Road signs in the United States

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In the United States, road signs are, for the most part, standardized by federal regulations, most notably in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and its companion volume the Standard Highway Signs (SHS). There are no plans for adopting the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals standards.

Twenty-three states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico use the manual without any alterations, 20 states have adopted it in conjunction with a supplemental volume, and seven states have a state version in substantial conformance to the MUTCD. There are also localized versions that are used in large cities such as New York City which use a naming system compatible with the MUTCD and/or state supplement. The MUTCD and SHS establish seven general categories of signs for road and highway use (all signs from national MUTCD, unless noted).

Video Road signs in the United States

Regulatory

Regulatory signs give instructions to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Signs such as stop, no parking, no turns, and yield are considered regulatory signs. Some have special shapes, such as the octagon for the stop sign and the X shape for railroad crossings. Some signs can be localized, such as no parking, and some are only found in state and local jurisdictions as they are based on state or local laws, such as New York City's "Don't Block the Box" signs. These signs are in the R series of signs in the MUTCD and typically in the R series in most state supplements or state MUTCDs.

R1 Series: Stop and Yield

The MUTCD's R1 series is for stop and yield. As not all situations are covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The 4-WAY and 3-WAY plaques (R1-3) were deprecated in the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD in favor of the ALL WAY plaque (R1-4P).

• Stop and Yield

R2 Series: Speed Limit

The MUTCD's R2 series is for speed limit signs. Some state supplements and state MUTCDs place various speed limit signs in other series. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. Speed limits in the United States are always in miles per hour. Metric speed limit signs in kilometers per hour are authorized but extremely rare, usually seen near the borders with Canada and Mexico, both of which use the metric system. Many states, however, disallow the use of metric signs on state-maintained roads due to system restrictions, increasing the rarity of such signs.

• Speed Limit Signs

R3 Series: Lane Usage and Turns

The MUTCD's R3 series of signs is for lane usage and turn signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Lane Usage and Turns Signs

R4 Series: Regulation of Movement

The MUTCD's R4 series of signs is for the regulation of movement signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Regulation of Movement Signs

R5 Series: Exclusionary

The MUTCD's R5 series of signs is for exclusionary signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The most common of these signs is the do not enter sign.

• Exclusionary Signs

R6 Series: One Way and Divided Highway

The MUTCD's R6 series of signs is for one way and divided highway signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The most common of these signs is the one way sign.

• One Way and Divided Highway

R7 Series: Parking

The MUTCD allows for three types of parking signs, permissive, no parking, and no standing. However, in most states, there is an additional more restrictive one, no stopping. These signs are found in the R7 series of signs in the MUTCD. As all situations are not covered, several states and local governments have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

Permissive Parking

These types of signs allow for parking for either an unlimited or varied amount of time. These types are often used in conjunction with parking meters and parking permits. These signs are specified by the MUTCD to be green on white. Local variations do occur with additional information and slightly different designs.

• Permissive Parking

No Parking

No parking signs indicate that loading or unloading there while temporarily stopped is permitted, but parking is not. Some no parking signs display time restrictions, while others are permanent restrictions. There are also temporary versions of the signs, often of similar design to the permanent ones. These signs are specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, although local variations do occur.

• No Parking

No Standing

No standing signs indicate that stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers is allowed, while parking is not allowed. As with no parking signs, some restrictions displayed on the signs are permanent and some are time based. The signs are also specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, but local variations exist.

• No Standing

No Stopping

No stopping signs indicate that stopping is only allowed in order to obey a traffic sign, signal, traffic agent, police officer, or to avoid conflicts with other vehicles. These are the most restrictive of the parking signs. They are typically red on white.

• No Stopping

R8 Series: Parking and Emergency Restrictions

The MUTCD's R8 series of signs is for parking restriction and emergency restriction signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Parking and Emergency Restrictions

R9 Series: Bicycles and Pedestrians

The MUTCD's R9 series of signs is for bicycle and pedestrian signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Signs

R10 Series: Traffic Signal

The MUTCD's R10 series of signs is for traffic signal related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Traffic Signal Signs

R11 Series: Road Closed

The MUTCD's R11 series of signs is for road closure related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Road Closed Signs

R12 Series: Weight Limits

The MUTCD's R12 series of signs is for weight limit related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Weight Limits Signs

R13 Series: Weigh Stations

The MUTCD's R13 series of signs is for weigh station related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R14 Series: Truck Routes

The MUTCD's R14 series of signs is for truck route related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R15 Series: Rail and Light Rail

The MUTCD's R15 series of signs is for rail and light rail related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Rail and Light Rail Signs

R16 Series: Seat Belts and Headlight Use

The MUTCD's R16 series of signs is for seat belt and headlight use related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Seat Belts and Headlight Use Signs

Other Local and State Series

The MUTCD does not cover all situations, so states and local governments have developed their own regulatory signs. In these, the sign categories are assigned series either using the MUTCD style, but higher than 16 (as done in Texas), or use a unique series nomenclature system (as done in California).

• Other Local and State Series Signs

Maps Road signs in the United States

Schools

The S series of signs is specially designated by the MUTCD for use around schools. Some states have additional school warning related signs in the S series, as well as in the W series of warning signs and/or the R series of regulatory signs of the state supplement or state MUTCD. The MUTCD now requires school warning signs to have fluorescent yellow-green background color.

• Schools

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Warning

Warning signs are found in the W series of the national MUTCD. They highlight existing conditions, such as a curve, school, dead end street, or traffic signal. They can also warn possible danger such as bumps, bicycles, low flying aircraft, or emergency vehicles. These signs are either yellow or fluorescent yellow in color and, with the exception of a few signs, are usually diamond shaped and sometimes have square or rectangular smaller signs or plaques associated with them. Most W series signs can also be found with orange backgrounds for temporary use in situations such as construction zones. Some of the temporary use signs are only for use in temporary situations.

W1 Series: Curves and Turns

The MUTCD's W1 series of signs is for warning signs relating to curves and turns. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Curves and Turns

W2 Series: Intersections

The MUTCD's W2 series of signs is for warning signs relating to intersections including traffic circles. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Intersections

W3 Series: Advance Traffic Control

The MUTCD's W3 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

• Advance Traffic Control

W4 Series: Lanes and Merges

The MUTCD's W4 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Lanes and Merges

W5 Series: Road Width Restrictions

The MUTCD's W5 series of signs is for warning signs relating to road width restrictions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

• Road Width Restrictions

W6 Series: Divided Highways

The MUTCD's W6 series of signs is for warning signs relating to divided highways. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

• Divided Highways

W7 Series: Hills and Grades

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W7 series dealing with hills and grades. Several states have additional signs for other types of situations not covered by the MUTCD.

• Hills and Grades

W8 Series: Pavement and Roadway Conditions

The MUTCD's W8 series of signs is for warning signs relating to pavement and roadway conditions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Pavement and Roadway Conditions

• Rocks and Mud

• Wind, Fog, and Storms

• Ice and Frost

• Flooding and Water Conditions

W9 Series: Lane Transitions

The MUTCD's W9 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane transitions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Lane Transitions

W10 Series: Rail and Light Rail

The MUTCD's W10 series of signs is for warning signs relating to rail and light rail. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Rail and Light Rail

W11 Series: Advance Warnings and Crossings

The MUTCD's W11 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance warnings and crossings. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD allows use of a fluorescent yellow-green background color for signs relating to people crossing the road.

Emergency Vehicles

The MUTCD only provides for a warning of fire stations in the W11 series. Most states have their own signs for other emergency vehicle types which may enter the road.

• Emergency Vehicles

Children

The MUTCD specifies no children related signs in the W11 series. Several states, counties, and municipalities have signs for situations as children at play as well as children with various medical conditions. Some of these signs vary from state to state as there is no federal standard.

• Children

Bicycles

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series warning of bicycles and for signing bicycle facilities. Several states and localities have their own specific bicycle related signs as well.

• Bicycles

Vehicles

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with vehicles. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.

• Vehicles

Pedestrians, Transit, and Aviation

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with pedestrians, transit, and aviation. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.

• Pedestrians, Rail and Aviation

Animals

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with animals. Several states have additional signs for other types of animals not covered by the MUTCD.

• Animals

Driveways and Entrances

The MUTCD does not provide signs in the W11 series dealing with driveways and entrances. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations that they place in their own W11 series.

• Driveways and Entrances

W12 Series: Low Clearances

The MUTCD's W12 series of signs is for warning signs relating to low clearances. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. Metric low clearance signs in meters are authorized but extremely rare, usually seen near the borders with Canada and Mexico, both of which use the metric system. Many states, however, disallow the use of metric signs on state-maintained roads due to system restrictions, increasing the rarity of such signs.

• Low Clearances

W13 Series: Advisory Speeds

The MUTCD's W13 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advisory speeds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. Speed limits in the United States are always in miles per hour. Metric advisory speed signs in kilometers per hour are authorized but extremely rare, usually seen near the borders with Canada and Mexico, both of which use the metric system. Many states, however, disallow the use of metric signs on state-maintained roads due to system restrictions, increasing the rarity of such signs.

• Advisory Speeds

W14 Series: Dead End Streets and No Passing Zones

The MUTCD's W14 series of signs is for warning signs relating to dead end streets and no passing zones. As all situations are not covered, several states and local governments have additional signs for other types of situations not covered by the MUTCD.

• Dead End and Limited Access Streets

W15 Series: Playgrounds

The MUTCD's W15 series of signs is for warning signs relating to playgrounds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Playgrounds

W16 Series: Supplemental Plaques

The MUTCD's W16 series of signs is for supplemental plaques for warning signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Supplemental Plaques

W17 Series: Speed Humps

The MUTCD's W17 series of signs is for warning signs relating to speed humps. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Speed Humps

W19 Series: End of Controlled Access Highway

The MUTCD's W19 series of signs is for warning signs relating to the end of a controlled access highway. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• End of Controlled Access

W20 Series: Work Zones

The MUTCD's W20 series of signs is for warning signs relating to work zones. These signs are typically orange background ones used for temporary situations. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Work Zone Signs

W20 Series: Road Ends

The MUTCD ROAD CLOSED signs alert drivers that the road is closed, these signs are white.

• Road Closed signs

W21 Series: Road Work

The MUTCD's W21 series of signs is for warning signs relating to road work. These signs are typically orange background ones used for temporary situations. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD

• Road Work Signs

W22 Series: Blasting Zones

The MUTCD's W22 series of signs is for warning signs relating to blasting zones. These signs are typically orange background ones used for temporary situations. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Blasting Zone Signs

W23 Series: Slow Traffic

The MUTCD's W23 series of signs is for warning signs relating to slow traffic. These signs are typically orange background ones used for temporary situations. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Slow Traffic Signs

W24 Series: Lane Shifts

The MUTCD's W24 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane shifts, where traffic would be diverted slightly toward the left or right of the roadway, but the route is otherwise unchanged. These signs are typically orange background ones used for temporary situations. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Double Reverse Curve Signs

W25 Series: Oncoming Traffic Has Extended Green

The MUTCD's W25 series of signs is for warning signs oncoming traffic having an extended green signal at a traffic light. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

• Extended Green Signs

Miscellaneous

The MUTCD does not provide signs dealing with some other road and highway situations. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations.

• Miscellaneous

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Guide

Guide signs include highway route markers (shields), street signs, mile markers, and exit signs.

Interchange signs

• Interchange Advance Guide Signs

• Interchange Exit Direction Signs

• Toll Road Signs

• Logo service and Rest Area signs

Shield markers

• Guide Signs and Route Markers (Shields)

Note: State markers are illustrative examples; all states may select their own marker shapes or use the default circle. See Numbered highways in the United States#State highways and other similar systems.

• Street Name Signs

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Toll Road Signs

Chapter 2F of the MUTCD deals with signs for toll roads.

• Toll Road Signs

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Hospital

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Non-compliant to MUTCD Signs

There are many signs that are non-compliant to MUTCD and/or state MUTCD standards seen in use on public and semi-public roads.

• Non Compliant vs Compliant Signs

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Superseded signs

These signs have been superseded, but can still be seen in some places

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References

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External links

Media related to Road signs in the United States at Wikimedia Commons

Source of article : Wikipedia