D4SIGNING PRINCIPLES
D4.1INTRODUCTION
D4.1.1 Effective signing is fundamental to an efficient and safe temporary road management scheme. This section details the considerations a designer should take into account when designing the signing at works sites and discusses the meaning and deployment of types of signing commonly found in temporary situations. Schedule 12 to the Regulations prescribes the key warning, informatory and regulatory signs used at road works.
D4.1.2 Any prescribed sign may be used temporarily in connection with road works, at accidents, in connection with temporary traffic orders or control, during holiday seasons, and for other special occasions, such as large public gatherings. Such signs must be of a prescribed size and type, and details of their use and siting distances will be found in the appropriate chapters of the Traffic Signs Manual.
D4.1.3 Most signs which require an Order or site approval by the Secretary of State when used permanently are subject to the same conditions when used temporarily by, or on behalf of, a Highway Authority.
D4.1.4 This requirement does not however apply to signs erected by the police in accordance the powers granted by section 67 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or by traffic officers in accordance with powers granted by the Traffic Management 2004, who may in an emergency display regulatory signs for a period not exceeding seven days. Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1972, which makes it an offence for a driver to disregard the indication given by a sign, applies to any sign so displayed by the police. The police in Northern Ireland do not have these powers.
D4.1.5 Outside working hours, consideration should be given to removing or covering temporary speed limit signs unless they are considered necessary to maintain safety within the site. A check should always be made to ensure that no conflicting signs remain in place at any time.
D4.2SIGNING CONSIDERATIONS
D4.2.1 The traffic management designer should consider all aspects of signing which forms part of the traffic management design. These include:
- traffic management signs,
- regulatory signs,
- warning signs,
- temporary diversion signs,
- driver information signs (including those placed in advance of the works); and
- variable message signs (VMS).
D4.2.2 Traffic signing equipment must comply with the relevant British or European Standard.
D4.2.3 The use of any traffic sign not prescribed by TSRGD 2002 is unlawful unless it has received special signs authorisation. Authorisations should be sought via the traffic authority from the Department. Non-prescribed signs must not be used without prior authorisation.
D4.2.4 Variable signs capable of being brought into and taken out of use by the operation of any electrical or other apparatus may also need to be type approved in accordance with direction 56. Type approvals, where
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