ICS 93.080.

01

SR 1848-4
July 1995
ROMANIAN STANDARD Classification index G 75

Safety of traffic
TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHTS
Location and performance

Siguranta circulatiei. Semafoare pentru dirijarea

circulatiei. Amplasare si functionare
Surete du traffic. Feux lumineaux de circulation.
Emplacement et fonctionnement

APPROVAL Approved by general director of ASRO, on the 26th of January

1995; validation date: July 1st 1995
This standard supersedes SR 1848/4-86

CORRESPONDENCE On the date of this standard approval, there is no International or

European Standard dealing with the same subject

La data aprobării prezentului standard, nu există nici un

standard internaţional sau european care să se refere la acelaşi
subiect

À la date d’approbation de la présente norme il n’existe pas de

Norme internationale ou européenne traitant du même sujet

TIT DESCRIPTORS Traffic, safety of traffic, traffic control light, location, performance

ASOCIAŢIA DE STANDARDIZARE DIN ROMÂNIA (ASRO),

Address: str. Mendeleev 21-25, 70168, Bucureşti 1

General Headquarter: Tel.: +40 1 211.32.96; Fax: +40 1 210.08.33

Standards Department: Tel. : +40 1 310.43.08; +40 1 310.43.09, Fax: +40 1 315.58.70
Publication Department-Sales department: Tel: +40 1 212.77.25, +40 1 212.79.20, +40 1 212.77.23, +40 1 312.94.88 ;
Fax : +40 1 210.25.14, +40 1 212.76.20

© ASRO Entire or partial multiplication or use of this standard in any kind of publications and by any means (electronically,
mechanically, photocopy, micromedia etc.) is strictly forbidden without a prior written consent of ASRO
th
Ref.: SR 1848-4:1995 4 Edition

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SR 1848-4

FOREWORD

This standard represents the revision of STAS 1848/4-86.

The standard was initially elaborated in 1971 and revised in 1978 and 1985.
In comparison to the previous edition, the following main amendments were made:
- some figures have been completed with additional elements, and new figures have been introduced;
- explanations with respect to the performance of traffic control lights were made;
rd
- new types of traffic control lights were introduced: actioned by pedestrians, traffic control lights on the III
reversible lane.

This standard is applied in conformity with valid provisions of traffic legislation.

Eng. V. Gutu, Ph D, is the author of this draft standard.

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1. GENERAL

1.1. Scope

1.1.1 This standard establishes the specifications with respect to the location and performance of
traffic lights used to control the traffic of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles within public road crossings, as well as on
common roads at pedestrians crossings.

1.1.2 Traffic control lights consist of one or more light fittings with lights of either different colors or
white, which successively send out continuous or intermittent light signals. Signaling is performed in
conformity with the type of traffic control light and the performance phases as they were scheduled for
different running directions.

1.1.3 This standard does not refer to traffic control lights based on self-control – control, which are the
subject of other regulations.

1.1.4 Mobile traffic control lights can be temporarily placed to signal and control the traffic on those
road sectors which are exposed to roadway works.

1.2. Classification of traffic lights

Traffic control lights can be classified on the following criteria:

1.2.1 Considering traffic attendants, traffic control lights, called modals, can be for:
- vehicles (including level crossing with railways);
- public transportation;
- pedestrians;
- bicyclists.

1.2.2 Considering the traffic flow, traffic control lights, called directionals, can be for:
- forward;
- right road curve;
- left road curve;
- revertive directions;
- combined directions: ahead and right or ahead and left.

1.2.3 Considering the location, traffic control lights can be:

- on road crossings;
- on common ways.

1.2.4 Considering the performance period, traffic control lights can have:
- permanent performance;
- temporary performance.

1.2.5 Considering the activation procedures, traffic control lights can be:
- automatic activated;
- dynamically controlled speed displaying, with one or more fitings;
- manually activated by traffic policemen, or by pedestrians on pedestrians crossings;
- activated in a mixed manner.

1.2.6 Considering their funcions, traffic control lights can be:

- basic: simple, modal, directional;
- recurrent;
- warning signs.

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1.2.7 Considering their support system, traffic control lights can be placed on:
- poles;
- consoles;
- portals;
- hanging on cables.

1.2.8 Considering the number of light fittings, traffic control lights can be with:
- one light fitting (monochromatic) with intermittent warning light;
- two light fittings (bicolor) for pedestrians;
- three light fittings (tricolor) for vehicles, with or without speed displaying;
- four or more light fittings for trams, right of way main directions, speeds.

1.3 General specifications

1.3.1 The support system of traffic control lights shall be dimensioned so that it would resist the stress
exerted upon it by the traffic control light, signals and other accessories, by the wind with a speed of 100
km/h, or by snow or rime loadings.

1.3.2 Light fittings are either assembled on the vertical axes of poles, on consoles and portals, or
suspended on wires, displaying the following succession of tenses colors from up down:
- tricolor traffic control lights for vehicles directioning, the order of the signals is: red, yellow, green;
- bicolor traffic control lights for pedestrians and bicyclists directioning: red, green;
- monochromatic traffic control lights for warning: intermittent yellow.

1.3.3 In case of traffic control lights for trams, there are three light fittings positioned horizontally on the
upper side, and one on the lower side, all of them displaying the white color (fig. 8).

1.3.4 Speed signals have their light fittings positioned vertically in case of poles, and horizontally in case
of portals or consoles, all of them displaying the white color.

1.3.5 The colored lenses of all elements that form a traffic control light display colorimetric
characteristics as prescribed in STAS 1848/6.

1.4 Normative references

STAS 1244/3-90 Safety of traffic. Level crossings with railways. Automated signaling equipment
STAS 1848/1-86 Safety of traffic. Road signs. Classification, symbols, and location
STAS 1848/2-86 Safety of traffic. Road sign. Technical specifications (M-SR 8/87, 10/88)
STAS 1848/3-86 Safety of traffic. Road sign. Writting, assembly procedure
STAS 1848/5-82 Traffic light signals. Technical requirements for quality
STAS 1848/6-77 Traffic control lights. General technical requirements for quality
STAS 1848/7-85 Safety of traffic. Traffic signs (M-SR 10/87)
STAS 7348-86 Road works. Evaluation of vehicles in order to determine the traffic capacity
STAS 10144/2-91 Streets. Sidewalks, pedestrian alleys, traffic lanes. Project designing specifications.
STAS 10144/3-81 Geometric elements of streets. Project designing specifications.
STAS 10144/4-93 Road crossing development, classification and project designing specifications.
Calculations

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 SR 1848-4

2 LOCATION AND PERFORMANCE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHTS

2.1 Location and performance of traffic control lights are done in conformity with the provisions of this
standard and the technical documentation drawn up by specialized units and approved by the authorities that
are responsible with the safety of the traffic and those that provide the exploitation of installations.

2.2 Signaling with traffic control lights on level road crossings with railways is performed in accordance
with STAS 1244/3.

2.3 The performance schedule of traffic control lights is settled in conformity with both flow and safety
of the traffic as provided for in specific and valid technical regulations.

2.4 Traffic control lights are located on road and pedestrian crossings, when at least one of the
following situations occurs:
- the maximum amount of standard vehicles that enter the road crossing during 1 h is 1000, out of which
min. 150 are on one branch of the crossing.
In case of favorable geometric and structural elements, the traffic volume can be raised up to 50% provided
the traffic capacity is tested as stipulated in STAS 10144/6;
- the maximum amount of standard vehicles that enter the road crossing during 1 h is 750, and
simultaneously min. 4000 pedestrians cross the streets;
- traffic within road crossings is controlled by means of a coordinated signaling system with green signals;
- both vehicles and pedestrians shall not wait more than 90 s;
- the road crossing is crossed by minimum 60 public transportation vehicles lacking appropriate visibility
conditions within one hour;
- the road has minimum 4 lanes, and minimum 2000 pedestrians cross it within 1 h;
- the free traffic within the road crossing does not take provide safe and fluent conditions for crossing the
road in different directions.

2.5 Basic simple traffic control lights are located in road crossing, usually on the right running direction
so that its luminous signals would be visible from at least 50 m (fig. 1).

Basic simple traffic Basic simple traffic

control light control light

Fig. 1

2.6 Directional traffic control lights are located from the sidewalks as shown in fig. 2 a, and running
directions in different cases are illustrated in fig. 2 b.

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Additional
signs

2.6.1 Free passing signs for vehicles that change directions display a green arrow on a black
background. The sign for forbidding access in a specific direction displays a red arrow on a black
background, oriented towards the running direction.
2.6.2 Basic traffic control lights can be accompanied by additional signs, placed near the lamp fittings;
they can be luminous, displaying black arrows on a white background to indicate the running direction (fig. 2
a). Right of way signs for major directions are assembled in conformity with STAS 1848/1, in case traffic
control lights are out of service.

2.7 Basic traffic control lights in case of road crossings formed by arteries with several lanes on each
directions, where traffic control lights can be hidden by the clearance vehicles from the first lane, are

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located above the roadway at min. 5.00 m in height, as follows:

- on the console of the basic traffic light pole (fig. 3);
- on portals (fig. 4);
- on cables (fig. 5)

Basic directional traffic

control light on the console

Basic directional traffic

control light
Basic directional
traffic control

Recurrent traffic
control light

Recurrent traffic control light

on the divisional island

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Basic directional traffic control light

on the portal

Basic directional traffic

control light

Opposite direction

Traffic control light on cables

Traffic control lights for pedestrians

Traffic control lights for vehicles

In case the traffic control light cannot be located on the left side, it is located on the console at 1.00 m from
the line where vehicles stop to pedestrian crossing, fig. 3.

2.8 The recurrent traffic control light can be located on the same pole as the basic traffic control light at
a convenient height for good perception from 0.30 m to 1.30 m (fig. 3).
Recurrent traffic control lights can be located on the side, left from the running direction, on
islands, refuges or public transport stops.

2.9 Location of traffic control lights on portals or wires is performed as follows:

- on each lane separately if each direction (ahead, right, and left) has its own traffic lane, with different
times for crossing the crossing point, fig. 4;

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- a group of traffic control lights is placed above the lanes or in the middle of the road crossing in case
there are more road lanes in the same direction or in different ones, with similar crossing timing (fig. 3 and
fig. 5).
Traffic control lights suspended on consoles, portals or cables are positioned in the section behind the
crossing, securing their visibility from vehicles of minimum 5.00 m and maximum 7.00 m in free passing
clearance height (from the level of the roadway to the lower side of the traffic light).

2.10 In order to provide the visibility of the light signals, traffic control lights are assembled on poles in a
o o o
way that allows future rotations of cc 15 …20 and with a vertical inclinations of 10 towards the roadway.

2.11 Traffic control lights for vehicles can be positioned either separately or together with those for
pedestrians, on poles with a spacing of 0.60 m… 0.75 m from the edge of the traffic light body to the edge of
the roadway (fig. 1).

2.11.1 The support pole can be built either especially for the traffic control light or for common use,
together with other equipment such as road signs with light etc.

2.11.2 Traffic control lights for vehicles have their lens secured with a curved mask (shield); in case of
traffic control lights for pedestrians the lens is secured with a rectangular shield.

2.11.3 The height of supporting poles is chosen in conformity with the estimated amount of traffic lights
and road signs elements that can be installed on it, so that the distance from the ground level to the lower
side of the traffic light would be of minimum 2.20 m.

2.11.4 Poles built especially to support traffic control lights are made of a metallic tube with a diameter of
minimum 100 mm, secured against corrosion. The upper side of the pole shall be hermetically clenched. The
lower side of the pole which is positioned in concrete foundations shall be provided with a cleft for
introducing the cables. The poles are either gray or zinc plated.

2.12 Traffic control lights for pedestrians, fig. 6 a, are usually installed in major road crossings. In case
an artery with intense traffic needs an isolated pedestrian crossing, traffic control lights or special road
equipment for pedestrians manually activated directly by pedestrians to induce the green color can be
positioned in its proximity (fig. 7). As opposed to signs and signals, dimensions provided below are not
compulsory.

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SR 1848-4

Pedestrians
Push the button and
wait for the signal

WAIT

Wait Cross carefully

2.12.1 In case a median refuge – control island or median green area – divides the pedestrian crossing,
recurrent road signs for pedestrians can be installed on it.

2.12.2 Basic traffic lights for pedestrians can be installed on refuges if the calculation of the schedules of
traffic signaling within the road crossing indicates refuges as being necessary.

2.12.3 The sign of free passing for pedestrians reveals the moving green figure of a pedestrian on a black
background; the sign which forbidden pedestrian crossing displays the still red figure of a pedestrian on a
black background (fig. 6).

2.13 Traffic control lights for bicyclists are installed in road crossings in case distinctive lanes for
bicyclists follow the road and they are signaled with special signs as stipulated in STAS 1848/1 (fig. 6 b).
The sign of free passing for bicyclists displays a green bicycle on a black background, while the
sign that forbidden their crossing displays a red bicycle on a black background.

2.14 Traffic control lights for trams are installed when the traffic-signaling schedule of a road crossing
demands a special phase for their traffic.

2.14.1 Traffic control lights for trams are shaped as a box with four white light fittings, and additional signs
always accompany them as shown in fig. 8.

2.14.2 The sign of free passing for trams displays a luminous combination of the inferior lamp with one of
the three superior lamps, which indicate the direction. The sign that forbidden tram crossing consists of the
simultaneous and exclusive illumination of the three upper lamps.

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3 OTHER LIGHT SIGNALS

3.1 In case of coordinated traffic signaling along a highway, light signals or other additional signals can
be installed to warn drivers on the speed settled through the synchronized schedule of traffic signaling (fig. 9)

3.2 Warning traffic control lights are formed by unique light fittings with intermittent yellow light, which
have the significance stipulated by driving regulations. At the exits of road crossings, it can also display the
yellow figure of a moving pedestrian on a black background (when pedestrians who cross the streets on the
green light can be caught in traffic by vehicles due to the schedule of traffic control lights control installation).

3.3 Light signals with either intermittent co-phasal red lights or intermittent white lights are installed at
level crossings with railways, in accordance with STAS 1244/3.

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3.4 Equipment for signaling revertive road lanes shall provide green signalization when access is
permitted, and red signalization when access is forbidden (fig. 10).

Revertive road lane Revertive road lane

4 PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT ROAD SIGNALS

4.1 Admitted cycles in the performance of traffic control lights

4.1.1 The following cycles are permitted in case of traffic control lights for vehicles:
a) red-red / yellow-green-yellow;
b) red-green-yellow.
Before the green phase, which demands (vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists) to enter the road crossing, the
intermittent green signal can function for 5 sec. for warning purposes.
The red light forbidden the access in the road crossing, and traffic attendants are demanded to stop
depending on the case:
- before the pavement markings used for stopping the vehicles from entering the road crossing or
pedestrians from crossing the streets;
- next to the traffic control light, in case the pavement marking is missing;
- inside the road crossing, in case it is provided with waiting areas and refuges.
The yellow light warns drivers with respect to phase changes and forbidden the access within the road
crossing the same as the red light. When yellow follows green, and the vehicle is so close to the road
crossing that it cannot stop safely by the pavement marking if this is equipped properly, it is allowed either to
move further on or to stop in the waiting and standing areas within the road crossing. In case the end of the
free access is pre-signaled by flashing green, the access in the road crossing on yellow is forbidden because
the remaining time is reserved to the evacuation of vehicles and pedestrians. Red light that functions
simultaneously with the yellow one signals the appearance of the green light.

4.1.2 The following cycles are permitted in case of traffic control lights for pedestrians:
a) red-green;
b) red-green-intermittent green.
The green signal can be accompanied by an acoustic signal for blind people, by observing the
characteristics of international standards.

4.1.3 In case of traffic control lights for trams, all combinations necessary for stopping the vehicle or
moving ahead, right or left, are permitted.

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4.2 Prohibited color combinations are as follows:

- red and green;
- intermittent red.
Changing operations from green to red are performed as follows:
- after the green phase is over, the yellow one occurs for a period of 3…5 sec (as indicated by the time
calculation of cyclical phases);
- before the green phase is over, the green signal continues to function intermittently (for warning
purposes), and it is followed by the yellow signal or by the red signal directly in case of traffic control lights for
pedestrians.

4.3 Traffic control lights function with intermittent light in the following situations:
- in road crossing which lack traffic control signalization upon schedule;
- next to isolated pedestrian crossings or within road crossings provided with traffic control lights for
vehicles only;
- in case road crossings which are provided with traffic control signaling are subject of afflictions as
described in the following situations:
! when all yellow lamps of traffic control lights for vehicles function intermittently, and the right priority is
applied;
! when traffic control lights on secondary entrances function with intermittent yellow lights, and traffic is
controlled by means of road signs.
When the red light is replaced by green for vehicles, the red does not turn off when the yellow light occurs
(the red-yellow signal function simultaneously for 2…4 sec, in accordance with the time estimated for
crossing evacuating the road crossing).

4.4 Perception can be improved by applying a black contrast screen around the tricolor traffic control
light.

4.5 In case a flaw occurs in the control system of tricolor traffic lights, the equipment shall signal
intermittent yellow on all directions, and the right priority shall be applied.

5 RECEPTION AND EXPLOITATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHTS

5.1 Traffic control lights in road crossing are put into service only after their verification and reception,
securing the individual and collective synchronization of light signals.

5.2 The location as well as the installation procedure of traffic control lights is done by both the
beneficiary of the work and those responsible for the safety of the traffic, in accordance with the provisions of
this standard and the technical requirements mentioned in other specialized projects.

5.3 Periodical (weekly) controls are performed on traffic control lights to observe their performance both
individually and collectively in the set of the road crossing traffic control lights, in conformity with the
requirements of this standard and of STAS 1848/6.

_____________

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Members of the Technical Committee CT 277 Road Development. Control of the urban traffic, who
contributed to the development of this standard:

President: Mr. Victor Gutu

Secretary: Mr. Horatiu Alexandrescu URBAN PROJECT

IRS Representative: Mrs. Mihaela Udran

Members: Mr. Laurentiu Stoenescu The Institute of Architecture, Bucharest

Mr. Florin Ionescu Ministry of Domestic Affairs - IGP
Mr. Mircea Nicolau Ministry of Transport - CESTRIN
Mr. Cristea Popa The Institute of Design for Auto, Naval and
Aerial Transportation
Mr. Dumitru Alexandrescu Comproiect S.A. - Prahova
Mr. Ion Dumitrescu PROIECT Institute, Bucharest
Mr. Victor Cranta Autonomous Transport Control, Bucharest
Mrs. Monica Oraviceanu URBAN PROIECT
Mr. Constantin Durlut P. M. Bucharest

A Romanian standard does not necessary contain all provisions needed for contract agreements. The users
of this standard are responsible for applying it properly.
It is important for users of Romanian standards to make sure they have the latest edition and are acquainted
with all amendments.
Information with respect to the Romanian standards (dates of taking effect, amendments etc.) is published in
the Catalogue of Romanian Standards and in the Standardization Newsletter.

Amendments after publishing

Standards Bulletin
Modification Code Modified sections
no./year

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