Road signs are a key element of road safety, providing clear and timely information to drivers and pedestrians. Their durability and visibility are critically important for effective traffic regulation. In this article, we will examine the five most important types of road signs, the materials used for their manufacture, and the standards that guarantee their longevity.

1. Warning road signs – Materials and durability

Warning road signs are essential for road safety, as they inform drivers of potential hazards such as sharp bends, uneven surfaces, landslides, pedestrian crossings and other risk areas. To perform their role effectively, they must be clearly visible in all conditions and sufficiently resistant to external influences.

Materials:

✅Aluminium – Lightweight, corrosion‑resistant and with a long service life. This is the most commonly used material for road signs due to its price‑quality ratio.

✅Galvanised steel – Extremely strong, but heavier and more prone to corrosion if the protective coating is damaged. Suitable for areas with extreme climatic conditions.

✅Composite materials – Made from fibreglass or plastics, they offer high resistance to mechanical damage and weather conditions.

Durability:

• UV protection – Protects colours from fading upon prolonged sun exposure.
• Resistance to mechanical impact – Must withstand impacts from flying stones and branches.
• Climatic endurance – Materials must withstand high temperatures, moisture, snow and strong winds.

📌 Standards such as EN 12899‑1 define the minimum requirements for strength, dimensions and colour range of warning signs, guaranteeing their effectiveness and durability.

2. Prohibitory signs – Visibility and quality of reflective sheeting

Prohibitory road signs regulate traffic, speed, parking and access to certain road sections. To be effective, they must be visible both day and night.

Key features:

• Bright colours and contrast – White background with a red border, easily recognisable from a distance.
• Reflective sheeting – Ensures good visibility in reduced light and at night.

Types of reflective sheeting:

• RA1 (Class 1) – Basic sheeting with low reflectivity, suitable for lower‑speed areas.
• RA2 (Class 2) – Medium reflectivity, used in urban and interurban conditions.
• RA3 (Class 3, microprismatic sheeting) – Highest class, offering excellent visibility in all weather conditions, including rain and fog.

Quality standards:

• EN 12899‑1 – Defines the photometric properties of reflective surfaces.
• ISO 7591 – Specifies requirements for sign materials, including resistance to UV rays and chemicals.

💡 Prohibitory signs must be placed in strategic locations and at the correct height to be noticed in time by drivers.

3. Informative signs – Importance for road orientation

Informative road signs are key for driver orientation, especially in unfamiliar areas. They provide guidance on routes, distances, locations of petrol stations, car parks, hospitals and other important facilities.

Materials:

🔹Aluminium composite panels – Corrosion‑resistant and weather‑resistant, preferred for long‑lasting direction signs.

🔹Polycarbonate and PVC – Lighter and cheaper, but with a shorter service life, most often used for temporary information boards.

Dimensions and legibility:

🔹Fonts and colours – Must comply with standards such as ISO 17733, which define the use of clearly legible fonts and colour contrasts for maximum recognisability.

🔹Placement – Must be placed at a height and distance that allows easy reading by drivers in motion.

Effective informative signs improve navigation and facilitate movement, reducing the risk of incorrect manoeuvres and accidents.

4. Temporary road signs – Flexibility and strength

Temporary road signs are used in repair zones, temporary restrictions and emergency situations. They must be easy to move and sufficiently durable to remain legible in various conditions.

Main materials:

• Flexible PVC – Light and easy to transport, but not as durable.
• Magnetic and foldable structures – Suitable for mobile teams, enabling quick and easy replacement of signs.

Characteristics:

• Stability – The bases of temporary signs must be heavy or anchored so that they are not knocked over by the wind.
• Reflective coating – Ensures night‑time visibility.

Standard EN 8442 sets the mechanical properties of temporary signs to guarantee their effectiveness and durability.

5. Specialised signs – Durability in extreme conditions

Specialised signs are used in industrial zones, car parks, areas with high humidity or extreme temperatures.

Materials and protection:

• Corrosion‑resistant aluminium – Suitable for areas with high humidity or salty air (e.g., coastal regions).
• Polycarbonate and acrylic materials – Impact‑resistant and resistant to extreme temperatures, used on construction sites and in industrial zones.
• UV‑protective coatings – Protect sign colours from fading upon prolonged sun exposure.

Specific standards:

• EN 1871 – Regulates colour resistance against UV rays.
• ISO 11664 – Defines colour characteristics to ensure standard recognisability of road signs.

📌 Specialised signs must be adapted to specific conditions in order to retain their functionality and effectiveness for a long period.

💡 Choosing the right materials and complying with established standards are key to the durability and effectiveness of road signs. Whether it is an urban environment, motorways or temporary road repairs, quality signs improve the safety of all road users.

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