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Route Marker Signs for National Highways

IRC 2 (1968) specifies the design, materials, colors, dimensions, and placement of route marker signs for National Highways in India. It provides detailed guidelines on sign colors, lettering, arrow designs, and positioning to ensure clear and consistent navigation for road users. This standard is essential for highway engineers, traffic planners, and road authorities involved in the installation and maintenance of National Highway signage.

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72Clauses Indexed
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1968Edition
Roads and Bridges IRC- Indian road congress Category
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What This Standard Covers

IRC 2 (1968) specifies the design, materials, colors, dimensions, and placement of route marker signs for National Highways in India. It provides detailed guidelines on sign colors, lettering, arrow designs, and positioning to ensure clear and consistent navigation for road users. This standard is essential for highway engineers, traffic planners, and road authorities involved in the installation and maintenance of National Highway signage.

Who Uses This Standard

  • Highway Engineers
  • Traffic Sign Designers
  • Road Safety Auditors
  • Transportation Planners
  • Public Works Department Officials
  • Signage Manufacturers
  • Urban and Regional Planners

Key Topics Covered

Sign background color specifications (Canary Yellow, IS Colour No. 309)
Lettering and border color requirements (Black)
Dimensions and spacing of numerals and letters
Materials for sign plates and posts (enamelled or painted steel)
Positioning of signs relative to junctions and carriageways
Design and use of definition plates with directional arrows
Erection of route marker assemblies at highway intersections
Color coding for sign backs and posts
Standardized arrow designs for direction indication
Metrication and dimensional standards for signage
Guidelines for confirmatory route markers
Spacing of signs from junctions (100 to 150 meters)

Table of Contents

1Introduction

The Introduction section of IRC 2 provides foundational details and includes key tables related to numeral dimensions and spacing for road signage. Specifically, for 20 cm high numerals, the dimensions in millimeters are tabulated, detailing parameters such as 'a', 'b', 'c', 'e', and 'f' among others. Additionally, spacing between numerals is specified in millimeters for code numbers 1, 2, and 4. There is also a table indicating the spacing requirements between preceding and following numerals to ensure clarity and legibility. These tables are essential for standardizing numeral sizes and spacing on road signs as per IRC 2 guidelines.

Sources: TABLE: 7. MATERIALS

2Background Colour and Lettering

The background colour for signs as per IRC 2 shall be Canary Yellow, conforming to Indian Standard Colour No. 309, with the border and lettering in black (Clauses 2 and 2.2). The paint materials must comply with Indian Standards. For 20 cm high numerals, the dimensions in millimetres are specified in the provided table, which includes various parameters (a, a#, b, etc.) essential for accurate lettering and numeral design. The border and arrow on signs are also to be in black on the yellow background (Clause None: 2).

Sources: Clause 2, Clause 2.2, Table 7

3Positioning of the Sign

As per IRC 2, the positioning of the National Highway Route Marker Sign is specified as follows: The sign shall be erected according to the drawing titled "Arrangement for Erection of National Highway Route Marker Signs", Plate 2 (Clause 3.2). The sign must be placed on the left-hand side of the road as one approaches the junction. The distance of the sign from the junction along the National Highway should be between 100 to 150 metres on either side of the junction (Clause 3.4).

Sources: Clause 3.2, Clause 3.4

4Definition Plate and Arrow Designs

The IRC 2 code provides examples of arrow designs for use on the definition plate in Plate 3, as per Clause 4.3. These arrows serve as typical illustrations and can be adapted suitably for other situations, following similar design principles (Clause 3). The definition plate itself is detailed in Clause 4. While no explicit formulas or tables are provided in the retrieved context, the key guidance is that arrow designs shown are examples and can be evolved as needed for clarity and applicability.

Sources: Clause 3, Clause 4, Clause 4.3

5Route Marker Assembly at Junctions

The Route Marker Assembly at junctions with numbered routes, as per IRC 2, involves placing route marker signs to clearly indicate intersecting routes. The assembly is essentially the same whether the intersecting route is a National Highway, State Route, or other classification, differing only in the shield design. A plan showing the location of the route marker sign at a junction is provided in the code to guide proper placement. Although no explicit formulas or tables are given in the retrieved context, the key specification is that the route marker assembly must clearly identify all intersecting numbered routes using appropriate shields. This ensures consistent and clear navigation at junctions.

Sources: Clause None: ROUTE MARKER ASSEMBLY AT JUNCTIONS WITH NUMBERED ROUTES, Clause None: PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF ROUTE MARKER SIGN AT A JUNCTION

6Colour of Back of Sign and Post

According to IRC 2, the back of all route marker signs shall be painted in unobtrusive grey, specifically Indian Standard Colour No. 630. The sign post must be painted in alternating 25 cm bands of black and white, with the lowest band next to the ground being black. The front of the sign has a yellow background (Canary Yellow, IS Colour No. 309) with black lettering and border as per the specifications. These color specifications ensure visibility and standardization for traffic signs.

Sources: Clause 2.2, Clause 6

7Materials

The key specifications for materials related to numerals in IRC 2 include detailed dimensional tables for 20 cm high numerals and their spacing. The dimensions in millimeters for various parts of the numerals are provided in a comprehensive table, for example, 'a' is 31 mm, 'b' is 434 mm, 'e' is 72 mm, and so forth. Spacing between numerals is specified in millimeters, such as 47 mm for code number 1, 36 mm for code number 2, and 13 mm for code number 4. Additionally, the table for preceding and following numerals defines spacing rules between different numeral pairs. The size, shape, and spacing of letters and numerals must conform to Fig. 1 and Plates 1 and 5 as per Clause 2.3. These tables ensure uniformity and clarity in numeral representation on materials.

Sources: Clause 2.3, TABLE: 7. MATERIALS

8Dimensions and Spacing of Numerals

For 20 cm high numerals as per IRC 2, the key dimensions in millimeters are provided in the following table, which specifies various dimension parameters (a, b, c, e, f, etc.) for standard numeral shapes. Additionally, spacing between numerals depends on the code number as shown in the spacing table. The size, shape, and spacing conform to Fig. 1 and Plates 1 and 5 of the code.

Dimensions for 20 cm high numerals (in mm):

aa#bb.Acc.10a1ee1ffI9
3111434581781972253002859
5213236614178200122645358341
61676930501131281441021039

Spacing between numerals (in mm):

Code NumberSpacing (mm)
147
236
413

These dimensions and spacing ensure legibility and standardization for road signage numerals of 20 cm height as per IRC 2. The exact shape and spacing details are further illustrated in Fig. 1 and Plates 1 and 5 of the code.

Sources: TABLE: 7. MATERIALS, TABLE 2 SPACING BETWEEN NUMERALS, Clause 2.3

9Arrangement for Erection of Route Marker Signs

The arrangement for erection of National Highway Route Marker Signs is specified in IRC 2, particularly in the drawing titled "Arrangement for Erection of National Highway Route Marker Signs", Plate 2, as per Clause 3.2. This drawing provides the detailed layout and positioning for the route marker signs. Additionally, Clause 5 covers the route marker assembly at junctions with numbered routes, ensuring proper placement and visibility. A plan showing the location of route marker signs at junctions is also provided to guide correct installation. Unfortunately, specific formulas or tabulated dimensions are not provided in the retrieved context; the key reference is the Plate 2 drawing and the related clauses for assembly and location.

Sources: Clause 3.2, Clause 5

10Confirmatory Route Marker

The IRC 2 code sections related to Confirmatory Route Markers and Route Marker Assemblies at junctions with numbered routes provide specifications for signage to guide road users. Although the exact formulas or tables are not provided in the retrieved context, typically, Confirmatory Route Markers are placed at intervals along a route to reassure drivers they are on the correct path. Key specifications generally include:

  • Placement at regular intervals and after major junctions.
  • Use of standardized symbols and route numbers.
  • Visibility requirements such as size, color, and retroreflectivity.

For National Highway Route Markers, the assembly at junctions includes clear display of route numbers to aid navigation.

Since the retrieved context lacks detailed formulas or tables, refer to IRC 2 full text for exact dimensions, colors, and placement distances.

flowchart LR
  A[Confirmatory Route Marker]
  B[Placed at regular intervals]
  C[After major junctions]
  D[Standardized symbols & numbers]
  E[Visibility: size, color, retroreflectivity]
  A --> B
  A --> C
  A --> D
  A --> E

Sources: Clause None: ICONFIRMATORY ROUTE MARKER, Clause None: 5. ROUTE MARKER ASSEMBLY AT JUNCTIONS WITH NUMBERED ROUTES, Clause None: NATIONAL HIGHWAY ROUTE MARKER

11Metrication and Rationalisation of Dimensions

The IRC 2 standard was metricated and rationalised in 1968 to convert all dimensions and values into metric units, specifically millimetres, as per the switchover to the metric system in India. All dimensions in the standard are expressed in millimetres (Clause 1.2). For example, the dimensions for 20 cm high numerals are tabulated with various parameters such as 'a', 'b', 'c', 'e', 'f', etc., all given in millimetres. This rationalisation ensures uniformity and ease of use in road signage and related specifications. The key table for numeral dimensions is as follows:

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES FOR 20 CM HIGH NUMERALS
aa #bb. Acc. 10a 1ee 1ff I9
31114345817 81972253002 859
9,1J.3Io
5213236614178200122645358341
P9r.1U¥WIyZ
61676930501131281441021039

This table and all other dimensions in the standard are strictly in millimetres, ensuring clarity and consistency in design and implementation.

Sources: Clause 1.2, Table: Materials - Dimensions in millimetres for 20 cm high numerals

Popular Questions About IRC 2

?What are the specified colors for the background and lettering of National Highway route marker signs?

The retrieved context does not specify the colors for the background and lettering of National Highway route marker signs as per IRC 2. Typically, National Highway route markers have a distinctive color scheme for visibility and standardization, but this information is not present in the provided clauses.

?What materials are recommended for manufacturing route marker signs and posts?

The context specifies the painting requirements for route marker signs and posts but does not explicitly mention the materials recommended for manufacturing them. However, based on standard practice for route marker signs and posts, materials typically used include durable metals such as aluminum or steel for the sign panels and posts, due to their strength and weather resistance. The sign posts are painted in 25 cm bands alternately black and white, with the lowest band black, and the reverse side of signs painted in unobtrusive grey (Indian Standard Colour No. 630) as per the context.

?How far from a junction should a route marker sign be placed according to IRC 2?

According to IRC 2, a route marker sign should be placed at a distance of 100 to 150 metres from the junction along the National Highway on either side of the junction. Additionally, the sign must be fixed on the left-hand side as one approaches the junction, as per Clause 3.4. This ensures clear visibility and guidance for traffic approaching the intersection.

Sources: Clause 3.4

?What are the standard dimensions and spacing for numerals on the signs?

For numerals of 20 cm height on signs, the standard dimensions and spacing are specified in the provided table and must conform to the size, shape, and spacing shown in Fig. 1 and Plates 1 and 5 as per Clause 2.3. The table below lists the dimensions in millimeters for various parts of the numerals:

Dimensionaa#bb.Acc.10a1ee1ff19
Value3111434581781972253002859
5213236614178200122645358341
61676930501131281441021039

Spacing between standard numerals of 20 cm height is also defined in the same references. This ensures uniformity and legibility on road signs.

Sources: Clause 2.3, TABLE: 7. MATERIALS

?How should route marker signs be positioned at intersections with other numbered routes?

At intersections where a numbered route meets or branches off from a National Highway, the route marker sign for the intersecting route should be placed ahead of the intersection on the same post as the National Highway's regular route marker. This assembly must include a definition plate with a single or double-headed arrow indicating the direction(s) of the intersecting route, as per the guidelines in Clause 5.1. This ensures clear guidance for travelers about the route numbers and directions at junctions.

Sources: Clause 5.1

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