One of the big problems with restricted lengths of road that only allow certain classes of traffic is how to convey this meaning to other drivers. Take Manchester as an example, where unlawful incursions onto the off-street running sections of Metrolink is a frequent problem. Originally off-street sections used the conventional Dia. 953 variant "trams … Continue reading Should we allow exemptions to No Entry signs? A lesson from Ireland.
Category: Traffic Sign Design
Sign Design Software and Common Errors
Firstly - let's get the vested interest out of the way. I like SignPlot. Whilst it doesn't necessarily give you the freedoms CAD based packages have for manipulating signs, for most practitioners who have no need to delve into the dark world of non-prescribed signs and authorisations, SignPlot makes it very difficult to go wrong. … Continue reading Sign Design Software and Common Errors
Logical SEMMMS Antics*
*The punny title is the work of Johnathan Randall of Motorway Services Online. Blame him. As you may know if you follow the infrastructure news, the first piece of the A555 (SEMMMS, or MARR to use its Sunday title) extension jigsaw opened this week. This was the short re-alignment of the A6 at the eastern … Continue reading Logical SEMMMS Antics*
Private landowners and homemade signs
Note: some of the images in this article are taken from Motorway Services Online. This post is also a little tongue in cheek and a bit of a rant. You've been warned! One of the things that always causes me to chuckle, or in some cases want to rip my hair out, when out and … Continue reading Private landowners and homemade signs
Out and about – the A601(M)
Today I went for a little drive around Lancashire and collected some images of old and new signs, and several of them have caused me to get a bit grumpy due to elementary mistakes that either make a sign cluttered, or suffering from design errors. Instead of just griping, though, I intend to demonstrate how … Continue reading Out and about – the A601(M)
Glasgow Gantries
Over on SABRE, there is often debate about the 'Glasgow Gantry'. They are, in a word, a 'Marmite' creation; people either love them or hate them. So, what are these gantries and how did they come about? In 1964, the new TSRGD brought in following the Worboys report had no real detail for motorway gantries. … Continue reading Glasgow Gantries
Improving cycling facilities through better signs?
First off; I am not going to open up a hornet's nest regarding cyclists vs cars, suffice to say I am a firm advocate of improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists wherever we can. This article therefore is going to concentrate purely on the traffic signs aspect of cycle infrastructure design. Traffic signs for cyclists … Continue reading Improving cycling facilities through better signs?
Diversion symbols and their effect on existing signs
An unfortunate requirement of the sudden resurgence of the use of tactical diversion routes in 2009 was that thousands of signs had to be amended. Given this work took place as one of the worst financial crises of recent times was hitting, it was never going to be a scheme with a lavish budget thrown … Continue reading Diversion symbols and their effect on existing signs
Direction Signs – have we lost our way?
Direction signs are essential methods of communicating information to road users; why do we not take them seriously enough? Note: The sign designs in this article are not part of any design contract, nor are they commissions for any third party organisation, no commercial confidences have been breached in presenting these drawings. We have been … Continue reading Direction Signs – have we lost our way?
Show me a sign 