357.1 Regulatory vs advisory

Separate mandatory (stop, no entry) from guidance (queue, wait). Clarity reduces mistakes around an HVM bollard and a crash rated bollard lane.

Start by mapping which messages are enforceable traffic control (regulatory) versus which are operational guidance near HVM portals. Regulatory signs govern entry, turning, and stopping; advisory boards handle queue formation, marshal directions, and wayfinding. Mixing the two dilutes compliance. Keep symbol sets consistent across entrances, and use the same legend on repeat so drivers form habits.

In security lanes, conflicting orders (e.g., “No Entry” alongside “Proceed on Green”) create mode errors. Use a simple hierarchy: regulatory signs at the approach, advisory inside the controlled zone, and dynamic indications (beacons, aspects) at the lane throat. Where local authority manuals apply, reference their codes in your submittal so reviewers can verify intent.

357.2 Placement rules

Mount at driver eye height and before decision points (237). Avoid masking behind HVM bollard heads (312).

Place the first regulatory sign before the decision point so drivers have adequate stopping sight distance. Maintain a clear “driver cone” of view from the approach; avoid occlusion by columns, landscaping, or large crash-rated heads set proud of kerbs. Use repeaters after curves and at merge points. Inside portals, keep dynamic aspects at a uniform eye height so red/green states are unmistakable.

Coordinate with civil/architectural packages early. Posts should not clash with utilities (see ducting & pathways) and should avoid creating pinch points for pedestrians. Provide tamper-resistant fixings and foundations suitable for local wind loads and street furniture standards.

357.3 Road surface markings

Use stop bars, arrows, and hatchings. Markings reinforce HVM bollard messages and guide vehicles safely.

Surface markings carry the message when drivers are scanning the roadway rather than looking up. Provide a clear hold line aligned to the bollard “defend line.” Use directional arrows to align approach vectors and diagonal hatchings to keep the egress cone clear. Choose durable paints or thermoplastics appropriate to climate and expected tyre shear.

Where lanes include loops or sensors, avoid markings that mask or mislead. Pair pavement legends with vertical signs to reduce ambiguity. If construction staging temporarily shifts the stop bar, update markings promptly and add conspicuous temporary boards per the event mode plan.

357.4 Pedestrian wayfinding

Add tactile cues, zebra lines, and audible aids (238). Wayfinding keeps people away from a crash rated bollard sweep.

Deliberately route pedestrians around the moving-part sweep, with zebra crossings placed outside the bollard arc and protected by islands where feasible. Provide tactile paving for cane detection and consistent kerb ramps. Audible beacons and steward repeaters help in crowded or noisy contexts.

In shared-space plazas, complement formal signs with subtle conspicuity cues—contrasting paving strips, bollard contrast bands, and sightline cues from streetscape integration. Keep wheelchair paths free of handlebar traps and tight turns.

357.5 Night/reflection needs

Retroreflective faces and even lighting (316). Night visibility supports HVM bollard safety.

Use high-performance retroreflectivity on critical regulatory boards and ensure lighting is even without glare into driver eyes. Where bollard heads are dark against asphalt, apply a subtle contrast band to improve object detection without implying a lower security tier.

For illuminated signs, choose low-maintenance luminaires with sealed enclosures (see enclosures & cabling) and consider night auto-dimming tied to ambient sensors to avoid blooming around the portal. Validate aim and luminance during commissioning and re-check after any height or landscape changes.

357.6 Language & symbols

Use bilingual/ISO symbols where required (133). Symbols reduce confusion at a crash rated bollard portal.

In GCC contexts, bilingual Arabic/English legends are common. Keep text brief and prioritise ISO-recognised symbols so visitors understand at a glance. Where policy demands only symbols, pair them with colour and shape conventions consistent with local traffic manuals. Maintain a “portal language” table in the submittal so translations, fonts, and character heights are approved once and reused.

If authority approvals are in scope, route your legend list through SIRA (UAE) or the relevant municipal traffic department early. Align dynamic labels on HMIs with the physical signs to prevent operator confusion.

357.7 Maintenance & refresh

Plan repaint and sign-clean cycles (734). Fresh signs sustain HVM bollard legibility.

Include a cleaning and repainting cadence in the preventive maintenance plan. Sand, UV and saline exposure fade colours and reduce legibility; specify UV-stable inks and anti-graffiti coatings where abuse is likely. Keep a small stock of replacement boards and hardware under a spares policy so damage doesn’t degrade safety.

Record inspections in the asset register with photo logs, and trigger refresh when retroreflectivity or contrast drops below thresholds. Treat signage like any other safety device: test, inspect, and document.

357.8 Accessibility considerations

Avoid low protrusions; provide cane-detectable edges (231). Accessibility sits alongside HVM bollard security.

Design crossings with generous effective width and clear approaches. Keep sign posts out of pedestrian pinch zones and provide cane-detectable edges near kerb ramps and islands. For visually impaired users, ensure tactile cues align with crossing desire lines and that audio beacons do not mask traffic sounds.

When adding contrast bands to bollards, avoid creating the impression of lower security class. Instead, document the banding as an accessibility aid in the submission so reviewers understand the rationale (see people flow & egress widths).

357.9 Example sign schedule

Provide a ready-to-use schedule listing sign IDs, locations, and fixing methods (931). Schedule standardizes crash rated bollard sites.

Build a simple sign schedule with columns for ID, legend/symbol, class (regulatory/advisory), mounting height, exact location reference, fixing method, and maintenance notes. Cross-reference drawing numbers and portal IDs so updates flow into both the CAD/BIM standards and the signage, markings & schedules pack. Include a “change control” column to log revisions during commissioning.

357 Signage & markings around HVM Bollards — FAQ