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5OntarioTrafficManual

Regulatory Signs

March 2000

Ontario Traffic Manual • March 2000 1

Book 5 • Regulatory Signs

OntarioTraffic Manual

Foreword

The purpose of the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) isto provide information and guidance fortransportation practitioners and to promoteuniformity of treatment in the design, application andoperation of traffic control devices and systemsacross Ontario. The objective is safe drivingbehaviour, achieved by a predictable roadwayenvironment through the consistent, appropriateapplication of traffic control devices. Furtherpurposes of the OTM are to provide a set ofguidelines consistent with the intent of the HighwayTraffic Act and to provide a basis for road authoritiesto generate or update their own guidelines andstandards.

The OTM is made up of a number of Books, whichare being generated over a period of time, and forwhich a process of continuous updating is planned.Through the updating process, it is proposed that theOTM will become more comprehensive andrepresentative by including many traffic controldevices and applications specific to municipal use.Some of the Books of the OTM are new, while othersincorporate updated material from the OntarioManual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)and the King’s Highway Guide Signing PolicyManual (KHGSPM).

The Ontario Traffic Manual is directed to its primaryusers, traffic practitioners. The OTM incorporatescurrent best practices in the Province of Ontario.The interpretations, recommendations and guidelinesin the Ontario Traffic Manual are intended to provide

an understanding of traffic operations and theycover a broad range of traffic situations encounteredin practice. They are based on many factors whichmay determine the specific design and operationaleffectiveness of traffic control systems. However,no manual can cover all contingencies or all casesencountered in the field. Therefore, field experienceand knowledge of application are essential indeciding what to do in the absence of specificdirection from the Manual itself and in overriding anyrecommendations in this Manual.

The traffic practitioner’s fundamental responsibility isto exercise engineering judgement and experienceon technical matters in the best interests of thepublic and workers. Guidelines are provided in theOTM to assist in making those judgements, but theyshould not be used as a substitute for judgement.

Design, application and operational guidelines andprocedures should be used with judicious care andproper consideration of the prevailingcircumstances. In some designs, applications, oroperational features, the traffic practitioner’sjudgement is to meet or exceed a guideline while inothers a guideline might not be met for soundreasons, such as space availability, yet still produce adesign or operation which may be judged to be safe.Every effort should be made to stay as close to theguidelines as possible in situations like these, and todocument reasons for departures from them.


Ontario Traffic Manual • March 20002

Custodial Office

Inquiries about amendments, suggestions orcomments regarding the Ontario Traffic Manual maybe directed to:

Ontario Traffic Manual CommitteeMinistry of Transportation, OntarioTraffic Program Management Office301 St. Paul Street, 2nd FloorSt. Catharines, OntarioL2R 7R4Telephone: (905) 704-2960Fax: (905) 704-2888

A user response form is provided at the end ofBook 1 of the Manual.

Book 5 Acknowledgements

Authors

Maryann Lovicsek, Michael Quinton, UshaElyatamby, IBI Group

Milton Harmelink, Claudio Covelli, Dillon ConsultingLimited

Rodney Edwards, Harpar Management Corporation

Alison Smiley, Human Factors North

Geni Bahar, Delcan Corporation

Technical Advisory Committee

Geni Bahar, Delcan Corporation

Michael Brady, Toronto Transportation

Gordon Brown, Ontario Traffic Conferencerepresentative

Harold Doyle, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Rodney Edwards, Harpar Management Corporation

Richard Fruin, Formerly of Ontario Police College

Milton Harmelink, Dillon Consulting Limited

Mazda Hodiwala, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Peter Howes, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Greg Junnor, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

George Karlos, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Maryann Lovicsek, IBI Group

Grant Malinsky, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton

Derek McCaughan, City of Guelph and OntarioTraffic Conference representative

William Obee, Ontario Good Roads Association

Victor Ozymtchak, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Michael Quinton, IBI Group

Terry Short, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

Alison Smiley, Human Factors North

Joanne Stevens, Ministry of Transportation Ontario

John Thomas, Toronto Transportation and MunicipalEngineers Association representative

Inquiries regarding the purchase and distribution ofthis Manual may be directed to the custodial officenoted above.


Table of Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.1 Application of Regulatory Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.2 Classification of Regulatory Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

1.3 Design of Regulatory Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1.4 Reflectivity/Luminance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

1.5 Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1.6 Supplementary Flashing Beacons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1.7 Dynamic Sign Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

2. STOP Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

STOP Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-1 . . . . . . . . . . 17

ALL-WAY (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-1t . . . . . . . . . 17

3. YIELD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

YIELD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-2 . . . . . . . . . . 24

YIELD (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-2t . . . . . . . . . 24

4. Pedestrian Crossing Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.1 General Pedestrian Crossing Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CROSS ON GREEN LIGHT ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-6 . . . . . . . . . . 27

CROSS ON WALK SIGNAL ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-7 . . . . . . . . . . 27

CROSS ONLY AT CROSSOVER Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-8 . . . . . . . . . . 28

CROSS OTHER SIDE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-9, Ra-9A . . . . 28

PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON Symbol Sign (with directional arrow)Ra-12 . . . . . . . . . 28

Section Number – Subject or Sign Message Sign PageNumber Number




PEDESTRIAN MUST PUSH BUTTON

TO RECEIVE WALK SIGNAL Symbol Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-13 . . . . . . . . . 28

4.2 Pedestrian Crossover Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PEDESTRIAN X (Crossover) Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-4 . . . . . . . . . . 31

STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-4t . . . . . . . . . 31

NO PASSING HERE TO CROSSING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-10 . . . . . . . . . 31

PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-11 . . . . . . . . . 31

5. Speed Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

MAXIMUM SPEED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-1 . . . . . . . . . . 35

MAXIMUM SPEED Sign with KM/H included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-1A . . . . . . . . . 35

BEGINS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-84t . . . . . . . . 35

MAXIMUM SPEED BEGINS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-2 . . . . . . . . . . 36

MAXIMUM SPEED KM/H and BEGINS Sign on one sign blank . . . . . . . . . . Rb-3 . . . . . . . . . . 36

KM/H (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-7t . . . . . . . . . 36

MAXIMUM SPEED AHEAD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-5 . . . . . . . . . . 38

SCHOOL ZONE MAXIMUM SPEED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-6 . . . . . . . . . . 42

SCHOOL ZONE MAXIMUM SPEED WHEN FLASHING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-6A . . . . . . . . . 42

6. Turn Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

NO STRAIGHT THROUGH Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-10 . . . . . . . . . 45

NO STRAIGHT THROUGH Sign (specified times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-10A . . . . . . . 45

NO RIGHT TURN Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-11 . . . . . . . . . 46

NO RIGHT TURN Sign (specified times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-11A . . . . . . . . 46

NO LEFT TURN Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-12 . . . . . . . . . 46

NO LEFT TURN Sign (specified times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-12A . . . . . . . . 46

NO STRAIGHT THROUGH OR RIGHT TURN Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-13 . . . . . . . . . 47

NO STRAIGHT THROUGH OR LEFT TURN Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-14 . . . . . . . . . 47

NO TURNS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-15 . . . . . . . . . 47

NO U-TURNS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-16 . . . . . . . . . 47

BUSES EXCEPTED (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-10t . . . . . . . . 48




7. One-way Traffic Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

ONE-WAY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-21 . . . . . . . . . 51

DO NOT ENTER Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-19 . . . . . . . . . 53

DO NOT ENTER (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-19t . . . . . . . . 53

DO NOT ENTER / WRONG WAY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-20 . . . . . . . . . 55

8. Two-way and Multi-Lane Traffic Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

TWO-WAY TRAFFIC Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-24 . . . . . . . . . 58

KEEP RIGHT Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-25 . . . . . . . . . 60

THROUGH TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-27 . . . . . . . . . 65

DO NOT PASS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-31 . . . . . . . . . 66

PASSING PERMITTED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-35 . . . . . . . . . 67

PASS WITH CARE (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-35t . . . . . . . . 67

KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-33 . . . . . . . . . 68

SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-34 . . . . . . . . . 69

PASSING LANE 2 KM AHEAD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-30 . . . . . . . . . 71

YIELD CENTRE LANE TO OPPOSING TRAFFIC Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-36 . . . . . . . . . 72

STOP FOR SCHOOL BUS WHEN SIGNALS FLASHING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-37 . . . . . . . . . 76

BOTH DIRECTIONS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-37t . . . . . . . . 76

9. Lane Designation Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

9.1 Turn Lane Designation Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

LEFT TURN ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-41 . . . . . . . . . 78

LEFT LANE (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-41t . . . . . . . . 78

RIGHT TURN ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-42 . . . . . . . . . 78

RIGHT LANE (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-42t . . . . . . . . 78

STRAIGHT THROUGH OR LEFT TURN ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-43 . . . . . . . . . 79

STRAIGHT THROUGH OR RIGHT TURN ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-44 . . . . . . . . . 79

LEFT OR RIGHT TURN ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-45 . . . . . . . . . 79

ALL MOVEMENTS PERMITTED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-46 . . . . . . . . . 79




STRAIGHT THROUGH ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-47 . . . . . . . . . 80

TWO-WAY LEFT-TURN LANE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-48 . . . . . . . . . 86

TWO-WAY LEFT-TURN LANE, CENTRE LANE ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . Rb-48A . . . . . . . 86

9.2 Reserved Lane Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

RESERVED BICYCLE LANE Sign (overhead) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-84 . . . . . . . . . 88

RESERVED BICYCLE LANE Sign (ground-mounted) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-84A . . . . . . . 88

RESERVED LANE Sign

(one vehicle class, overhead, no days and times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-85 . . . . . . . . . 88

RESERVED LANE Sign

(one vehicle class, ground-mounted, no days and times) . . . . . . . . Rb-85A . . . . . . . 88

RESERVED LANE Sign

(multiple vehicle classes, overhead, no days and times) . . . . . . . . . . Rb-86 . . . . . . . . . 89

RESERVED LANE Sign

(multiple vehicle classes, ground-mounted, no days and times) . . . Rb-86A . . . . . . . 89

RESERVED LANE Sign

(one or multiple vehicle class(es), overhead, days and times) . . . . . Rb-87 . . . . . . . . . 90

RESERVED LANE Sign

(one or multiple vehicle class(es), ground-mounted, days and times)Rb-87A . . . . . . . 90

3 OR MORE PERSONS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-88 . . . . . . . . . 91

Reserved Lane BEGINS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-84t . . . . . . . . 91

Reserved Lane ENDS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-85t . . . . . . . . 91

10. Parking Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

10.1 General Parking Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

NO PARKING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-51 . . . . . . . . . 95

NO PARKING Sign (with days) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-51A . . . . . . . . 96

NO PARKING Sign (with days and times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-52 . . . . . . . . . 96

NO PARKING, SNOW ROUTE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-57 . . . . . . . . . 96

NO PARKING, EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-58 . . . . . . . . . 96

PARKING RESTRICTED Sign (with days, times and duration) . . . . . Rb-53 . . . . . . . . . 97

NO STANDING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-54 . . . . . . . . . 97

NO STANDING Sign (with days and times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-54A . . . . . . . 97




NO STOPPING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-55 . . . . . . . . . 97

NO STOPPING Sign (with days) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-55A . . . . . . . 98

NO STOPPING Sign (with days and times) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-56 . . . . . . . . . 98

10.2 Disabled Parking Control Exemption Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

DISABLED PARKING PERMIT Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-93 . . . . . . . . . 102

DISABLED STANDING EXEMPTION Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-94 . . . . . . . . . 103

DISABLED STOPPING EXEMPTION Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-95 . . . . . . . . . 103

11. Specific Vehicle Class Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

11.1 General Truck Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

TRUCK ROUTE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-61 . . . . . . . . . 105

MOVEMENTS PERMITTED (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-61t . . . . . . . . 106

NO HEAVY TRUCKS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-62 . . . . . . . . . 107

NO HEAVY TRUCKS Sign (with time restriction) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-62A . . . . . . . 107

LANE USE RESTRICTION Sign (trucks, overhead) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-39 . . . . . . . . . 109

LANE USE RESTRICTION Sign (trucks, ground-mounted) . . . . . . . . Rb-39A . . . . . . . 109

LANE USE RESTRICTION Sign (length-based, overhead) . . . . . . . . . Rb-40 . . . . . . . . . 110

LANE USE RESTRICTION Sign (length-based, ground-mounted) . . Rb-40A . . . . . . . 110

BEGINS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-184t . . . . . . . 110

ENDS (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-185t . . . . . . . 111

MAXIMUM TONNES Sign (single gross weight) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-63 . . . . . . . . . 112

MAXIMUM TONNES Sign (differentiated by truck type) . . . . . . . . . Rb-63A . . . . . . . 114

LOAD RESTRICTION IN EFFECT Sign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-76 . . . . . . . . . 115

CLASS B ROAD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-77 . . . . . . . . . 116

TRUCKS ENTER INSPECTION STATION

WHEN LIGHTS FLASHING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-96 . . . . . . . . . 117

VEHICLES OVER 5 TONNES MUST HAVE

VALID TRANSPONDER Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-97 . . . . . . . . . 119

11.2 Dangerous Goods Carrier Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

DANGEROUS GOODS ROUTE Sign (symbol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-82 . . . . . . . . . 121

DANGEROUS GOODS ROUTE (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-82t . . . . . . . . 121




NO DANGEROUS GOODS Sign (symbol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-83 . . . . . . . . . 123

DANGEROUS GOODS CARRIERS PROHIBITED (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . Rb-83t . . . . . . . . 123

11.3 Control of Other Specific Vehicle Classes Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

SCHOOL BUS LOADING ZONE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-89 . . . . . . . . . 124

NO TRACTORS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-60 . . . . . . . . . 125

BICYCLE ROUTE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-69 . . . . . . . . . 126

NO BICYCLES Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-67 . . . . . . . . . 128

NO PEDESTRIANS OR BICYCLES Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-68 . . . . . . . . . 129

SNOWMOBILE ROUTE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-64 . . . . . . . . . 130

NO SNOWMOBILES Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-65 . . . . . . . . . 131

12. Supplementary Traffic Signal Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

NO RIGHT TURN ON RED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-79R . . . . . . . . 132

NO LEFT TURN ON RED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-79L . . . . . . . . 133

STOP HERE ON RED SIGNAL Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-78 . . . . . . . . . 134

ADVANCED GREEN WHEN FLASHING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-80 . . . . . . . . . 135

LEFT-TURN SIGNAL Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-81 . . . . . . . . . 136

13. Regulatory Construction Traffic Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

CONSTRUCTION ZONE BEGINS/ENDS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-90A, Rb-90B 137

YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-91 . . . . . . . . . 139

ROAD CLOSED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-92 . . . . . . . . . 141

14. Community Safety Zone Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

COMMUNITY SAFETY ZONE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC-9 . . . . . . . . . . 142

CONSTRUCTION ZONE BEGINS/ENDS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-84TA, Rb-84TB143

15. Off-roadway Facility Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Off-roadway Facility Control Signs (To be added in next version of Book 5)

16. Miscellaneous Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146




WALK ON LEFT FACING TRAFFIC Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-1 . . . . . . . . . . 146

NO FISHING FROM BRIDGE Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-2 . . . . . . . . . . 147

VEHICLES WITH LUGS PROHIBITED Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-3 . . . . . . . . . . 148

NO LITTERING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-4 . . . . . . . . . . 149

MAXIMUM FINE FOR LITTERING (Tab Sign) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-4t . . . . . . . . . 149

NO LITTERING AND MAXIMUM FINE FOR LITTERING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-4A . . . . . . . . . 149

NO IN-LINE SKATING Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-10 . . . . . . . . . 150

KEEP OFF MEDIAN Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-11 . . . . . . . . . 151

NO PEDESTRIANS Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-12 . . . . . . . . . 152

FASTEN SEAT BELT Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-13 . . . . . . . . . 152

COMPULSORY TAB Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rc-13t . . . . . . . . 153

17. Signs Renumbered, Added or Proposed for Relocation to Other Books . . . 154

17.1 Signs Renumbered or Added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

17.2 Signs Proposed for Relocation to Other Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ra-11 . . . . . . . . . 155

PASSING LANE 2 KM AHEAD Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rb-30 . . . . . . . . . 155

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Appendix A • Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Appendix B • References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

List of Tables

Table 1 – Regulatory Signs Requiring High Intensity Sheeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Table 2 – Maximum Acceleration Lane and/or Taper Length for YIELD Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Table 3 – Standard Abbreviations for Days of Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Table 4 – Maximum One-way Volumes for Rb-91 Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Table 5 – Placement of Rb-91 Upstream of Lane Closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Table 6 – Signs Proposed for Relocation from Book 5 to Other OTM Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155




Table7 – Signs Renumbered or Added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

List of Figures

Figure 1 – Road Classifications for Sign Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 2 – Typical Locations of STOP Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Figure 3 – Typical Signs and Markings for Pedestrian Crossovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Figure 4 – Speed Limit Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Figure 5 – Typical Locations of Turn Control Signs (At Unsignalized Intersections) . . . . . . . . . 50

Figure 6 – Typical Locations of ONE-WAY Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Figure 7 – Applications of Signs at Continuous Wide Median

(With or Without Left-turn Lanes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 8 – Typical Application of DO NOT ENTER/WRONG WAY Signs and

Pavement Arrow Placement on Freeway Exit Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 9 – End Protection for Raised or Depressed Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Figure 10 – Location of KEEP RIGHT Sign at Signalized Urban Intersection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 11 – Two-lane Highway with Added Truck

Climbing Lane or Passing Lane (Single Direction) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Figure 12 – Two-lane Highway with Added Truck Climbing or Passing Lane (Both Directions) . . 75

Figure 13 – Placement of Ground-mounted Turn Lane

Designation Signs for Double Right Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83


Designation Signs for Double Left Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84


Designation Signs for Centre Lane Optional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

NOTE: A training package is available separately. For more information, contact:

Ministry of Transportation Traffic Office301 St. Paul Street, 2nd FloorSt. Catharines, OntarioL2R 7R4 Telephone: (905) 704-2960





1. Introduction

Book 5 (Regulatory Signs) is one of a series ofvolumes that makes up the Ontario Traffic Manual(OTM). Book 5 addresses the selection andapplication of regulatory signs. It should be read inconjunction with Book 1 (Introduction to the OntarioTraffic Manual) and its appendices, which containconsiderable essential information about thefundamental principles and policies behind thedesign and application of traffic control signs,signals, markings and delineation devices.

Book 5 is not intended to provide sufficient detailedinformation to allow the design, fabrication andinstallation of individual signs. For these purposes,reference should be made to Book 1b (Sign DesignPrinciples), Book 2 (Sign Patterns and Fabrication)and Book 3 (Sign Support and Installation).

Other Books in the OTM series provide practicalguidance on a full range of traffic control devicesand their application. A complete listing of theplanned and currently available volumes, as well asthe tables of contents for all Books and an illustratedmaster index, is found in Book 1.

1.1 Application of Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs are intended to instruct road userson what they must or should do (or not do) under agiven set of circumstances. The term regulatorysign describes a range of signs that are used toindicate or reinforce traffic laws, regulations orrequirements which apply either at all times or atspecified times or places upon a street or highway,the disregard of which may constitute a violation.

The regulatory signs described in this Book havedifferent levels of legal status, enforcement regimeand penalties for violation, depending on theirindividual governing authority. Some signs areenforceable directly under specific sections of theHighway Traffic Act (HTA) or other legislation, othersunder more general provisions of the HTA and itsRegulations and still others only under duly enactedmunicipal by-laws. Some of the regulatory signs inthis Book are not directly enforceable themselvesbut are used to reinforce regulatory conditionscontained in legislation, such as HTA Part X (Rulesof the Road). A final group of signs is notenforceable at all.

The term “prescribed signs” refers to signs describedin HTA Regulations, while the term “official signs”refers to signs not included in the HTA Regulations,but approved by the Ministry of Transportation ofOntario and appearing in the Ontario Traffic Manual.The official definitions for these terms, as theyappear in the Introduction to the Ontario TrafficManual, are as follows:

• Prescribed SignsThe Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Section 182(R.S.O. 1990), provides for the regulation ofvarious signs, their type and location on theroadway. The criteria and specifications forapplications, dimensions, location and orientationare prescribed and illustrated under Regulations615, 608, 581 and 599 (R.R.O. 1990) and areindicated as such in this Manual. Signs installed inaccordance with the Regulations, and pursuant tothe Highway Traffic Act, are enforceable undervarious provisions of the Act. Enforcement ispermitted under the particular section under theauthority of which a prescribed sign may beinstalled to indicate a traffic regulation, or HTASection 182 (R.S.O. 1990), which requiresobedience to prescribed signs.




• Official SignsUnder the Highway Traffic Act, Subsection 1.(1),Paragraph 26 (R.S.O. 1990), official signs are anysigns approved by the Ministry of Transportationof Ontario (MTO). Official signs are required to beused under certain sections of the Highway TrafficAct which become effective on the use of anofficial sign (for example, HTA Sections 153 and154(c) (R.S.O. 1990)). Such signs are enforceableonly under the particular provisions of theHighway Traffic Act which apply to their use.Contained in the Manual are signs which wouldbe approved for use under these provisions.

In many cases, regulatory signs are essential toindicate the applicability of legal requirements thatwould not otherwise be apparent to the motorist(e.g., speed limits, turn restrictions, parkingrestrictions). Due care must be exercised to ensurethat they are installed wherever needed to fulfil thispurpose, in accordance with the prescribed locationcriteria, and mounted so as to be easily visible to themotorist. The message on the sign must clearlyindicate the requirements imposed by theregulation.

To aid the users of this Manual, where applicable,reference is made to the appropriate section of theHTA or regulation, which provides the legal authorityfor that sign. It must be noted that this reference isan indication only, and is not intended to be adefinitive listing. Legal advice should be soughtwhenever dealing with matters of legal authority. Allapplicable references to the HTA or other Ontariolegislation and regulations in this Book refer to theRevised Statutes of Ontario (R.S.O.) 1990 andRevised Regulations of Ontario (R.R.O.) 1990.

In order to retain the public credibility of all trafficcontrol devices, unnecessary restrictions should beavoided. Signs that have been installed but are nolonger applicable must be removed. All regulations

indicated by the signs should be actively enforced.Otherwise, no matter how effectively the signs maybe designed and placed, the desired results may notbe obtained.

The type of regulatory signing used and the signsize are impacted by the classification of highway orroad to which the signs apply. For determining signtype, road classifications used in the OTM are shownin Figure 1 and defined in Appendix A (Definitions).For determining sign size, the following three speedranges have been adopted:

(1) Speed limits of 60 km/h or lower;

(2) Speed limits of 70 or 80 km/h; and

(3) Speed limits of 90 km/h or higher.

Where various sign sizes are shown in the OTM, thebase or standard sign size is recommended as theminimum sign size. It is typically the sign size thatwill apply for the lowest speed range. Wherespecific sign sizes are recommended for the otherspeed ranges, they should also be regarded asminimum sizes for those speeds. For some signdesigns, only one or two sign sizes are shown. Inthis case, two or more of the three speed ranges arecombined into one. Where, in the trafficpractitioner’s judgement, it is felt that therecommended minimum size is too small, and/orgreater emphasis is needed, a larger sign size maybe used. More information on sign size is providedin Book 1b (Sign Design Principles).

It should be noted that not all possible regulatorysigns have been documented in this edition ofBook 5. A number of additional signs currently inuse in various jurisdictions in Ontario and acrossCanada have already been identified for possibleinclusion in future editions of the Manual. It isanticipated that these and possibly other signs will



be referred to the Ontario Traffic Manual Committee,which is being formed to consider and recommendadditions and changes to Book 5 and all other Booksof the OTM on a continuing basis.

Where French language or bilingual versions ofsigns are available, they have not been illustrated inBook 5, but are contained in Book 2 (Sign Patternsand Fabrication).

1.2 Classification of Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs are classified into the followingthree sub-classes. Each sign has been assigned aunique reference number within that sub-class:

(1) Sub-class Ra, Right-of-Way Control Signs,described in Book 5, Section 2 to 4.

This sub-class contains those signs whichcontrol the right-of-way of vehicles and/orpedestrians, including:

• Vehicular stop and yield control;

• Pedestrian crossings within intersections;and

• Designated pedestrian crossovers.

(2) Sub-class Rb, Road Use Control Signs,described in Book 5, Sections 5 to 13.

This sub-class contains those signs whichindicate the permitted or prohibited use of astreet or highway by all vehicles or by class orclasses of vehicle, including:

• Speed control;

• Turn control;

(including other multi-lanecontrolled access highways)

For some types of signing, urban andrural freeways are treated the same way

Typically includes:– multi-lane expressways

with at-grade intersections– major urban roads and streets– local streets

Where further distinctions aremade between these categories,the context and discussion undereach device usually makes this clear

Typically includes:– non-freeway King's Highways– rural regional roads– rural county roads– rural local roads

Non-freeways

RuralUrbanUrban Rural

Freeways

Typically includes:– main roadways with more

than 2 lanes– high traffic volumes– closely spaced interchanges– roadway and interchange lighting– 3 or more interchanges

serving major cityMay require reduction of non-essential signs; advance signs closerto interchanges; overhead and/ordiagrammatic signs

Typically includes:– longer interchange

spacing– high speed traffic– sign placement

for maximumconspicuity

Figure 1 – Road Classification for Sign Types



• One-way traffic control;

• Two-way and multi-lane traffic control;

• Lane designation;

• Parking control;

• Specific vehicle class control;

• Traffic signals supplementary signs; and

• Construction zone traffic control.

(3) Sub-class Rc, Miscellaneous Control Signs,described in Book 5, Sections 14 and 15.

This sub-class includes those signs whichindicate regulations not otherwise provided forin Class Ra or Rb, including:

• Miscellaneous pedestrian-related signs;

• Littering;

• Seat belt use; and

• Off-roadway facility control signs (future).

1.3 Design of Regulatory Signs

Except for a few signs, such as the STOP sign, theYIELD sign and the ONE-WAY sign, regulatory signsare rectangular in shape, often with the longerdimension in the vertical direction. They generallycontain a black, red and/or green legend on a whitebackground.

The design of regulatory signs has evolved over along period of time and has been undertaken with agreat deal of care and attention to detail with regardto shape, dimensions, font, letter height andspacing, symbol design and colour. These design

parameters have considerable effect on the driver’sability to notice, read, understand and react to thesign while travelling, particularly in a complexdriving environment. Signs must therefore befabricated as described in the detailed patternscontained in Book 2.

Due to the need for uniform application acrossOntario, it is not expected that the design of newregulatory signs will be a common occurrence. Ifthe need for a new sign does emerge, it must bedesigned in accordance with the specifications setout in Book 1 (Sections 2.5 and 5.12) and Book 1b.

Minimum overall dimensions for each sign arepresented in the following sections of this Book. Ineach case, the smaller dimension is stated first. Thisconvention follows the current practice forspecifying sign blanks and other aspects of signdesign and fabrication. Where conditions requireincreased visibility or where the required text orsymbols cannot be adequately accommodated,larger signs should be considered. When largersigns are used, all dimensions must be increasedproportionately (see Highway Traffic Act, Regulation615, Section 44). In some cases, specific sign sizerecommendations are made in this Book tocorrespond with particular speed or other roadoperating characteristics.

For a more rigorous analysis of sign size, the OTMuser may decide to calculate required letter heightor symbol size from first principles. Section 7 ofBook 1b provides step-by-step instructions on howto perform this type of calculation. For each sign inBook 5, font type and letter height for the illustratedsign size are indicated, to enable the user toperform the Book 1b calculations.

For information on factors such as message length,required driver response, or complexity of drivingenvironment that influence sign design anddecisions regarding appropriate sign size selection,reference should be made to Book 1b.



1.4 Reflectivity/Luminance

With the exception of parking control signs locatedin illuminated areas, all regulatory signs are requiredto be reflectorized or internally illuminated so as toshow the same shape, colour and message by nightas by day. It should also be noted that, as of acertain prescribed date (either January 1, 2002 orJanuary 1, 2006 depending on sign), any in-serviceexamples of regulatory signs specified in Table 1must be fabricated using higher grade materialsknown as high intensity sheeting. High intensity

sheeting is required for signs that are critical from asafety standpoint, that is, failure to see or heedthese signs at night could have seriousconsequences.

When high intensity sheeting is required, a minimumsheeting level of Type III or IV must be used, asdetailed in the ASTM (American Society for Testingand Materials) Specification D 4956-95 or itssubsequent revisions. (In Canada, CGSB (CanadianGeneral Standards Board) Specification 62-GP-11Mor its subsequent revisions also specifies reflectivesheeting.) The minimum levels of sheeting required

rebmuNngiS emaNngiS etaDnoitatnemelpmIdebircserP

1-aR ngiSPOTS

2002,1yraunaJ

t1-aR ngiSbaTYAW-LLA

2-aR ngiSDLEIY

evisulcni61-bRhguorht01-bR sngiSLORTNOCNRUT

12-bR ngiSYAW-ENO

91-bR ngiSlobmySRETNETONOD

t91-bR ngiSbaTRETNETONOD

02-bR ngiSYAWGNORW/RETNETONOD

42-bR ngiSCIFFARTYAW-OWT

*52-bR ngiSTHGIRPEEK

t2-aR ngiSbaTDLEIY

6002,1yraunaJ

13-bR ngiSSSAPTONOD

63-bR ngiSCIFFARTGNISOPPOOTENALERTNECDLEIY

19-bR ngiSCIFFARTGNIMOCNOOTDLEIY

29-bR ngiSDESOLCDAOR

.yllanretniroyllanretxedetanimullitonfidnasnoitautisniatrecniylnO*

Table 1 – Regulatory Signs Requiring High Intensity Sheeting



on various regulatory sign types, with effectivedates, are set out in Book 5, as part of thedescription for each sign. (See Book 1b for furtherbackground on retroreflective sheeting andillumination.)

1.5 Location

Regulatory signs shall normally be located inaccordance with Section 12 (Sign Position) of Book1b. However, specific or additional requirements forcertain regulatory signs may pre-empt or revisedirections or specifications prescribed under thegeneral standards in Book 1b. Such deviations orexceptions from the Book 1b locationprinciples are noted in this Book under theheading “Location Criteria” for the respectivesigns to which they apply. If for a given sign,exceptions are not noted under this heading,the Book 1b location principles apply.

1.6 Supplementary Flashing Beacons

Red or amber flashing beacons may sometimes berequired to draw the driver’s attention to thepresence of a regulatory sign, (e.g., a STOP or YIELDsign, a KEEP RIGHT or SCHOOL ZONE MAXIMUMSPEED WHEN FLASHING sign), particularly whenvisibility distance is reduced due to severe roadwaygeometry, or other circumstances are present whichsuggest that greater emphasis is required.

The use of flashing beacons should be restricted toonly critical situations, in order to ensure that theirimpact is not lost due to overuse or to ensure thatthey do not become a distraction to the driver. A redflashing beacon is only used in conjunction with aSTOP sign.

Further information on the correct use of flashingbeacons may be found in OTM Book 12 (TrafficSignals) in the section entitled “Flashing BeaconSignals.”

1.7 Dynamic Sign Technologies

Recent advances in technology have resulted in thecapability to display messages to the driver throughthe use of dynamic or variable display signs. Ingeneral, these signs are not appropriate for use indisplaying regulatory type messages, as it is difficultto ensure a consistent and reliable display, inaccordance with the text and graphics requirementsof the Regulations or by-laws. At the present time,no provision is made in the Regulations fordisplaying such messages as variable speed limits.

Certain specific applications of dynamic signtechnologies are permitted in the HTA (see HighwayTraffic Act, Regulation 615, Section 49). Whereregulations such as turn restrictions or lanedesignations take effect only during specific hours,it may be desirable under some circumstances toinstall dynamic signs which may be changed toshow a different display at different times of day ordays of the week. Typically, such signs employ a dotor disc matrix construction (fibre optic or lightemitting diode) or louvers or shutters to modify thedisplay. Where such signs are employed, they arerequired to be legible to drivers only during theprescribed hours of operation and to comply asnearly as practicable with the prescribed design anddimensions.

A full discussion of the design and application ofdynamic signs may be found in OTM Book 10(Changeable Message Signs). Further informationon the application of such signs within anautomated traffic management or control systemmay be found in OTM Book 19 (Advanced TrafficManagement Systems).



2. STOP Sign

Ra-1 60 cm x 60 cmRa-101 75 cm x 75 cmRa-1101 120 cm x 120 cm

Font Highway Gothic CColour Legend & Border – White Reflective

Background – Red Reflective

ALL-WAY Tab Sign

10

Ra-1t 15 cm x 30 cm

Font Helvetica Bold CondensedColour Legend & Border – Red Reflective

Background – White Reflective

Purpose and Background

Where no traffic control device is present at anintersection of two roadways, the basic rules of theroad apply. The Highway Traffic Act assigns priorityto vehicles already within the intersection or, in theevent two or more vehicles are approaching theintersection at approximately the same time, the Actrequires the driver on the left to yield to the vehicle

on the right. A number of traffic control devices areavailable to assist in the allocation of right-of-waybetween vehicles in an intersection, increasing inlevel of control from a YIELD sign to a STOP sign upto full traffic signal control.

The purpose of the STOP sign is to clearly assignright-of-way between vehicles approaching anintersection from different directions when trafficsignals are not warranted or not yet installed and ithas been determined that a YIELD sign isinadequate. The STOP sign requires the driver tostop the vehicle before entering the intersection,yield to any traffic in or approaching the intersectionand then proceed when safe to do so.

The introduction of STOP sign control can reducethe frequency of certain types of collision (e.g. right-angle or turning), but also results in delay tomotorists and may increase some other types ofcollision (e.g., rear-end). STOP signs should,therefore, not be used indiscriminately.

STOP signs must not be used on the same approachto an intersection where traffic control signals areoperating, as the conflicting commands of twotypes of control devices would be confusing.

Portable or part-time STOP signs must not be usedexcept in emergency or temporary situations, suchas in conjunction with Traffic Control Persons or atintersections where traffic signals are inoperative.

STOP signs are not intended to be used as speedcontrol devices. Their usage should be limited to thecontrol of right-of-way conflicts.

In general, STOP signs should only be used wheretraffic engineering studies considering such factorsas traffic speeds, traffic volumes, restricted sightlines and collision experience, indicate that the useof STOP signs is warranted.



Sign Types

The standard size STOP sign (Ra-1), is theminimum size permitted, and may generally be usedwhere the posted speed is 60 km/h or less.

The oversize STOP sign (Ra-101) should be usedwhere the posted speed is 70 km/h or greater. Thissign may also be installed at lower speed locationswhere the prevailing traffic conditions warrantgreater visibility or emphasis, for example incomplex visual environments where many signs andother devices compete for driver attention or at hightraffic volume locations where drivers mustconcentrate more on the driving task.

Specific situations where the oversize STOP sign(Ra-101) must be used include:

• At the junction of two King’s Highways in ruralareas;

• At the junction of any public road with a King’sHighway in rural areas;

• At the junction of two major County or Regionalroads; or

• At freeway exit ramp terminals not controlled bytraffic signals.

The special oversize STOP sign (Ra-1101) maybe used in locations where two relatively majorroads (e.g., King’s Highway, Regional or CountyRoads) intersect, particularly in high speed rurallocations where such an intersection may beunexpected, and at other locations where specialemphasis is required.

In addition to the STOP sign, there are a number ofother supplementary traffic control devices whichmay be considered, to provide added emphasis inselected circumstances.

On paved roads, the STOP sign may besupplemented with a stop line. For information onappropriate pavement markings, reference shouldbe made to Book 11 (Markings and Delineation).

Where the presiding road authority has determinedthat an all-way stop (see below) is required, theSTOP signs should be supplemented with anALL-WAY tab sign (Ra-1t) directly below the STOPsign. The use of the TWO-WAY tab sign found inearlier editions of the MUTCD is not recommended,as it is ambiguous and could lead to confusion.Consistency and uniformity throughout Ontario inthis practice will help distinguish all-way stopsituations from conventional stop control, andfacilitate driver understanding of what is required ineach case.

Where necessary for increased emphasis, asupplementary red flashing beacon may be usedto reinforce a STOP sign. Such flashing beaconsmay be installed overhead, within the intersectionproper, or mounted directly above the STOP signitself. For information regarding flashing beacons,refer to Book 12 (Traffic Signals).

In cases of restricted visibility or other specialconditions affecting the STOP sign, a STOP AHEADsign (Wb-1) may be required or recommended. Forinformation regarding STOP AHEAD signs, refer toBook 6 (Warning Signs), Section 6.

Guidelines for Use

Stop Control

Where traffic signals are not warranted or installed,or are warranted but have not yet been installed,STOP signs should be considered as follows:

STOP signs must be used:

• At the intersection of two King’s Highways; and



• At the intersection of a County or Regional roadwith a King’s Highway in a rural area.

The use of STOP signs should be considered:

• At the intersection of a County or Regional roadwith a King’s Highway in a built-up area;

• At the intersection of a city street or townshiproad with a King’s Highway;

• At the intersection of a minor street or road with athrough street or highway;

• At unsignalized intersections in a signalized area,except where they would interfere with trafficsignal progression;

• At intersections where the application of thenormal right hand rule or yield control would beunduly hazardous; and

• At intersections which have experienced a recordof collisions of the type which are susceptible tocorrection by STOP control (see stop collisionwarrant below).

Stop Collision Warrant

STOP sign control may be warranted where three ormore right angle or turning collisions per year haveoccurred over a period of three years and methodsof reducing the collision experience, such as sightline improvements, street lighting, parkingprohibitions, enforcement, geometric revisions, orYIELD sign controls, have been tried or considered,and found to be inadequate.

All-way Stop Controls

In some circumstances, it may be appropriate toinstall STOP signs on all approaches to anintersection. This results in an all-way stop condition.All-way STOP sign controls disrupt the flow of traffic

and introduce delays to all drivers within theintersection and should only be considered at theintersection of two relatively equal roadways havingsimilar traffic volume demand and operatingcharacteristics (see minimum volume warrantsbelow). The approaches should be directly opposing(i.e., not offset), should preferably approach at rightangles (i.e., no skewed approaches) and have anequal number of lanes.

All-way stop controls should be considered onlyunder the following situations:

• As an interim measure, where traffic controlsignals are warranted but cannot be implementedimmediately. For information on traffic signalcontrol, refer to Book 12 (Traffic Signals);

• At locations having a high collision frequencywhere less restrictive measures have been triedand found inadequate (see all-way stop collisionwarrant below); or

• As a means of providing a transition period toaccustom drivers to a change in intersection right-of-way control from one direction to another.Installation under this warrant must be inconformance with the Amendment of IntersectionControl, discussed under Special Considerations atthe end of Section 2.

All-way Stop Minimum Volume Warrant(Arterial and Major Roads)

All-way stop control may be considered on majorroads where the following conditions are met:

• The total vehicle volume on all intersectionapproaches exceeds 500 vehicles per hour foreach of any eight hours of the day;



• The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume onthe minor street exceeds 200 units per hour (allvehicles plus pedestrians wishing to enter theintersection) for each of the same eight hours,with an average delay to traffic on the minorstreet (either vehicles or pedestrians wishing toenter the intersection) of greater than 30 seconds;and

• The volume split does not exceed 70/30. Volumeon the major street is defined as vehicles only.Volume on the minor street includes all vehiclesplus any pedestrians wishing to cross the majorroadway.

All-way Stop MinimumVolume Warrant (Minor Roads)

All-way stop control may be considered on minorroads where the following conditions are met:

• Total vehicle volume on all intersectionapproaches exceeds 350 for the highest hourrecorded; and

• Volume split does not exceed 75/25 for three-way control or 65/35 for four-way control.Volume is defined as vehicles only.

All-way Stop Collision Warrant

For the purposes of this warrant, a high accidentfrequency is an average of four collisions per yearover a three-year period. Only those accidentssusceptible to relief through multi-way stop controlmust be considered (i.e., right angle and turningtype collisions).

Included in this warrant are those locations wherevisibility problems exist which limit the safe approachspeed to less than 15 km/h, thereby creating anunreasonable accident potential. Special advancewarning or overhead flashing lights may benecessary to augment the control if vertical orhorizontal alignment is a factor.

Inappropriate Use of All-way Stop Control

All-way stop controls should not be used under thefollowing conditions:

• Where the protection of pedestrians, schoolchildren in particular, is a prime concern. Thisconcern can usually be addressed by othermeans;

• As a speed control device;

• On roads where progressive signal timing exists;

• On roads within urban areas having a postedspeed limit in excess of 60 km/h;

• At intersections that are not roundabouts havingless than three, or more than four, approaches;

• At intersections that are offset, poorly defined orgeometrically substandard;

• On truck or bus routes, except in an industrial areaor where two such routes cross;

• On multi-lane approaches where a parked orstopped vehicle on the right will obscure theSTOP sign;

• Where traffic would be required to stop ongrades;

• As a means of deterring the movement of throughtraffic in a residential area;



• Where visibility of the sign is hampered by curvesor grades, and insufficient safe stopping distanceexists; or

• Where any other traffic device controlling right-of-way is permanently in place within 250 m, withthe exception of a YIELD sign.

Location Criteria

A STOP sign must be installed in accordance withthe Regulations in order to be effective andenforceable.

The STOP sign must be installed on the right side ofthe roadway, facing traffic, no closer than 1.5 m andno further than 15 m from the edge of theintersecting roadway, unless it is clearly notpracticable to locate the STOP sign closer to theintersection.

Within a city, town, village, police village or built-uparea, the left edge of the STOP sign must be nomore than 2 m from the edge of the roadway. Inother (rural) areas, the left edge must be no morethan 4 m and no less than 2 m from the edge ofthe roadway.

On divided highways and one-way roadways withvisibility problems, a supplementary STOP signshould be installed on the left side of the roadway.

Where one roadway intersects another roadway atan acute angle, the STOP sign on the intersectingroadway should be turned or shielded so thatmotorists travelling on the higher priority roadwaycannot read it.

Typical locations of STOP signs are illustrated inFigure 2.

Legal Status

Highway Traffic Act, Sections 136 and 137 (R.S.O.1990) (STOP Sign).

Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 615, Sections 6 to8, and Regulations 623 and 624 (R.R.O. 1990)(STOP Sign).

On roadways under the jurisdiction of a municipality,a municipal by-law is required before the STOP signbecomes enforceable.

Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 615, Section 10(R.R.O. 1990) (ALL-WAY Tab Sign).

Minimum Sheeting Requirement

The signs must be Type III or IV as of January 1,2002.

Type I is minimum requirement prior to the datesindicated.

Special Considerations

Amendment of Intersection Right-of-way Control

Where right-of-way is being reassigned from oneroadway to another crossing roadway, through theelimination of an existing STOP sign control and theinstallation of STOP sign control on the previouslyuncontrolled roadway, an introductory period isrequired to safely carry out the transition.

The recommended procedure for completing such areversal is described below. For information on thewarning signs noted in the procedure, referenceshould be made to Book 6 (Warning Signs).



2 - 4 m

MINIMUM 1.5 mMAXIMUM 15 m

MA

XIM

UM

15

m

MINIMUM 30 cm

SIDEWALK

MARKED ORUNMARKED CROSSWALK


2 - 4 m

2 m MAXIMUM



2 - 4 m

URBAN RURAL

MAJOR ROAD

MIN

OR

R

OA

D

2 mMAXIMUM

MINIMUM 1.5 mMAXIMUM 15 m(PREFERABLY NOTEXCEEDING 4.5 m )

Figure 2 – Typical Locations of STOP Sign



(1) Install new STOP signs on the previouslyuncontrolled approaches along with stop linesand crosswalk markings, if required. OversizeSTOP signs and/or additional left sideinstallations may be provided whereconditions warrant. Install ALL-WAY tabs on allapproaches. A painted “stop” legend on theroadway, in advance of the stop line, may beadded for additional emphasis.

Install a 90 cm x 90 cm CROSS TRAFFICDOES NOT STOP sign (Wa-19), on the newlycontrolled roadway, in advance of the STOPsign. This is the standard size of sign. A largersize sign may be used where prevailing trafficconditions warrant greater visibility oremphasis, e.g., in complex visualenvironments where many signs and otherdevices compete for driver attention.

Install a NEW sign (Wb-3) above, and anAFTER (month and day) tab sign (Wa-19t)below, in black letters on a yellowretroreflective background, stating the datethat the old control will be removed. Thewarning sign’s position should be such that itdoes not block the approaching motorist’sview of the STOP sign but commandsattention and may be read as the driverapproaches the stop line. A locationapproximately 30 m in advance of the stopline is recommended, in low speedapplications.

Install a STOP AHEAD (Wb-1) sign, with NEWsign (Wb-3) above, at the proper location inadvance of the intersection on the newlycontrolled approaches. An oversize STOPAHEAD sign, and a STOP AHEAD roadwaymarking legend may be provided for additionalwarning where conditions warrant.

(2) After at least 15 days, remove the STOPAHEAD signs, if any, the STOP signs, stop linesand any crosswalk lines from the previouslycontrolled roadway. Remove the ALL-WAYtabs from all approaches. Remove the NEWsigns attached to the CROSS TRAFFIC DOESNOT STOP signs (Wa-19), and the STOPAHEAD signs. Remove the Wa-19t tabs. Anyroadway marking legends, if provided, shouldbe allowed to fade and not be replenishedunless local conditions warrant the continuedprovision of this additional warning.

(3) After an additional period of at least 15 days,the Wa-19 signs should be removed. Anyoversize STOP signs may now be replacedwith standard sized signs unless the continuedadditional emphasis is warranted. STOPAHEAD signs should be reduced from oversizeto standard size or removed if their continuedpresence is unwarranted.

Where an existing all-way stop control is to beremoved and a through roadway created, thefollowing procedure is recommended:

(1) Install 90 cm x 90 cm diamond-shapedwarning signs bearing the legend CROSSTRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP (Wa-19) in blackletters on a yellow retroreflective background,on the approaches where the STOP control isto remain, at least 15 days before the removalof control.

Install a NEW sign (Wb-3) over the sign andan AFTER (month and day) tab sign (Wa-19t)with black text on a yellow retroreflectivebackground, stating the date when the controlon the crossing roadway will be removed.



(2) On the appointed date, remove the STOPAHEAD signs, if any, on the crossing roadway.Remove the STOP signs, stop lines and anycrosswalk lines on these approaches. Removeall of the ALL-WAY tabs at the intersection.Remove the Wa-19t tabs from the warningsigns.

(3) After an additional period of at least 15 days,the NEW signs and Wa-19 signs should beremoved.

In all cases information regarding the change inright-of-way control should be publicized via localprint and electronic media, particularly using radiostations which provide traffic coverage in commuterareas. Local residents should be advised of therevisions, and law enforcement agencies requestedto provide stepped up enforcement and morefrequent patrols of the location. Advance notificationshould also be provided to local ambulanceservices, transit authorities, bus companies, taxicompanies and trucking firms known to use theintersection frequently.

Any actual removal or revision of the control at anintersection should occur prior to the start of themorning peak on the specified date, both topreserve the integrity of the Wa-19t tab messageand to permit the revision to take place during aperiod of reduced demand.

3. YIELD Sign

Ra-2 75 cmRa-102 90 cm

Font N/AColour Legend – Red Reflective


YIELD Tab Sign

1015

Ra-2t 22.5 cm x 45 cmRa-102t 30 cm x 60 cm

Font Highway Gothic DColour Legend & Border – Red Reflective



The purpose of the YIELD sign is to regulate right-of-way control.

A YIELD sign can be an effective control device atintersections, roundabouts or where necessary attraffic circles, if it is found that:

• The normal right-of-way rule does not providesafe, convenient and efficient traffic movement;and



• A stop regulation at one or more of theapproaches is too restrictive.

Vehicles approaching the sign must yield the right-of-way at the intersection to oncoming vehicles onthe priority road, and at the roundabout or trafficcircle to vehicles inside the facility, stopping ifnecessary.

Sign Types

The standard size YIELD sign (Ra-2) should beused where posted speed is 60 km/h or less.

The oversize YIELD sign (Ra-102) should be usedwhere posted speed is 70 km/h or greater. This signmay also be installed at lower speed locations whereprevailing traffic conditions warrant greater visibilityor emphasis, e.g., in complex visual environmentswhere many signs and other devices compete fordriver attention, or at high traffic volume locationswhere drivers must concentrate more on the drivingtask.

The educational tab signs (Ra-2t, Ra-102t) maybe used where it has been determined that motoristsare still unfamiliar with the meaning of the symbol.Motorist familiarity can be assessed according tofactors such as collision experience, incidences ofnear-collisions, observation and presence of similarsigns in the area.

If an educational tab sign is required, the standardsize tab sign (Ra-2t) should be used with thestandard size YIELD sign (Ra-2), and the oversizetab sign (Ra-102t) should be used with theoversize YIELD sign (Ra-102).

In cases of restricted visibility or other specialconditions affecting the YIELD sign, a YIELDAHEAD sign (Wb-1A) may be required orrecommended. For information regarding YIELDAHEAD signs, refer to Book 6 (Warning Signs),Section 6.

Guidelines for Use

Before using a YIELD sign as a substitute for thenormal right-of-way rule or for a STOP sign,consideration must be given to its suitability inrelation to traffic volume, speed, sight distancealong the main road onto which vehicles merge,and collision record of the intersection related toright-of-way control.

The use of a YIELD sign should be considered underthe following circumstances:

(1) On a minor road approaching its intersectionwith a major road, where:

• Right-of-way control is required for the majorroad;

• Stopping on the minor road is not alwaysrequired; and

• The safe approach speed on the minor roadexceeds 15 km/h;

(2) Within an intersection of a road with a dividedhighway, where:

• There is a STOP sign approaching theintersection with the roadway upstream ofthe median;

• Further control is necessary at the approachto the intersection of the roadwaydownstream of the median; and

• Where the median width exceeds 10 m;

(3) At each approach to a roundabout to provideright-of-way to vehicles on the roundabout;

(4) On an entrance ramp to a freeway orexpressway, where the acceleration lane ortaper is less than specified in Table 2 below; or



(5) Where there is a separate or channelized right-turn lane, and the acceleration lane or taper isless than specified in Table 2 below.

YIELD signs should not be used for the followingapplications:

(1) To control the major flow of traffic at anintersection;

(2) At an intersection of a County or RegionalRoad with a King’s Highway, so as to provideuniformity of driver expectancy on majorhighways;

(3) On more than two opposing approaches of anintersecting street or highway;

(4) At an intersection where there are STOP signson one or more approaches except, underspecial circumstances, to provide minormovement control within complexintersections, e.g., a divided highway;

(5) On the through roadway of freeways orexpressways; or

(6) On entrance ramps at well designedinterchanges, because the sign wouldinterfere with the free merging movement ofvehicles.

Location Criteria

The YIELD sign must be installed on the right side ofthe roadway, facing traffic, no closer than 1.5 m andno further than 15 m from the edge of theintersecting roadway, unless it is clearly notpracticable to locate the YIELD sign closer to theintersection.

Within a city, town, village, police village or built-uparea, the left edge of the YIELD sign must be nomore than 1.5 m from the edge of the roadway. Inother (rural) areas, the left edge must be no morethan 4 m and no less than 1.5 m from the edge ofthe roadway.

On divided highways and one-way roadways withvisibility problems, a supplementary YIELD signshould be installed on the left side of the roadway.

Legal Status

Highway Traffic Act, Section 138 (R.S.O. 1990).

Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 615, Sections 16 to19, and Regulation 631 (R.R.O. 1990) (TerritoryWithout Municipal Organization).

Highway Traffic Act, Sections 135 and 139 (R.S.O.1990) for general rules of yielding.

Table 2 – Maximum AccelerationLane and/or Taper Length for YIELD Signs

deepSdetsoPdaoRhguorhTrof

noitareleccAfohtgneLrepaTro/dnaenaL

h/mk m

05 05

06 06

07 56

08 07

09 08

001 58

011 09




Ra-2 and Ra-102 must be Type III or Type IV as ofJanuary 1, 2002.

Ra-2t and Ra-102t must be Type III or Type IV as ofJanuary 1, 2006.

Type I is minimum requirement prior to the datesindicated.


N/A

4. Pedestrian Crossing Signs

4.1 General Pedestrian Crossing Signs

CROSS ON GREEN LIGHT ONLY Sign

5

Ra-6 30 cm x 45 cm

Font Highway Gothic CColour Legend & Border – Black


CROSS ON WALK SIGNAL ONLY Sign

5

Ra-7 30 cm x 45 cm





CROSS ONLY AT CROSSOVER Sign

5

Ra-8 30 cm x 45 cm



CROSS OTHER SIDE Sign

5

Ra-9 30 cm x 30 cm

Font Highway Gothic DColour Legend & Border – Black


20

4.5

Ra-9A 30 cm x 45 cm

Font Highway Gothic DColour Interdictory Symbol – Red Reflective

Legend & Border – BlackBackground – White Reflective

PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON Symbol Sign (WithDirectional Arrow)

Ra-12 13 cm x 20 cm

Font N/AColour Legend – Black


PEDESTRIAN MUST PUSH BUTTONTO RECEIVE WALK SIGNAL Symbol Sign

Ra-13 45 cm x 60 cm

Font N/AColour Legend – Black



The purpose of pedestrian crossing signs is toregulate and safely direct pedestrians crossingroads.

Pedestrian crossing signs may be used tosupplement traffic signal controls where unusualconditions exist or where specific information needsto be provided. Pedestrian crossing signs may alsobe used to limit pedestrian crossings to safelocations. For example, a Road Authority may electto use pedestrian crossing signs where experiencehas shown that pedestrians interfere with traffic bycrossing against signals, where the length of the



pedestrian phase is relatively short, wherepedestrians cross at undesignated locations orwhere the crossing configuration is different thannormal.

For more information on the application ofpedestrian crossing signs in the general context ofpedestrian control and protection, see Book 15(Pedestrian Control and Protection). Book 12 (TrafficSignals) provides further details on pedestriansignals, audible signals and other related topics, andBook 11 (Markings and Delineation) providesinformation on pavement markings at pedestriancrossings.

Sign Types

The CROSS ON GREEN LIGHT ONLY sign (Ra-6)and CROSS ON WALK SIGNAL ONLY sign(Ra-7) are used at signalized intersections. The Ra-6sign is used where there is no pedestrian signalhead.

The CROSS ONLY AT CROSSOVER sign (Ra-8)may be used in areas where it is necessary to limitpedestrian crossings to a safe crossing location.

The CROSS OTHER SIDE sign (Ra-9) orpreferably its symbolic alternate, Ra-9A, must beused where crossings are restricted to one leg of anintersection at a given time. This may be the casewhere there are two adjacent left-turn lanes and it isdesirable to facilitate the vehicle flow by removingthe need for vehicles to yield to pedestrians.

The PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON symbol sign(with directional arrow) and the PEDESTRIANMUST PUSH BUTTON TO RECEIVE WALKSIGNAL sign (Ra-12 and Ra-13) should be usedto indicate to pedestrians that pushbuttons areavailable and should be used for controlling

pedestrian signal indications at traffic signalcontrolled intersections. The pedestrian pushbuttonsinitiate the pedestrian signal phase, and in somecases extend the timing of the pedestrian phase.

The Ra-12 sign is intended for use at thepushbutton, while the Ra-13 is intended to beplaced by the pedestrian signal head on the far sideof the crossing.

Guidelines for Use

The following guidelines refer to pedestrian crossingsigns in general:

• Pedestrian crossing signs are targeted atpedestrians and the application, size andplacement of these signs should take into accountthe requirements of pedestrians, which aredifferent than those of drivers.

• Pedestrian crossings are ordinarily required only inbusiness districts or at signalized intersections innon-business districts.

• Pedestrian signal heads or crossover signing andcrossing pavement markings should be providedat pedestrian crossings.

The Ra-12 PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON symbol sign(with directional arrow) must be used wherepedestrian signal pushbuttons are present, while theRa-13 PEDESTRIAN MUST PUSH BUTTON TORECEIVE WALK SIGNAL symbol sign may be usedwhere research or field studies have shown thatpedestrians are failing to push the pedestrianpushbutton to obtain a walk signal prior to crossingat a signalized intersection.



Location Criteria

Pedestrian crossing signs should be placed on thefar side of the intersection on the traffic signal pole,where pedestrians would normally look to findpedestrian signal heads. Pedestrian crossing signsmust face pedestrians about to cross the road.

On divided roadways, consideration should be givento installing two additional signs, mounted back-to-back on the traffic signal pole in the median, facingpedestrians about to cross in both directions.

The above general location guidelines apply to allpedestrian crossing signs except the CROSS ONLYAT CROSSOVER sign (Ra-8) and the PEDESTRIANPUSHBUTTON symbol sign (with directional arrow)(Ra-12).

The CROSS ONLY AT CROSSOVER sign (Ra-8)should be placed on the far side of the street atlocations where research or field studies haveshown that pedestrians are crossing illegally atunsafe locations.

The PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON symbol sign (withdirectional arrow) (Ra-12) should be placed directlyabove the pushbutton, with the arrow indicating thecrossing to which the sign and button apply.

Legal Status

No Highway Traffic Act reference. Signs must besupported by municipal by-law to be enforceable inmunicipalities.

Pedestrians must obey signs where pedestriansignal heads provided (see general rules forpedestrian crossings in Highway Traffic Act,Subsections 144.(22 to 28) (R.S.O. 1990)).


Type I


N/A

4.2 Pedestrian Crossover Signs

Ground-mounted and overhead pedestrian crossoversigns are used to indicate the presence of apedestrian crossover, which is a protectedpedestrian crossing at an unsignalized location. Inaddition to the regulatory signs described below,overhead warning signs (Wc-20 and Wc-120) (seeBook 6 (Warning Signs)), flashing amber beaconsand pavement markings are all components ofpedestrian crossovers. For further details onpedestrian crossover installation criteria and how thevarious components comprising a pedestriancrossover are combined, see Book 15 (PedestrianControl and Protection). Until Book 15 is available,refer to Section A-6 (Pedestrian Crossovers) of theOntario Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD).



PEDESTRIAN X (Crossover) Sign

10

40

Ra-4 60 cm x 75 cm



STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS Tab Sign

10

Ra-4t 45 cm x 60 cm



NO PASSING HERE TO CROSSING Sign

15

10

Ra-10 60 cm x 75 cm

Font Highway Gothic CColour Top Section of Sign:

Legend – White ReflectiveBorder – BlackBackground – Red Reflective

Bottom Section of Sign:Legend & Border – BlackBackground – White Reflective

PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON Sign

(proposed to be relocated to Book 6 (WarningSigns))

5

Ra-11 17.5 cm x 37.5 cm

Font Highway Gothic CColour Legend – Black and Orange

Border – BlackBackground – Yellow




The ground-mounted regulatory pedestrian crossoversigns must distinctly indicate to drivers, pedestriansand other road users that a specific portion ofroadway has been designated as a pedestriancrossover. Since pedestrians are especiallyvulnerable at pedestrian crossovers, it is importantthat drivers see and recognize the signs in time torespond in a manner that ensures the safety ofpedestrians. Therefore, the signs have a distinctiveappearance, and the large “X” legend on thePedestrian X sign (Ra-4) has very good legibility.

The larger signs are targeted primarily at drivers, andinstruct drivers on what they must and must not doat pedestrian crossovers: stop for pedestrians and donot pass other vehicles. The smaller PEDESTRIANPUSHBUTTON sign (Ra-11) is for pedestrians andprovides instructions on what they should do if theywish to cross at the pedestrian crossover: push thebutton to activate the flashing beacons, look forvehicles and point to indicate their intention to cross.

Sign Types

The PEDESTRIAN X (Crossover) sign (Ra-4)identifies the presence and location of thepedestrian crossover to drivers, pedestrians andother road users.

The STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS tab sign (Ra-4t) isa mandatory educational tab sign that must beattached below the PEDESTRIAN X (Crossover) sign.

The NO PASSING HERE TO CROSSING sign(Ra-10) prohibits passing within a 30 m stretchupstream of the pedestrian crossover.

The PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON sign (Ra-11)symbolically indicates to pedestrians what they mustdo prior to crossing at the pedestrian crossover.

Guidelines for Use

Since it is critical that drivers notice and respondappropriately to pedestrian crossovers, a certainamount of redundancy is required in the applicationof pedestrian crossover signs. Redundancy isachieved by the following means:

• PEDESTRIAN X (Crossover) signs (Ra-4) must beposted on both sides of the road;

• The STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS tab sign (Ra-4t)must always accompany the Ra-4 sign; and

• The NO PASSING HERE TO CROSSING sign(Ra-10) provides advance warning of theupcoming pedestrian crossover.

Location Criteria

The location of pedestrian crossover signs forvehicles on a two-way road is shown in Figure 3 inthe context of pavement marking locations. TheRa-4 signs together with their Ra-4t tabs must beinstalled back-to-back on each side of the road, toaccommodate each lane and direction of traffic. TheRa-10 sign must be located on the right side of theroadway, facing the approaching traffic in eachdirection, at a point approximately 30 m upstreamof the crossing location.

On a one-way road, the differences from the two-way road installation are as follows:



• Signs are only required to face the direction ofapproaching traffic; and

• Ra-10 signs must be installed on both sides of theroadway.

The PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON sign (Ra-11) shouldbe located directly adjacent to the pushbuttonwhich activates the flashing beacons.

Legal Status

Highway Traffic Act, Section 140 (R.S.O. 1990).

Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 615, Sections 20.1,20.2, 20.3, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9 and 20.10 (R.R.O.1990).


Type I


The PEDESTRIAN PUSHBUTTON sign (Ra-11) isproposed to be moved to Book 6 (Warning Signs)before the next version of Book 5 (Regulatory Signs)is released. It is proposed that the sign become awarning sign, rather than a regulatory sign.



Figure 3 – Typical Signs and Markings for Pedestrian Crossovers

NO

T L

ES

S T

HA

N 2

.5 m

WID

E

BA

RS

15

cm T

O 2

0 cm

WID

E A

ND

15

cm T

O 2

0 cm

AP

AR

T

Ra-

4 &

Ra-

4tM

ount

ed B

ack

to B

ack

6 m

30 m

Ra-

10

2.5

m

Ra-

10

Ra-

4 &

Ra-

4tM

OU

NT

ED

BA

CK

TO

BA

CK

30 m

Ra-

10

Ra-

10

STROKE WIDTH OF SOLID OR OUTLINED X IS 30 TO 50 cm. OUTLINED X'S MUSTHAVE A MINIMUM LINE WIDTH OF 10 cm.



5. Speed Control Signs

The purpose of speed control signs is to indicate tomotorists the maximum legal speed.

Information on determining maximum speeds andplanning speed zones is provided in Book 14 (SpeedZoning and Speed Controls).

MAXIMUM SPEED Sign

10

30

Rb-1 60 cm x 75 cm

Font Highway Gothic C, DColour Legend & Border – Black


MAXIMUM SPEED Sign with KM/H Included

10

30

7.5

Rb-1A 60 cm x 90 cm

Font Highway Gothic C, DColour Top Section of Sign:


Bottom Section of Sign:Legend – White ReflectiveBackground – Black

BEGINS Tab Sign

12.5

Rb-84t 20 cm x 60 cm

Font Highway Gothic CColour Legend & Border – White Reflective

Background – Black



MAXIMUM SPEED BEGINS Sign

10

30

12.5

Rb-2 60 cm x 90 cm

Font Highway Gothic C, DColour Top Section of Sign:



MAXIMUM SPEED KM/H and BEGINSSign on One Sign Blank

10

30

12.5

12.5

Rb-3 60 cm x 120 cm

Font Highway Gothic C, D, EColour Top Section of Sign:

Legend & Border – BlackBackground – White reflective


KM/H Tab Sign

10

Rb-7t 20 cm x 60 cm

Font Highway Gothic EColo

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