According to the research of NIH, approx. 90% information received by drivers on road is visual. That means they have to properly recognize traffic sign colors for safety purposes. Due to this reason, FHWA (with the help of MUTCD) focuses to maintain proper road sign color standards.

So in this guide, we will explain traffic signs colors with their meaning and examples. You will also understand several installation locations of red, green, orange and blue road signs.

Road Sign Colors and Their Purpose

1. Red Traffic Signs

If you see red traffic signs, it means they indicate stop and prohibition. These are regulatory signs which show danger, command and immediate action. They inform you what to do and what not to do.

When you are driving on the road, you must obey them to avoid accidents and fines. You will always notice that these signs are present in a red background with text or white background with red text.

Examples:

• Wrong way sign

• Do not enter sign

• No parking and yield sign

• Slippery road sign

Location:

• Intersections

• School zones

• Highways

• Pedestrian crossings

• One-way street

2. Green Road Sign

These signs are also called guide signs because they provide directional guidance and information. Green road signs are helpful like a map to tell you distances, routes and locations. You need to follow them to remain on a safe track. You can observe these signs in a green background with white text or symbols.

Example:

• Exit sign

• Destination signs & street names

• Mile markers sign

• Directional arrows signs

Where you will see:

•  Highways

•  Motorways and expressways

•  Main roads

•  Parking lots

•  Junctions

3. Yellow Traffic Signage

Yellow road signs are advance warning signs that alerts you about potential hazards and give caution messages. They prepare you for road changes ahead such as road curves and turns. Most traffic signs use diamond shapes with black letters and symbols on them. These signs tell you to slow down your vehicle speed and stay attentive. Authorities install them before danger so that you adjust your driving.

Examples:

• Pedestrian crossing sign

• Slippery road sign

• Two-way traffic sign

• Curve ahead signs

• Stop sign

Location:

• Merging locations

• Cross walk

• School sites and playgrounds

• Hills

• Curves

4. Blue Road Signs

These mandatory signs provide services, directions and precautions. That’s why you can also call them service signs. If you follow them, they lead you to your destination in a safe manner. In addition to this, they help tourists and new drivers to find out facilities. These traffic signs mostly with blue base color and white instructions support you in your journey by guiding what you must do.

Example:

• Parking sign

• Bus stop sign

• Pharmacy sign

• Hospital sign

Where you will see:

• Hospitals

• Rest areas

• Evacuation routes

• Bank and fuel station

• Highway and expressways

5. Orange Traffic Sign

Orange traffic signs show upcoming temporary hazards on the road. You will always note them near work zones to inform you about traffic, lane changes and vehicle speed reduction. These are bright enough, so you can see them easily.

If you find an orange sign with black words and symbols on the road, you must obey the instructions which are written on it. Because these signs are very essential for the life of both drivers and workers.

Examples:

• Detour sign

• Low shoulder sign

• Workers ahead sign

• Lane closed sign

• Construction entrance sign

Locations:

• Traffic control areas

• Construction site

• Utility repairs

• Road closing region

• Road maintenance zones

6. Brown Traffic Sign

These informatory signs help you by pointing out recreational areas. If you want to visit natural scenery, relaxing places and cultural attractions such as parks and museums then you should follow the brown road signs. They direct you to your exact interested site. It is also known as a tourist sign. You can see brown road signs with white text and icons to give clear directions.

Example:

• Picnic area sign

• Hiking trail sign

• Fishing area sign

• Brown train sign

Where you will see:

• National and state parks

• Historic site

• Beaches and lake

• Campsites

• Art galleries

7. White Road Signage

White traffic signs are regulatory signs that refer to road laws which you must follow. These signs contain important requirements and guidelines which demand attention. Furthermore, they indicate road danger ahead and speed limits. If you ignore white road signs, you will encounter accidents and heavy fines.

They have white base with black letters and symbols. This combination makes them more prominent for you and others.

Examples:

• Speed limit sign

• Weight limit sign

• No turn sign

• Pedestrian crossing sign

• Emergency stopping only sign

Locations:

• Expressway

• School regions

• Intersections

• City street

• Hospitals

• Bridge

8. Black Traffic Signs

Black traffic signs tell you about regulations and lane rules which means you must remain in your lane. These are also regulatory signs that use a black background with white words and symbols. The contrast of these two standard colors grabs your attention and reduces confusion. They give you strict orders related to speed limit and directions which you must obey.

For instance:

• One way signs

• Lane use signs

• Blankout sign

• No U turn sign

Where you will see:

• No passing regions

• One way street

• Highway lanes

• Truck routes

• Bridges

9. Fluorescent Pink Traffic Sign

Pink road signs denote the unexpected emergency or road incidents ahead. These are unplanned events like car crashes scenes, oil spills, police activity and natural disasters. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, these signs tell you to reduce vehicle speed and pay close attention to surroundings. You will note this sign in the form of pink back color with bold black text.

Examples:

• Road closed sign

• Detour ahead sign

• Emergency road ahead sign

• Fire scene ahead sign

Locations:

• Incident places

• Blocked Path

• Crisis areas

• Road Hazards

10. Purple Traffic Sign

Purple traffic signs signify that you are approaching restricted toll lanes or electronic toll collection (ETC) zones. It means if you have electronic payment passes such as E-Zpass, Sunpass and Fastrak, then you should use this lane.

In this case, when vehicles with this tag pass through ETC lanes, toll pay automatically without stopping your vehicles through sensors and computers. Moreover, with these passes or tags, you don’t need to stop your car and pay with your hand.

Example:

• Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) sign

• Pay by plate lane sign

• Cultural destination sign

• Express lane entrance sign

• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) restriction sign

Where you will see:

• Highways toll plazas

• Expressways

• Special event areas

• Bridge and tunnel entrance

11. Fluorescent Yellow-Green Traffic Signs

These eye catching warning signs alert you to sudden nearby threats. They warn you to slow your vehicle and stay active. In this way, they help by decreasing accidents. It has a bright fluorescent yellow-green base colour with black letters and icons. These are more visible in both sunlight and dark conditions than standard yellow signs. Furthermore, officials reserved them specifically for human activity zones.

Main Examples:

• School advance warning sign

• Playground sign

• Bicycles Crossing sign

• School bus stop ahead sign

Location:

• School regions

• Playgrounds

• Crosswalks

• Busy streets

• Bus stop

12. Grey road Sign

Grey road signs mean end of traffic restrictions. They inform you that the previous rule no longer applies. This grey color acts like a simple eraser. In addition to this , these signs tell you normal laws are returned.

They are not commonly used on roads but preserved for special situations in future such as to mark the end of certain regions. Sometimes, you can use them as background color.

Example:

• Weight limit sign

• Grey support sign

• Blank direction sign

• Commercial and business sign

Where you will see:

• End of no overtaking

• End of waiting restrictions

• End of parking zones

Traffic Sign Color Chart With Meanings

This data is very helpful for companies who supply road safety products including traffic signage. If you are a business owner / do installation of signs or traffic safety officer, you have to take care of MUTCD codes for compliance.

Why Do Traffic Signs Use Specific Colors?

At the start, all traffic signs have white background with black words. But with time, car models change, cities grow and then demand for better safety road rules increase. As a result, in 1924 authorities introduced first color standards such as:

1. Red for stop

2. Yellow for warning

3. Green for go

Now officials discover many colors for traffic signs. Moreover, each sign has its own specific meanings which we mention above. These signs help to understand what you must do and not do.

Road Sign Color Standards in Different Countries

We prepared this table so you can have a detailed idea related to official road signage color standards. They are actually followed in countries given below.

How Do Colorblind Drivers Identify Traffic Signs If Colors Look Similar To Them?

Colorblind drivers should not be based only on colors to recognize road rules. They can depend on universal shapes, icons, text and standard positions if all colors look similar to them. Therefore, authorities design all traffic signs in such a way that each sign has its own geometry. For instance, octagonal shapes are created for stop signs, inverted triangles always mean yield sign and diamond shape points to warning.

In addition, traffic lights also follow fixed and specific arrangements which helps you to identify correct signals if you cannot see the colors clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Three Colors Are on Most Traffic Signs?

Three main colors which are on most traffic signs are red, yellow and white. You can use red for prohibition or stop, yellow for caution and white for rules and regulations.

What is the Expected Color Fade or Degradation Timeline For Different Road Signs?

Expected color degradation depends upon multiple factors. They are sheeting material, color quality, environmental exposure such as UV rays, pollution and rain. Before replacement, high grade reflective signs maintain their original color and readability for about 7 to 12+ years.

How is Color Retroreflectivity Tested and Certified for Compliance?

To check the retroreflectivity of color, you can use various instruments such as reflectometer and spectrophotometer and visual nighttime inspection. This equipment measures how much light a traffic sign reflects back to the driver. Then you should compare these signs with MUTCD standards to make sure they meet all requirements such as color, visibility and brightness.

Which Color Catches More Attention?

The red color catches more attention because of its long wavelength. It also alerts your mind and speeds up your heartbeat. Besides this, the second color which grabs your concentration is yellow due to high visibility.

Who Decided Traffic Sign Colors?

Traffic signs and signals are standardized by government transportation agencies. In 1968, the United Nations established the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals to set colors globally.  In addition to this, America created the Federal Highway Administration which made first national rule in 1935. 

Final Thoughts

After the above discussion, we can say that you will learn the meaning and purpose of every color. Now you are able to respond when you see different traffic sign colors. But some colors such as Corals and Light blue are still not in common use. Because the traffic authorities reserved them for future use.

Do you need custom shape and color road signs for your project? Contact us because we can also manufacture traffic signage and safety products for you in your required dimensions and material.

More References:

Federal Highway Administration - Wikipedia

11 Traffic and Road Sign Shapes with Examples

MUTCD Color Specifications