140 Traffic Signs | Traffic Symbols

Traffic signs and traffic symbols play a pivotal role in regulating and guiding road users, ensuring safe and organized transportation systems. Traffic signs are visual indicators strategically placed along roadways, conveying essential information to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

These signs encompass a range of symbols, colors, and shapes, each with a specific meaning. From stop signs and speed limits to directional arrows and pedestrian crossings, traffic signs are designed to communicate rules, warnings, and regulatory information.

The universality of traffic symbols allows for quick comprehension by individuals of diverse linguistic backgrounds. These symbols contribute significantly to road safety, helping prevent accidents and maintaining a smooth flow of traffic.

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Traffic Signs

Traffic signs and symbols are crucial elements of road infrastructure designed to convey important information to road users. They are categorized into several types, each serving a specific purpose:

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

These traffic signs are used to indicate a prohibition of a particular vehicle maneuver or vehicle type or restrictions such as parking restriction, speed limit, etc.

Purpose:

To regulate traffic operations.
These signs are to be compulsorily followed, violating which is a legal offence.

Features:

Shape: Circular
Background: White
Border: Red
Symbol/Letter: Black
Red ring: Indicates prohibitory regulation
Diagonal red bar: indicates Prohibition of action symbolized by the black symbol

For instructions, which are to be compulsorily followed, the above features are changed as follows:

Background: blue
Symbol: white

Exception:

For the STOP sign, the octagonal shape is used.
For the GIVEWAY sign, the triangle shape is adopted.

Types of Regulatory Signs

It is one of important types of traffic signs used in road. Regulatory/Mandatory signs are further classified as follows:

STOP & GIVEWAY signs
NO PARKING & NO STOPPING signs
VEHICLE CONTROL signs & SPEED LIMIT
RESTRICTION ENDS SIGN
COMPULSORY CONTROL & OTHER signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

These road signs are used to beware or alert the road users of potential danger or presence of hazardous conditions either on the road or adjacent to the road so that the users can safely avoid a catastrophe. This is one of the initial and important types of traffic signs.

Purpose:

To caution the road users of danger on the road
To promote the smooth flow of traffic
To provide information on the existing conditions of the road, like bend ahead, right turn ahead, intersection ahead, narrow bridge, etc

Features:

Shape: Triangular
Background: White
Border: Red
Symbol/Letter: Black

3. Informatory or Guiding Signs

These signs are used to indicate the location and direction of a particular facility so that users can safely navigate to that facility without much confusion. These is informatory types of traffic signs.

Purpose:

To inform the road users of various facilities on the route
To provide the road users with information which aid in their travel on the route, such as fueling station, destination, parking, etc

Features:

Shape: rectangular
Background: blue
Symbol/Letter: white

Types of Regulatory Signs:

Regulatory/Mandatory types of traffic signs are further classified as follows:

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

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

The following are regulatory traffic signs,

Types of Traffic Signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

Cautionary types of traffic signs and their purpose, location details are given below,

1. Informatory Signs

Informatory types of traffic signs and their purpose, location details are given below,

4. Prohibitory Signs

Prohibitory signs falling under Regulatory types of traffic signs are described below:

5. Speed Limit & Vehicle Control Signs

Speed Limit & Vehicle Control Signs falling under Regulatory types of traffic signs are described below:

6. Compulsory Direction Control and Other Signs

Compulsory Direction Control Signs falling under Regulatory types of traffic signs are described below,

7. Direction & Place Identification Signs

The color pattern for this sign is decided based on the type of roadway as briefed below:

Road type	Background	Arrows/Borders/Letters
Expressway	Blue	White
National Highway	Green	White
State Highway	Green	White
Major District Road	Green	White
Other District Road	White	Black
Village Road	Blue	White

Direction & Place Identification Signs falling under Regulatory types of traffic signs are described below:

Types of Traffic Signs

8. Facility Information Signs

Facility Information Signs falling under Informatory types of traffic signs are described below:

9. Parking Signs

Parking Signs falling under Informatory types of traffic signs are described below:

Other Important Signs

Other Important Signs falling under Informatory types of traffic signs,

Signs for Person with Disabilities
Route Marker Signs
are described below:

Signs for Person with Disabilities:

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Sr. No.	Sign	Purpose	Location	Remarks
1.	Stop Sign	To indicate the priority of the Right of Way. Vehicle from the minor road has to ensure no danger to traffic on the main road before entering a major road.	On the minor road, when it intersects with a major road with hazardous conditions like restricted visibility, improper alignment, high accident record.	Installed on the left side of the approach where it is to be followed. Not installed at the intersection as signals serve this purpose.
2.	Give Way Signs	To give right of way. The vehicles falling under this sign have to yield/provide the right of way to the vehicles having right of way.	When a minor road intersects with the major road; where the vehicle has to provide the right of way to the other side, but stopping is not necessary all the time.	Installed before the point where the vehicle has to yield the right of way.
3.	Prohibitory Signs	Indicates a restricted maneuver of an action.	At junctions. At sections between junctions.
4.	No Standing & No Stopping signs		No standing is erected at places where standing of a vehicle even for a short duration is not allowed No standing & no stopping sign is erected for the section where a vehicle should not be stopped even momentarily.	In urban areas, No Parking signs are also installed to restrict the parking of vehicles on the main carriageway which may lead to congestion.
5.	Speed Limit and Vehicle Control Signs	To control the speed of the vehicle so that it does not exceeds Design Speed of the pavement under any condition.	At the beginning of any section of road, or side of a structure, where the restriction applies.	Installed on each road where speed changes. At exit arms of junctions.
6.	Restrictions End Sign	To indicate that the restrictions imposed earlier on cease to act from here onwards	Installed at the location where pre-mentioned restriction ends
7.	Compulsory Direction Control and Other Signs	To control the direction of the vehicle by either enforcing it to proceed towards a specific direction Or prohibiting A vehicle to proceed towards a particular direction

Sr. No.	Signs	Purpose	Location	Remarks
1.	Left/Right curve	To warn the vehicle-users from the speed point of view & Proceed safely	At places where Approach speed to curve – safe negotiating speed > 15 kmph	To restrict speed owing to change in direction of alignment; accompanied by low radii of curvature
2.	Right/Left Hairpin Bend	To indicate curves of small radii with a huge change in direction	Where there is almost reversal of direction
3.	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.
4.	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.
5.	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.
6.	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.
7.	Y-Intersection	To just warn the drivers of the presence of junction ahead.	On the approach to a bifurcated road.
8.	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.
9.	Roundabout	To indicate an approach to a roundabout	Installed before an upcoming roundabout
10.	Traffic Signals	To caution the drivers of the presence of traffic signals	Installed 50-100 m before the presence of traffic signals
11.	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
12	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
13.	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
14	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
15.	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
16	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
17.	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
18.	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
19.	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.
20.	School Ahead	To prevent the passing traffic from posing a hazard to children	Erected where School or grounds are adjoining to road
20.	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.
21.	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
22.	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
23.	Cycle Crossing	To warn the drivers to proceed with safety	Installed before any Uncontrolled cycle crossings
24.	Cycle Route Ahead	To make the drivers slow down their vehicles	At a location where cycle route is coming up
25.	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
26.	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”
27.	Rough Road	To make the drivers slow down their vehicles for safe travel	At the location where the road surface is rough
28.	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
29.	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
30.	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
31.	Tunnel Ahead Warning	To slow down the vehicle for safety near the tunnel	At location ahead of a tunnel
32.	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
33.	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
34.	Airport/Airfield	To warn the users of the presence of the airport or airfield ahead	At 50-100 m ahead of airport/airfield
35.	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
38.	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

Sr. No.	Signs	Purpose	Location	Remarks
1.	Bullock Carts Prohibited	On each road entry where bullock carts are prohibited
2.	Hand Carts Prohibited	On each road entry where hand carts are prohibited
3.	Horse Riding Prohibited	Erected where horse riding is prohibited
4.	Buses Prohibited	Erected where entry of buses are prohibited
5.	Cars Prohibited	Erected where entry of car is prohibited
6.	Trucks Prohibited	On each road entry where truck entry is prohibited
7.	Tractor Prohibited	Erected where entry of tractor is prohibited
8.	Construction Vehicles Prohibited	Erected where entry of construction vehicles is prohibited
9.	Two Wheelers Prohibited	On such highway sections, where the movement of two-wheelers is needed to be prohibited
10.	Cycles Prohibited	On each road entry where cycle entry is prohibited
11.	Blowing Horn Prohibited	Indicates blowing horn is forbidden	Useful near hospitals, Silent zones
12.	Straight Prohibited/NoEntry	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
13.	One Way	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
14.	Left or Right Turn Prohibited	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
15.	Overtaking Prohibited	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
16.	U-turn Prohibited	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

Sr. No.	Signs	Purpose	Locations	Remarks
1.	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
2.	Length Limit	Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular length is prohibited
3.	Height Limit	Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular height is prohibited	Erected in advance of an overhead structure
4.	Load Limit	Erected where vehicles with a laden weight exceeding a particular value are prohibited
5.	Width Limit	Used when the entry of vehicles exceeding a particular width is prohibited
6.	Maximum Speed Limit	At the beginning of a section where speed restriction is to be enforced	Speed should be in multiples of 5 kmph
7.	Stop for Police Check	Installed were police personnel is performing checks

Sr. No.	Signs	Purpose	Locations	Remarks
1.	Compulsory Ahead	Indicates the track to be lawfully taken & direction of movement as taken from the position of the installation of the sign
2.	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
3.	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
4.	Compulsory keep Left	Used in traffic calming schemes	used at traffic islands, refugees, and the beginning of central median of a divided carriageway
5.	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
6.	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
7.	Compulsory Cycle Track	This indicates – Cyclists should use this track from the entrance Other vehicles are not allowed on this track
8.	Compulsory Cyclist and Pedestrian Route	This sign is used to isolate cycle and pedestrian lanes
9.	Pedestrians only	Means only pedestrians are allowed on this carriageway	Supplemented by a plate with writing ‘PEDESTRIANS ONLY’
10.	Buses only	Means only buses are allowed on this carriageway	Supplemented by a plate with writing ‘BUSES ONLY’
11.	Compulsory Sound Horn	Motor vehicles should compulsorily blow the horn at the location where the sign is erected	Required at sharp curves on hills

140 Traffic Signs | Traffic Symbols

Traffic Signs

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

3. Informatory or Guiding Signs

Types of Regulatory Signs:

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

1. Informatory Signs

4. Prohibitory Signs

5. Speed Limit & Vehicle Control Signs

6. Compulsory Direction Control and Other Signs

7. Direction & Place Identification Signs

8. Facility Information Signs

9. Parking Signs

Other Important Signs

Signs for Person with Disabilities:

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Sr. No.	Signs	Purpose	Locations
1.	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
2.	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
3.	Telephone Facility	Indicated using signage for a person with a disability
4.	Toilet Facility	Indicated using signage for a person with a disability
5.	Way Finding Sign for Disabled	Indicated using signage for a person with a disability

Traffic Signs

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

3. Informatory or Guiding Signs

Types of Regulatory Signs:

1. Regulatory or Mandatory Signs

2. Cautionary or Warning Signs

1. Informatory Signs

4. Prohibitory Signs

5. Speed Limit & Vehicle Control Signs

6. Compulsory Direction Control and Other Signs

7. Direction & Place Identification Signs

8. Facility Information Signs

9. Parking Signs

Other Important Signs

Signs for Person with Disabilities:

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