IRC:67-2012 a CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ROAD SIGNS (Third Revision) INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS 2012IRC: 67-2012 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ROAD SIGNS (Third Revision) Published by: INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS Kama Koti Marg, Sector-6, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110 022 July 2012 Price :% 1,000 (Plus Packing & Postage)IRC: 67-2012 First Published March, 1978 First Revision July, 2004 Second Revision : May, 2010 Third Revision July, 2012 (All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, translated or transmitted in any form or by any means without the permission of the Indian Roads Congress) Printed at: India Offset Press, A1- Mayapuri Ind., Area Phase |, New Delhi (1000 Copies) IRC: 67-2012 CONTENTS Presonnel of the Highways Specifications and Standards Committee Introduction General Classification of Road Signs Siting of Signs with respect to the Carriageway Orientation of Signs Material for Signs Posts and Mountings for Signs Colour for Signs Size of Signs Visibility of Signs Size of Letters Maintenance of Signs Definition Plates/Supplementary Plates Mandatory/Regulatory Signs Cautionary/Warning Signs Informatory Signs Facility Information Signs Other useful Information Signs Signs for Persons with Disabilities Route Marker Signs Guidelines for Signs on Expressways Guidelines for Signs on Urban and City Roads Sign Plan Examples for Typical Situations Plate-| Stop and Give Way Signs No Parking and No Stopping Signs Vehicle Control Signs and Speed Limit Restriction Ends Signs Compulsory Control and Other Signs Plate-t1 Cautionary Warning SignsIRC: 67-2012 IRC: 67-2012 Page No. PERSONNEL OF THE HIGHWAYS SPECIFICATIONS aa AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE Informatory Signs 90 Plate-IV (As on 23" September, 2011) Facility Information Signs 89, 1. Indoria, RP. Director General (Road Development) & Spl. Secretary, Parking Signs 106 (Convenor) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, New Delhi Signs for Persons with Disabilities foe 2. Kandasamy, C, Addl. Director General, Ministry of Road Transport & Route Marker Signs 110 (Co-Convenor) Highways, New Delhi ‘Annexure-I List of Mandatory/Regulatory Signs "3 = onterae, He ores nes ee Ministry of Road Transport & Annexure-II List of CautionaryWarning Signs 115 Merb Annexure-II Rules and Technical Advisory for Design of 4. Alam, Parwez Vice-President, Hindustan Constn. Co. Ltd., Mumbai Informatory Road Signs ae 5. Basu, S.B Chief Engineer (Retd.) MoRT&H, New Delhi a ae Goa 6 Bongirwar, PLL. Advisor, L&T, Mumbai Annexure-IV Facility Information Signs - 7. Bordoloi, A.C. Chief Engineer (NH) Assam, Guwahati ‘Annexure-V Figs. V.1 to. V.10 ee 8. Chandrasekhar, Dr. B.P. Director (Tech.), National Rural Roads Development Annexure-VI Determination of “X” Height for Direction Signs 437 Agency, New Delhi (Shoulder & Gantry Mounted) 9. Datta, PK. Executive Director, Consulting Engg. Services (I) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi 10. Gangopadhyay, Dr. S. Director, Central Road Research Insitute, New Delhi 41. Gupta, DP. Director General (RD) & AS (Retd.), MoRT&H, New Delhi 12. Gupta, KK. Chief Engineer (Retd.), Haryana PWD, Faridabad 13. Jain, RK. Chief Engineer (Retd.), Haryana PWD, Sonepat 14, Jain, Dr. S.S. Professor & Coordinator, Centre of Transportation Engg., IIT Roorkee 15. Jain, N.S. Chief Engineer (Retd.) MoRT&H, New Delhi 16. Kadiyali, Dr. LR. Chief Executive, L.R. Kadiyali & Associates, New Delhi 17. Katare, P.K. Director (Project-I!), National Rural Roads Development Agency, (Ministry of Rural Development), New Delhi 18. Krishna, Prabhat Chief Engineer (Retd.) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, New Delhi 19. Kumar, Ashok Chief Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, New Delhi 20. Kumar, Mahesh Engineer-in-Chief, Haryana PWD, Chandigarh 21. Kurian, Jose Chief Engineer, DTTDC Ltd, New Delhi 22. Momin, S.S. Former Member, Maharashtra Public Service Commission, MumbaiIRC: 67-2012 23. Nashkar, S.S. 24, Patankar, V.L. 25. Pradhan, B.C. 26. Prasad, D.N. 27. Raju, Dr. G.VS. 28. Rathore, S.S. 29. Reddy Dr, TS. 30. Reddy, K. Siva 31. Sharma, Dr. V.M. 32. Sharma, S.C. 33. Shukla, R.S. 34, Singh, Nirmal Jit 35. Sinha, AK. 36. Sinha, AV. 37. Sinha, B.N. 38. Sinha, S. 39. Yadav, Dr. VK. 40. Chief Engineer (Plg.) 1. President, IRC 2. Director General (RD) & Spl. Secretary, MORTH/ Secretary General, IRC 1. Agarwal, M.K. 2. Borge, V.B 3. Justo, Dr. C.E.G. 4. Khattar, M.D. Chief Engineer (NH), PW (R), Kolkata Member (Tech.), National Highways Authority of India, New Delhi Chief Engineer (NH), Govt of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar Chief Engineer (NH), RCD, Patna Chief Engineer (R&B), Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Principal Secretary of the Govt. of Gujarat, R&B Deptt Gandhinagar Ex-Scientist, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi Engineer-in-Chief (R&B) Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad Consultant, AIMIL, New Delhi Director General (RD) & AS (Retd.), MoRT&H, New Delhi Ex-Scientist, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi Director General (RD) & SS (Retd.), MoRT&H, New Delhi Chief Engineer, (NH), UP, PWD, Lucknow Director General (RD) & SS (Retd.), MoRT&H, New Delhi Member (Project), National Highways Authority of India, New Delhi ‘Addl. Chief Transportation Engineer, CIDCO, Navi Mumbai Addl. Director General, DGBR, New Delhi Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, New Delhi Ex-Officio Members (Yaday, Dr. V.K.), Addl. Director General, DGBR. New Delhi (Indoria, R.P.) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways New Delhi Corresponding Members Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), Haryana PWD Secretary (Roads) (Retd.), Maharashtra PWD, Mumbai Emeritus Fellow, Bangalor University, Bangalore Consultant, Runwal Centre, Mumbai IRC: 67-2012 1 INTRODUCTION 14.1 Road signs, which have the backing of law in India, are incorporated in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 1.2 The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 has covered all the signs warranted by different traffic situations. The designs of signs are fully dimensioned. Further, the signs have uniformity, and mostly symbols are used to convey the message, especially in the case of regulatory signs. 1.3 The IRC Code of Practice for Road Signs sets out the methodology to be followed in the use, placement, construction and maintenance of the road signs for all categories of roads including expressways. The road signs adopted in this code are in harmony with Protocol on Road Signs and Signals of United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, 1949 and Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, 1968. 1.4 The Second Revision of IRC Code of Practice for Road Signs was reviewed by the Transport Planning, Traffic Engineering and Road Safety Committee of the Indian Roads Congress in its meeting held on 13" October, 2010 based on comments received from some members and it constituted a Sub-group with Shri Nirmal Jit Singh as the Convenor and including Shri D.P. Gupta, Dr. (Mrs.) Geetam Tiwari and Shri S.B. Basu as members to review the code and suggest modifications/amendments if any required. The Sub-group after deliberations further Co-opted Prof. P. K. Sikdar, Shri Jacob George and Dr. Surinder Mohan as co-opted members of the above Sub-group considering their rich experience. The entire Sub-group reviewed the document in detail and restructured it by relating size and spacing of signs with respect to design speed of the road, including guidelines for selection of retro- reflective sheeting, incorporating some new signs and including illustrative examples of sign plans for different commonly occurring situations. The modified code was considered by the Transport Planning, Traffic Engineering and Road Safety Committee (Personnel given below) in its meeting held on 13" September, 2011 and approved for forwarding to IRC for consideration by the Highways Specifications and Standards Committee after modifications based on comments of the members Sharma, $.C. Gangopadhyay, Dr.S. Velmurugan, Dr.S. Convenor Co-Convenor Member-Secretary Members Basu, S.B. Bajpai, RK. Chandra, Dr. Satish Gaijria, Maj. Gen. K.T. Parida, Dr. M. Raju, Dr. M.P. Ranganathan, Prof. N. Singh, Pawan KumarIRC: 67-2012 Gupta, D.P. Sikdar, Dr. PK. Gupta, Dr. Sanjay Singh, Nirmal Jit Kadiyali, Dr. LR. Singh, Dr. (Ms.) Raj Kandasamy, C. Tiwari, Dr. (Mrs.) Geetam Kumar, Sudhir Jt. Comm. of Delhi Police Mittal, Dr. (Mrs.) Nishi (Traffic) (Satyendra Garg) Pal, Ms. Nimisha Director (Tech.), NRRDA Palekar, R.C. (Dr. B.P. Chandrasekhar) Representative of E-in-C, NDMC. Corresponding Members Bahadur, A.P Rao. Prof. K.V. Krishna Reddy, Dr. TS Sarkar, JR Tare, Dr. (Mrs.) Vandana Ex-Officio Members President, IRC (Yadav, Dr. V.K) Director General (RD) & (Indoria, R.P.) Spl. Secretary, MORTH Secretary General, IRC (Indoria, R.P.) 15 The Highways Specifications and Standards Committee approved the draft in its meeting held on 23 September, 2011. Thereafter, the Council of IRC in its meeting held at Lucknow on 3 November, 2011 considered the ‘Third Revision’ of IRC-67 presented by Shri Nirmal Jit Singh, Convenor of the Sub-group and approved the document for publication suggesting minor modifications. The Council also authorized Shri Nirmal Jit Singh to oversee the incorporation of the minor comments and suggestions of the Council before it is sent for printing. Further, a small group consisting of Shri Nirmal Jit Singh (Convenor), Prof. PK. Sikdar, Shri Jacob George and Dr.S. Velmurugan accomplished the above tasks of addressing the comments/suggestions of the Council and submitted the final version of the document to IRC for printing. 2 GENERAL 24 Purpose of Road Signs The purpose of road signs is to promote road safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all road users on all roads in both urban and non-urban areas. Road signs notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for safe, uniform and efficient operation. IRC: 67-2012 2.2 Principles of Road Signs This Code contains the basic principles that govern the design and use of road signs for all categories of roads including expressways open to public travel irrespective of road agency having jurisdiction. It is important that these principles be given primary consideration in the selection and application of each road sign. To be effective, a road sign should meet five basic requirements: a) Fulfill aneed; b) Command attention; ¢) Convey a clear and simple meaning; d) — Command respect from road users; and e) — Give adequate time for response. Design, placement, operation, maintenance, and uniformity are aspects that should be carefully considered in order to maximize the ability of a road sign to meet these five basic requirements. 23 Placement and Operation of Road Signs Placement of road signs should be within road user's view. To aid in conveying proper meaning, road signs should be positioned with respect to the location or situation to which it applies. The location and legibility of the road sign should be such as to provide adequate response time to road users to read and take action at the operating speed. Road signs or their supports shall not bear any advertising or other message that is not related to traffic control. However, tourist-oriented directional signs and signs relating to specific wayside services and amenities should not be considered as advertising. Road signs should be placed and operated in a uniform and consistent manner. Road signs which are not necessary or no longer required should be removed. The fact that a sign is in good physical condition should not be a basis for deferring the removal or change, if it is so warranted. 24 Maintenance of Road Signs Maintenance of road signs should be ensured to retain both the legibility and the visibility of the sign. Functional evaluation of road signs should be done to determine at regular periodic intervals, whether certain signs need to be changed to meet current traffic conditions. Clean, legible, properly mounted signs in good working condition command respect from road users. 25 Uniformity of Road Signs Uniformity of signs simplifies the task of the road user because it helps in recognition and understanding, thereby reducing perception/reaction time. Uniformity assists road users, traffic police and highway agencies by giving everyone the same interpretation message. Uniformity also promotes efficiency in manufacture, installation and maintenance. Uniformity means treating similar situations in a similar way. A standard sign, used where it is not appropriate, is as objectionable as a nonstandard sign. 3IRC: 67-2012 2.6 Traffic Engineering Study The decision to use a particular sign at a particular location should be made on the basis of traffic engineering study and after a very careful planning so that correct and uniform signs are placed at required locations. Authorities with responsibility for traffic control that do not have in-house engineering assistance can take help from traffic engineering consultant(s) or academic and research institutions with domain expertise. 3 CLASSIFICATION OF ROAD SIGNS Road signs are classified under the following three heads: 34 Mandatory/Regulatory Signs All Mandatory or Regulatory Signs are circular in shape. Mandatory/Prohibitory Signs are to Prohibitory indicate the prohibition upon certain kind of Regulation vehicle maneuver and vehicle type like “overtaking prohibited” or “U-turn prohibited’ or “cycles prohibited” and restriction on parking like “parking prohibited” and limit on vehicle speed and size like “speed limit” and “maximum load limit” . They are Operational with red circular ring and diagonal bars with black Contrel symbols or arrows or letters on white background The red ring indicates prohibitory regulation; and the diagonal red bar prohibits the action or movement indicated by the black symbol. Compulsory Mandatory signs giving positive instructions are Direction Control circular with white symbol on a blue background. They indicate what driver must do compulsorily. For example, direction control signs are to compulsorily regulate certain movements wherever the restriction applies. Fig. 3.1 The exceptions in shape are the octagonal red STOP sign and the triangular GIVEWAY or YIELD sign. These two signs provide indication about right of way to drivers. Mandatory and regulatory signs need to be complied with and any violation of the rules and regulations conveyed by these signs is a legal offence. Examples of these signs are shown in Fig. 3.1. IRC: 67-2012 3.2 Cautionary/Warning Signs Cautionary/Warning signs are triangular in shape with red border and black symbol in white background used to caution and alert the road users to potential danger or existence of certain Cautionary! hazardous conditions either on or adjacent to the Warning roadway so that they take the desired action. These signs indicate a need for special caution by road users and may require a reduction in speed or some other manoeuvre. Some examples of these signs ae? are Hairpin Bend, Narrow Bridge, Gap in Median, School Ahead etc. An example is shown in Fig, 3.2. 3.3 _Informatory/Guide Signs te All Informatory signs and Guiding signs for facilities are rectangular in shape. Informatory Signs for facilities indicates location and direction to facilities like “fuel station” or “eating place” or “parking” and shall be a symbol within a rectangular board with blue background. Direction Information Information signs in rectangular shape are also used with destination names and distances with arrows indicating the direction. The colour pattern of direction information sign is presented in Table 8.3. These are used to give such information | exanhene to road users which will help them along the route in Fig. 3.3 most simple and direct manner. Examples of these are shown in Fig. 3.3. 3.4 Road Classifications Generally roads are classified as under: a) — Expressways b) National Highways c) State Highways d) Major District Roads ©) Rural Roads (Other District Roads (ODR) and Village Roads (VR)) f) Urban (City) Roads The direction information signs for different categories of road will have different colour combinations as given in Table 8.3.IRC: 67-2012 4 SITING OF SIGNS WITH RESPECT TO THE CARRIAGEWAY 4.1 The road signs are the means of communication to the road users, especially drivers. Therefore, the signs shall be so placed that the drivers can recognize them easily and in time. Normally the signs shall be placed on the left hand side of the road. For two lane roads, normally the signs may be placed on the left side of the carriageway, repeated on the other side of the carriageway, if local conditions are such that the signs might not be seen in time by the drivers. For multilane divided roads the signs may be placed on left side of each carriageway. In case of hill roads, the signs shall generally be installed on the valley side of the road, unless traffic and road conditions warrant these to be placed on the hill side. 42 On all roads with or without kerb and with or without shoulder, the extreme edge of the ground mounted sign adjacent to the roadway shall be at a distance of 600 mm to 3m from the carriageway or paved shoulder edge depending upon the local conditions. For roads with kerbs, it shall not be less than 300 mm away from kerb line, but in no case shall any part of the sign come in the way of vehicular traffic. Gantry mounted signs should be mounted on columns preferably 7 m or more from the nearest traffic lane, unless otherwise specified. The minimum lateral offset is intended to keep it away from vehicles that may use the shoulder from striking the gantry column. If there is a situation where this lateral clearance cannot be maintained, the column of gantry sign shall be shielded with W-Beam crash barrier for required run out length depending upon the setback distance between the pavement edge line and column of gantry. Lesser clearances but not less than 4,8 m may be used on connecting roadways or ramps at interchanges. 4.3. Onkerbed roads, the bottom edge of the lowest sign shall not be less than 2.1 m and not more than 2.5 m above the kerb. On roads without kerb, the bottom edge of the lowest sign shall not be less than 2 m and not more than 2.5 m above the crown of the pavement. Where signs are erected above footpaths or in areas likely or intended to be used by pedestrians, minimum headroom of 2.1 m is to be provided. 4.4 Where in the opinion of the competent authority, a sign would be ineffective if placed on the left hand side shoulder of a road with dual carriageway, it may be placed on the median instead. To improve the visibility of the signs on multi-lane roads, the minimum height of the lower edge of the sign should be kept as 2.5 m above the highest point of the carriageway. 4.5 The signs shall be so placed that these do not obstruct vehicular traffic on the carriageway, and if placed on the berm/footpath/refuge island cause least obstruction to pedestrians. The difference in level between the lower edge of the sign and the carriageway shall be as uniform as possible for signs of the same class on the same route. 46 On multi-lane roads, the signs may have to be mounted overhead, as this would ensure better visibility and be effective in communicating with the drivers and other road users. Overhead signs may be used in lieu of, or as an adjunct to, ground signs where the IRC: 67-2012 situation so warrants for proper information and guidance of the road user. The following conditions may be considered while deciding about the provision of overhead signs: * Traffic volume at or near capacity * Complex interchange design * Three or more lanes in each direction + Restricted visibility * High speed traffic * Insufficient space for ground mounted signs * Large percentage of commercial vehicles * Closely spaced interchanges 4.7 Fromsafety and aesthetic standpoints, overhead signs shalll be mounted on overhead bridge structures wherever possible. Overhead signs shall provide a vertical clearance of not less than 5.5 m over the entire width of the pavement and shoulders. Where overhead sign supports cannot be placed at a safe distance away from the line of traffic or in an otherwise protected site, they should either be so designed as to minimize the impact forces or protect motorists adequately by a physical barrier or guard rail of suitable design. Encompassing all above requirements, the placement of signs with respect to carriageway with required height and clearance is given in Table 4.1 and Fig. 4.1. 4.8 Mandatory signs (e.g. Keep Leff) on traffic islands are normally mounted so that the bottom edge is about 1000 mm above the paved surface. When several signs have to be placed along the same section of road, take care that they do not obscure each other. And then locate the signs at a minimum of 0.6*V meters apart (where V is the 85" percentile speed in km/h). Signs are normally erected on the left side of the road, but for extra emphasis @ second sign may be placed on the right side of the road as well. This is especially useful on left-hand curves. Wherever minimum lateral clearance cannot be maintained for gantry columns from shoulder edge line, such exposed column shall be protected with crash barrier. Table 4.1 Height and Clearance Required for Sign Placement Minimum (mm) | Desirable (mm) | Maximum (mm) 600 1000, 2500 1000, 2000 3000 300 600 1000, 2000 2000 2500 2100 2100 2500 5500 6000 6500 750 5000 5000 9000 1800 2500 <}-|z]o]}a]m/ololo}>IRC: 67-2012 No Shoulder J oust Ya Fig. 4.1 Siting of Signs with respect to Carriageway (Height and Clearance) 5 ORIENTATION OF SIGNS 5.1 The signs unless otherwise stated shall normally be placed at right angles to the line of travel of the approaching traffic. Signs relating to parking, however, should be fixed at an angle (approximately) 15° to the carriageway so as to give better visibility. 5.2 Where light reflection from the sign face is encountered to such an extent as to reduce legibility, the sign should be turned slightly away from the road as shown in Fig. 5.1. On horizontal curves, the sign should not be fixed normal to the carriageway but the angle of placement should be determined with regard to the course of the approaching traffic. 5.3 Sign faces are normally vertical, buton gradients it may be desirable to tit a sign forward or backward Fig. 54 from the vertical to make it normal to the line of sight and improve the viewing angle. IRC: 67-2012 6 MATERIAL FOR SIGNS The various materials and fabrication of road signs shall conform to the following requirements: 6.1 Concrete: Concrete shall be of M25 grade. 6.2 Reinforcing Steel: Reinforcing steel shall conform to the requirements of IS 1786 unless otherwise specified. 6.3 Bolts, Nuts and Washers: High strength bolts shall conform to IS 1367 whereas precision bolts, nuts, etc. shall conform to |S 1364. 6.4 Plates and Supports: Plates and support sections for the signposts shall conform to IS 226 and IS 2062 or any other stated IS specification. 6.5 Substrate: The substrate shall be either Aluminum sheeting or Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) conforming to following sub-sections. 6.5.1 Aluminium Aluminium sheets used for sign boards shall be of smooth, hard and corrosion resistant aluminium alloy conforming to IS 736 - Material Designation 24345 or 1900, 6.5.2. Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) ‘ACM sheets used for sign boards is a sandwiched construction with a thermoplastic core of ‘Low Density Polyethylene’ (LDPE) between two thick skins/sheets of aluminium with overall thickness of 4 mm and 3 mm, and aluminium skin thickness of 0.4 - 0.5 mm and 0.25 - 0.3 mm respectively on both sides. The retro reflective sheeting must be applied on the top surface with aluminum surface with recommended surface preparation from sheeting manufacturer. A fluorocarbon coating may be applied over the exposed surface of aluminium to ensure corrosion resistant and weather proof and thus shall conform to relevant ASTM. The mechanical properties of 4 mm and 3 mm ACM and that of its aluminum skin shall conform to the requirement given in Table 6.1, when tested in accordance with the test methods mentioned against each of them. 6.6 Plate Thickness Shoulder mounted ground signs with a maximum side dimension not exceeding 600 mm shall not be less than 1.5 mm thick with aluminium and 3 mm thick with aluminium composite material. All other signs shall be at least 2 mm thick with aluminium and 4 mm thick with aluminium composite material. The thickness of the sheet shall be related to the size of the sign and its support and shall be such that it does not bend or deform under prevailing wind and other loads. All overhead signs made with aluminium composite material shall be minimum 4 mm thick to withstand wind and other loads without deformation. 9IRC: 67-2012 Table 6.1 Specifications for Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) Description Specification for 4 mm Specification for 3 mm ‘Standard | Acceptable Value | Acceptable Value Test Mechanical Properties of ACM Peel off strength with retro | ASTM D903 reflective sheeting. (Drum Peel Test) Tensile strength ASTM £636 | Min. 40 Nimm? in. 30. Nim? 0.2% Proof Stress ASTM £638 | Min. 34 Nimm? jin. 34 Nimm? Elongation ASTM £638 | Min. 6 % in. 5% Flexural strength ASTM C393 | Min, 130 Nimm* lin. 120 Nimm? ‘Shear strength with punch | ASTM D732 | Min. 18 Nimm? 418 Nimm? shear test Properties of Aluminium Skin Tensile strength (Rm) ASTMES | Min, 150Nimm? | Min. 130 Nimm? Modulus of elasticity ASTME8 | Min. 70,000 N/mm? | Min. 70,000 N/mm? Elongation ASTMES | A,Min. 2% AggMin, 2% 4 \0.2 % Proof Stress ASTMES | Min. 110 Nimm? | Min. 110 Nimm? 67 Retro Reflective Sheeting The retro refiective sheeting used on the signs shall consist of white or coloured sheeting having a smooth outer surface which has the property of retro reflection over its entire surface. It shall be weather resistant and exhibit colour fastness. It shall be new and unused and show no evidence of cracking, scaling, and pitting, blistering, edge lifting or curling and shall have negligible shrinkage or expansion. A certificate of having the sheeting tested for coefficient of retro reflection, daytime colour and luminance, shrinkage, flexibility, liner removal, adhesion, impact resistance, specular gloss and fungus resistance, 3 years outdoor weathering and its having passed these tests shall be obtained from International/Government Laboratory! Institute by the manufacturer of the sheeting and in case the certificate is obtained from international agency, it should also be obtained from Indian agency within 3 years of launching of product by the manufacture in abroad. Alternatively, a certificate conforming to ASTM Specification (D 4956-09) on artificial accelerated weathering requirements from a reputed laboratory in India can be accepted provisionally. In such a situation, the Employer/Client, if 0 desires, could seek for a performance guarantee which would be released after receipt of certificate meeting the requirement of three years outdoor weathering of the sheeting. Retro reflective sheeting is divided into three classes as follows: 10 IRC: 67-2012 CLASS A SHEETING: - Engineering and Super Engineering Grade Sheeting as per ASTM D 4956-09 Type | and Il. Hue : CLASS B SHEETING: - High Intensity and High Intensity Prismati it 'y Prismatic grade sheet ASTM D 4956-09 Type Ill and IV. segeeaeaaee Ge hee SHEETING: - All Micro Prismatic grade sheets as per ASTM D 4956-09 Type VIII, an 6.7.1 Selection of sheeting Performance characteristics of sheeting Type | to Type IX used for road signs are presented respectively in Table 6.3 to Table 6.9. The definition of key words in understanding the performance characteristics are given below. “Retro-reflection” means the reflection of light which is returned in directions close to the direction from which it came, and this property being maintained even over wide variations of the direction of the incident radiation. “Observation angle (symbol a)" is the angle between the illumination axis and the observation axis as shown in Fig. 6.1 Fig. 6.1 “Entrance angle (symbol B)" means the angle from the illumination axis to the reference ae reference axis is an axis perpendicular to the retro reflective surface as shown inIRC: 67-2012 “Coefficient of retro-reflection R’ " can be obtained from the luminous intensity (I) of the retro-reflective area in the direction of observation and the illumination (E 4 ) on the retro- reflective plane at right angles to the direction of the incident light and the illuminated plane sample surface A, R=VELA The coefficient of retro-reflection R’ is expressed in candle per square meter per lux (cd.m?. ix').Though the sheeting as per ASTM classification are available from Type | to Type IX, @ “higher’ type of sheeting used in the ASTM need not necessarily imply that itis better than a ‘lower’-type sheeting, rather it meets different performance characteristics. Each type of sheeting has certain performance characteristics and the type of sheeting for a road should be selected which suits the situation encountered by road users in viewing the signs on the particular road. For example, sheeting with high coefficient of retro reflection at small observation angle will give better performance for driver's viewing the sign from long distances. Similarly, signs with wide observation angle give good performance for drivers encountering situations to observe the signs involving wide observation angle. Micro prismatic sheeting is preferred for gantry mounted overhead signs. Type IV micro prismatic sheeting may be used for delineator posts. Table 6.2 suggests a general guideline for selection of sheeting considering the performance characteristics of each type of sheeting for different category of roads and also on economic consideration and visibility requirements in indian context. However, the choice for selection of type of sheeting would rest with the client. Table 6.2 Suggested Guidelines for Usage of Retro-Reflective Sheeting Category of Road National! |Major Rural |Urban/ | Expressway State District |Roads | City Highway _| Roads Roads Type! No Yes Yes No No Typell__|No Yes Yes No. No Type li" [Yes Yes Yes Yes No TypelV__| Yes Yes Yes Yes No Type vill_|Yes No No Yes Yes Classc [Type X__[Yes No No Yes Yes Type XI__| Yes No No Yes Yes Type of Sheeting (ASTM) Class of Sheeting Class A Class B * Type Ill sheeting is available both as glass beaded and micro prismatic technology as per ASTM D4956-09. The light reflecting efficiency of glass beaded sheeting is lower than the micro prismatic sheeting. 6.7.2 _ Class A (Engineering grade sheeting) 12 IRC: 67-2012 6.7.2.1 Type | engineering grade sheeting This sheeting shall be of enclosed lens glass bead type consisting of microscopic lens elements embedded beneath the surface of a smooth, flexible, transparent, water-proof plastic, resulting in a non-exposed lens optical reflecting system. The retro-reflective surface after cleaning with soap and water and in dry condition shall have the minimum coefficient of retro-reflection (determined in accordance with ASTM D 4956-09) as indicated in Table 6.3. Table 6.3 Acceptable Minimum Co-efficient of Retro-Reflection for Type | Engineering Grade Sheeting (Candelas per Lux per Square Meter) Entrance 0.2° “4° 70 50 25 . 14 5 1.0 0.2° +30" 30 22 7.0 6.0 0.3 0.5° 4 30 25 13 75 . 03 0s" +30" 15 13 4.0 3.0 . 02 When totally wet, the sheeting shall not show less than 90 per cent of the values, of retro- reflection indicated in above Table. At the end of 5 years, the sheeting shall retain at least 50 per cent of its original retro-reflectance. 6.7.2.2 Type ll super engineering grade sheeting This sheeting shall be of enclosed lens glass-bead type consisting of microscopic lens elements embedded beneath the surface of a smooth, flexible, transparent, water-proof plastic, resulting in a non-exposed lens optical reflecting system. The retro-reflective surface after cleaning with soap and water and in dry condition shall have the minimum coefficient of retro-reflection (determined in accordance with ASTM D 4956-09) as indicated in Table 6.4. Table 6.4 Acceptable Minimum Coefficient of Retro-Reflection for Type ll Super Engineering Grade Sheeting (Candelas per Lux per Square Meter)IRC: 67-2012 When totally wet, the sheeting shall not show less than © reflection indicated in above Table. At the end of 5 years, 50 per cent of its original retro-reflectance 67.3 Class B (High intensity grade sheeting) 6.7.3.1. Type lll high intensity grade This high intensity retro-rflective sheeting shall be of encapsulated lens type consisting of spherical glass lens, elements adhered to a synthetic resin and encapsulated by a flexible, transparent waterproof plastic having a smooth surface or as a non-metallic micro prismatic rereative material element. The retro-reflective surface after cleaning with soap and water ad in dry condition shall have the minimum co-efficient of retro-reflection (determined in accordance with ASTM D 4956-09) as indicated in Table 6.5. Table 6.5 Acceptable Minimum Coofficient of Retro-reflection for Type I High Intensity Grade Sheeting * (Encapsulated Lens Type) (Candelas per Lux per Square Meter) 10 per cent of the values, of retro- the sheeting shall retain at least IRC: 67-2012 surfe i i sles er eigtaneeien ioseevate be and in dry condition shall have the minimum co- nen ined in accordance with ASTM D 4956-09) as indicated in Table 6.6 Acceptable Minimum Co-efficient of Retro-Reflection for ‘Type IV High Intensity Micro-prismatic Grade Sheeting * (Candelas per Lux per Square Meter) i oO Observation Entrance Angle 0.1% i 0 one 7 94 32 2 = 145 50 0.2 7 oe 05° a = 05° 72 Al = ao Observation Entrance Angle 120 54 32 a +30" 180 72 4 250 45 +30" 150 60 25 05° 4° 95 62 30 15 05° +30° 65 45 25 10 A Minimum Coefficient of Retro reflection (R,) (cd.ix".m?). Values for 0.1° observation angles are supplementary requirements that shall apply only when spesified by the purchaser in the contract or order. all show not less than 90 per cent, of the values of retro- When totally wet, the sheeting shi ie. At the end of 7 years, the sheeting shall retain at least reflectance indicated in above Tabl £80 per cent of its original retro-reflectance. 6.7.3.2 Type IV High intensity micro-prismatie grade sheeting (HIP) nsity retro-reflective sheeting made of micro-prismatic This sheeting shall be of high inte retro-reflective element material coated with pressure sensitive adhesive, The retro-reflective A Minimum Coefficient of Retro-reflection (R,) (cd.lx.m?) B Values for 0.1° observatior . Nn angles are supplementary requirem ‘ e only when specified by the purchaser in the contract or orden dicts When totally wet, the sheetin \g shalll show not less than 90 reflection indi per cent of the v: stro- lection indicated in above Table. At the end of 7 years, the sheeting shall ei er cent of its original retro-reflectance. ; a shod retain at least 20 6.7.4 Class C (Micro prismatic grade sheeting) 6.7.4.1 Type VIII Micro prismatic grade sheeting Retro-reflective sheeting is typi 9 is typically manufactured a Bon ve shee y a 18 a cube corner. The reflecti i pales a reflective sheeting made of micro prismatic retro-reflective matte Thar ancl itt: [ate eh fearing wah soap and water and in dry condition shall have the Yt ‘ion i it intone eet ot (determined in accordance with ASTM D: 4956-09) When totally wet, the sheeting shall show s than 90 per cent of the values of retro- ly wet, 9 not les: per cent of the reflection indicated in above Table. At the end of 10 years, the sheet retain at leas! o , the sheeting shall tIRC: 67-2012 able 6.7 Acceptable Minimum Co-fficont of Retro-efiection fo IRC: Table 6. 67-2012 ype Vill Prismatic Grade Sheeting n(Candelas per Lux per Square Meter) type x Brit acto cebahd Minimum Co-efticient of Retro-roflection for ic Grade Sheeting *(Candelas per Lux per Square Meter) Fluorescent Fluorescent Fluorescent Observation Entrance Fluorescent Fluorescent Fluorescent Observation Angle Entrance Angle 30 : 140, 7 76 460 345 46 69 14 mA 82 43 90 a 65 72 700 | 525 70 325 | 245 33 | 49 10 95 ae 50 i —~ | 250 | 190 | 94 | 25 | 38 75 75 ar 2 so 30 aa a a 5 | 17[_45| 90 7 27 14 +30° | 115 86 43 12 17 3.5 35 ini = J Minimum Co-efficient of Retro-reflection (R,) (od.)x".m?). 2) (cd.bxm?). 110 14000 | 750 ‘A Minimum Co-efficient of Retro-reflection (R,) (cd.ix.m). Values for 0.1° observation angl a les are su 1B Values for 0.1° observation angles are supplementary requirements that shall apply only when specified by the purchaser in anseldilt eee ee tne ere eee only when specified by the purchaser in the contract or order. ‘Tablo 6.9 Acceptable Mint tract or order. ‘. a imum Coeffici . 6.7.4.2. Type IX Miro prismatic grade sheeting Type XI Prismatic Grade Sheoting * eros oine reac for : er Retro-reflective sheeting is typically manufactured as cube corer. The reflective sheeting oe Der Eee pen nauare mere shall be retro-reflective sheeting made of micro prismatic retro-reflective material. The retro- Teflective surface, after cleaning with soap and ‘water and in dry condition shall have the minimum co-efficient of retro-reflection (determined in accordance with ASTM D 4956-09) as indicated in Table 6.8. When totally wet, the sheeting shall show not less than 90 Teflection indicated in above Table. At the end of 10 years, 80 per cent of its original retro-reflectance. 6.7.4.3 Type XI Micro Prismatic Grade Sheeting Observation Entrance Florescent Florescent Florescent 5 i 2 D 2 4 per cent of the values, of retro- ; ua the sheeting shall retain at least = 0.2° 05° 0.5° 1.0° 1.0" 325 Ea a +30° | 220 77 7 -4°_| 420 manufactured as a cube corner. The reflective sheeting 430° | 150 7 oS Spall be retfo-refective sheeting made of micro prismatic retro-reflective material, The retro- pe eet 65 kmph Large Z 1200 40 225IRC: 67-2012 44.5.4 Warrants for installation ‘The sign should be used on a minor road at its intersection with a major road where conditions are considered to be unduly hazardous due to restricted visibility, bad alignment and high accident record. Generally, if the visibility funnel shown in Fig, 14.1 is not obstruction free, the stop sign shall be installed. Fig. 14.1 The visibility funnel for different situation is presented in the Table 14.2. Table 14.2 Visibility Funnel j Distance Measured along the Center Visibility Distances on | 1 ine of minor Road from Edge Line of wager meen Oo) Major Road (x) Speed on Major Road Up to 15 kmph 16m 31-50 kmph 30m 51-65 kmph 45m 4.5 m for medium traffic and 3.0 m for 66 -80 kmph 70m lightly trafficked side road 81-100 kmph 90m > 100 kmph 120m Note: a) _ Visibility distance (y) is measured a 1.05 m above the central line of the = 3 m for lightly trafficked side road measured from the edge of the major road carriage way along the center line of the minor road, and 4.5 m when minor road has medium traffic volume. Jong the nearer edge of the major road from a point ‘minor road (representing the driver's eye position.) b) 14.6.5 Location ¢ installed on the left side of the approach to which it applies. Stop signs should be sited as close to the stop line as possible but not in such a position as to impair visibility along the major road. Normally, these should be fixed 1.5 m in advance of the stop line. If the site conditions prevent a sign so placed from being The sign shall bé 26 IRC: 67-2012 easily seen, it should be placed at a greater distance in advance of the STOP line, but in no case more than 6 m as shown in Fig. 14.2. When the STOP sign is installed at the required location and the sign visibility is restricted, a Stop Ahead sign shall be installed in advance of the STOP sign. STOP sign and YIELD sign shall not be mounted on the same post. STOP sign has to be a standalone sign when used. The sign shall not be used at intersection where traffic signals are installed. 14.6 GIVE WAY Sign 14.6.1 Purpose The GIVE WAY sign is used to assign right-of-way to traffic on certain roadways at inter-sections, the intention being that the vehicles controlled by the sign must give way i.e. yield to other traffic having the right of way. Vehicles controlled by this sign need to slow down or stop when necessary to avoid interfering with conflicting traffic. This is a Mandatory/ Regulatory sign (Fig. 14.3). 14.6.2 Size, shape and colour Ta sian anal be = cue triangle with the apex downwards. It shall have red border lite background. The sizes and dimensi of i i ir and white be nsions of these signs shall be as prescribed in Table 14.3 Size and Dimension of Give Way Sign Side (mm) Up to 50 kmph. Small 600 51 - 80 kmph Normal 900 > 80 kmph Large 4200 Approach speed on minor road Size 14.6.3 Warrants for installation The sign shall be used on a minor road at the entrance to an inter-section where it is necessary 27IRC: 67-2012 to assign right-of-way to the major road but where a stop is not necessary at all times. The sign shall also be used on hill roads with single or intermediate lane carriageway on long gradients facing the downhill trafic to assign right-of-way to vehicles climbing uphill. The GIVE WAY sign, together with its associated road markings, may also be used as follows: i) In non-urban areas at all junctions of minor roads with main highway (National Highway or a State Highway) ii) Inurban areas generally at junctions of minor road with trunk and principal road, Ifthe minor road is a residential or local street, itis advisable to provide a STOP sign. ii) At other junctions and roundabouts where the traffic regulatory authority considers it desirable on account of traffic speeds or volumes The visibility funnel already depicted in Fig. 14.1 shall be obstruction free while installing a give way sign. 14.6.4 Location The sign shall be located in advance to the point where vehicles are required to stop or to slow down to yield the right-of-way, say at a distance of 1.5 m to 12 m. It is also recommended that Give Way line (Ref. IRC: 35) should be marked at the entry to the junction. Give Way line may be preceded by GIVE WAY marking on the road as shown in Fig. 14.3. On gradients, the sign should be placed at the start of the down gradient and repeated as necessary. 44.6.5 Give way to buses exiting bus lay-by ahead The sign shall be used to inform the vehicles about Give Way to Buses exiting from a bus \ay-by ahead. The sign shall be placed at the beginning of such area (Fig. 14.03). 14.7 Prohibitory Signs These signs generally give instructions regarding maneuver that must not be made, Prohibitory signs indicate a forbidden maneuver. They cover both junctions and the sections of road between junctions. 44.74 — Size, shape and colour ‘The signs shall be of circular shape with a red border, white background, and black symbol ‘The sizes and dimensions of mandatory signs are given at Table 14.4 and also of regulatory signs. 14.7.2 Bullock Carts Prohibited The sign shall be erected on each entry to the road where bullock carts are to be prohibited (Fig. 14.04). ; IRC: 67-2012 Table 14.4 Size and Dimension of Mandatory and Regulatory Signs Regulatory Signs Diameter | Diameter] Border | Oblique | Font Size (mm) (mm) | (mm) | Bar(mm) | (mm) Design Speed Size ean In conjunction with traffic light 300 35 35 75 signal ‘Small 600 600 66-80 kmph | Medium 750 750 a 81-100 kmph | Normal 900 900 75 75 > 100 kmph Large 4200 1200 100 Up to 65 kmph 14.7.3 Bullock Carts and Hand Carts Prohibited The sign shal be erected on each entry to the road where bullock and hand carts are to be prot ited. (Fig. 14.05). The sign shall be erected on each entry to the road where all types. of slow moving vehicles except cycles are to be prohibited 14.7.4 Hand Carts Prohibited The sign shall be erected on fegaane each entry to the road where hand carts are to be prohibited 14.7.5 Tongas Prohibited The sign shall be erected or in nN each entry to the road where Tongas are to be prohibited 14.7.6 — Horse Riding Prohibited The sign shall be used where Horse riding is prohibited on road. (Fig 14.08) 14.7.7 Caravan not Allowed The sign shall be used at the Lyte entrance to the roads where entry to caravan is prohibited 14.7.8 Buses Prohibited The sign shall be used wh ibit tHe don ed where buses are prohibited and used at beginning of such areas 14.7.9 Cars Prohibited The sign shall be used where entry of car is prohibited (Fig. 14.11). 29