Page:Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs (1946).djvu/42

 Stop

100. Our attention has been drawn to a number of “Stop” signs which have been authorised for use at particular ungated level-crossings or opening bridges. They are mostly of the internally illuminated type where the illuminant is controlled by the crossing or bridge operator, and they only become legible when illuminated. They are additional to standard advance warning signs and are for special cases where it is necessary to indicate the point beyond which road traffic must not proceed while the bridge or crossing is closed to it. In paragraph 101(d) and (e) we make general recommendations on the subject of this type of sign.

General Principles governing mandatory signs 101. The following notes summarise the general principles which in our view should govern the design of mandatory signs.

(a) Signs which indicate that in conformity with a statutory Order or Regulation traffic must proceed in a specified direction should be surmounted by a red ring.

(b) The symbol of the red triangle within a red ring should be strictly reserved for “Halt at Major Road Ahead” and “Slow, Major Road Ahead” signs. Other signs requiring traffic to stop should not be surmounted by a symbol.

(c) Signs requiring traffic to stop (other than the “Halt” sign recommended in paragraph 96 and the “Stop” sign recommended in paragraph 99) and which are not intended to be illuminated internally, should be in black letters on a white ground, except that the word “Stop” may be in red letters.

(d) On special internally illuminated “Stop” signs for use at particular ungated level-crossings or opening bridges, either the letters or the background on the sign may be red. The words “Stop” or “Stop Here” should always be displayed. Provided that the clarity of the sign is not impaired, we see no objection to the display of additional explanatory words, e.g. “Train on Line” or “Gates Closed.”

(e) “Stop” signs should be displayed to traffic only during such time as the injunction is in force, and in appropriate cases should, therefore, either be made portable or so arranged as to be legible only when internally illuminated.

Signs adopted by Geneva 1931 Conference 102. The Geneva 1931 Conference adopted the following informative signs:

(i) A square sign bearing the letter “P” in white on a blue ground, to denote a parking place. The sign now used for this purpose in this country is of this form. (See paragraph 103.)

(ii) A rectangular sign bearing an equilateral triangle in light colour on a dark ground, to indicate a need for caution on the part of drivers, e.g. when approaching a school. Explanatory lettering or a symbol may be added. In this country no distinction is made between types of warning signs.

(iii) A sign indicating the position of a first-aid post organised by an officially recognised association. It consists of a symbol (in Europe generally