CE 141 (Transportation Engineering I) Traffic Management I.

Introduction * Traffic Management is a term used to embody the activities undertaken by a highway transportation agency to improve roadway system safety, efficiency, and effectiveness for both providers and consumers of transportation services. 2 distinct types: a. Utilization of traditional traffic engineering tools or simple devices to regulate and control traffic. b. Utilization of advanced technology through the use of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). II. Traffic Regulations * driving is not a right but a privilege * restrictions are for the general welfare, and it must be demonstrated that regulations do not curtail the rights or actions of the majority. * Traffic regulation must cover all aspects of the control of both vehicles (registration, ownership, mechanical fitness, accessories, size, weight) and driver (age, ability to operate specific types of vehicles, financial responsibility). * All traffic regulations are dependent upon the laws of the states and local governments, especially the ordinances of cities. III. Effective Traffic Regulation Fundamental Requirements: a. Regulations should be rational. b. Regulations should be developed progressively. c. Regulations alone often are not enough. Elements of the Road System a. Road b. Vehicle c. Driver - a breakdown or deficiency in one can lead to the failure of the entire system The road and vehicle may be subject to constant change and improvement, thus the major portion of existing regulations are therefore aimed at the driver. IV. Traffic Control Devices * Traffic control devices are means by which the road user is advised as to detailed requirements or conditions affecting road use at specific places and times so that proper action may be taken and accident or delay avoided. 3 distinct fucntionalgroups:

a. Regulatory devices. These have the authority of law and impose precise requirements upon the actions of the road user. b. Warning devices. These are used to inform road users of potentially hazardous roadway conditions or unusual traffic movements that are not readily apparent to passing traffic. c. Guiding devices. These are employed simply to inform the road user of route, destination, and proper pertinent information. 4 Elementary Requirements of Every Traffic Control Device a. It should compel attention. b. It should convey a simple clear meaning at a glance. c. It should allow adequate time for easy response. d. It should command the respect of the road users for whom it is intended. * The effectiveness of a sign or marking normally depends on its size, color contrast, shape (simple, regular shapes), relative position, and maintenance to compel attention. * The message should be kept as short as practicable because not more than three familiar words can be conveyed at a glance. * It should provide adequate time for response. V. Traffic Signs and Markings * Traffic signs are employed more frequently than any other devices to regulate, warn, or guide road users. Traffic markings normally consist of lines, patterns, words, symbols, reflectors, etc. They may be considered as specialized types of traffic signs in which the message is in contrast with the color and brightness of the pavement or other background. * Philippine traffic signs conform to the 1968 Vienna Conventions of the UN on Road Traffic and Road Signs, which the country officially adopted on June 6, 1973. * To ensure uniformity, traffic signs shall be installed only by a duly authorized public body or official for the purpose of guiding, regulating, and warning traffic. In case of temporary construction work, however, special permission is given to contractors or utility companies to install signs to protect the public provided that such signs conform to the set standards. Classification of Traffic Signs: a. Informative: the signs are intended to guide users while they are travelling. b. Regulatory: the signs are intended to inform users of special obligations, restrictions, or prohibitions with which they must comply. c. Warning: these signs are intended to warn users of a danger on the road and inform them of its nature. Elements of Design 1. Shape

a. Equilateral triangular shape with one side horizontal shall be used for danger warning signs. b. Round shape shall be used for regulating traffic. c. Rectangular shape shall be used for informative signs. d. Octagonal shape shall be used for STOP signs only. e. Inverted equilateral triangle shall be used for YIELD signs only. 2. Color a. Danger warning signs shall have a yellow or white background with black symbols and red border. b. Prohibitory signs and restrictive signs shall have a white background with black symbols and red border. c. Mandatory signs with the exception of STOP and YIELD signs shall have a blue background and white symbols. d. STOP signs shall have a red background and white symbols. e. YIELD signs shall have a yellow background and red border. f. Informative signs shall have a white or light-colored symbol on a darkcolored (blue or black) background or a blue or dark-colored symbol on a white or light-colored background. 3. Size The minimum dimensions of signs depend upon the intended applications. Larger sizes are necessary at wider roadways and on high speed highways. Regulatory signs are of four sizes based on the speed of the facility: a. A for urban low-speed roads b. B for rural roads with speed limits between 60kph and 70kph c. C for high-speed rural highways d. D for expressways 4. Illumination and Reflectorization Signs are intended to convey messages during both daytime and nighttime. During hours of darkness, this can be achieved through illumination or by using reflective materials for signs. 5. Placement and height of signs In general, signs shall be mounted approximately at right angles to the direction, and facing the traffic they intend to serve. There maybe no standard location for traffic signs. Signs are generally placed on the right side of the roadway. On wider roads, overhead signs are often necessary. On roads with medians, signs may be placed on both sides. Signs may also be placed on channelized islands. a. Lateral Placement. On uncurbed roads in the rural areas, the sign should be at least 60cm clear of the outer edge of the road shoulder, the line of guideposts, or face of guardrails. The clearance should not be less than

2m nor more than 5m from the edge of the traveled way, except for large guide signs on expressways where ample clearance may be required. In urban areas, signs should be located away from the face of the curb not less than 30cm but not more than 1m. if curb is mountable or semimountable, the minimum clearance should be 50cm. on uncurbed roads, the distance distance given for rural areas shall be used. b. Height. In rural areas, the height of the sign should normally be between 1m and 1.5m above the nearest edge of the traveled way. For intersection direction signs, the height should be increased to 2m. final height is dictated by visibility factor as the sign should be mounted clear of the vegetation and it must be clearly visible under headlight illumination at night. On curbed roads such as in urban areas, the signs should be mounted at a minimum of 2m above the top of the curb to prevent obstructions to pedestrians. c. Location of advance warning signs. In urban areas warning signs should be placed no less than 30m but no more than 100m in advance of the hazardous area, while in rural areas they should be placed no less than 75m but no more than 225m ahead of the hazardous area. The final location shall be determined based on the nature of the hazard, reaction time, and operating speed on the area. VI. International Standard Traffic Signs a. Warning Signs. The Vienna Convention allows two forms for the warning sign one is triangular in shape with red border and the other is diamond in shape. b. Priority Signs. The two most commonly used priority signs are the STOP and YIELD signs. c. Prohibition signs. These are round with a red border and either a white or a yellow background. d. Obligatory signs. These are round and in blue color. e. Other prescription signs. These signs, are, in general, rectangular with either a blue base with a white foreground, or with a light base with a dark foreground. These signs give prohibition, obligations, or danger messages for particular lanes on a multilane road. f. Information signs. These signs are rectangular with a white or yellow plate with the symbol that stands for the service involved. The signs can be either blue or green. g. Direction signs. A profusion of colors and forms is available. h. Additional Information. These signs are small and rectangular; they supplement the information on the main sign. VII. Pavement Markings a. Functions and Limitations of Pavement Markings

They take the form of lines, symbols, messages, or numerals, and may be set into the surface of, applied upon, or attached to the pavement. 1. They are subject to traffic wear and require proper maintenance. 2. They may not be clearly visible if the road is wet or dusty. 3. They may be obscured by traffic. 4. Their effect on skid resistance requires careful choice of materials. 5. They cannot be applied on unsealed roads. Despite these limitations, they have the advantage under favorable conditions of conveying warning message or information to drivers without diverting their attention from the road.

b. Legal Authority. Markings shall only be applied and/or removed by the DPWH or an authority to which these powers are delegated. All line-marking plans must be approved by the DPWH before installation. c. Standardization. d. Types of Markings. I. Pavement and curb markings a. Longitudinal lines are those laid in the direction of travel. These include Center Line, Lane Line, Double Yellow Line, No-Passing Zone Markings, Pavement Edge Line, Continuity Lines, and Transition Line. b. Transverse lines are those lain across the direction of travel. These include Stop Line, Yield (Give Way) Lines, and Pedestrian Crossing Markings. c. Other lines, which include Turn Lines, Parking Bays, Painted Median Islands, and Bus and PUJ Lane Lines. d. Other markings, which include Approach Markings to Islands and Obstructions, Chevron Markings, Diagonal markings, Markings on Exit and Entrance Ramps, Curb Markings for Parking Restrictions, Approach to Railroad Crossing, Messages, and Symbols and Pavement Arrows. II. Object Markings a. Object within the roadway. b. Object adjacent to the roadway III. Reflector Markings a. Retro-reflector raised pavement markers b. Hazard markers c. Delineators e. Materials

* Road markings should be of nonskid materials and should not protrude more than 6mm above the level of the carriageway. Raised pavement markings should not protrude more than 15mm above the level of the carriageway. f. Color * The color of pavement markings shall be white, except for the alternative uses of yellow in the following cases: 1. Double yellow no-passing lines 2. Unbroken portion of no-parking lines 3. Curb markings for prohibition of parking 4. On islands in line of traffic 5. Bus and PUJ lanes * Black maybe used in combination with white or yellow in hazard markers to warn drivers at locations where the protruding objects such as bridge piers, traffic islands, or other permanent objects on or near the roadway. g. Types of Lines Depending on the direction that lines are marked on the pavement, lines may be longitudinal, transverse, or oblique. And depending on the use and meaning of such lines, they are either broken or solid lines. A broken line shall consist of line segments of equal lengths separated by uniform gaps. The speed of vehicles on the section of road or in the area in question should be taken into account in determining the lengths of the strokes and of the gaps between them. A solid unbroken line is used where crossing of the line is either discouraged or prohibited. It is generally used to replace or supplement a broken line where required, e.g., barrier lines, centre lines, etc. Solid lines may be either yellow or white, depending whether crossing the line is legally prohibited or not. h. Width of lines The width of solid or broken lines varies from 100mm to 300mm, depending on the usage of the specified line. Transverse lines are usually wider because of the angle at which the driver sees markings on the carriageway. i. Messages Messages when used should be limited to as few words as possible, never more than three. Messages generally use are STOP, KEEP CLEAR, SCHOOL, PED XING, RAILROAD XING, SIGNAL AHEAD, NO RIGHT TURN, BUS LANE, and PUJ LANE. j. Symbols 1. Give way (yield) symbol. 2. Pavement Arrows. Used for lane use control. 3. Numerals. The only numerals that should be used are those associated with speed limits at location to supplement speed limit signs, which are continuously disregarded by drivers.

VIII. Object Markings and Markers Raised Pavement Markers Raised pavement markers are small rectangular or dome-shaped devices that are fixed to the pavement surface to simulate or supplement painted pavement markings. The markers can be reflective or nonreflective. Raised pavement markers are generally not obscured at night and under wet conditions. Hazard markers are rectangular and generally consist of a series of alternating black and white bands. Delineators are small reflective panels or buttons mounted on guide posts or guard fences as an alternative for night driving.