[sarathlal]

An attempt at compiling important road markings and signages.
Dividing this post into two main components - Road Markings and Road Signages.
Information is compiled from various portals and posts from within our TBHP community as well. Due thanks to all individuals, this is just a compiled format for easy reference.
Special mention to shitalsigns and Ajith Buddy Malayalam YouTube channel for majority artefacts.

Lets start with Part 1 - Road Markings.

1. Broken Lines


These are used to indicate lanes on multi lane highways or to indicate centre lane of a two way traffic road.
Motorists are allowed to cut this lane and overtake if its safe to do so.

2. Broken lines Long / Hazard Lines


When the broken lines appear nearer to each other or appear to be longer in length compared to the ordinary broken lines, then it acts as a warning toward upcoming change in traffic behaviour.

3. Solid Line


Indicates that overtaking / passing / cutting of such lines are not permitted.
They are usually placed at turnings or high traffic junctions.

4. Double Solid Line


Similar to the Solid Line described above, but with double intensity of warning level.

5. Broken/Dotted and Solid Line


Similar to the Double Solid Line described above, but with the following difference.
If the dotted line appears on your driving lane, then you can pass the line and overtake when it is safe to do so. At the same time, the opposite traffic is not allowed to overtake.
Similarly if the dotted line appears on the opposite lane from where you are driving, then the opposite lane can pass the line and overtake when it is safe to do so. At the same time, you are not allowed to overtake.

6. Arrow on broken Lines


Indicates the motorists to quickly get onto the lane in the intended direction of the arrow. Intention of this warning marking is to inform motorist of an upcoming change in behaviour of the road, like an approaching turn or junction.

7. Striped median


This is similar in nature to the double solid line described above, but with much an increased attention level. In fact, given the different scenarios this lane marking adheres to, its very important to pay attention and NOT to enter the striped median.
This is used for multiple reasons such as;
a) An approaching physical median
b) An approaching space that needs a median but road not wide enough
c) Need to further space out the two opposite lane traffic due to heavy curve
d) An approaching by-road where there’s a possibility for vehicles to slow down on the main road itself. (On road Safe zone for vehicle exits towards by-roads)

8. Zigzag lines


Indicates motorists to slow down and watch out for pedestrian presence.
They are likely to be around near zebra crossings or areas of high pedestrian activities.

9. Side Solid lines.


These are used to mark the boundaries of the road sides.
Vehicular traffic is not to cross over these boundary lines. If these lines are in WHITE, they can be used for pedestrians to walk, vehicles to park temporarily etc.

But if these Solid Lines are YELLOW, then it also indicates a non parking zone.

10. Ladder Lane marking / Striped side marking


These markings are equivalent to footpaths. All rules applicable for footpaths are applicable to this road marking.

11. Solid Horizontal


This is usually accompanies by another road signage or traffic signal or zebra crossing. This line indicates the position motorists should not cross while stopping the vehicle while complying with the accompanying road signage or traffic signal or zebra crossing.

12. Dotted Line


This indicates that the motorists entering from the byroad need to be extra careful in observing the vehicle traffic on the main road they are going to enter by crossing this dotted line. They are supposed to cross and enter only if its safe to do so.

13. Double Dotted Line


Similar to the Dotter line described above, plus the fact that both the lanes should be observed and enter and cross over only if it is safe to do so.

14. Yellow Box junction


These are drawn at high traffic intense junctions and indicate the motorists to enter the box only if they are sure that they can exit the box without blocking the traffic. It simply means, not stopping or pausing on the yellow box.
Primary intention is to prevent motorists from blocking other lanes by creating deadlocks.

[sarathlal]

Part 2 - Road Signages

There are three major types of road signages we have in India.
They are;
1. Cautionary / Warning - They are TRIANGULAR shaped
2. Mandatory / Compulsory Instruction - They are ROUND shaped
3. Information - They are RECTANGULAR shaped

Now, let’s get each of these in detail, starting with the Cautionary / Warning signages.
As the name suggests, these TRIANGULAR shaped signages are intended to give warning for motorists.

[sarathlal]

Mandatory / Compulsory Instruction signages - They are ROUND shaped

[anandhsub]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

3. Solid Line
Attachment 2342931

Indicates that overtaking / passing / cutting of such lines are not permitted.
They are usually placed at turnings or high traffic junctions.

4. Double Solid Line
Attachment 2342930

Similar to the Solid Line described above, but with double intensity of warning level.

Single Solid line indicates you are not allowed to overtake, but allowed to cut across to turn right.

Double solid line indicates you are neither allowed to overtake nor allowed to turn right. Basically acts as a median.

[sarathlal]

Information signages- They are RECTANGULAR shaped
























RECTANGULAR shaped Information signages are also used to indicate Direction Related information as well as to combine and show multiple WARNING AND/OR MANDATORY signages.

[GForceEnjoyer]

Thank you so much for these posts, they're incredibly helpful to all road users. I'd always wondered about the meaning of some of these, but now my queries have been answered in detail.

[Joelinf]

Thank you for compiling them. I have always wondered what it means to have a yellow signage with slanting lines. They are usually found in front of a culverts/small bridges.

[ajayc123]

That's a very helpful refresher. Thanks for collecting and posting thes.

[saikarthik]

Really useful and fantastic post @sarathlal. You have covered most of the signs that are common on the roads.

There are some road signs which are dynamic, depending on time, season or weather condition. I did some studying of road signs and warnings for one of my previous project and found this document useful on knowing the reasoning and where to use(for infra planners/road builders). This is open source information and can be found on UNECE website. Attaching the document, please look out for latest revisions.

Conv_road_signs_2006v_EN.pdf

[VNair]

Thanks a ton for this. I had my doubts in couple of the road signs, this does make it clear. Also for those who are in the process of taking the learning license test, this would be a wonderful guide.

[NagaBond]

Too many signs. we should get rid of some of them. There is no need to to have 'no parking on footpath' or 'no parking on half footpath' signs. they are never meant for parking. Also, the 'rough road' and 'rumble strip' signs look almost same. Should we get rid of rumble strip and the sign as well? I am not sure where the 'Built up area ahead' sign can be kept. Deaf and Blind people ahead signs may sound well intentioned. But in practice all we need is 'zebra crossing ahead' sign or a low speed limit sign.

[Rajamass]

Thanks for the post

Are these signs applicable to the Indian traffic rules or worldwide?
The first thing to get a license here in the US is to fully understand the road markings and signages. I see that these lines and other markings indicate the same in the US as well.

Although I was driving in India untill moving to the US, I never cared to learn what does these lines on the roads indicate. But I am sure, I never noticed such detailed lane markings on the Indian highways (with the exception of the Hyd ORR). I frequently travelled between Bengaluru and Hyderabad & Bengaluru and Chennai highways.

[shancz]

Excellent thread and effort
Realised that there were a few which I didn't know, Thanks.

These two images seem to have their text's right and left mixed up.
Second row, first image in both pics

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Attachment 2342981
Attachment 2342985

[malim]

Is it just me, or are the captions for "Compulsory Ahead Or Turn Left" and "Compulsory Ahead Or Turn Right" swapped?

[N.A.GTC]

Thanks - now I just need to find an Indian road which makes proper use of these markings!

Even Delhi's Ring Road and Outer Ring Road - arguably the two most important roads of the national capital - don't have proper lane markings. The markings end abruptly, emerge out of thin air, vary largely in their width and do not curve properly.

As for the road signs - wherever they exist, 90% of them are covered with posters of some politician or some business advert. The remaining 10% are faded out and can't be read, lol.

I know this is slightly off topic; and OP has done a great job of compiling the signs here. But the pessimist (realist?) in me just makes me think if any of this even matters. Ultimately, the rules on our desi roads are not dictated by these signs and markings but by the muscle of the occupants, the size of the car, and the smoothness of the driver's brain.