ROAD SIGNS

and PAVEMENT MARKINGS

Comprehensive Training for DPWH Field Engineers
At the completion of this
lecture you should be able to:
 Have a higher awareness of the standard road signs and
pavement markings in the Philippines
 Understand the importance of Road Signs and Pavement
Markings in the road traffic system in the Philippines
 Distinguish between good and poor signing and pavement
marking practices
 Understand the fundamentals of design and installation
principles;
 Appreciate the road safety reasons for correct design and
installation of road signs and markings;
CY2014 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT of Existing Road
Population: 7,742 sites

Common Findings
Shoulder Others, 9.10%
sealing,
13.70%
Road Signs,
40.20%
Roadside
Barriers,
11.20%
Pavement
Markings,
25.80%
ROAD SIGNS
What is a ROAD SIGN?

• It is a device mounted on a fixed support

(permanent signs) or portable support
(temporary signs) whereby a specific message
is conveyed by means of words or symbols
placed or erected for the purpose of
regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
To be effective, the ROAD SIGN
should:

• Fulfill a need;
• Command attention;
• Convey a clear, simple message;
• Command respect; and,
• Give adequate time for proper response.
Signing Principles (5Cs)

Conspicuous - Easily seen

1st C – Are these signs CONSPICUOUS?
Signing Principles (5Cs)

Conspicuous - Easily seen

Clear - Legible, can be read in ample time

 11/12/2019

2nd C – Is this sign LEGIBLE?

Signing Principles (5Cs)

Conspicuous - Easily seen

Clear - Legible, can be read in ample time

Comprehensible – Understood
3rd C – Can this sign be CLEARLY
understood?
Signing Principles (5Cs)

Conspicuous - Easily seen

Clear - Legible, can be read in ample time

Comprehensible – Understood

Credible – Believed
4th C – A sign should be CREDIBLE!
Signing Principles (5Cs)

Conspicuous - Easily seen

Clear - Legible, can be read in ample time

Comprehensible – Understood

Credible – Believed

Consistent - Same sign/symbols for same message

Consistency? – same sign or symbol for same
message
 Examples of
Undesirable Practices
Signs must be conspicuous
comprehensive
– not behind other signs – such as here.
Advertising creates clutter and effects
visibility of Chevron Alignment signs
Standard sign
Do Motorists know what a STOP
sign means?
Why is the Standard Sign
not used ?
Do we need to use standard
design?

Sta r
L a u re l
Which are the right signs to obey?

OR O
R
60
Can you read this sign?
Old Standard?
Someone must have used a
different standard manual!
Lack of Maintenance
Non-standard Complex Sign
• Department Order No. 41; Series of 2012
• Subject: Adoption of the Revised Manual on DPWH
Highway Safety Design Standard, May 2012
Edition
• Department Circular No.09 Series of 2004
• Road Safety Manuals and Handbooks
Department Order No. 41, s.
2015
• Adoption of the
Revised Manual on
DPWH Highway Safety
Design Standards,
May 2012 Edtion
Standard Manuals

• Highway Safety Design Standards

 Part 1: Road Safety Design Manual

 Part 2: Road Signs & Pavement Markings
Manual

• Road Works Safety Manual

• Road Safety Audit Manual

HSDS Part II: Road Signs and
Pavement Markings Manual
• Used as the official
reference for the design and
installation of road signs
and pavement markings on
national and local roads.
• To establish and maintain a
standardized system of signs
and pavement markings on
national and local roads.
• To maximize safety and
provide credible instructions
to drivers.
What are the classification of
ROAD SIGNS?

• Regulatory Signs (Type R);

• Warning Signs (Type W);
• Guide Signs or Informative Signs (Type G);
• Signs for Expressways (Type GE);
• Signs for Special Purposes (Type S); and,
• Hazard Markers (Type HM).
What are REGULATORY SIGNS ?

-are those which require driver’s compliance.

-informs road users of traffic rules and

regulations, that if disregarded, will constitute
an offense.
PRIORITY SIGNS (R1)
STOP SIGN (R1-1)
• Purpose & Application: At an intersection
where a complete stop is required by law for
safety
• Drivers shall have sufficient time to assess
hazards
• Location:
• On 2-way road, on right side facing
approaching traffic and as close as
practicable to point of stop( ≤ 9m from
edge of intersecting carriageway);
• On 1-way road, both sides facing
approaching traffic;
• Supplemented by a stop line;
• For road intersecting at acute angle, the
sign shall not be visible on the through road
• Also used at railway crossings, movable
gates or barriers
PRIORITY SIGNS (R1)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGN
• A STOP sign shall be used when, for
minor road traffic, the distance Y, in
Major Road Distance Distance
either direction along the major or Speed along along major
uncontrolled road is less than the (kph) minor road: Y (m)
distance given for the corresponding road: X (m)
major road speed 40 3 20
50 3 30
60 3 40
70 3 55
80 3 65
90 3 80
100 3 95
110 3 115

DPWH Road Safety Courses - RSPM

120 3 140
 SAMPLE
• MANILA NORTH
ROAD (speed
limit= 60kph)
CROSSES A MINOR
ROAD. SHOULD 30m
STOP SIGNS BE
INSTALLED? 35m

Major Distance Distance 3m

Road along along
Speed minor major
(kph) road: X road: Y
(m) (m)
40 3 20
50 3 30
60 3 40
 PRIORITY SIGNS (R1)
GIVE WAY SIGN (R1-2)

• Purpose & Application: At

intersections where there is a
need to resolve uncertainty as
to which traffic is required to
give way to another
• Location:
• Channelized intersections,
median openings, and
roundabout;
• At one end of short sections of
1-lane road inc. 1-lane bridges
• Erected on both sides facing
approaching traffic
 DIRECTION SIGNS (R2)

Disc Type
• Purpose & Application:
Indicates the only
direction(s) the motorist
is obliged to follow
• Location: Normally used
in conjunction with
islands at channelized
intersections Plate Type
PROHIBITIVE OR RESTRICTIVE SIGNS
(R3)
PROHIBITION OF
OVERTAKING (R3-16)
• Purpose & Application: To forbid
overtaking in No Overtaking Zones
• Location:
• Normally used to supplement
double yellow lane marking;
• On narrow bridges and short
sections of 1-lane carriageway
having width less than 5.0 m;
• Also for width less than 5.5 m
if commercial vehicles
constitute more than ⅓ of the
traffic, or if the alignment is
poor
MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS (R6)
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (R6-8)

• Unlike the pedestrian

crossing warning sign (W6-
1) which is placed in
advance, R6-8 is a
regulatory sign to be
placed at the stop lines or
at the approaches to a
zebra pedestrian crossing
MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS (R6)
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (R6-8)

• Unlike the Children

warning sign (W6-2) which
is placed in advance, R6-9
is a regulatory sign to be
placed at the stop lines
on the approaches to a
marked School Children
crossing.
What are WARNING SIGNS?

• Signs that are used to warn motorists of

potentially hazardous conditions on or
adjacent to the road.
• A warning sign should not be used when drivers
can observe and appreciate the potential
hazard ahead under normal conditions.
Warning Signs (Type W)
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT SIGNS (W1)

CURVE SIGN (W1-3)

• Used in advance of a
substandard curve or a
curve that may not be
evident to the motorist in
the course of his travel
along a reasonable
straight section of the
road;
• An advisory speed plate
can be used to
supplement the intention
of the sign (see W8-1)
INTERSECTION & JUNCTION SIGNS
(W2)
CROSS ROAD SIGN (W2-1)
• Generally used where sight
distance on the approach to an
intersection is less than the
safe stopping distance or where
drivers may have difficulty
appreciating the presence of
intersection ahead;
• Generally shall not be used
where STOP, GIVE WAY or
traffic signals are installed;
• Used in advance of an
intersection where 2 roads
cross at a common point;
• This sign shall not be used on a
side road to a controlled
intersection
INTERSECTION & JUNCTION SIGNS
(W2)
PRIORITY ROAD SIGNS (W2-8,
W2-9, W2-10)
• These signs inform the
motorist that the road he
travels on is a priority
road with the intersection
being controlled by a
STOP or GIVE WAY sign;
• Should not be used unless
the side roads are
positively controlled
ROAD WIDTH SIGNS (W4)

NARROW BRIDGE SIGN (W4-1)

• Used on approaches to all
road bridges having a
width between curbs of;
• 5.5m or less;
• Between 5.5m and 6.0m in
exceptional cases of high
speed sections of road with
heavy traffic volumes; or
• Less than that of the
approach pavement
regardless of width
ROAD WIDTH SIGNS (W4)
DIVIDED ROAD SIGN (W4-3)
• Used to warn motorists of
the approach to a divided
road when the median
island is more than 300.0
m in length
PEDESTRIAN & SCHOOL SIGNS (W6)
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AHEAD SIGN (W6-1) &
SLOW DOWN PEDESTRIAN AHEAD SIGN (W6-
1P)

• These signs are

interchangeable and used to
warn motorist of the
presence of pedestrians who
may be crossing the road
ahead regardless whether
there is a designated
crossing;
• (for a designated zebra
crossing use R6-8 sign)
PEDESTRIAN & SCHOOL SIGNS (W6)

CHILDREN CROSSING SIGN (W6-2)

• This sign is used to warn
motorists of the presence
of school children, who
may be crossing the road
ahead regardless of
whether there is a
designated school crossing
Hazard Markers - Type HM [1]
• Function. Used to emphasize a marked change in
the direction of travel and the presence of
obstruction;
• Rectangular in shapes and generally consisting of a
series of alternate black and white bands
• Types
• One Way
• Two Way
• Width Markers
• Obstruction Markers
Hazard Markers - Type HM [2]

One-Way Hazard Markers (HM1)

- To delineate abrupt narrowing of pavement
- Exposed ends of median islands
- Central islands of roundabout
To delineate curve approach to intersections

Chevron Signs (HM-1A/HM-1B)

- To guide through a change in horizontal alignment
- To supplement advance warning signs, W1 signs or
delineators
Hazard Markers - Type HM [3]

Two-Way Hazard Markers (HM-4A, HM-

4B, HM-5)
- To delineate an exposed obstruction at
which traffic may pass to either side.

Width Marker (HM-6)

- Used at approaches to road bridges
Design Guidelines for Chevron
Signs [1]

• The point of arrow shall indicate

the direction of travel;
• Shall be visible for at least 150m
from the curve;
• The minimum lateral offset shall
be 1.8m;
• Shall be aligned at right angle to
the driver’s line of sight;
• Spacing should allow the driver
to see at least 3 signs while
negotiating the curve;
• Installed at 1.5m above the
ground (rural) and 2.2m (urban)
Design Guidelines for Chevron Signs [2]

Types of Chevron Signs

Recommended Spacing

DPWH Road Safety Courses - RSPM

Design Guidelines for Chevron Signs [3]

Butterfly support of Chevron Signs

What are GUIDE SIGNS ?

• Inform road users about the direction and distances

of destinations on the route they are following or
along other roads that intersect their route.
• They also supply information to identify points of
geographical or historical interest and give directions
to rest areas, camping or parking areas.
• Guide sign should be limited to the number of words
a driver can read and in time he can turn his
attention from the road to the sign.
• Sign should carry not more than three lines of legends
or three destination names.
Guide Signs Classifications

• ADVANCE DIRECTION SIGNS-

• INTERSECTION DIRECTION SIGNS
• REASSURANCE DIRECTION SIGNS
• GUIDE SIGNS ON EXPRESSWAYS
COLOR
ADVANCE DIRECTION SIGNS
Used in advance of an intersection to indicate destinations
along each route leading away from the intersection providing
prior information of the routes ahead by showing place,
names, arrows, symbols and instructions to indicate
directions.
Stack Signs Diagrammatic Signs
INTERSECTION SIGNS

Supplements advance Direction signs and should be

placed at more important intersections or decision
points to show where the intersecting road leads.
REASSURANCE SIGNS

May be used beyond intersections to reassure motorists

who are travelling towards their intended and to indicate
the distances to the desired destination.
TOURIST INFORMATION AND
TOURIST DESTINATION SIGNS
May be erected on an arterial road to denote places of
public, scenic, historic or cultural interest that are
recognized by the appropriate authority and through
which the road passes.
Uniformity in Location
Lateral Placement & Height

Single Post Support Signs – Urban Area

Uniformity in Location
Lateral Placement & Height

* 0.5 min if located in a median or traffic island

Two-Post Support Signs – Urban Area

Uniformity in Location
Lateral Placement & Height

Normal Two-Post Support Signs – Rural Area

Uniformity in Location
Lateral Placement & Height

Rural Locations with Guard Rails

Uniformity in Location
Longitudinal Placement

• Minimum Sign Spacing: 0.6V m

• Warning Sign
• 30 – 100 meters in advance (urban)
• 75 – 225 meters in advance (rural)
END OF ROAD SIGNS
PAVEMENT MARKINGS
What are PAVEMENT
MARKINGS?

• Take the form of lines, symbols, messages, or

numerals and may be set into the surface of,
applied upon, or attached to the pavement.
• Used as a supplement to other traffic control
devices, such as traffic signals and road signs.
• May simply guide traffic or guide advance
warning or they may impose restrictions
supported by traffic regulations.
Pavement an curb markings
LONGITUDINAL LINES

• Separation Lines
• Lane Lines
• Barrier Lines
• Edge Lines
• Continuity Lines
• Transition Lines
SEPARATION LINE (CENTER
LINE)

Used to separate opposite traffic

movements of an undivided roadway
and is generally placed centrally on all
roads and bridges 6.0m or more in
width.
LANE LINES

Used to separate
adjacent lanes of
traffic moving in the
same direction.
BARRIER LINES
 DOUBLE UNBROKEN
YELLOW LINE-used only
where overtaking from both
directions of the road and all
crossing movements are
prohibited
 SINGLE UNBROKEN
YELLOW LINE-used where
overtaking from both
directions of the road are
prohibited, however, crossing
movements are permitted
BARRIER LINES

 COMBINATION OF AN
UNBROKEN YELLOW
LINE AND A WHITE
SEPARATION LINE- same
as double unbroken yellow
line for vehicles proceeding
in the direction where the
unbroken yellow line appears
on the right of the markings,
but vehicles on the other
direction are permitted to
cross the line.
EDGE LINES
• Used to delineate the
edge of the travelled way
to distinguish it from the
shoulder area.
Purposes:
• To discourage travel on
shoulders;
• To make driving safer and
more assured, particularly
at night and during
inclement weather by
providing a continuous
guide for the driver;
EDGE LINES

Purposes:
• To act as guide past
objects which are close to
the edge of the pavement
and which constitute a
hazard;
• To prevent parking at or
near intersections.
TRANSITION LINES

• Used to guide traffic

safely past obstructions
on roadways such as
islands, median strips,
bridge piers or indicate
changes in the width of
the travelled portion of
the roadway and an
increase or reduction in
traffic lanes.
LONGITUDINAL LINES
LONGITUDINAL LINES
LONGITUDINAL LINES
TRANSVERSE LINES

• Stop Lines at
• Signalized Intersections
• Isolated “Stop” Signs
• Pedestrian Actuated Signals (mid-block)
• Railway Level Crossings
• Give Way (yield) Line
• Pedestrian Crossing Markings
• Zebra crossing (Unsignalized)
• Crosswalks (Signalized)
• Roundabout Holding Lines
STOP LINE

• Should be placed across appropriate portion of

the roadway at positions where vehicles are
required to sop in compliance with a stop sign,
traffic signals, or any other legal requirement.
STOP LINE
GIVE WAY LINE

• Markings consisting of a two adjacent broken

white lines across the carriageway at which
the divers must give way to all traffic in
accordance with R1-2 (Give Way Sign).
GIVE WAY LINE
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
MARKINGS

• Department Order No. 65, s2013

 Pedestrian Crossing Markings
Department Order No. 65, s2013
Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Zebra Type – Longitudinal Bar

category Speed <60kph Speed >60kph

A 300 mm 600 mm
B 300 mm 600 mm
C (min) 4.0 m 4.0 m11/12/2019
Pedestrian Crossing Markings
Department Order No. 65, s2013 93
Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Zebra Type – Staggered Bar

category Speed <60kph Speed >60kph

A 300 mm 600 mm
DPWH Road Safety Courses - RSPM 11/12/2019
B 300 mm 600 mm
C (min) 4.0 m 4.0 m
Pedestrian Crossing Markings
Department Order No. 65, s2013
Signalized Pedestrian Crossing Crosswalk Type
PAVEMENT MARKINGS

• Paint Products
• Water Borne
• Thermoplastic
• Cold Applied Plastic
• Pre-cut Sheeting
• Glass Beads
• Drop on / Intermix
• Pre-mixed
COLOR OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS

White markings are used with the following

exceptions
• Yellow
• Double Yellow (“no passing”)
• Double Yellow with white infill for no swerving on
expressways (Not in Standard)
• Unbroken portion of no passing
• On islands and other obstructions in line of traffic in
combination with alternating black markings (Not in
Standard)
• Bus & PUJ separation lines
• Keep Intersection Open Markings
• Curb marking to supplement Parking ban
• Red
• No Waiting/Stopping Area
Limitations of pavement markings

• Lines may not be visible in

wet or dusty conditions
• Subject to heavy traffic –
require constant
maintenance
• Can be obscured by traffic
• Effects on skidding
• Cannot be applied to
unsealed roads
 11/12/2019

Failure to Perform Function

• Inappropriate Use
• Lack of Maintenance
• Environmental Factors
• Site Conditions
• Traffic Factors
• Inadequate Geometric Design
Environmental condition can affect
the visibility of pavement markings
Problems with blackening of old
markings
 What is the Standard ?

Yellow Marking

OR
White Marking
Barrier Markings substandard length
(ineffective)
THANK YOU! 