field study report for traffic signs

8/13/2019 Field Study Report for traffic signs

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Table of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Objective ............................................................................................................................................................... 2

Data collection ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Detailed Discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 4

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

References .......................................................................................................................................................... 23


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1-IntroductionThe communication between traffic engineers and road users take place with the help of traffic

signs and markings. Traffic signs and markings are deployed on the roads to reduce growing

traffic congestion and to help the road users. Traffic signs are essential part of the road as they

keep the traffic flow steady and road users protected from accidents. Traffic signs and markings

are used to provide timely information to the road users. Highway safety work that is

Traffic signology, Pavement marking, cat eyes etc play a vital role in smooth flow of

traffic by providing timely information to the road users.

The usage of traffic signs was started in the late 19th century. With the increase in vehicular

traffic, the importance of traffic controlling devices increased, the most cheap and simplest

were traffic signs and markings. For traffic signs and markings to be successful two of the thingsare necessary: one is their standardization/uniformity and the other is their awareness to the

general public.

In Pakistan, the traffic signs are installed on almost every major road but the dilemma is that

the general compliance is relatively low. The non observance of traffic signs has decreased the

safety of road users. Moreover, the deviation from standardization of signs is causing a big

problem to the people who want to observe and respond the traffic signs.

The NUST H-12 campus was made operational when classes commenced in November 2012. At

that time, only information sign boards were placed in the campus. The vehicular traffic was

less but speedy, which caused a few severe accidents. The accidents in 2008 and 2009 took

place at the sharp curve in front of Fatima hostel and NUST Business School; the other one took

place on the intersection of Bolan road and Indus loop in front of Rummi hostels.

2-ObjectiveThe field study "Traffic Signs and Marking Survey" aimed at collection of relevant informationabout the types, frequency, condition and dimension and placement. The ultimate objective was

to find potential deficiencies and suggest improvements required. To conduct the survey, the

group members were assigned seven different road sections. The locations and dimensions of

traffic signs and pavement markings on these roads were measured. Moreover, a rapid survey


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was also conducted through a structured questionnaire to assess the impact of NUST traffic sign

on the drivers and pedestrians.

3-Data CollectionNUST H-12 Islamabad is the only sector in Islamabad that is without traffic signals, all the traffic

flow is controlled with the help of traffic sign boards and road markings. Due to this, a lot of

traffic sign boards are present on the roads of NUST. The seven different road sections of NUST

were assigned to us with a collective length of 7229 foot. The road sections were located in

different parts of the campus; therefore quiet diverse information was gathered. The detail of

data collection with comments is given in the appendix. The data collected regarding traffic

signs and pavement markings included the following:

Dimensions of traffic signs andpavement markings

Ground Clearance Shape of traffic signs Lateral Distance Location Color scheme

The traffic sign, pavement markings with details are enlisted in the annexure of this report.

Most of the signs observed were information and guiding signs. The pavement marking

situation is in the worst state as most of it needs rehabilitation. As the electricity cables are laid

underground, so a number of warning signs for the pedestrians can also be seen. These signs

were observed on the green belts with the roads and on the medians. On different sections, the

signs observed were quiet different, which are as under:

S# Name of road section Number of traffic signboard observed

Pavement markings

condition

1 IQRA apartment T-Turn toGate-10

3 Satisfactory

2 Zainab hostel to SCME T-turn 6 Very poor

3 SCME T-turn to IESE 9 Satisfactory

4 NBS faculty car park to SADA 2 Satisfactory

5 Rummi hostel intersection to C-2 12 Very poor

6 C-2 to HQ building 15 Very poor

7 Medical center to IRSA apartment T-

turn

3 No marking seen on

the pavement


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Section 4 NBS faculty car park to SADA

This section has highest number of pedestrians. The length of this section is 485 foot. A

playground is next to this road section. Two sign boards are present on this section. A Stop sign

board warns the vehicle users to stop and cross the intersection with care but it is hiding

behind a tree. Moreover, the stop sign is not according to the manual of signs, signals & roadmarkingsxi. No road markings were found on this section.

Section 5 Rummi hostel intersection to C-2

The length of this section is 759 foot; it neighbors Rummi hostel and Concordia 2. The Rummi

intersection is formed by the intersection of Indus loop and Bolan road and it houses the

maximum number of speed breakers. The major road ahead signxiiis placed on Bolan road, on

the contrary, the major road ahead sign on the Indus loop is facing the opposite direction. The

pavement markings are in a poor condition. Crosswalk marking should be present near Rummi

hostel, between Concordia 2 and its car parking. Posted speed limit is 40 Kmph but it is 58 footaway from a speed breaker. The hump sign is 41 foot away from speed breaker instead of

calculated 60 foot. According to the manual of signs, signals & road markings suggests that the

hump sign may be placed 4.5m (14.76ft) before the speed breaker (hump)xiii.

Section 6 C-2 to HQ building

The 2048 foot long section starts in front of Concordia 2(C-2) and ends at HQ building. The

placement of hump sign near SEECS is at a distance of 16 foot which should be 60 foot. The

hump signs near the HQ building are at calculated distance i.e. 60 foot from the speed breaker.

The speed limit sign is behind the trees. This section hosts a curve, so the relevant signs toindicate the curve should be placed on both the sides i.e. 'curve towards right'xivand 'curve

towards left' signs. Moreover, parking prohibition signxvshould also be placed.

Section 7 Medical center to IRSA apartment T-turn

This road section with a length of 1028 foot is located between the residential areas of NUST.

No intersection and Stop/ Yield signs are placed on this road. Pavement markings were not

found on this section. Different roads meet this section so a minor road crossing with an offset

signxvishould be placed.

5-ConclusionSome of the problems are common on every road section. None of the roads has proper

pavement markings. Traffic sign ground clearance and lateral clearance from road are not as

per standards. The shape of sign boards is not as per specified category. The markings on speed

breakers are not as per the standards. Reflectorized pavement studsare not fixed on each road.


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The hump sign should be placed at proper distance that is 14.76 foot before the speed breaker.

The pavement marking plays an important role in traffic control and regulation in foggy season.

So the pavement markings must be done again on the roads using thermo plastic paints and

glass beads. The ground clearance and lateral clearance varies throughout the campus.

According to rapid survey, the overall impacts of NUST traffic sign boards are good on road

users and they are helpful in guiding public. In line with the rapid survey the NUST traffic signs

are better than the signs posted by CDA. But from the eye of traffic engineer the shape and

placement of NUST traffic sign boards are not as per the standards. The traffic sign rapid

survey in detail is given in the appendix.


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6-APPENDIXAPPENDIX A-1

Detail of the data collected by traffic sign and pavement survey

Section1Iqra apartments t-turn to NUST gate 10

Sign

observed

Dimensions Shape Ground

clearance

Lateral

clearance

Color scheme Remarks

Information

sign board 5'3" x 1'8"

Rectangular

with curved

edges

2'8" 4'

Blue background

with white

writing

________

Speed limit 3'x3' Square 7'2" 6'2"

Yellow

background with

information in

red

Must be

circular in

shape

Prohibitory

regulatory

sign(Slow

sign)

3' x 3' Square 4'2" 6'2"

Yellow

background with

information in

red

Must be

circular in

shape

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7'5" 13'5"

White

background with

black figure

_______

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The

ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the

standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum

and maximum limits.


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Section2Zainab Hostel to SCME T-turn

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Information

sign board

(5'3"x1'8")x2 Rectangular

with curved

edges

3'5" 3'6"

Blue background

with lettering in

white

______

Parking

prohibition

sign

3'x3' Square

5'8" 16'5"

White

background with

information in

Black and Red

Must be

circular in

shape

Information

sign board

5'3"x1'6" Rectangular

3'8" 15'6"

Blue background

with lettering in

white

______

Information

sign board

5'3"x1'6" Rectangular

1'6" 16'5"

Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______




and maximum limits.


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Section 3SCME T-turn to IESE

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Information

sign board

(5'3"x1'8") Rectangular

with curved

edges

3'7" 18'3"

Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______

Speed limit

No.s 2

3'x3' Square 5'8" 16'5"

Yellow

background with

information in

red

Must be

circular in

shape


White

background with

black figure

_______

Information

sign board 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 1'8" 15'8"

Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______

Major road

on one side

only

Rectangular

Yellow

background with

sign in black

Must be

triangular in

shape


White

background with

black figure

_______




and maximum limits.


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Section 4NBS faculty car park to SADA

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Stop sign 1'3" each

side

Octagonal 5'6" 1'8"

Red background

with lettering in

white

Must be

Circular in

shape with a

hand

displayed in

it

Information

Sign board 5' x 5' Rectangular 5'9" 15'8"

Black

background with

lettering in white

_______




and maximum limits.


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Section 5Rummi Hostel intersection to C-2

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Information

sign boards 5'3"x1'8"

Rectangular

with curvededges

2' 19'

Blue background

with lettering inwhite

Stop Sign 1'3" each

side

Octagonal 7'4" 14'5"

Red background

with lettering in

white

Must be

Circular in

shape with a

hand

displayed in

it

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7' 12'

White

background with

black figure

_______

Major road

ahead Sign

3' x 3' Rectangular 6'6" 18'

Yellow

background with

sign in black

Must be

triangular in

shape


White

background with

black figure

_______

Major road

ahead Sign

3' x 3' Rectangular 6'6" 18'

Yellow

background with

sign in black

Must be

triangular in

shape

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7'6" 12'

White

background with

black figure

_______

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 8'6" 11'

White

background with

black figure

_______

Stop Sign 1'3" each

side

Octagonal 4'5" 12'10"

Red background

with lettering in

white

Must be

Circular in

shape with a

hand

displayed in

it


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Section 6C-2 to Headquarter building

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Information

sign board


with curvededges

3'4" 12'

Blue background

with lettering inwhite

_______

Speed limit 3'x3' Square 6'2" 12'5"

Yellow

background with

information in

red

Must be

circular in

shape

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 8' 10'10"

White

background with

black figure

_______

Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7' 16'5"

White

background with

black figure

_______

Camera

sign board 3' x 3' Rectangular 5' 13'6"

White

background with

figure in blue

_______

All

overtaking

prohibition

sign

3' x 3' Rectangular 6'5" 12'6"

White

background with

sign in black and

line in red

Must be

circular in

shape




and maximum limits.


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Section 7Medical center to IRSA apartment T-turn

Sign

observed


clearance

Lateral

clearance


Information

sign board


with curved

edges

5' 12'

Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______

Information


Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______

Information


Blue background

with lettering in

white

_______




and maximum limits.


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References

iUp- grade sign page # 43 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

iiDown- grade sign page # 43 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

iiiU-turn Sign page # 52 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

ivHump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1v

Pedestrian crossing sign page # 46 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1viCross walk marking page 87 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

viiMajor road sign page # 53 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

viiiStop line marking page # 85 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

ixGive-way sign page # 21 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xHump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xiStop sign page # 19 Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xiiMajor road ahead sign page # 53 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xiiiHump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xivCurve sign page # 42 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xvParking prohibition sign page # 32 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

xviMinor road crossing with an offset page # 50 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1

field study report for traffic signs

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