Common types of signs and markings mainly include five categories: traffic signs, safety warning signs, public facility signs, commercial and directional signs, and emergency exit signs. Each category has its own focus in terms of function, design, and application scenarios, collectively forming the information guidance system in our daily lives.
1. Traffic Signs
Used to regulate road traffic behavior and ensure traffic safety. According to the standard "Road Traffic Signs and Markings" (GB 5768), they are mainly divided into four categories:
Warning Signs: Yellow background with black border triangle, indicating danger ahead, such as "Caution: Pedestrians" or "Sharp Turn".
Prohibitory Signs: White background with red circle and red bar, indicating prohibited behavior, such as "No Parking" or "Speed Limit 40".
Instructional Signs: Blue background with white symbols, indicating the direction of travel for vehicles or pedestrians, such as "Straight Ahead" or "Left Turn Lane".
Directional Signs: Blue background with white lettering (green background with white lettering on highways), providing direction, distance, and location information, such as "Exit 500 meters ahead". Example: National highway signs are red with white lettering starting with "G", provincial highway signs are yellow with black lettering starting with "S", and expressway signs are green with white lettering.
2. Safety Warning Signs
Based on the "Safety Signs and Their Use Guidelines" (GB 2894-2008), these signs are used to warn of potential dangers and prevent accidents:
Prohibition signs: Red circular diagonal bar, such as "No Smoking" and "No Entry".
Warning signs: Yellow with black triangle, such as "Beware of Electric Shock" and "Beware of Falling Rocks".
Instruction signs: Blue circle, indicating mandatory actions, such as "Helmet Must Be Worn".
Reminder signs: Green square, indicating the location of safety facilities, such as "First Aid Station" and "Emergency Exit".
3. Public Facility Signs
These signs help the public quickly locate service facilities and improve ease of use:
Restroom signs, elevator signs, fire hydrant signs, parking lot signs, ATM locations, etc.
The design emphasizes intuitiveness and universal symbols, and is commonly used in hospitals, schools, subway stations, and other similar locations.