The Central Authority has released comprehensive guidelines pertaining to signage on expressways and national highways.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has recently unveiled an extensive roster of guidelines aimed at enhancing road safety through effective signage implementation on both National Highways and Expressways. Endorsed by the MoRTH minister, these new guidelines place a strong emphasis on adopting best practices and global standards to ensure optimal visibility and effortless navigation for drivers on the roads.
In the process of establishing these guidelines, a thorough evaluation is conducted, encompassing scrutiny of the provisions in accordance with pertinent Indian Road Congress (IRC) codes and guidelines, along with an assessment of international practices and functional considerations. As a result of these efforts, the revised guidelines ensure that the new signage exhibits heightened visibility and legibility. To achieve this, the placement of the signage is carefully planned, with a focus on appropriate height and distance to optimize their effectiveness.
Incorporated within the signage are capital letters, symbols, and concise legends, specifically designed to convey vital information even during challenging weather conditions. The guidelines further introduce the use of pictorial illustrations alongside the text, catering to a broader range of road users, particularly those with limited literacy. By doing so, these inclusive measures aim to foster enhanced comprehension and compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
In recognition of India’s linguistic diversity, MoRTH additionally advocates for the implementation of multilingual road signs. These signs will utilize both English and regional languages to facilitate more effective communication with road users across the country. The proposed guidelines also place significant emphasis on promoting road discipline, with the aim of mitigating congestion and enhancing traffic flow for smoother and safer journeys.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the upcoming highways, expressways, and greenfield corridors will witness the implementation of new signages designed under the proposed guidelines. Additionally, priority will be granted to highways experiencing high traffic, with over 20,000 passenger cars on the road, for the swift adoption of these guidelines. This strategic approach ensures a widespread and targeted enhancement of road safety and navigation measures across the country’s major road networks.
