Page:Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs (1946).djvu/47

 be increased to one mile. Except where specially authorised by the Minister (see paragraphs 115 and 116) not more than one chequer panel, in addition to the normal panel, should appear on one arrow.

(v) Diagram 82 1s for a staggered crossing. It should be used only where the distance between the two junctions does not exceed 70 yards.

(vi) The 1933 Provisional Regulations authorised the use of the sign shown in diagram 83 only where lack of space made impracticable the erection of the standard type shown in diagram 78. This sign has been little used, and the special conditions for which it was intended will now better be met by the sign recommended in paragraph 120 and shown in diagram 92. We therefore recommend that the authorisation of the sign shown in diagram 83 be withdrawn.

Roundabout

114. Diagram 84 shows an approach sign for a roundabout. It differs from the sign at present authorised only in that a short stub arm has been added to indicate the right hand section of the roundabout carriageway.

Ring roads

115. We consider it desirable to make special reference to approach direction signposting on ring roads round the outskirts of towns, as distinct from by-passes avoiding the urban area altogether. Where the responsible authorities have decided that it is desirable that through traffic should be directed along a ring road, we consider that the ring road should be signposted in the same way as other through routes, except that on the standard sign the words “Ring Road” could be substituted for the place name in the appropriate panels. If the ring road were classified the route number also would be shown. We appreciate, however, that on ring road signs the indication of the radiating through routes intersected by the ring road may help to divert traffic round it, and we consider therefore that in special cases signs of the type shown in diagram 85 should be authorised. It is important that the standard layouts be adhered to, the only permissible variations from standard being in the use of the words “Ring Road,” in the number of panels on one arrow, and in the waiving of the one mile limit for chequer panels. Only panels giving information likely to be of value to a reasonable proportion of drivers using the road should be shown. A multiplicity of panels defeats one of the primary objects of the signposting system—to give information at a glance.

By-pass roads

116. We are of opinion that by-pass roads should be signposted so as to encourage their use by through traffic. We therefore recommend that in appropriate cases the display of the name of the by-pass, the use of more than one chequer panel on one arrow, and the use of chequer panels to indicate road junctions at distances in excess of one mile, should be specially authorised. A sign of this type is shown in diagram 86.

Dual carriageways

117. (i) Diagram 87 shows the sign which we recommend for use on the approach to a crossing of a dual carriageway road where there is no baffle island at the crossing. The words “dual carriageway” should only appear on the sign if the direction of flow of traffic on the dual carriageway road is controlled by Regulation or Order as recommended in paragraph 90.

(ii) The sign shown in diagram 88 is recommended for use on the approach to a crossing of a dual carriageway road where there is a baffle island