To date, many measures have been taken to improve the functioning of the traffic police, as well as traffic safety in general. A special role in this matter is given to road signs. Not everyone knows that the dimensions of road signs are determined by GOST. This is necessary so that they are clearly visible, based on the real situation on the roadway. The standardization of road signs is at the heart of the organization of full and safe traffic.
Gosstandart P 52289-2004
The special state standard, which reflects all the main most important requirements for modern road signs, is collected in GOST R 52289-2004. It was introduced at the end of 2004. This document sets the type, size of road signs. As well as the features of their practical application and the subtleties of their installation.
You can familiarize yourself with the full text of the specified standard, including information regarding the established size of the road sign, in the corresponding collection combining the adopted national standards. Additionally, he, like all other GOSTs, is published on the official website.
Important references from the standard
The specified document contains not only the main dimensions of the road signs, but also other information. Often there are references to other standards, including:
- requirements for corrosion protection;
- current methods for measuring resistance to the effects of certain factors;
- features of determining the level of adhesion, technological features of paints and varnishes;
- single light measurements;
- necessary measuring instruments, the purpose of which is to determine the main indicators and perform measurements;
- general system of traffic management.
Practical application of the standard
In order for the sign to be of high quality and functional, it is not enough to observe only the established size of the road sign. It is important that other important indicators established by the regulatory documentation are consistent. Only if all these components are observed will the sign give clear information about the situation on the road.
Of course, special attention is paid to the question of what size the road signs should be and how to correctly install them. In case of violation of the current standard, traffic in a certain area will become less safe. In addition, many decisions on violation of traffic rules can be challenged by drivers if the main regulatory parameters, including the size of the road sign, pedestrian crossing or any other, were not met.
Current classification of road signs
There are several types of means used in the organization of traffic on the roadway. Each of them has its own traffic sign size, which have the following classification:
- Warning.
- Prohibitory.
- For special requirements.
- Service.
- Priority
- Prescriptive.
- Informational.
- Signs of additional information.
The current standards reflect the requirements for those signs that are made in accordance with individual projects. They can, for example, point to special routes to make it easier for customers to find a way to a specific place. They can carry information on:
- landscape, geographical points;
- tourist routes, service facilities;
- situation of administrative regions;
- transport system components;
- historical monuments, sports facilities, etc.
Background color features
Based on where the character will be located, it can have only one background color. It could be:
- blue: beyond the territory of settlements;
- green: on the motorway;
- white: on the territory of settlements, on the highway.
Sizes of road signs in accordance with GOST
The current standard, determining the size of road signs, identifies a total of four possible sizes. It:
- Small - 1.
- Normal - 2.
- Big - 3.
- Very large - 4.
General characteristics of standard sizes of signs
Size is a certain set of geometric characteristics of the sign. Their selection is based on the subsequent use of the pointer. So, if the signs representing the first type differ in the smallest dimensions, then the signs representing the last type are characterized by the largest sizes:
- As a general rule, this standard size is used both in settlements and beyond, but strictly on roads where only one lane is provided. In practice, they are located on streets of local importance, roads that run through rural settlements.
- This size is placed on the road if its width is limited to three lanes. Moreover, it is relevant for city streets, parking lots and surrounding areas. The bulk of modern road signs belong to this category.
- This size is set on highways, which are allocated at least four lanes.
- This size is usually used during repair work or in the most hazardous areas. But their practical use should always be justified.
Where signs are installed based on their sizes
Based on the actual conditions of use, a specific size for the road sign is also selected. So, outside the community, the following signs can be placed:
- small: for a highway with one lane;
- normal: for tracks on which two or three lanes for traffic are organized;
- large: for highways within which four full lanes for traffic are provided.
When organizing transport inside large and small settlements, it is possible to install the following types of road signs:
- small: for tracks of local importance;
- normal: for main streets;
- large: for high-speed multi-lane highways.
Possible forms of signs
The state standard clearly provides for several acceptable forms for current road signs. It:
- round;
- octagonal;
- triangular;
- square;
- rectangular.
Set sizes for different forms of road signs
The current state standard provides for several forms of signs, which are characterized by specific dimensions (mm). Traffic signs are limited to the following limits:
- Square. Each side can be 350-1200 long.
- Rectangle. The value of its long side can be in the range of 400-1350, the duration of the short edge should be 200-900.
- Triangle. The lengths of all its sides must be the same. Their size can be from 700 to 1500 (this is the size of a parking sign, parking, etc.).
- A circle. Based on the current frame size, the diameter of the round sign may be in the range of 600-1200.
Individual sizes of some characters
A separate format is prescribed for the stop sign. Outwardly, it is made in the shape of an octagon. Each of its sides must have equal length. Their duration can leave at least 600 and not more than 1200 mm.
For many pointers, the standard provides for curvature as well as an outer border. For pointers of rectangular, square, triangular shapes, a radius of curvature of 20-45 mm is allowed, based on the size of a particular sign.
The current state standard, which determines the size of the information road sign, indicates the permissible error. So, the size of a real sign may differ from that established by the requirements of GOST by no more than 2 mm up or down. The deviation in the size of the road signs, not exceeding 5 mm, is allowed mainly for signs bearing an informational character.
The process of making road signs
In the manufacture of any road sign, galvanized steel should be used, having double flanging and a thickness of 0.8-1.2 mm. This requirement applies to all existing sizes.
Often, reinforced fasteners are also provided for the formation of the required level of rigidity of the body of the sign itself. In practice, the addition of body rigidity and fixtures is required in a number of Russian regions, where signs are installed in harsh climate conditions, which causes a serious load on them.
Without fail, at the final stage of production, a so-called sign mask is created. A special film is used for it, characterized by reflective properties.
Features of translucent film for a road sign
To ensure the necessary properties of modern road signs, after manufacture they are certainly covered with a special film that provides translucency. This is a prerequisite for road safety. In practice, a film of three types is used: A, B, C. Let us consider in more detail:
- Type A (engineering or commercial). The main difference between the two varieties of such a film is the duration of its practical use (up to 7 or up to 5 years, respectively). Additionally, engineering film provides the highest light reflectance relative to commercial film.
- Type B (high intensity). It is characterized by high retroreflectivity. The period of its operation is up to 10 years.
- Type B (diamond). It is actual for traffic signs with the increased visibility. She has excellent retroreflectivity. It is most often used for suburban highways, at junctions of country roads.
Type B also includes a fluorescent film. It is actual for traffic signs for which excellent, increased visibility is required. Usually it covers the signs "Pedestrian Crossing", temporary, indicating road works. The period of her service is up to 10 years.
Those road signs that are covered with type A film are usually located on roads where the traffic intensity is low or medium, where the background lighting is organized at a low level. In each direction on such roads there can be up to 4 lanes.
Signs for which a coating with a film of B is selected are relevant for 2-4 lane roads on each side, where traffic is high-intensive, in the most dangerous difficult areas.
For road safety, the basic requirements for road signs must be strictly observed. First of all, it concerns their visibility and size. And it is not so important what role you play on the road (pedestrian or driver), non-observance of traffic rules can cost you a lot. Often this neglect ends tragically.