Symbols 9.3.17 May 2012 Information Sadc – Rtsm

SYMBOLS 9.3.17

INS-501

TOW AWAY ZONE

NOTES:

1 Factor “a” is equal to 2d2 as given in the Table IN11-B on page 9.2.12. Overall symbol height is given by 20d2.

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.18 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 For an example of an arrow SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE used with a regulatory sign refer to SADC- RTSM Volume 1, Chapter 2.. 2 For full details of supplementary plates and appropriate colours refer to page 9.2.8 to 9.2.13.. 3 Arrowhead detail is unique to regulatory and warning signs (See Figure 3.7 in Volume 4, Chapter 3). 4 For supplementary plates the value of “s” is equal to “3d1”. See supplementary plate Type SP.3 on page 9.2.13.

ARROWS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY PLATES

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.19

NOTES: 1 Symbol should be centred in a fixed width Type SP.3 supplementary plate – see page 9.2.13. 2 Values for d1 in relation to fixed plate widths INS-505 “W” are given in Table IN11-A on page 9.2.11. REDUCED WIDTH

NOTES: 1 See page 9.2.12 for details of supplementary plates displaying symbols. 2 Values of d are given in Table 11-B. 2

INS-506

PROSECUTION

BY CAMERA

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.20 SYMBOLS NOTES:

1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. INS-560 BUS 3 Symbol colour - Black

INS-561 BICYCLE

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.21

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black

MOTOR CYCLE INS-562

MOTOR CAR INS-563

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.22 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black

INS-564 TAXI

INS-565 MINIBUS

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.23

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12.

2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black MIDI-BUS INS-566

DELIVERY VEHICLE INS-567

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.24 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12.

2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black INS-568 GOODS VEHICLE

NOTES:

1 GVM value indicated in background colour of IN11.500/TIN11.500 plate.

INS-569 GOODS VEHICLE OVER INDICATED GVM

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.25

NOTES:

1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE INS-570

NOTES: 1 Diamond HAZ-CHEM symbol colour - ORANGE.

VEHICLE CONVEYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INS-571

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.26 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour – Black. 4 See Section 9.4 for National Variants. INS-572 ABNORMAL VEHICLE

INS-573 RICKSHAW

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.27

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour – Black. 4 See Section 9.4 for National Variants.

TOUR BUS INS-574

NOTES: 1 Numeral Colour to be the same as the IN11.500/TIN11.500 plate background.

HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE INS-575

SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 INFORMATION 9.3.28 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2.

INS-576 AMBULANCES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES

NOTES: 1 INS-576 symbol colour BLACK with RED background to WHITE letter A, within WHITE circle.. 2 INS-577 symbol colour BLACK border and POL, with outer YELLOW ring and BLUE centre..

INS-577 POLICE VEHICLE

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.29

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12.

2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black

DISABLED PERSONS VEHICLE INS-578

NOTES: 1 INS-579 symbol colour BLACK with letters the same colour as plate background i.e. WHITE or YELLOW. 2 For Other examples see Section 9.4.

AUTHORISED VEHICLE INS-579

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION 9.3.30 SYMBOLS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black

INS-580 AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE

INS-581 ANIMAL DRAWN VEHICLE

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SYMBOLS 9.3.31

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN11.500 supplementary plates – see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for d2. 3 Symbol colour - Black TOWED VEHICLE INS-582

TRAM INS-583

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION

NATIONAL VARIANTS 9.4.1

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY (TOLL) INS-27 - RSA

NOTES:

1 This symbol is intended for use on SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE IN11.6, commonly with TOLL information signs. 2 “d” equals 1/7 of the letter height used for the toll authority name.

ABNORMAL VEHICLE INS-572 – Ang/INS-572 - Moz

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION

9.4.2 NATIONAL VARIANTS

NOTES:

1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN500 SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE signs, see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for “d2”. 3 Symbol colour – Black. INS -574 – Ang/INS-574 - Moz TOUR BUS

NOTES:

1 Namibian Police symbol colours: Inner & Outer Circles White Internal Circle Red Star Points Yellow POL Black INS -577 - Nam NAMIBIAN POLICE VEHICLE

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

NATIONAL VARIANTS 9.4.3

NOTES:

1 These symbols are for use in 2 See Table IN11-B for “d2”. IN11.500/TIN500 SUPPLEMENTARY 3 Colours: Star Yellow PLATE signs, see page 9.2.12. Centre Blue Text Yellow

SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE VEHICLE INS-577 - RSA

NOTES: 1 Symbol colour green on white background with a black border.

Example – DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT INS-579 - RSA

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 INFORMATION

9.4.4 NATIONAL VARIANTS

NOTES: 1 These symbols are for use in IN11.500/TIN500 SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE signs, see page 9.2.12. 2 See Table IN11-B for “d2”.

INS-579 - RSA Example - TRANSNET

INS-579 - RSA Example - UNIVERSITY

INFORMATION SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

SOUTHERN

AFRICAN

DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY

WARNING SIGNS

SECTIONS

3.0 Contents

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Road Layout Signs

3.3 Direction of Movement Signs

3.4 Symbolic Signs

3.5 Hazard Marker Signs

3.6 Warning Sign Combinations

3.7 National Variants

JUNE 2012

SOUTHERN

AFRICAN

DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY

TRAFFIC SIGNALS

TRAFFIC SECTIONSSIGNALS

10.0 Contents

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Standard Traffic Signal Faces

10.3 Lane Direction Control

10.4 Standard Traffic Signal Arrow Signs

10.5 Signal Face Symbols

10.6 Background Screens

10.7 Railway Crossings

MAY 2012

CHAPTER 10 SADC RTSM – VOL4 INTRODUCTION 10.1.1

CHAPTER 10: TRAFFIC SIGNALS

10.1 INTRODUCTION 10.2 LENS COLOURS AND SYMBOLS 1 This chapter details the dimensions of traffic signal 1 The colour of light emitted by an aspect lens shall be faces, the symbols used on individual aspects, and red, yellow or green in accordance with the typical signal face background screens chromaticity co-ordinates given in SANS - 1459. The (backboards). boundaries of the area enclosed by these co- 2 Many of the dimensions given are indicated with a ordinates for red, yellow and green for traffic signal tolerance to permit some latitude for variation and aspects are indicated on the chromaticity chart given changes in the manufacturing process. in Figure 1.20 in Volume 1. 3 In terms of the objectives of the SADC Road Traffic 2 The colour “yellow” is referred to throughout this Signs System to achieve the highest possible Manual and should be considered as synonymous degree of harmonization of the system throughout with "amber" used in various other documents. the region, there are significant differences in traffic 3 The RED MAN and GREEN MAN symbols for the signals between the majority of member countries pedestrian signal aspects have been altered to bring and South Africa. Due to the high investment in them in line with symbols used on new road traffic existing traffic signal infrastructure in South Africa signs. and the SADC countries, it is considered financially and operationally impractical to achieve close harmonization of traffic signal practices. This, however, does not have a great effect on the dimensional details covered in this chapter. 4 Whilst differences between the SADC and RSA traffic signal systems exist, the use of the South African standard specification SANS 1459-2004: Traffic lights, is recommended. 5 Any temporary traffic signals manufactured for use at temporary traffic control sites, such as at roadworks, shall conform to the dimensions given for permanent traffic signal installations.

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES 10.2.1

Notes:

1 The dimensions given are in millimetres and apply 2 See Volume 1, Chapter 6 and Volume 3 for standard when using 210 mm diameter aspects; where applications. applicable, alternative dimensions for 300 mm diameter aspects are also given.

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S1, S1B, S1T, S1A, S1AR AND S1AL

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.2.2 STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S1R, S1L, S2, S3 AND S4

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES 10.2.3

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S5, S6 AND S7

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.2.4 STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S8, S8B AND S8T

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES 10.2.5

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S9, S9B AND S9T

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.2.6 STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S10R, S10L, S10B, S10T AND S12

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES 10.2.7

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S11P AND S11C

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

LANE DIRECTION CONTROL 10.3.1

Notes:

1 All dimensions are given in millimetres. Minimum 3 If the sign is manufactured using variable message dimensions should not be reduced. sign design techniques such as pixels, the 2 Other dimensions should be considered as dimensions should be considered as nominal guidelines subject to the optical design of the signs. dimensions (See Volume 1, Chapter 9). If a light source of high luminous intensity is used, 4 See Volume 1, Chapter 6 and Volume 3 for standard the stroke width may be reduced to 25 mm. applications.

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S16 AND S17

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.3.2 LANE DIRECTION CONTROL

Notes:

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACES S18 AND S19

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARROW SIGNS 10.4.1

Dimensions for W = 500 W = 500 s = 74 a = 368 b = 22 c = 44

W s  6,80 W a  1,36 W b  23 W  a c   b 2

COLOURS: Notes: PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY 1 See Volume 1, Chapter 6 and Volume 3 for standard Border and symbol: Retroreflective white applications. Background: Matt black 2 Use regulatory sign arrow Type “D” as detailed in Figure 2.20 on page 2.1.22. 3 The signs may only be installed above a traffic signal to which a background screen (backboard) is fitted. 4 The width and height of the sign should be equal to the width of the background screen.

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARROW SIGNS ST1, ST2 AND ST3

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

10.4.2 STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARROW SIGNS

Dimensions for W = 500 W = 500 s = 66 a = 368 b = 22 c = 44 d = 92 e = 342 f = 57

W s  7,62 W a  1,36 W b  23 W  a c   b 2 W d  5,44 W e  1,46 W  e f   b 2

STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARROW SIGN ST4 AND ST5

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SIGNAL FACE SYMBOLS 10.5.1

Notes:

1 Dimensions are given in millimetres. 2 Unless otherwise indicated a tolerance of ±5 percent shall be permissible in the dimensions shown.

STANDARD ARROW SIGNS

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

10.5.2 SIGNAL FACE SYMBOLS

Notes:

1 Dimensions are given in millimetres. 2 To enlarge the symbols, increase the size of the squares to create either a 210 mm or 300 mm diameter aspect.

STANDARD PEDESTRIAN SYMBOLS

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SIGNAL FACE SYMBOLS 10.5.3

Notes:

1 Dimensions are given in millimetres. 2 To enlarge the symbols, increase the size of the squares to create either a 210 mm or 300 mm diameter aspect.

STANDARD BICYCLE SYMBOL

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

10.5.4 SIGNAL FACE SYMBOLS

Notes:

1 Dimensions are given in millimetres. 2 To enlarge the symbols, increase the size of the squares to create either a 210 mm or 300 mm diameter aspect.

STANDARD BUS SYMBOL

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012 SIGNAL FACE SYMBOLS 10.5.5

Notes:

1 Dimensions are given in millimetres. 2 To enlarge the symbols, increase the size of the squares to create either a 210 mm or 300 mm diameter aspect.

STANDARD TRAM SYMBOL

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

BACKGROUND SCREENS 10.6.1

Notes:

1 All dimensions are in millimetres for 210 mm 2 Background screens (backboards) shall be matt diameter aspects; where applicable, alternative black on both sides. dimensions for 300 mm diameter aspects are also 3 The border shall be white on the front face only. The given. border may also be white retro-reflective.

STANDARD BACKGROUND SCREENS FOR 2- AND 3-ASPECT SIGNAL FACES

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.6.2 BACKGROUND SCREENS

Notes:

STANDARD BACKGROUND SCREENS FOR 4- AND 5-ASPECT SIGNAL FACES

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

RAILWAY CROSSINGS 10.7.1

COLOURS: Notes:

R1: 1 Used in the Recommended traffic signal system. Background: Red retro-reflective 2 The dimensions given are in millimetres and apply Border & text White retro-reflective when using 210 mm diameter aspects; where applicable, alternative dimensions for 300 mm diameter aspects are also given. W304/W404: 3 See Volume 1, Chapter 6 and Volume 3 for standard Outer cross: Red retro-reflective applications. Inner cross: White retro-reflective 4 Signs W403 and W404 may be reduced to a Signal: Red flashing disc (2) diagonal length of 1015 mm for lower speed environments (non-arterial urban streets).

RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNAL/SIGN COMBINATION - FRD

MAY 2012 SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS 10.7.2 RAILWAY CROSSINGS

Notes: Notes: COLOURS: 1 Use in the Alternative traffic signal system. 2 The dimensions given are in millimetres and apply Signal face: when using 210 mm diameter aspects; where Red flashing disc and applicable, alternative dimensions for 300 mm diameter aspects are also given. White flashing disc 3 See Volume 1, Chapter 6 and Volume 3 for standard applications. W304/W404: 4 Signs W403 and W404 may be reduced to a Outer cross: Red retro-reflective diagonal length of 1015 mm for lower speed Inner cross: White retro-reflective environments (non-arterial urban streets).

RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNAL/SIGN COMBINATION - FRD

TRAFFIC SIGNALS SADC - RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

SOUTHERN

AFRICAN

DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY

WARNING SIGNS

SECTIONS

3.0 Contents

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Road Layout Signs

3.3 Direction of Movement Signs

3.4 Symbolic Signs

3.5 Hazard Marker Signs

3.6 Warning Sign Combinations

3.7 National Variants

JUNE 2012

SOUTHERN

AFRICAN

DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY

LETTERING FOR ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS

SECTIONS

11.0 Contents

11.1 Introduction

11.2 DIN 1451 Part 2 Style “A”

11.3 DIN 1452 Part 2 Style “B”

11.4 “B” Modified

11.5 Cardinal Direction

MAY 2012

CHAPTER 1 1 SADC RTSM – VOL4 CONTENTS 11.0.1

CHAPTER 11: LETTERING FOR ROAD SIGNS 11.0 CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Section 11.1 INTRODUCTION

Figure 11.1 Variation in Letter Width Variation page 11.1.3 Figure 11.2 in Letter Height Variation in Letter page 11.1.3 Figure 11.3 Stroke Width Tapering of Letter page 11.1.3 Figure 11.4 Strokes page 11.1.4 Figure 11.5 Reduction in Width of Diagonal Strokes page 11.1.4 Figure 11.6 Tilting of Letter "S" page 11.1.4 Figure 11.7 Letter and Word Dimensioning and Spacing page 11.1.5 Figure 11.8 Basic Sign Dimensioning page 11.1.5 Figure 11.9 Factoring of Letter I Word Spacing (all in mm) Dimension page 11.1.5 Table 11.1 Parameters for DIN 1451 Part 2 Lettering page 11.1.7 Table 11.2 Widths of Letters, Numerals and Punctuation Symbols - 112 mm I 80 mm page 11.1.8 Table 11.3 Letters S i z i n g F ac t or s "K" page 11.1.9 Table 11.4 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Uppercase Letter to Uppercase Letter page 11.1.10 Table 11.5 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Uppercase Letter to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.11 Table 11.6 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Lowercase Letter to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.12 Table 11.7 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Number to Uppercase Letter page 11.1.13 Table 11.8 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Number to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.13 Table 11.9 Style "A" Letter Spacing - Number to Number page 11.1.14 Table 11.10 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Uppercase Letter to Uppercase Letter page 11.1.15 Table 11.11 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Uppercase Letter to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.16 Table 11.12 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Lowercase Letter to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.17 Table 11.13 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Number to Uppercase Letter page 11.1.18 Table 11.14 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Number to Lowercase Letter page 11.1.18 Table 11.15 Style "B" Letter Spacing - Number to Number page 11.1.19

Section 11.2 DIN 1451 PART 2 STYLE “A” LETTERS (Compressed Lettering – primarily used in WHITE and BLACK)

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.0.2 CONTENTS

Section 11.3 DIN 1451 PART 2 STYLE “B” LETTERS (Standard Lettering – primarily used in WHITE, BLACK and YELLOW)

Section 11.4 “B” MODIFIED LETTERS (Increased Stroke Width – used in BLACK only)

Section 11.5 CARDINAL DIRECTION LETTERS (Used in YELLOW only)

LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.1

CHAPTER 11: LETTERING FOR ROAD SIGNS

11.1 INTRODUCTION

11.1.11 General 1 With an increase in speed and traffic density, the time to read the letter "d"; and process information on road signs is often limited. On signs (b) the height of the lowercase letters is 5/7 of the height of the that use alphanumeric characters, the letters and numerals uppercase letters; used have to comply with certain criteria in order to be (c) the nominal widths of letters are as follows: understood as quickly as possible. Major factors which affect (i) Style AA@ uppercase letters - 3/7 of the height of the legibility of lettering are size, graphic design, spacing, uppercase letters; contrast between the letter and the sign background, and (ii) Style AA@ lowercase letters - 3/7 of the height of uniformity. uppercase letters; 2 As a result of research in South Africa a decision was made in (iii) Style AB@ uppercase - 5/7 of the height of uppercase the late 1980's to adopt the German DIN 1451 Part 2 style of letters; lettering for future use. (iv) Style AB@ lowercase - 4/7 of the height of uppercase 3 In recent times Germany found that the lettering style DIN letters; 1451, which dates from 1925, did not fulfil all the criteria (d) the width of letters are optically balanced and therefore do required to ensure maximum effectiveness. It was therefore vary about the nominal width, some letters being of a decided to revise the DIN letter style. The new style had to be greater width and some letters a lesser width - examples properly researched so that it had better legibility and are shown in Figure 11.1; aesthetics. The manufacturing techniques of the lettering style (e) letters which are rounded at the bottom and/or the top (e.g. were also discussed. the letter AO@) are extended vertically as shown in Figure 4 This chapter gives information concerning the revised DIN 11.2; 1451 Part 2 letter style, including details of standard letters, (f) the inner spaces of open letters (e.g. Ah@, Am@, An@ and their sizes and spacings. Other benefits accruing from the Au@) are smaller than enclosed spaces (e.g. Ao@), to give choice of the DIN 1451 Part 2 letter style are covered in other an optically balanced letter style; chapters of the Manual. (g) letters with central cross-bars (e.g. AB@ and AE@) have the cross-bar raised to the optical centre, which is higher than 11.1.2 Research on an Improved Letter Style the geometric centre - examples are given in Figure 11.3; (h) on letters comprising an upper and a lower part (e.g. AB@, 1 The basic research was carried out by the Bundesanstalt fur AK@, AS@ and AX@) the upper part is smaller than the lower Strassenwesen (BASt) with the assistance of the Federation of part for better optical balance; Traffic Sign Manufacturers in Germany. (i) at sharply angled connections the bars of the letters are 2 The research consisted of the evaluation of single letters under tapered to increase legibility - examples are given in Figure different viewing distances and lighting conditions. The letters 11.4; were firstly displayed on a large visual display unit of a (j) the horizontal and diagonal bars of the letters are thinner computer for evaluation because the dimensions of letters than the vertical ones - an example is given in Figure 11.5; could be changed easily. (k) lower case letters which have ascenders or descenders 3 The second step was to compare the letters with one another. have the same overall length as an uppercase letter, 2/7 of The letters were all placed on a large panel and examined to which lies above or below the normal lowercase 5/7 ensure that they all fitted into a well balanced design. envelope; 4 The third step was to evaluate the legibility of combinations of (l) so that the letter AS@ does not appear to Afall@ to the left its letters and words under different viewing distances and lighting axis is inclined to the right and the top bend shortened and conditions. This also included the evaluation of complete road the bottom one lengthened - see Figure 11.6. signs. 11.1.4 Spacing of Letters 11.1.3 Letter Design Features 1 The spacing of letters within a word has a major influence on a 1 As has been stated the Part 2 design is based on the old DIN drivers ability to read the word. The spacing for the DIN 1451 style. There are two letter styles, a normal width (Style AB@) Part 2 lettering styles was investigated by the BASt and the and a condensed width (Style AA@). The condensed width tests were conducted as described in Subsection 11.1.2. Style AA@ may be used to reduce the length of long words and 2 The spacing of letters and sizing of words is based on a BASIC destination names as specified in the various sections relating LETTER HEIGHT of 112 mm. Letter to letter spacing i.e. to the use of letters on road signs, however, this will reduce the Aletter-plus-inter-letter@ spaces, are given as a combined legibility distance of the particular message. dimension in Tables 11.4 to 11.15. The widths of the letters on 2 The new lettering style has the following features: their own, which are required for the last letter in each word, (a) the stroke width is normally 1/7 of the height for uppercase are also given in these tables. letters and is designated for signface design purposes by

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.1.2 INTRODUCTION

11.1.5 Dimensioning of Text BLACK letters on a WHITE background in these location 1 Individual letter, numeral and punctuation symbol widths are panels. also given in Table 11.2 for the BASIC LETTER HEIGHT of 2 There is a risk, with such a colour combination, that the legibility 112 mm, whilst Figure 11.7 gives basic details of inter-word of a standard letter, of the design height chosen for a given spacing and the relevance of the dimensions given in Table sign, may be diminished by Aoverglow@. This phenomenon has 11.1. the effect of the apparent diminishing of the letter stroke width 2 A principle of the DIN 1451 letter system is that all letters and due to the brightness of an illuminated retroreflective white inter-letter or inter-word spaces are fully proportional. The background. To combat this risk a special letter style, AB BASIC LETTER HEIGHT of 112 mm (uppercase) letters has MOD@, has been created. These letters have the same height, therefore been chosen to be tabulated and all other information width and spacing characteristics as standard DIN 1451 Part 2 given on sizing has been related to this size of lettering. Style AB@ letters, but have a stroke width which is 20% greater Dimensions are obtained for the required size of letter by than that of normal Style AB@ letters. factoring upwards, or downwards, from the 112 mm details by 3 The AB MOD@ uppercase letters and numerals are detailed in simple proportioning, e.g.: Section 11.4. Only uppercase letters and numerals are

Required Letter Size included because of the specific application of this group of Factor = mm 112 letters to locational messages which are only displayed in uppercase letters. A similar adaptation of lowercase letters 3 In theory the determination of any size of letter is possible by is not recommended because the internal spaces of many this method. However, for practical purposes some twenty six of the letters are not large enough to absorb a broader sizes are recommended in DIN 1451 Part 2, and in the stroke width without changing the overall size of the Southern African context this has been rationalised to seven letters. standard sizes above and including the BASIC LETTER 4 It should be noted that due to the compact nature of STREET HEIGHT of 112 mm. Smaller letter sizes may also be used as NAME signs GL1 uppercase DIN 1451 Part 2 Style AA@ letters recommended throughout the Manual. Table 11.1 covers the are normally specified. Style AA@ letters are Acompressed@ in dimensional details of the twenty six letter sizes, with the seven comparison to Style AB@ letters and do not lend themselves to standard sizes in the Southern African system highlighted in modification of the stroke width. bold type 4 Unless noted otherwise the letters detailed in Sections 11.2 to 11.1.7 Cardinal Direction Letters 11.4 are drawn full size for the 140 mm / 100 mm standard letter size. This means that they are equivalent to the 112 mm / 1 A limited number of sign types include an indication of the 80 mm letter size factored up by 1,25. The letters are displayed general direction taken by a route. This north, south, east or on a grid of 3,5 mm x 3,5 mm squares to facilitate their west Acardinal@ direction is portrayed by specialised letters to enlargement or reduction for other sizes. The four-square differentiate them from those used for route number displays. dimension Ab@ should be enlarged or reduced so that it These letters are only used as the last component of a route represents 1/10 of the required nominal letter size, e.g. to number Aletter-number@ group. For this reason cardinal produce 112 mm letters the four-square dimension should be direction letters should only be used in a yellow colour (see reduced from 14 mm ( 4 x 3,5 mm ), to 11,2 mm ( 4 x 2,8 mm ). Section 11.5). 5 The spacing on signfaces between text and borders, between arrows and text, and between arrows and borders, has been 11.1.8 Determination of Word Lengths related to Ad@ , the letter stroke width. In this way the whole 1 The sizes of the various types of guidance signs detailed in this signface has been made fully proportional to the letter stroke Manual can be determined once the letter size has been width Ad@, and thereby to the letter height chosen for the sign, chosen and the lengths of the place names to appear as given by the value A7d@. This is illustrated in a simplified form destinations on the sign are known. The process of determining in Figure 11.8. Full details of how this technique is used on the the length of a place name has been computerised but if the different categories of guidance sign are given in Chapters 4 to necessary programs are not available the length may be 7, and in Chapters 13 to 15 of this Volume. determined from the information given in Tables 11.1 to 11.15. 11.1.6 AB MOD@ Lettering 2 The process of calculating the length of a destination name, or any other letter, number, or letter-number group is carried out 1 The SADC guidance sign system includes the possibility that at the BASIC LETTER HEIGHT of 112 mm / 80 mm and is then signs may be used to indicate the name of the place that enlarged or decreased to the appropriate dimensions for the motorists have reached in the course of their journey. Such required letter size using the relevant factor from Table 11.3. signs are classified as LOCATION signs and impart a Ayou are The combined "letter-plus-inter-letter-space" dimensions are here@ message. This message may also be incorporated into a unique to each succeeding pair of letters and are given in the DIRECTION (or FREEWAY DIRECTION) sign, normally in a various tables. Once these are factored they may also be panel on top of the sign. The message is displayed in a specific recorded to be used in the manufacture of the actual sign. An colour code involving the use of dark uppercase letters (or example of the factoring process is illustrated in Figure 11.9 for numerals in the case of an interchange Alocational@ number), the destination ACape Town@ for a letter size of 350 mm / 250 on a light coloured background. The majority of such signs use mm, for both Style AA@ and Style AB@ letters.

(continued on page 11.1.6) LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.3

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.1.4 INTRODUCTION

LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.5

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.1.6 INTRODUCTION

Lowercase letter to uppercase letter = 12 (continued from page 11.1.2) Uppercase letter to number = 16

Number to cardinal direction = 16 11.1.9 Dimension Tables Number to Am@ (for metre) = 32 1 The following Tables 11.1 to 11.15 provide the necessary Number to Akm@ (for kilometre) = 32 dimensional data to permit the spacing of any destination Number to At@ (for tonne)(1) = +6 name, route number group, interchange (exit) number or other Number to Ah@ (for hour)(1)(2) text required on a road signface. 2 The first three tables cover general data on letter sizes and =.+8 spaces, and the factors required to obtain the data for a specific letter size from those given for the BASIC LETTER HEIGHT of Style AB” 112 mm / 80mm. mm 3 The next six tables cover the various letter/letter, number/letter or number/number options for Style AA@ letters commonly used Lowercase letter to uppercase letter = 20 in normal written text, including the more common punctuation Uppercase letter to number = 20 marks. The subsequent six tables give the same information for Number to cardinal direction = 20 Style AB@ letters.4 Number to Am@ (for metre) = 48 4 There are a number of letter/letter or number/letter combinations which can occur but which are not common Number to Akm@ (for kilometre) = 48 enough to warrant a full table. These include such Number to At@ (for tonne)(1) = +8 combinations as: Number to Ah@ (for hour)(1)(2) (a) lowercase to uppercase letters as used in various languages e.g. uMkhelekehle or kwaMakhutha; = +12 (b) upper case letter to number as used in route numbers e.g. N17 or R66; NOTES: (c) the addition of a specialised letter or symbol for a cardinal 1 The space given must be added to the "letter-plus-inter- letter" direction after a route number e.g. N4W. The spacing space from the table (Tables 11.7 and 11.13). requirements for these special applications are listed below as usual for the 112 mm / 80 mm letter size. 2 The letter Ah@ for Ahour@ should not be used in the 24-hour system. 3 The spacings for the above specific applications take precedence over any derived from Table 11.14.

APPLICATION Style AA mm

LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.7

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.1.8 INTRODUCTION

LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.9

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS

11.1.10 INTRODUCTION

LETTERS SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 MAY 2012

INTRODUCTION 11.1.11

MAY 2012 SADC – RTSM – VOL 4 LETTERS