Table of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Objective............................................................................................................................................................... 2

Data collection...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Detailed Discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 4

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

References .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

1- Introduction
The communication between traffic engineers and road users take place with the help of traffic signs and markings. Traffic signs and markings are deployed on the roads to reduce growing traffic congestion and to help the road users. Traffic signs are essential part of the road as they keep the traffic flow steady and road users protected from accidents. Traffic signs and markings are used to provide timely information to the road users. Highway safety work that is Traffic signology, Pavement marking, cat eyes etc play a vital role in smooth flow of traffic by providing timely information to the road users. The usage of traffic signs was started in the late 19th century. With the increase in vehicular traffic, the importance of traffic controlling devices increased, the most cheap and simplest were traffic signs and markings. For traffic signs and markings to be successful two of the things are necessary: one is their standardization/uniformity and the other is their awareness to the general public. In Pakistan, the traffic signs are installed on almost every major road but the dilemma is that the general compliance is relatively low. The non observance of traffic signs has decreased the safety of road users. Moreover, the deviation from standardization of signs is causing a big problem to the people who want to observe and respond the traffic signs. The NUST H-12 campus was made operational when classes commenced in November 2012. At that time, only information sign boards were placed in the campus. The vehicular traffic was less but speedy, which caused a few severe accidents. The accidents in 2008 and 2009 took place at the sharp curve in front of Fatima hostel and NUST Business School; the other one took place on the intersection of Bolan road and Indus loop in front of Rummi hostels.

2- Objective
The field study "Traffic Signs and Marking Survey" aimed at collection of relevant information about the types, frequency, condition and dimension and placement. The ultimate objective was to find potential deficiencies and suggest improvements required. To conduct the survey, the group members were assigned seven different road sections. The locations and dimensions of traffic signs and pavement markings on these roads were measured. Moreover, a rapid survey

was also conducted through a structured questionnaire to assess the impact of NUST traffic sign on the drivers and pedestrians.

3- Data Collection
NUST H-12 Islamabad is the only sector in Islamabad that is without traffic signals, all the traffic flow is controlled with the help of traffic sign boards and road markings. Due to this, a lot of traffic sign boards are present on the roads of NUST. The seven different road sections of NUST were assigned to us with a collective length of 7229 foot. The road sections were located in different parts of the campus; therefore quiet diverse information was gathered. The detail of data collection with comments is given in the appendix. The data collected regarding traffic signs and pavement markings included the following: Dimensions of traffic signs and pavement markings Shape of traffic signs Location Ground Clearance Lateral Distance Color scheme

The traffic sign, pavement markings with details are enlisted in the annexure of this report. Most of the signs observed were information and guiding signs. The pavement marking situation is in the worst state as most of it needs rehabilitation. As the electricity cables are laid underground, so a number of warning signs for the pedestrians can also be seen. These signs were observed on the green belts with the roads and on the medians. On different sections, the signs observed were quiet different, which are as under: S# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Name of road section IQRA apartment T-Turn to Gate-10 Zainab hostel to SCME T-turn SCME T-turn to IESE NBS faculty car park to SADA Rummi hostel intersection to C-2 C-2 to HQ building Medical center to IRSA apartment Tturn Number of traffic sign board observed 3 6 9 2 12 15 3 Pavement markings condition Satisfactory Very poor Satisfactory Satisfactory Very poor Very poor No marking seen on the pavement

4- Detailed Analysis
Most of the signs observed on the roads were informatory, guiding and hump signs. Most of the pavement marking was either vanished or it was in bad condition and hence needs rehabilitation. Detailed analysis of every section is given below: Section 1 IQRA apartment T-Turn to Gate-10 This section is about 1626 foot in length with one speed breaker and one U-turn. The traffic marking is satisfactory on this section. Few of the traffic signs are missing on this section, which includes the up-grade signi, down-grade signii and the U-turn signiii. The U-turn sign should be erected in the middle of the median. The posted speed limit on this road section is 40Kmph (24.85 miles). The hump sign is placed at 19'2" before the speed breaker. According to the calculations of braking distance, this sign should be placed 60 foot before the speed breaker. The manual of signs, signals & road markings suggests that the hump sign may be placed 4.5m (14.76ft) before the speed breaker (hump)iv. All the signs except the speed limit and slow sign were not visible because of trees and bushes. Section 2 Zainab hostel to SCME T-turn The section is about 722 foot in length. This road section is neighboring two hostels. A lot of pedestrian movement is witnessed on this section. To warn the approaching traffic no Pedestrian crossing signv was placed on this section. The pavement markings are in poor condition. Moreover, it should have crosswalk markingvi in front of Zainab hostel and Concordia-1. Near Zainab hostel, Luqman Avenue meets Indus Loop and forms an intersection, but no major road signvii and stop line markingsviii were found there. The Luqman avenue merges into a small road which leads to NBS, a give way signix should be placed on this small road. Section 3 SCME T-turn to IESE This section has a length of 559 foot. This section witnesses a great number of pedestrians during day as it houses IESE, SCME and Concordia-1. A large amount of students from IESE and SCME use this road to reach cafe. To warn the traffic Pedestrian crossing sign is not placed there. A speed breaker with its sign placed at 20'8" before it is also present. Posted speed limit is 40kmph (24.85 mph) on this section, which makes the braking distance to be 60foot. The manual of signs, signals & road markings suggests that the hump sign may be placed 4.5m (14.76ft) before the speed breaker (hump)x.

Section 4 NBS faculty car park to SADA This section has highest number of pedestrians. The length of this section is 485 foot. A playground is next to this road section. Two sign boards are present on this section. A Stop sign board warns the vehicle users to stop and cross the intersection with care but it is hiding behind a tree. Moreover, the stop sign is not according to the manual of signs, signals & road markingsxi. No road markings were found on this section. Section 5 Rummi hostel intersection to C-2 The length of this section is 759 foot; it neighbors Rummi hostel and Concordia 2. The Rummi intersection is formed by the intersection of Indus loop and Bolan road and it houses the maximum number of speed breakers. The major road ahead signxii is placed on Bolan road, on the contrary, the major road ahead sign on the Indus loop is facing the opposite direction. The pavement markings are in a poor condition. Crosswalk marking should be present near Rummi hostel, between Concordia 2 and its car parking. Posted speed limit is 40 Kmph but it is 58 foot away from a speed breaker. The hump sign is 41 foot away from speed breaker instead of calculated 60 foot. According to the manual of signs, signals & road markings suggests that the hump sign may be placed 4.5m (14.76ft) before the speed breaker (hump)xiii. Section 6 C-2 to HQ building The 2048 foot long section starts in front of Concordia 2(C-2) and ends at HQ building. The placement of hump sign near SEECS is at a distance of 16 foot which should be 60 foot. The hump signs near the HQ building are at calculated distance i.e. 60 foot from the speed breaker. The speed limit sign is behind the trees. This section hosts a curve, so the relevant signs to indicate the curve should be placed on both the sides i.e. 'curve towards right'xiv and 'curve towards left' signs. Moreover, parking prohibition signxv should also be placed. Section 7 Medical center to IRSA apartment T-turn This road section with a length of 1028 foot is located between the residential areas of NUST. No intersection and Stop/ Yield signs are placed on this road. Pavement markings were not found on this section. Different roads meet this section so a minor road crossing with an offset signxvi should be placed.

5- Conclusion
Some of the problems are common on every road section. None of the roads has proper pavement markings. Traffic sign ground clearance and lateral clearance from road are not as per standards. The shape of sign boards is not as per specified category. The markings on speed breakers are not as per the standards. Reflectorized pavement studs are not fixed on each road.

The hump sign should be placed at proper distance that is 14.76 foot before the speed breaker. The pavement marking plays an important role in traffic control and regulation in foggy season. So the pavement markings must be done again on the roads using thermo plastic paints and glass beads. The ground clearance and lateral clearance varies throughout the campus. According to rapid survey, the overall impacts of NUST traffic sign boards are good on road users and they are helpful in guiding public. In line with the rapid survey the NUST traffic signs are better than the signs posted by CDA. But from the eye of traffic engineer the shape and placement of NUST traffic sign boards are not as per the standards. The traffic sign rapid survey in detail is given in the appendix.

6- APPENDIX
APPENDIX A-1

Detail of the data collected by traffic sign and pavement survey

Section1 Iqra apartments t-turn to NUST gate 10 Sign observed Information sign board 5'3" x 1'8" Rectangular with curved edges Speed limit 3'x3' Square 7'2" 6'2" 2'8" 4' Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with white writing Yellow background with information in red Prohibitory regulatory sign(Slow sign) Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7'5" 13'5" 3' x 3' Square 4'2" 6'2" Yellow background with information in red White background with black figure _______ Must be circular in shape Must be circular in shape ________ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

Section2 Zainab Hostel to SCME T-turn Sign observed Information sign board Parking prohibition sign Information sign board Information sign board 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 1'6" 16'5" 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 3'8" 15'6" 3'x3' (5'3"x1'8")x2 Rectangular with curved edges Square 5'8" 16'5" 3'5" 3'6" Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with lettering in white White background with information in Black and Red Blue background with lettering in white Blue background with lettering in white _______ ______ Must be circular in shape ______ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

Section 3 SCME T-turn to IESE Sign observed Information sign board (5'3"x1'8") Rectangular with curved edges Speed limit No.s 2 3'x3' Square 5'8" 16'5" 3'7" 18'3" Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with lettering in white Yellow background with information in red White Hump Sign Information sign board Major road on one side only Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 6'10" 16'5" Rectangular 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 1'8" 15'8" 2' x 1'8" Triangular 8'10" 16'5" background with black figure Blue background with lettering in white Yellow background with sign in black White background with black figure _______ Must be triangular in shape _______ _______ Must be circular in shape _______ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

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Section 4 NBS faculty car park to SADA Sign observed Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Must be Red background Stop sign 1'3" each side Octagonal 5'6" 1'8" with lettering in white Circular in shape with a hand displayed in it Information Sign board 5' x 5' Rectangular 5'9" 15'8" Black background with lettering in white _______ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

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Section 5 Rummi Hostel intersection to C-2 Sign observed Information sign boards 5'3"x1'8" Rectangular with curved edges 2' 19' Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with lettering in white Must be Red background Stop Sign 1'3" each side Octagonal 7'4" 14'5" with lettering in white Circular in shape with a hand displayed in it White Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7' 12' background with black figure Yellow Major road ahead Sign Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7'6" 15'5" 3' x 3' Rectangular 6'6" 18' background with sign in black White background with black figure Yellow Major road ahead Sign Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7'6" 12' 3' x 3' Rectangular 6'6" 18' background with sign in black White background with black figure White Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 8'6" 11' background with black figure Must be Red background with lettering in Stop Sign 1'3" each side Octagonal 4'5" 12'10" white Circular in shape with a hand displayed in it _______ _______ Must be triangular in shape _______ Must be triangular in shape _______ Color scheme Remarks

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White Hump Sign 3' x 3' Square 3'10" 7'6" background with black figure Speed limit 3'x3' Square 5'3" 16' Yellow background with information in red Must be circular in shape _______

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

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Section 6 C-2 to Headquarter building Sign observed Information sign board (5'3"x1'8") Rectangular with curved edges Speed limit 3'x3' Square 6'2" 12'5" 3'4" 12' Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with lettering in white Yellow background with information in red White Hump Sign 2' x 1'8" Triangular 8' 10'10" background with black figure White Hump Sign Camera sign board All overtaking prohibition sign 3' x 3' Rectangular 6'5" 12'6" 3' x 3' Rectangular 5' 13'6" 2' x 1'8" Triangular 7' 16'5" background with black figure White background with figure in blue White background with sign in black and line in red Must be circular in shape _______ _______ _______ Must be circular in shape _______ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

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Section 7 Medical center to IRSA apartment T-turn Sign observed Information sign board Information sign board Information sign board 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 4'4" 14'9" 5'3"x1'6" Rectangular 4'4" 14'9" (8'4"x1'8") Rectangular with curved edges 5' 12' Dimensions Shape Ground clearance Lateral clearance Blue background with lettering in white Blue background with lettering in white Blue background with lettering in white _______ _______ _______ Color scheme Remarks

Note: All the remarks are according to the manual of traffic signs, signals and markings. The ground clearance measured is not according to the standard. According to the manual the standard clearance should be 6'6" (2m). Moreover, the lateral clearance falls between minimum and maximum limits.

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References
i

Up- grade sign page # 43 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 Down- grade sign page # 43 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 iii U-turn Sign page # 52 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 iv Hump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 v Pedestrian crossing sign page # 46 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 vi Cross walk marking page 87 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 vii Major road sign page # 53 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 viii Stop line marking page # 85 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 ix Give-way sign page # 21 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 x Hump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xi Stop sign page # 19 Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xii Major road ahead sign page # 53 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xiii Hump sign page # 45 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xiv Curve sign page # 42 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xv Parking prohibition sign page # 32 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1 xvi Minor road crossing with an offset page # 50 of Punjab-Traffic and Transport Manual 2008 volume 1
ii

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