The concept of ‘self-explanatory’ roads encompasses many different elements of the design, layout and operation of the road network. However, this term serves well to illustrate the need to create an environment that can be easily understood and safely operated by all its users. Although the terminology itself has only recently been coined, the setting of standards for road signs and signals – one key element of this approach - has been part of the traditional work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) dating back to the Geneva Protocol of 1949. The Road Safety Forum, i.e. the Working Party on Road Trafic Safety (WP.1) has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to review this fundamental area and to make provisions for road signs and signals that are in line with the requirements of ever growing motorization. (Author/publisher)
Abstract