehicles are banned to make a turn to reverse
• The direction of travel between the sign and the next intersection past it

• Erected at star intervals along the road section on which restriction is imposed

Axle Load Limit

• Erected where vehicles with  axle load  exceeding a particular value are prohibited

• Especially weak carriageway are unable to carry heavy loads
• If a weak bridge exists ahead, a plate with ‘WEAK BRIDGE AHEAD’  should be posted

Length  Limit

• Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular length  is prohibited

Height Limit

• Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular height  is prohibited

• Erected in advance of an overhead structure

Load Limit

• Erected where vehicles with a laden weight exceeding a particular value are prohibited

Width Limit

• Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular width  is prohibited

Maximum Speed Limit

• At the beginning of a section where speed restriction is to be enforced

• Speed should be in multiples of 5 kmph

Stop for Police Check

• Installed were police personnel is performing checks

Compulsory Ahead

• Indicates the track to be lawfully taken & direction of movement as taken from the position of the installation of the sign

Compulsory Ahead or Turn Right

• Indicates the track to be lawfully taken & direction of movement as taken from the position of the installation of the sign

Compulsory Turn Right

• Indicates the track to be lawfully taken & direction of movement as taken from the position of the installation of the sign

• used on Central Island of a roundabout

Compulsory keep Left

• Used in traffic calming schemes

• used at traffic islands, refugees, and the beginning of central median of a divided carriageway

Pass Either Side

• Used to show drivers passing either side will reach the same destination

• Mostly used on traffic islands, usually on one-way roads

Minimum Speed Limit

• Indicates minimum legal speed, to avoid the slow-moving traffic; hence improving traffic movement efficiency

• Especially used on express-ways
• It is compulsory to put ‘Restriction Ends’ sign when the minimum speed limit section is over

Compulsory Cycle Track

• This indicates – 
•  Cyclists should use this track from the entrance
•  Other vehicles are not allowed on this track

Compulsory Cyclist and Pedestrian Route

• This sign is used to isolate  cycle and pedestrian lanes

Pedestrians only

• Means only pedestrians  are allowed on this carriageway

• Supplemented by a plate with writing

‘PEDESTRIANS  ONLY’

Buses only

• Means only buses are allowed on this carriageway

• Supplemented by a plate with writing

‘BUSES ONLY’

Compulsory Sound Horn

• Motor vehicles should compulsorily blow the horn at the location where the sign is erected

• Required at sharp curves on hills

Advance Direction Signs

• Shows the route ahead by showing names of particular places with arrow symbols for direction and destination distance in km from the junction

Destination sign

• Top panel: Forward destination name with a vertical arrow
• Middle panel: Left destination with an arrow

• Posted in advance at
•  Intersections of major importance
• intersections where approach speeds are high requiring advance information

Route Confirmatory Sign/ Reassurance Sign

• This displays –
•  Route number
•  Destination ahead
•  Destination ahead

• Erected on important roads post intersection to reassure the driver that he is on the desired location
• Placed 60 m beyond curb line of intersected road

Place or City Identification

• Marks entrance to place/city on highways

• Erected at the entrance to the area under Jurisdiction of local authority

Truck Lay Bye

• To inform goods vehicle drivers in advance of such facility

• The sign is provided with a directional arrow to show the location

Toll Booth Ahead

• Indicates the location of toll booth where taxes are levied on the usage of the road facilities

• Posted 500 to 1000 m in advance  of the toll booth

Weigh Bridge ahead

• Indicate the drivers of trucks or heavy goods vehicles the location of weighbridge station so that drivers can REDUCE VEHICLE SPEED
• Direction arrow may be included below the text.

• Posted in advance of the location of such bridge

Eating Place

• Indicates a regular eating place is available

Light Refreshments

• Indicate a place where light refreshments are available

Resting Place

• Indicates places were resting or lodging facilities are available

• It is combined with definition plate for clarification; i.e. whether it is
• Resthouse
• Motel
• Hotel, etc

First Aid Post

• Informs road users of first aid facilities on log stretch of road

• Mostly used in rural areas for emergencies

Toilet

• Informs the road users about toilet facilities

• Erected at beginning of route leading to the facility

Filling Station

• Erected on long stretches of roads in rural and urban areas at the  Entrance to the route of CNG facility

• Not necessary when
• The facility is within sight
• Available at frequent intervals

Hospital

• Informs vehicle drivers to take precautions needed for medical facilities WITHOUT making Noise

• Placed near facilities of medical amenity

Public Telephone

• Indicates the presence of public telephone

• Erected on long stretches of roads in rural areas with
• Distance to the nearest public telephone booth on supplementary plate

U-turn Ahead

• Indicates U-turn ahead so that vehicle can decelerate

• Placed on the median in advance of U-turn

Pedestrian Subway

• Guides the pedestrians to the subway

• The plate is extended to show the direction arrow below the text

Foot Over Bridge

• Used to inform pedestrians of the location of the pedestrian foot over bridge

• Erected at both sides of the carriageway for traffic approaching from both directions

Chair Lift

• Informs the public about the chair lift facility

• Erected at the beginning of such  area

Police Station

• Informs the public about the presence of a police station in the vicinity

Picnic Site

• Informs the public about the presence of a picnic area in the vicinity

• Erected at the beginning of the picnic  area

Repair Facilities

• Erected where repair facilities are present nearby

Railway Station/Metro Station/Monorail Station

• Erected to indicate the existence of Railway Station/Metro Station or any other mass transit system in proximity

Industrial Area

• Erected to indicate the existence of industry nearby

• Erected at the beginning of the industrial  area

Taxi Stand

• Erected where auto-rickshaws are supposed to wait when not hired

Auto-rickshaw Stand

• Erected where auto-rickshaws are supposed to wait

Camp Site

• Inform the vehicles about Camp Site

• Erected at the beginning of camping  area

Airport

• Erected to indicate the existence of airport nearby

National Heritage

• Informs the vehicles about National Heritage Area

• Erected at the beginning of the heritage area

No Through Road

• Indicates there is no exit to the road

• Installed at the entrance of the no-exit road

No Through Side Road

• Gives an advance indication of a ‘No Through Side Road’

• Erected on the main road to show the road layout

Guide Sign for ETC Lane

• Informs road user about guide sign on the toll lane

Toll Road Ahead

• Provides information about the existence of toll roads

• Installed at the beginning of the road

Entry ramp for Expressway

• Erected where there is entry  ramp for expressway

Exit Ramp for Expressway

• Erected where there is exit ramp for expressway

Expressway Symbol

• Installed at the entry of expressways

End of Expressway

• Used to indicate the end of an expressway

Bus Stop

• Installed where buses are to be stopped

Bus Lane

• Informs road users about the reserved lane for buses

• Generally mounted overhead along with support

Cycle lane

• Informs road users about cycle lanes

Emergency Exit in Tunnel

• Used to inform the public about the emergency exit in tunnel

Parking Signs

• Used to indicate the place where parking of vehicles is authorized

Auto Rickshaw Parking

• Indicates Auto Rickshaw Parking

Cycle Parking

• Indicates Cycle  Parking

Cycle Rickshaw Parking

• Indicates Cycle  Rickshaw Parking

Scooter and Motorcycle Parking

• Indicates Scooter and Motorcycle Parking

Taxi Parking

• Indicates Taxi Parking

Park and Ride

• Indicates parking that is allowed only for riding public transport

Parking Restrictions Signs for Traffic Management

• Indicates the prohibition of parking  during specific time intervals for traffic management

Parking Information

• Used to indicate parking area for the person with a disability

• A wheelchair is always shown facing right, the direction of parking is indicated by arrow

Ramped Entrance to Subway/Over Bridge

• Indicates ramp facility so that person with a disability can be made aware of the entrance to pedestrian subway/foot over bridge

Telephone Facility

• Indicated using signage for a person with a disability

Toilet Facility

• Indicated using signage for a person with a disability

Way Finding Sign for Disabled

• Indicated using signage for a person with a disability