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Part 7 Roadway Signs1 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section/Article Description Page 1-7-2 1-7-2 1-7-2 1-7-2 1-7-3 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4 1-7-4

7.1 Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1.1 Location (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1.2 Maintenance-of-Way (1979). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1.3 T ransportation (1996). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1.4 Safety (1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 Design 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.3 7.2.4 7.2.5 ......................................................................... Shapes (1979). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dimensions (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Background (1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legends (1979). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Placement (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.3

Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3.1 Wood (1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3.2 Concrete (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3.3 Reflectorized Materials (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.3.4 Metals (1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References, Vol. 40, 1939, pp. 536, 729; Vol. 52, 1951, pp. 481, 809; Vol. 53, 1952, pp. 698, 1106, Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1092, 1383; Vol 63, 1962, pp. 579, 749; Vol. 80, 1979, p. 79; Vol. 97, p. 25. Reapproved with revisions 1996

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Roadway and Ballast

SECTION 7.1 CLASSIFICATION 7.1.1 LOCATION (1979)

7.1.1.1 Mile Post Provides a ready method of location of any physical object on right-of-way. 7.1.1.2 Political Subdivision Signs Show where railways cross national, state, county and municipal boundary lines. 7.1.1.3 Standard Right-of-Way Sign and Monument Marker Define railways rights-of-way limits. 7.1.1.4 No Trespassing Signs Define locations where trespassing is especially unsafe and/or undesirable.

7.1.2 MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY (1979)

7.1.2.1 Maintenance Limit Signs Define limits of track ownership and maintenance between railway and industry and between railways. 7.1.2.2 Roadway Structures Signs Define locations of bridges, trestles, tunnels and culverts. 7.1.2.3 Snowplow Signs Define locations of obstructions to snow removal equipment. Flanger signs warn operators to lift flanges. Wing markers warn operators to close snowplow wings. If both indications are required at the same location they should be on one (1) sign. 7.1.2.4 Alignment Signs or Markers Define the exact locations and limits of easement spirals and curves. Superelevation should be shown on the sign or marker at the spiral curve point. 7.1.2.5 Elevation Markers Define top of rail elevations at special locations. Also define top of rail elevations above which tracks under grade separations cannot be raised.

7.1.3 TRANSPORTATION (1996)

7.1.3.1 Speed Control Signs Temporary and Permanent Define limits of slow orders and locations to stop trains.

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Roadway Signs

7.1.3.2 Whistle Posts Define advance locations of highway grade crossings, stations, railway grade crossings and other special locations where locomotive whistles are required to be sounded. 7.1.3.3 Location Signs Define advance locations of railway grade crossings, drawbridges, tunnels, junctions, frequent rock and snow slides, and stations. Also used to define yard limits, switching limits, signal territory limits, station and derail locations and track capacities, jointly owned track and start or end of ownership.

7.1.4 SAFETY (1996)

7.1.4.1 Restricted Clearance Signs Identify locations of restricted horizontal and vertical clearances or both, at clear points of turnouts, buildings, platforms or other structures. 7.1.4.2 Fire Hazard Signs Warn everyone concerned of flammable materials storage and subgrade carriers. These signs must meet latest Code Federal Regulation Title 29, Part 1910. 7.1.4.3 Electrical Hazard Signs Warn everyone concerned of the presence of overhead and subgrade high voltage carriers. These signs must meet latest Code Federal Regulation Title 29, Part 1910. 7.1.4.4 Highway Grade Crossing Signs Warn all vehicular traffic of the presence of a railway grade crossing. All highway grade crossing warning signs will conform to the current U.S. Department of Transportation manual on uniform traffic control devices. Also all applicable current State Department of Transportation Specifications must be followed. 7.1.4.5 Barricade Signs Used to warn all vehicular traffic of a railway grade crossing under construction or repairs. 7.1.4.6 Highway and Barricade Signs Must meet current U.S. Department of Transportation manual uniform traffic control devices and applicable State Department of Transportation Specifications. 7.1.4.7 Power Operated Switch Signs Used to warn pedestrian traffic of the presence of a power operated switch. This sign is especially desirable where non-railroad pedestrian traffic will pass close to a power operated switch.

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Roadway and Ballast

SECTION 7.2 DESIGN 7.2.1 SHAPES (1979)

Definite sign shapes allow rapid identification.

7.2.2 DIMENSIONS (1979)

Dimensions of various groups of signs may differ within limits determined by the legend.

7.2.3 BACKGROUND (1996)

The sign background in sharpest contrast with the lettering is best. Black letters on white or yellow background show well, however, the background may be varied to conform with local conditions. Backgrounds on speed control signs should conform in color to indications on the particular railway.

7.2.4 LEGENDS (1979)

Legends on signs should be short, consisting of characters that are large, plain and widely spaced for legibility at the maximum required distance. Wording on signs should be minimized. Proper spacing of characters should be determined by field tests. Bold stroked letters are preferable. The same characteristics are valid for day and night operations.

7.2.5 PLACEMENT (1979)

Terrain background behind signs merits consideration. To be effective signs must be prominently displayed. Signs should be placed to clear all maintenance of way equipment.

SECTION 7.3 MATERIALS 7.3.1 WOOD (1996)

a. Only preservative treated wood is recommended for posts. The use of untreated dense tropical hardwoods may be considered. Also, all State and Federal Environmental Regulations must be observed when and where preservative treated wood is used as sign post material.

b. Wood posts are usually tamped solid into ground.

7.3.2 CONCRETE (1979)

Concrete is recommended as a metal sign post base. Waterproofed reinforced concrete is a satisfactory post material.

7.3.3 REFLECTORIZED MATERIALS (1979)

Black letters on white or yellow reflectorized background on either aluminum plate or extruded aluminum make an excellent sign. Fiberglass signs with molded letters also make a serviceable sign.

7.3.4 METALS (1996)

Galvanized steel channels and rods with sharpened ends make serviceable posts. The metal sign posts are especially useful for temporary signs. A break away post may be considered where steel is used.

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