Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Last updated
Convention on Road Signs
Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.svg
Signatories and ratifications as of April 2023
  Signed
  Ratified
  Accession / succession
  Uses the SADC Convention
  Uses the SICA Convention
Signed8 November 1968
LocationVienna
Effective6 June 1978
ConditionRatification by 15 states
Signatories35
Parties71
Depositary UN Secretary-General
LanguagesChinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
The title page of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals The endpaper of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.jpg
The title page of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

The Convention on Road Signs and Signals, commonly known as the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, is a multilateral treaty to standardize the signing system for road traffic (road signs, traffic lights and road markings) in use internationally.

Contents

History

This convention was agreed upon by the United Nations Economic and Social Council at its Conference on Road Traffic in Vienna 7 October to 8 November 1968, was concluded in Vienna on 8 November 1968, and entered into force on 6 June 1978. This conference also produced the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which complements this legislation by standardising international traffic laws.

The convention revised and substantially extended the earlier 1949 Geneva Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, [1] itself based in turn on the 1931 Geneva Convention concerning the Unification of Road Signals. Amendments, including new provisions regarding the legibility of signs, priority at roundabouts, and new signs to improve safety in tunnels were adopted in 2003.

Both the Vienna Convention and the Geneva Protocol were formed according to consensus on road traffic signs that evolved primarily in 20th century continental Western Europe. In order to make it as universal as possible, the convention allows some variations, for example danger warning signs can be triangular or square diamond in shape and road markings can be white or yellow. Though most UN members have not ratified the full treaty, the signs and legal principles enshrined in it form the basis of traffic law in a majority of places.

An alternative convention called the SADC-RTSM, provided by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is used by ten countries in southern Africa. Many of the rules and principles of the SADC-RTSM are similar to those of the Vienna Convention.

In the United States, signs are based on the US Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Signs in the MUTCD are often more text-oriented, though some signs do use pictograms as well. Canada and Australia have road signs based substantially on the MUTCD. In South America, Ireland, several Asian countries (Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) and New Zealand, road signage is influenced by both the Vienna Convention and MUTCD. In Central America, road signs are heavily influenced by MUTCD and based on the Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito, a Central American Integration System (SICA) equivalent to the US MUTCD. [2]

Rules

Road signs

In article 2 the convention classes all road signs into a number of categories (A – H):

The convention then lays out precise colours, sizes, and shapes for each of these classes of sign:

Class of signShapeGroundBorderSizeSymbolExamples
Danger warning signEquilateral triangleWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Varies; Black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign Aa-1a-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign Aa-1a-V3.svg
DiamondYellowBlack0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Varies; Black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign Ab-1a-V1.svg
Priority signs
Give Way sign Inverted equilateral triangleWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)None Vienna Convention road sign B1-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign B1-V2.svg
Stop sign OctagonRedWhite0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Stop written in white Vienna Convention road sign B2a.svg
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Stop written in black or dark blue inside red inverted triangle Vienna Convention road sign B2b-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign B2b-V3.svg
Priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square Vienna Convention road sign B3-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign B3-V2.svg
End of priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square with black or grey diagonal lines crossing the sign Vienna Convention road sign B4-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign B4-V5.svg
Priority for oncoming trafficCircularWhite or yellowRedUnspecifiedBlack arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without Vienna Convention road sign B5-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign B5-V2.svg
Priority over oncoming trafficRectangleBlueNoneUnspecifiedWhite arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without Vienna Convention road sign B6.svg
Prohibitory signs
Standard prohibitoryCircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Varies; black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign C3a-V1-1.svg Vienna Convention road sign C3a-V1-3.svg
Parking prohibitedCircularBlueRed0.6 m (large), 0.2 m (small)None Vienna Convention road sign C18.svg
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.2 m (small)Initial letter or ideogram to denote parking; black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign C18-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign C18-V3.svg
Stopping prohibitedCircularBlueRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)None Vienna Convention road sign C19.svg
End of prohibitionCircularWhite or yellowNone0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Black or grey diagonal line Vienna Convention road sign C17a-V1-1.svg
Mandatory signs
Standard mandatoryCircularBlueNone, white0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small), 0.3 m (very small)Varies, white Vienna Convention road sign D1a-V1.svg
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small), 0.3 m (very small)Varies, black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign D1b-V1-1.svg Vienna Convention road sign D1b-V1-3.svg
Special regulation signs
All signsRectangularBlueUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, white Vienna Convention road sign E17a-EA.svg
LightUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, Black Vienna Convention road sign D10aa.svg
Information, facilities or service signs
All signsUnspecifiedBlue or greenUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, on white or yellow rectangle Vienna Convention road sign F2-V1.svg
Direction, position or indication signs
Informative signsRectangular, sometimes with arrowheadLightUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, dark CH-Hinweissignal-Wegweiser <<Zeltplatz>>.svg
DarkUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, light CH-Hinweissignal-Wegweiser fur Hauptstrassen.svg
MotorwaysRectangularBlue or greenUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, white Vienna Convention road sign E5a-V1.svg Vienna Convention road sign E5a-V2.svg
TemporaryRectangularYellow or orangeUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, black KC1 travaux.svg
Additional panels
All panelsUnspecifiedWhite, blue or yellowBlack, blue or redUnspecifiedVaries, black or dark blue Vienna Convention road sign H1-V1-1.svg
Black, red or dark blueWhite, blue or yellowUnspecifiedVaries, white, blue or yellow Vienna Convention road sign H1-V5-1.svg
Class of signShapeGroundBorderSizeSymbolExamples

May be written in English or the national language

It also specifies the symbols and pictograms which may be used, and the orientations in which they may be used. When more than one is available, the same one must be used nationally. All signs, except for those that do not apply at night, must be reflective enough to be seen in darkness with headlights from a distance.

Road markings

The convention also specifies road markings. All such markings must be less than 6 mm high, with cat's eye reflectors no more than 15 mm above the road surface. The road markings shall be white or yellow. [3]

The length and width of markings varies according to purpose, although no exact figures for size are stated; roads in built up areas should use a broken line for lane division, while continuous lines must only be used in special cases, such as reduced visibility or narrowed carriageways.

All words painted on the road surface should be either of place names, or of words recognisable in most languages, such as "Stop" or "Taxi".

Traffic lights

The Convention specifies the colours for traffic lights and their meanings, and places and purposes lights may be used for, like so:

TypeShapeColourPositionMeaning
Non-flashingPlain Traffic lights dark green.svg GreenAt intersection, entrance to tunnel or bridgeProceed
Traffic lights dark yellow.svg AmberAt intersection, level crossing, swing bridge, airport, fire station or ferry terminalStop if safe to do so
Traffic lights dark red.svg RedAt intersectionStop
Traffic lights dark red-yellow.svg Red and amberAt intersectionSignal is about to change (usually to green)
Arrow pointing leftGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic turning left may proceed
Arrow pointing rightGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic turning right may proceed
Arrow pointing upwardsGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic travelling straight ahead may proceed
Arrow pointing downwards Korfaltssignal, rakt fram.svg GreenAbove laneTraffic may continue in lane
Cross (×) Korfaltssignal, avstangd.svg RedAbove laneTraffic may not enter lane (lane closed)
Arrow pointing diagonally downwards Korfaltssignal, vanster.svg Amber or whiteAbove laneLane closes shortly ahead, change lane in the direction of the arrow
FlashingPlain Alternating flash red traffic light.gif Double Red (alternating)At level crossing, swing bridge, airport, fire station or ferry terminalStop
Jarnvagssignal, vitt.svg Lunar whiteAt crossingProceed
Single flashing yellow traffic light.gif Amber (flashing)Anywhere except intersectionProceed with caution
YellowFlashTrafficLight.gif Amber (flashing)At intersectionThe priority is determined by Vienna Convention road sign B3-V1.svg Priority Route or Vienna Convention road sign B1-V1.svg Yield signs or if none of the above regular right of way rule.

Red flashing lights may only be used at the locations specified above; any other use of the lights is in breach of the convention. Red lights must be placed on top when lights are stacked vertically, or on the side closest to oncoming traffic if stacked horizontally.

Contracting parties

The convention has 71 state parties and 35 signatories (including acceding members) as of October 2022: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Holy See, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Madagascar, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Vietnam. [4]

The only countries in Europe that are not parties to the convention are Andorra, Ireland, Iceland, Malta and Monaco. [4]

Countries in Asia that are not parties to the convention are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Republic of China (Taiwan), Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Cambodia, Laos, and South Korea are all signatories, but have yet to ratify the convention. [4]

Other countries have not signed the convention; however, some have voluntarily adopted some Vienna convention signs. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vienna Convention on Road Traffic</span> International treaty

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variations in traffic light operation</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandatory sign</span> Road Signs used in Traffic Obligation

Mandatory signs are road signs that are used to set the obligations of all traffic that uses a specific area of road. Most mandatory road signs are circular, and may use white symbols on a blue background with a white border, or black symbols on a white background with a red border, although the latter is also associated with prohibitory signs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geneva Convention on Road Traffic</span> 1949 international treaty

The Convention on Road Traffic, commonly known as the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, is an international treaty promoting the development and safety of international road traffic by establishing certain uniform rules among the contracting parties. The convention addresses minimum mechanical and safety equipment needed to be on board and defines an identification mark to identify the origin of the vehicle. The Convention was prepared and opened for signature by the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport held at Geneva from 23 August to 19 September 1949. It came into force on 26 March 1952. This conference also produced the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals.

Like many South American countries, the road signs in Brazil are strongly based on the US MUTCD standard, but with text in Portuguese. The regulatory, prohibitory and mandatory signs are all of them white circular with red borders, with the exception of the stop and the yield sign. The warning signs are yellow diamonds. Units are expressed in compliance with the International System of Units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road signs in Chile</span>

Road signs in Chile are regulated in the Manual de Señalización de Tránsito, which is based on both the United States' MUTCD and the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, to which Chile is a signatory. Therefore, road signs are compliant with international standards. Chile uses yellow diamonds for warning signs in common with most of the rest of the Americas. Speed limit signs are a red circle with a white background and the limitation in black, and are in kilometres per hour. There are also some signs unique to Chile. Chile also currently uses a mixture of both types of mandatory signs: European-style signs with white symbols on a blue background and a white border, and signs with black symbols on a white background and a red border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comparison of MUTCD-influenced traffic signs</span>

Road signs used by countries in the Americas are significantly influenced by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), first released in 1935, reflecting the influence of the United States throughout the region. Other non-American countries using road signs similar to the MUTCD include Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand. They, along with the US Virgin Islands, are also the only countries listed here which drive on the left—with the exception of Liberia and the Philippines, both of which drive on the right.

This is a comparison of road signs in countries and regions that speak majorly English, including major ones where it is an official language and widely understood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road signs in the Philippines</span> Overview of traffic signs used in Philippine transportation

Road signs in the Philippines are regulated and standardized by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Most of the signs reflect minor influences from American and Australian signs but keep a design closer to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, to which the Philippines is an original signatory. The Philippines signed the convention on November 8, 1968, and ratified it on December 27, 1973.

This article is a summary of traffic signs used in each country.

References

  1. Protocol on Road Signs and Signals (PDF). United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport. United Nations Treaty Series (in English and French). Vol. 182. Geneva, Switzerland. 19 September 1949 via United Nations Treaty Collection.
  2. "Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito 2014" (PDF) (in Spanish). SIECA. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  3. "Article 29". Convention on Road Signs and Signals (PDF). United Nations Treaty Series (in English, French, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish). Vol. 1091. Vienna. 8 November 1968. p. 27 via United Nations Treaty Collection.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. 1 2 3 "Chapter XI Transport and Communications - B. Road Traffic - 20. Convention on Road Signs and Signals". United Nations Treaty Collection. United Nations. 16 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  5. AdcIdl (1 August 2024). "Road Traffic signs in Andorra" (PDF).