In any state in the United States, you can’t install traffic signs without some sort of governmental permission, typically a local, state, or federal DOT. It’s the same with most other countries run by a government. There are standards one must follow to be able to install highway and street signs, from the design, materials, and location of these signs.

Custom signs displayed along streets, roads or highways must adhere to the standards set by the department of transportation.

Question: What is the difference between green highway signs and blue highway signs?

There are several colors of signs that are used on the city streets, county roads, state highways, and interstate highways throughout the US (Canada and Europe will be somewhat different, but will still have their own color codes per country).

So, rather than give you a simple answer, as usual, I’ll give you a complex answer to a simple question. Actually, I’ll give you a color coded answer with visuals so you’ll have a good understanding of how highway,

Question: What is the purpose of a STOP sign?

This, of course, is a hotly debated topic!

Some have said that a STOP sign should be used as a dinner plate, while others a shield to deflect arrows, but not bullets. Some juveniles have insisted that STOP signs should be used as wall décor in their bedrooms.

But I say that these signs should be used strictly as traffic control devices,

Question: What are Traffic Control Devices and what are they used for?

Traffic Control Devices can be broken into several categories and a whole bunch of subcategories, but I’ll stay with the general categories for sake of brevity here.

The main category would be signs, which encompass road signs, street signs, highway signs, and traffic signs.

Sign Categories

This category will include stop signs, speed limit signs, parking signs, warning signs, construction signs,

Question:  If a traffic signal’s cycle is too long or too short, will the DOT change it?

Possibly. If your opinion is that a signal’s cycle is too long or too short, you could contact the DOT or county or municipal road maintenance department and speak to the traffic engineering department about it.

However, it may also be their opinion that the cycles is just fine, thank you. Unless, of course, many people besides yourself have complained about the same intersection.

Question:  What is Reflective Sheeting?

Reflective sheeting is the sheeting used to create reflective road signs, traffic signs, street signs, and highway signs.

Basically, reflective sheeting is laminated to aluminum sign blanks of various sizes and shapes, then printed with whatever copy is needed, and you have a reflective traffic sign.

Different Reflective Sheet Grading

Reflective sheeting comes in various grades, the most common being “Engineer Grade,” “Hi-Intensity Prismatic”, and “Diamond Grade.” The USDOT requires diamond grade for most interstate signs,

Question:  What should drivers do when traffic Signal Lights Are All Dark?

This is a very good question, because there are certainly no traffic signs that back up traffic signal lights if the power goes out, unless it’s a longer term deal like caused by a natural disaster and such.

What I’ve seen for the most part in such situations is that people pretend that it’s a 4-way Stop,

Question:  Why doesn’t the “Walk” light stay on longer? I can only get halfway across before it starts flashing!

Since I know nothing of your physical condition, whether you’re 18 or 85 years old, I’ll assume you’re in average physical condition and should be able to make it across the street before the sign says “Don’t Walk.”

Timing on Walk Lights

Walk signs are timed by the light, so if there is a green light that stays green for,

Question:  Will traffic signs make an intersection safer?

Generally, yes. Unless it had a traffic light and now you’re replacing it with signs. Of course, if there’s little traffic at that intersection anyway, it won’t make much actual difference where safety is concerned.

The newer USDOT codes, and I believe most “First World” nations as well, though, require the “diamond grade” reflective materials to be the basis for most intersection signs, so it’s almost like having a traffic light anyway.

Enough already! We do need them though and they are part of the highway system or even used as parking regulations to keep us informed and going in the right direction.

Signage Created from Metallic Materials Are Set to Last for Long

Traffic signposts are meant to be seen and read,