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File:Australia road sign R2-19.svg|(R2-19) Left Lane Must Exit
File:Australia road sign R2-19.svg|(R2-19) Left Lane Must Exit
File:Australia road sign R2-20.svg|(R2-20) Left Turn on Red Permitted after Stopping
File:Australia road sign R2-20.svg|(R2-20) Left Turn on Red Permitted after Stopping
File:Australia road sign R2-21.svg|(R2-21) Right Turn from Left Only
File:Australia road sign R2-21.svg|(R2-21) Right Turn from Left Only (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[South Australia]] and [[New South Wales]])
File:Victoria R2-V21-1.svg|(R2-V21-1) Right Turn from Left Ahead (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and [[Gold Coast, Queensland]])
File:Victoria R2-V21-1.svg|(R2-V21-1) Right Turn from Left Ahead (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R2-22.svg|(R2-22) No [[hook turn]] by Bicycles
File:Australia road sign R2-22.svg|(R2-22) No [[hook turn]] by Bicycles
File:Queensland R2-Q02.svg|(R2-Q02) Through Traffic Keep Left (used in [[Queensland]])
File:Queensland R2-Q02.svg|(R2-Q02) Through Traffic Keep Left (used in [[Queensland]])
Line 287: Line 287:
</gallery>
</gallery>


=== Combo signs ===
==Warning signs==
<gallery>
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + R4-3.svg|20&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-3.svg|40&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + R4-3.svg|60&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + R4-3.svg|80&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-V100.svg|Service Road Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (10) + T1-SA109.svg|New 10&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + T1-SA109.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (30) + T1-SA109.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + T1-SA109.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (50) + T1-SA109.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + T1-SA109.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (70) + T1-SA109.svg|New 70&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + T1-SA109.svg|New 80&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (90) + T1-SA109.svg|New 90&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (100) + T1-SA109.svg|New 100&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (10) + R4-V119.svg|New 10&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + R4-V119.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (30) + R4-V119.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-V119.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (50) + R4-V119.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + R4-V119.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (70) + R4-V119.svg|New 70&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + R4-V119.svg|New 80&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (90) + R4-V119.svg|New 90&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (100) + R4-V119.svg|New 100&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-201.svg|Speed Limit on Bridge (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-233.svg|Narrow Lane Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-234.svg|Slippery Surface Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-236.svg|Railway Crossing Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-Q07.svg|Hospital Zone Speed Limit (used in [[Queensland]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + TC1331.svg|Ramp Speed Limit (used in [[Queensland]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + MR-RS-20.svg|End of Speed Limit Area (Speed Limit is now effect) (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (20) + T1-SA109.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (30) + T1-SA109.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (40) + T1-SA109.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (50) + T1-SA109.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (60) + T1-SA109.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
</gallery>

Warning signs let drivers know that road changes are coming up on the drive. These can be permanent or temporary traffic hazards and obstacles. They use the yellow diamond design.
Warning signs let drivers know that road changes are coming up on the drive. These can be permanent or temporary traffic hazards and obstacles. They use the yellow diamond design.
<gallery>
<gallery>
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File:Australia road sign W5-V121.svg|(W5-V121) Emergency Vehicles (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign W5-V121.svg|(W5-V121) Emergency Vehicles (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:AU-VIC road sign W5-V122.svg|(W5-V122) Fire Station (Prepare to Stop) (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:AU-VIC road sign W5-V122.svg|(W5-V122) Fire Station (Prepare to Stop) (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Victoria W5-V116.svg|(W5-V116) Slippery When Icy (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign W5-V120.svg|(W5-V120) Wildlife Crossing (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign W5-V121.svg|(W5-V121) Emergency Vehicles (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:AU-VIC road sign W5-V122.svg|(W5-V122) Fire Station (Prepare to Stop) (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Victoria W5-V122.svg|(W5-V122) Fire Station (Prepare to Stop) (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign W5-V123.svg|(W5-V123) Slippery for Motorcycles (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign W5-V123.svg|(W5-V123) Slippery for Motorcycles (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Victoria W5-V129.svg|(W5-V129) Slippery Road on Bridge When Icy (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Victoria W5-V129.svg|(W5-V129) Slippery Road on Bridge When Icy (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
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File:Australia road sign W9-3-R.svg|(W9-3) Modified crossroad intersection (right)
File:Australia road sign W9-3-R.svg|(W9-3) Modified crossroad intersection (right)
File:AU-WA road sign MR-WSP-18.svg|(MR-WSP-18) Reduce Speed Now, Traffic Signals Ahead (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:AU-WA road sign MR-WSP-18.svg|(MR-WSP-18) Reduce Speed Now, Traffic Signals Ahead (used in [[Western Australia]])
</gallery>

=== Combo signs ===
<gallery>
File:AU road sign W3-3-2 + W8-14.svg|Signal-controlled school crossing ahead
File:AU road sign MR-WDO-14 + MR-WDAX-2.svg|Rumble Strip (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-18.svg|Aged Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-19.svg|Blind Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-20.svg|Disabled Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-22.svg|Pedestrians crossing ahead
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-25.svg|Pedestrians with a Refuge Island
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-SA104.svg|Hiking Trail (used in [[South Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-1 + MR-WDAX-15.svg|Senior Pedestrians (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-13.svg|Playground
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-14.svg|School
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-19.svg|Blind Children
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-20.svg|Disabled Children
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-22.svg|Children crossing ahead
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-24.svg|Preschool
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-25.svg|Children with a Refuge Island
</gallery>
</gallery>


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File:AU road sign T5-5-R.svg|(T5-5) Single chevron marker (right)
File:AU road sign T5-5-R.svg|(T5-5) Single chevron marker (right)
Australia T7-1.svg|(T7-1) Slow
Australia T7-1.svg|(T7-1) Slow
</gallery>

== Combo signs ==
<gallery>
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + R4-3.svg|20&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-3.svg|40&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + R4-3.svg|60&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + R4-3.svg|80&nbsp;km/h Roadwork Speed Limit
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-V100.svg|Service Road Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (10) + T1-SA109.svg|New 10&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + T1-SA109.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (30) + T1-SA109.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + T1-SA109.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (50) + T1-SA109.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + T1-SA109.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (70) + T1-SA109.svg|New 70&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + T1-SA109.svg|New 80&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (90) + T1-SA109.svg|New 90&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (100) + T1-SA109.svg|New 100&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (10) + R4-V119.svg|New 10&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (20) + R4-V119.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (30) + R4-V119.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-V119.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (50) + R4-V119.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + R4-V119.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (70) + R4-V119.svg|New 70&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (80) + R4-V119.svg|New 80&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (90) + R4-V119.svg|New 90&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (100) + R4-V119.svg|New 100&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit (used in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-201.svg|Speed Limit on Bridge (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-233.svg|Narrow Lane Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-234.svg|Slippery Surface Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R9-236.svg|Railway Crossing Speed Limit (used in [[New South Wales]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + R4-Q07.svg|Hospital Zone Speed Limit (used in [[Queensland]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (40) + TC1331.svg|Ramp Speed Limit (used in [[Queensland]])
File:Australia road sign R4-1 (60) + MR-RS-20.svg|End of Speed Limit Area (Speed Limit is now effect) (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (20) + T1-SA109.svg|New 20&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (30) + T1-SA109.svg|New 30&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (40) + T1-SA109.svg|New 40&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (50) + T1-SA109.svg|New 50&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:Australia road sign R4-10 (60) + T1-SA109.svg|New 60&nbsp;km/h Speed Limit Area (used in [[South Australia]])
File:AU road sign W3-3-2 + W8-14.svg|Signal-controlled school crossing ahead
File:AU road sign MR-WDO-14 + MR-WDAX-2.svg|Rumble Strip (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-18.svg|Aged Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-19.svg|Blind Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-20.svg|Disabled Pedestrians
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-22.svg|Pedestrians crossing ahead
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-25.svg|Pedestrians with a Refuge Island
File:AU road sign W6-1 + W8-SA104.svg|Hiking Trail (used in [[South Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-1 + MR-WDAX-15.svg|Senior Pedestrians (used in [[Western Australia]])
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-13.svg|Playground
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-14.svg|School
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-19.svg|Blind Children
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-20.svg|Disabled Children
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-22.svg|Children crossing ahead
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-24.svg|Preschool
File:AU road sign W6-3 + W8-25.svg|Children with a Refuge Island
</gallery>
</gallery>



Latest revision as of 15:40, 8 November 2024

Signage on the M8 Western Freeway heading towards the M80 Metropolitan Ring Road in Melbourne.

Road signs in Australia are regulated by each state's government, but are standardised overall throughout the country. In 1999, the National Transport Commission (NTC), created the first set of Rules of the Road for Australia.[1] Australian road signs use the AS 1744:2015 fonts, which is the Highway Gothic typeface.

Australia closely follows the United States when it comes to road sign designing practices (for example, using yellow diamonds for warning signs and green direction signs), but some types of road signs in Australia, such as road signs for speed limits, roadworks, "reduce speed" signs, and chevron arrow-styled direction signs are influenced by the usage in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

The very first standardised road signs in Australia used yellow circular signs as regulatory signs, a feature now preserved in "pedestrian crossing" and "safety zone" signs.[2]

In 1964, Australia adopted a variation of the American Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) road sign design, which is a modified version of the 1954 revised version of the 1948 American edition of the MUTCD.[3][4] The Australian adopted version had differences from the American version that it used red "give way" signs instead of yellow "yield" signs, "no entry" instead of "do not enter", round pedestrian crossing road signs (a carryover from the early days), the adoption of some road signage designs from the United Kingdom, and the use of imperial system of units (miles and yards) as in the UK as opposed to the customary system of units (miles and feet) in the US.

The year of 1974 saw important changes in Australia's road sign design practices. A major change expressed Australia's preference for a transition to adoption of symbols on signs in lieu of words, inspired by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, and transition to adoption of kilometres and metres in lieu of miles and yards.[5][6] This change aligned with Australia's large-scale adoption of the metric system. Australian speed limit signs with red circle as a legend were placed in numbers greater than the numbers on those containing the legend "SPEED LIMIT".[5] Speedometers on Australian vehicles were not required but encouraged to alter or replace the speedometer part so that it is shown in kilometres per hour.[5] Except for bridge-clearance and flood-depth signs, dual marking was not used.

To avoid confusion as to whether the distance indicated was in miles or kilometres new major distance signs had affixed to them a temporary yellow plate showing the symbol km.[5] On the many new kilometre signs on minor roads, a yellow plate which showed the corresponding number of miles was affixed under the now permanent kilometre distance indication. These temporary plates were removed between 1975 and 1976.

Regulatory signs

[edit]

Regulatory signs inform drivers of traffic laws and banned actions. Road users must obey all instructions on prohibitory signs or risk getting a fine and points deducted from their licence.[7] Local councils may have local restrictions relating to parking times, which would be shown on or near the sign.

Warning signs

[edit]

Warning signs let drivers know that road changes are coming up on the drive. These can be permanent or temporary traffic hazards and obstacles. They use the yellow diamond design.

Guide and information signs

[edit]

Guide and information signs give directions and information for scenic tourist routes and destinations such as rest stops and fuel stations. They also provide additional traffic information to guide driving.

Guide and information signs on expressways

[edit]

Hazard markers

[edit]

Hazard markers indicate the direction to take when approaching the obstacle or driving past the hazard. Drivers must obey these signs.

Roadwork signs

[edit]

Roadwork signs to keep you informed of changing conditions and to keep road workers safe. These signs closely follow United Kingdom design.

Combo signs

[edit]

Route shields

[edit]

Please note that some plates have reduced due to the changing to alphanumeric plates in several states. Queensland has been partially alphanumeric, replacing all but around one metroad (because it is not applicable as M) with M roads, while New South Wales also had metroads but they were all replaced with straight alphanumeric plates along with national roads. Victoria is alphanumeric but partially numeric in the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

Fire danger rating signs

[edit]

Traffic lights

[edit]

For traffic

[edit]

For crosswalk

[edit]

For special vehicles

[edit]

The traffic lights for special vehicles have a letter on it. The GO light is white instead of green.

Obsolete signs

[edit]

Retired combo signs

[edit]

Retired route shields

[edit]

Early road signs

[edit]

Retired traffic lights

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Australian Road Rules (PDF) (Report). Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee. 3 September 2018.
  2. ^ Smith, Ryan (27 July 2012), No Standing Between Notices, retrieved 11 September 2022
  3. ^ Smith, Ryan (14 July 2012), Vintage RACV Royalauto scan, retrieved 11 September 2022
  4. ^ Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (3rd ed.). United States: AASHTO/FHWA. 1948.
  5. ^ a b c d "Motoring Goes Metric" (PDF). Pamphlet. Metric Conversion Board. 1974.
  6. ^ Metric conversion ad - 1974, retrieved 11 September 2022
  7. ^ "Regulatory signs". Queensland Government. Retrieved 16 August 2016.