In response to changes in the two-tier local government model and inadequacies in current application, the Vietnam Road Administration is amending QCVN 41:2024 on road signaling. These adjustments aim to enhance road user recognition, improve safety, and ensure consistency with the current legal framework.
The new standard will change how the placement distance for hazard warning, warning, and directional signs is determined. It will link placement to the operating speed of the road section, moving away from the current system of primarily fixed distances.
Regarding the spacing of hazard warning signs, the draft adds a table specifying distances corresponding to vehicle speeds. It prioritizes using the 85th percentile operating speed when survey data is available. If no data exists, the design speed will serve as the basis for determining sign placement distance.
Current sign placement considers terrain, visibility, traffic organization, and on-site conditions. However, the required distance must ensure drivers have sufficient time to perceive warning information, react, and perform necessary maneuvers, thereby mitigating accident risks.
For directional signs on non-expressway roads, the draft standard proposes replacing the fixed placement distance of 20 to 50 m with a flexible arrangement based on the road's operating speed. Additionally, the draft includes a table for sign placement distances before intersections, helping drivers recognize directions and proactively choose appropriate lanes and routes.
Regulations concerning the placement of prohibitory signs and the scope of mandatory signs' effect are also under review. Prohibitory signs must be placed at the point where the prohibition begins. If terrain, traffic organization, or safety requirements prevent placement at the exact starting point, the draft stipulates that the sign must be placed in advance, accompanied by a supplementary sign indicating the distance to the signaled object. This regulation aims to help road users clearly identify where a prohibition takes effect.
Precisely determining the position, distance, and scope of effect for signs directly impacts drivers' recognition and reaction capabilities. It also provides a consistent basis for road management agencies and implementation units in arranging and adjusting the road network's signaling system.
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Installation of traffic signs on the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. Photo: Viet Quoc |
Installation of traffic signs on the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. Photo: Viet Quoc
Emergency information, electronic signs added
The draft also proposes adding emergency contact information to the directional sign system, including contacts for rescue forces and traffic police. This contact information aims to help road users proactively seek assistance during incidents, especially when vehicles experience technical malfunctions.
Furthermore, the draft introduces directional signs for emergency stopping lanes, allowing drivers to identify locations where they can stop their vehicles if necessary. This content helps vehicle operators be more proactive in case of an incident.
For variable message signs (VMS), the draft proposes clarifying definitions, scope of use, information content, and display principles. These signs can update information based on real-time traffic conditions, assisting management agencies in providing timely information to road users.
The signs also include color codes to indicate traffic operating status on intersection diagrams. Using colors to represent traffic conditions is expected to help drivers quickly perceive traffic developments, assess conditions of different directions, and choose appropriate routes.
Adjusting sign placement distances based on speed, clarifying sign positions and effects, adding emergency support information, and refining regulations for electronic signs are expected to enhance information delivery efficiency. This will help road users recognize signs earlier and contribute to ensuring traffic safety.
Anh Duy
