What the sign shape means

Shapes of Signs and their Meanings

Signs have been given certain shapes in order that travelers can identify them more easily. The signs can be recognized by their messages and color as well, but the shape of the sign is very distinctive and readily ascertained. Generally, the more sides contained on a sign, the more urgent the message. For this reason, an advance railroad warning sign was given a circular shape. (Circular shapes have an infinite number of sides.) Certainly a collision between a train and a vehicle will nearly always end tragically, thus effective warning signs must be in place.

The octagon shape is the next most important shape. As you know, the octagon shape is utilized in STOP signs. Obviously, if a person does not adhere to that type of sign, harmful or disastrous results can occur.

As you might expect, there are exceptions to this rule. For example a County Route marker is typically a pentagonal shape. This sign is not particularly a better warning than a sign using a square route marker.

Other exceptions are the three-sided "Yield" sign and pennant shaped "No Passing Zone" sign. These signs are important because if you do not yield, a dangerous condition can obviously occur.

The following are examples of shapes of signs and their meanings: Of utmost importance is the circular sign which is reserved only for railroad advance warnings; the octagonal sign is only for stop signs; and a cross buck sign is reserved solely for railroad crossing signs. Other sign shapes include the diamond, which is used for warning signs; the pentagon which is used for school advance warning signs; the equilateral triangle pointed downwards which is used exclusively for yield signs; and the pennant shaped signs which are used for No Passing Zone signs, all of which are extremely important. Other signs include the rectangle, long dimension vertical, which is used for regulatory signs; and the rectangle, long dimension horizontal, which is used for guide signs, certain warning signs and temporary traffic control signs.

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Sign and Shapes