Traffic Signs for Use at Road Works

Reference: Code of Practice for the Lighting,

Signing and Guarding of Roadworks, Highways department, Second Issue October 1990

Warning, Regulatory & Informatory Signs Details of sign face to comply with Transport

Department (Road Safety and Standards Division)

Reflective material to BS 873 or internally/externally illuminated to the satisfaction of Director’s representative of Highways

Temporary emergency signs (for use less than 24 hours) at least 300 mm above the ground.

 Traffic Control Equipment Minimum carriageway width for two way

traffic is 5.5 mMaximum carriageway width 3.7 m and

minimum 3 m for alternate one way working with traffic light signals or “Stop/Go” signs

Traffic Control Equipment Portable traffic light (Approved by the

Transport Department) signals are preferred where:

a) length of control over 30 mb) length of control < 30 m and view of

oncoming traffic is obscuredc) during hours of darknessd) If control length < 15 m, one sign is required

and located centrally

Cones Boundaries of roadworks to be clearly

delineated by cones Cones to comply with BS 873 White portions to be reflectorised Red portions either reflectorised or in

florescent finish Traffic cylinders fixed into metal bases may

be used or in combination with cones on high speed roads

Cones Spacing:

3 m - low speed roads

9 m - normal spacing

18 m - for long stretches of dual carriageway high speed roads 

2 m - for normal lead in tapers

1 m - 45 degrees tapers where traffic control is used or at end tapers

Barriers Portable, stable under adverse weather

conditions and appear substantial, where necessary to protect pedestrians and the road work themselves

To be visible by day and night, preferably carried with traffic signs or lanterns

Wooden or tubular steel poles must not be used as horizontal barriers

BarriersSteel barriers should not be used on

high speed roadsExcavations on or near footways must

be guarded with secure barriers to give warning to blind persons

Road hazard warning lanterns To light up obstructions during hours of

darkness Lanterns to comply with BS 3143 Parts 1-4 Yellow in color with amber lenses May show a continuous, intermittent or

revolving light Flashing lantern flash or revolve 90 - 150

times per minute

Road hazard warning lanternsFitted with a supplementary reflector at

least 50 cm2 in areaMounted maximum 1.2 m above road

levelKerosene burning lanterns are not

recommendedLow intensity battery operated lanterns

are generally preferred

Road hazard warning lanternsLanterns should be placed at regular

intervals along the line of the obstructions.

To be placed midway between successive traffic cones: 3, 9 or 18 m in conjunction traffic cone spacing

Flashing lanterns at lead-in tapers to be placed in 8 m spacing

Roadmarkings Self-adhesive materials used

temporarily to delineate the carriage way edge or to divide the carriageway into traffic lanes

To be removed as soon as it has served the purpose

Existing markings, if needed, should be removed instead of being covered.

Roadmarkings Or, they should be masked with proprietary

black tape and not be black painted. Opposing streams of traffic to be separated

by providing a temporary 100 mm wide reflectorised warning line comprising 2 m gaps for speed limit not grater than 70 km/h

Line comprising 6 m marks and 3 m gaps for speed limit greater than 70 km/h

RoadmarkingsA “when Red Light Shows Wait here”

sign or a transverse white reflectorised “Stop” line to show where a driver should stop

Work on Footways and Verges A minimum width 1.5 m to be maintained for

pedestrians 2.5 m footway width in high density residential

or commercial areas Where it is not practical to provide the

minimum widths, Director of Highways o his representative and the Police should be consulted if the adjacent carriageway is to be used for the roadworks.

Work on Footways and Verges Spoil, plants and materials to be protected

adequately by continuous barriers and not obstruct any sight lines at the road junction in particular.

Warning signs on carriageway are not required if the guarding is further than :

0.5 m from the edge of the carriageway for ordinary roads;

1.2 m from the edge of the carriageway for high speed roads, and

does not force pedestrians onto the carriageway.

General Road Works Signs Traffic Sign numbers and Drawing

Number series CT174/51-1 to CT 174/51-5 are obtainable from the Road Safety and Standards Division of the Transport Department

Procedures during Road Works Place traffic signs, cones and barriers

facing oncoming traffic, starting from the ‘Road Works’ sign, progressing in sequence moving back towards the site

Tools and materials not to be left outside the area

Site traffic and equipment to be parked within the works area

Procedures during Road Works Site traffic restricted to ‘off peak’ periods Site to be kept tidy, adjacent carriageway and

footpaths kept free of loose stones, debris Provide and maintain in good conditions

temporary footways for pedestrians If safety clearance between the works &

traffiked carriageway is not possible, methods of reducing traffic speed should be employed

Minor works & Minor Roads

Minor WorksWorks completed within the day time of

the day

Minor Roads (e.g. local distributor road, speed limit ,

50 km/h, infrequent bus-serviced and low pedestrian flows)

Minor works & Minor Roads Both minor works and minor roads may

require fewer signs and need not be lit Moving works (e.g. gully emptying, lighting

maintenance) to be carried out during periods of low risk and inconvenience

Full lane closures for any road works next to central reservation except an operating vehicle is equipped with a multiple sequence warning sign (type and location to be approved by Transport Department and Director of Highways)

Expressways Separate procedures and requirements

for works on expresswaysEngineer Representative must be

consulted prior to any commencement of the work

Arrangement of Signs at Road Works Signs to be placed on the verge wherever

possible Prior to heavy rainstorm or typhoon, portable

signs to be secured or adequately weighted at the bottom

Where works impose a temporary height restriction less than 5 m, the warning of “Height Restriction” sign to be attached to the structure(s) built over the carriageway

Arrangement of Signs at Road WorksHeight restriction less than 4.7 m to be

avoidedHeight gauge to warn drivers should be

provided

Siting Distance and Size of Signs Refer to the recommendations and

tables stipulated in the Code of Practice

Cones & Tapers A very important feature of all road works When traffic control is provided, a much

shorter approach taper is required The line of cones at 45 to the line of the road

placed at 1 m spacing ( for both approach and exit tapers)

Road hazard warning lanterns showing intermittent light to be placed between each successive cone at 1 m spacing( for both approach and exit tapers)

Check list for designing roadworks layout Operate traffic control if the road width

is restricted to 5.5 m or lessCheck signing, lighting and guarding

works comply with the CodeConsult the appropriate authorities

before starting the workErect the signs before commencing

work and check the layout

Check list for designing roadworks layoutEnsure all signs are regularly

maintainedKeep the site tidyRemove the signs after the road works

are completed