Control panel of circulation in the two directions (France)

The control panel A18 indicates the proximity of circulation in the two directions located at a distance of approximately 150 meters in open country and 50 meters in agglomeration.

Use

At the end of a section of road with one way, it is necessary to announce that circulation is carried out in the two directions by establishing a A18 panel with the limit of the two sections. If this panel, which is generally used as signal of position, is employed like advanced signal, it is advisable to supplement it by a sign of M1 distance.

It is not necessary to establish such a panel at the end of a short section with one way in an arranged crossroads and in agglomeration when the places make it possible to perceive in an obvious way that the roadway is with double direction.

History

The panel appears in France in 1967 pennies a18 code. It into force presents a pictogram relatively close to that currently, but on a cream-coloured bottom and with a very narrow red listel.

On the international plan it is normalized in 1968 in the convention on the road signs concluded in Vienna on November 8th, 1968 under a19 code.

France transposes the provisions of convention from Vienna in its regulation with the decrees of the June 6th and 7th 1977 which adopt the white zone, the broad red listel.

Gallery of the evolution of the standards

Dimensions

As for all the control panels of danger, there exist five ranges of dimensions of A18 panels.

In the most general case, it is the normal range which is used.

The panels of the great range are normally employed on the roads with more than two ways and on certain two-track trunk roads indicated for this purpose by decision of the Minister for the Equipment.

The panels of the small range are used when there are difficulties for the establishment of panels of the normal range (line of trees close to the roadway, mountain road, verges reduced, in narrow tunnels, pavements, etc).

Establishment

Outdistance danger

Contrary to the other panels of danger which are located at a certain distance from the danger, a18 panel is located at the beginning of the section of circulation in the two directions.

Side of the roadway

The signals of danger are normally established right-sided of the roadway in the direction of circulation.

They can be repeated on the other side of the roadway when the conditions are such as it are likely not to be seen in time by the drivers to which they are addressed, as for the roads with more than two ways. They can also be repeated above the roadway. It must then be either enlightened or rétroréfléchissants.

Side distance

Except constraint of site, the distance between the balance of the end of the panel located on the side of the roadway and the bank close to this end should not be lower than 0,70 Mr.

In open country, the panels are placed apart from the zone located in edge of roadway and treated in such way that the users can engage there an operation of redirection or braking known as “zone of recovery”, or their support at least to 2 m of the edge close to the roadway, unless particular circumstances are opposed to it (narrow verges, presence of a plantation, a cycle track, a railway, etc).

In agglomeration the panels are established so that the support obstructs the least possible the circulation of the pedestrians.

The support of a signal can also be established on a property bordering or anchored to a frontage after agreement of the owner or by application if that is possible Order in Council of October 30th, 1935 and decree 57180 of February 16th, 1957.

Height above the ground

In open country

The lawful height is fixed in theory at 1 m (if several panels are placed on the same support, this height is that of the lower panel), height generally ensuring the best visibility of the panels struck by fires of the vehicles.

It can be modified taking into account the local circumstances:

either to ensure a better visibility of the panels,
or to prevent that they mask circulation.

In agglomeration

In the agglomerations profiting from a public lighting, the panels can be placed at a height going up to 2,30 m to hold account in particular vehicles which can mask them, as well as need for obstructing only at least the circulation of the pedestrians.

Above the roadway

When the panels are on gantry, bracket or high-mast above the roadway, they are fixed at a minimal height corresponding to the gauge of the road to which is added a revenge of 0,1 m for the maintenance of the roadway and a revenge of 0,50 m for the protection of indication.

See also: Establishment of a control panel vertical in France

Position of the face

The plan of front face of a panel established on verge or pavement must be slightly tilted 3 with 5° towards the outside of the road in order to avoid the phenomenon of specular reflection which can, of night, to make the panel illegible during a few seconds.

Back of the panel.

The back of the panel should not draw attention. The colors of back, the edge fallen and from against listel from manufacture must be neutral and not take again those used in road signs.

Back can comprise only one marking of lawful certification (see hereafter), other than any other inscription or any publicity.

On the back of the panel the attachment units are reproduced on the support. They are in general stuck rails: 2 rails for panels 500,700,1000 and 1250 mm (with 2 mounting flanges), 3 rails for the panel 1500 mm (with 3 mounting flanges).

Visibility of night

The panels and signs of indication must be visible and keep the same aspect of night like day. The signals of danger all rétroréfléchissants or under certain conditions defined below, are possibly lit.

The coatings rétroréfléchissants must have been the object, either of a homologation, or of an authorization of employment on an experimental basis. The retroreflectorisation relates to all the surface of the panels and signs except for the black or gray parts.

Class 2

Class 2 is obligatory for all the panels and signs:

established with more than two meters of height,
established on highways and whatever their height, primary distributers.
In agglomeration, established in the sections where speed is recorded to 70 km/h.

This technology has a coefficient of Rétroréflexion three times superior with class 1, which allows a detection much more effective and increases the distance from legibility from 15 to 20% in a new state. The comparison at the end of five or ten years shows an advantage even more important for class 2.

Class 1

Class 1 is obligatory for all the panels located zones where class 2 is not it.

Homologation and certification

Since 1978, the ministerial homologation of the equipment of the road is obligatory on the whole of the French road ways. Certification NF replaces the homologation gradually. Thus, since 1995, certification is worth homologation for the equipment of road signs.

For the whole of the control panels permanent and thus in particular for the control panels of danger, certification NF - Equipment of the Road is obligatory. Marking THIS (European standard) is planned for the current of the year 2007.

With the back of the panel must thus obligatorily appear the marks of certification namely:

the number of admission of the product: category of product (SP in this case, for indication of police force), and sequence number.
identification of the site of manufacture of the product (in light),
identification of the holder (optional)
the year of manufacture (the last two digits)

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