Elevating walkability within 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals
Road signs and signals are not only fundamental communication tools to people using the roads, but they are also a reflection of our policies and values. The Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of November 1968 (2006 consolidated version) serves as a standard for road signs and signals across the world, offering international uniformity of road signs, signals, symbols, and markings. While countries that prescribe to the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals (“Convention”) have a legal obligation to adhere to them, they are not without flexibility. In fact, Article 8, Paragraph 3 states:
“Nothing in this Convention shall prohibit the addition, in order to facilitate the interpretation of signs, of an inscription in an additional panel; such an inscription may also be placed on the sign itself, if this does not make the sign more difficult to understand for drivers who cannot understand the inscription.”
This paragraph provides discretion to add inscriptions that promote more walkable communities, such as:
- Speed limit symbol – to clearly communicate allowable driver speeds
- Pedestrian and bicycle symbols – to communicate pedestrian and cyclist connections
This paragraph has not gone unnoticed. Across Europe, countries are using discretion to adapt signs and promote walkability.
Key examples of adapted signs
Residential area sign
In Switzerland, the residential area sign (as defined as E-14.1 in the Convention) has been adapted to communicate Begegnungszonen or sometimes known as pedestrian priority zones or home zones in English. Used in residential areas, as well as commercial areas, across Switzerland, Begegnungszonen are zones of streets in which pedestrians have right of way in the street over motor vehicle drivers. Switzerland has added a speed limit inscription to its signs to clearly communicate allowed driver speeds (20km/h).
Did you know? Driver speed limits in residential areas differ from country to country. In Switzerland, for example, the driver speed limit is 20KMH. In the Netherlands, it is 15KMH or walking pace. Clearly communicating appropriate driver speeds on signage is one ingredient to safer streets.
No through road sign
In Austria, the No Through Road sign (as defined as G-13.1 in the Convention) has been adapted for broader use, such as cases in which a street is not accessible to motor vehicles, but it is accessible by foot and/or bicycle. Austria now also uses versions of this sign with pedestrian and bicycle icons to clearly communicating to people walking and biking that they continue the path they’re on. Across the world, these streets are now commonly referred to as “living end streets.”
Why do living end streets matter?
Streets that are no longer accessible to motor vehicles, but are accessible to people walking and biking, are more than dead end streets – they are living end streets. Living ends streets are critical links to a complete pedestrian network. They influence the attractiveness of walking as a transportation option and a person’s willingness to walk. This idea is gaining traction across Europe. Adding the pedestrian and bicycle symbol to the dead-end street signs is a simple way to more clearly communicate and to encourage walking and bicycling.
Additional examples from across Europe
Interested in more examples of how these signs have been adapted in other European countries? Here are a few additional examples.
| Pedestrian priority zone signs with speed limit inscription | Living end street signs with pedestrian and bicycle symbols |
| Austria | Belgium |
| France | Switzerland |
| Germany |
Did you know? 70 – 75% of all “dead-end streets” for motor vehicles in Belgium are, in fact, accessible to people walking and biking. With the help of IFP’s advocacy, the Belgian Parliament passed a law in 2013 to introduce living end streets.
To view the most recent versions of all road traffic and road signs and signals agreements and conventions, visit this UNECE website.