7.3 Traffic Signs: Colors, Shapes & Railroad Crossings
Key Takeaways
Purple signs mark electronic toll collection, and fluorescent pink signs are used for incident management.
Fluorescent yellow-green signs warn of school zones, bicycles, pedestrians and curves.
Massachusetts numbered state routes are posted on white rectangular signs with black letters and borders, while Interstate signs are red, white and blue shields.
At a railroad crossing with flashing lights you must stop at least 15 feet from the light post or gate and wait until the gate rises and the lights stop flashing.
At a four-way stop every vehicle must stop, and the first vehicle in the intersection has the right-of-way.
Traffic signs control traffic, warn of hazards, guide you to destinations and point out services. The permit exam shows sign images, so learn each sign's color and shape well enough to recognize it from a distance before you can read it.
Sign Colors
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop or prohibition |
| Green | Direction: where you can go |
| Yellow | General warning |
| Black and white | Regulation |
| Blue | Motorist services (gas, food, hotels) and evacuation routes |
| Brown | Recreational, historic or scenic sites |
| Orange | Construction or maintenance warning |
| Fluorescent yellow-green | School zone, bicycle, pedestrian and curve warnings |
| Fluorescent pink | Incident management |
| Purple | Electronic toll collection |
Sign Shapes
| Shape | Sign |
|---|---|
| Octagon | STOP |
| Downward triangle | YIELD |
| Diamond | Warning |
| Pennant on the left side of the road | No Passing Zone |
| Pentagon | School zone or school crossing |
| Circle | Railroad crossing ahead |
| Crossbuck (X) | Railroad crossing at the tracks |
| Vertical rectangle | Regulation (for example SPEED LIMIT) |
| Horizontal rectangle | Guide or information |
| Shield | Interstate route marker |
STOP and YIELD
STOP always means come to a complete halt, and it applies to every vehicle that reaches the sign. Stop before any crosswalk or stop line painted on the pavement. Then yield to pedestrians and vehicles and go carefully. Just slowing down is not enough.
When a 4-WAY or ALL WAY plate is added, all traffic must stop, and the first vehicle in the intersection has the right-of-way (Section 9.2 covers ties).
YIELD means slow down and be ready to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians go first, and stop completely if traffic requires it.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs have a red or white background and state traffic laws. Some use only words (SPEED LIMIT), some only images (NO U-TURN), and some both. A red circle with a diagonal slash means the action shown is prohibited.
Examples in the manual include: No Trucks, No Right Turn, No Left Turn, No Pedestrians, No Bicycles, No U-Turn, No Parking between posted hours, Keep Right (of the median), One Way, Do Not Pass, and No Turn on Red.
Warning Signs
Yellow and fluorescent yellow-green warning signs alert you to hazards or changes ahead: a curve, a merge, a school zone or a special situation. Slow down and obey the sign.
Examples: school zone and school crossing, merging traffic, divided highway begins and ends, winding road, signal ahead, stop ahead, two-way traffic, crossroad ahead, side road entering, slippery when wet, soft shoulder, road narrows, right lane ends, added lane, maximum height, circular intersection ahead, deer crossing and railroad crossing ahead.
Guide Signs
- Green: highway directions, exits and interchanges, destination distances in miles, and mile markers
- Blue: motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, telephone, hospital and accessibility
- Brown: recreation areas, state and national parks, points of interest and scenic sites
- Massachusetts state routes: white rectangular signs with black letters and borders
- Interstate highways: blue, red and white shields
- Purple: electronic tolling only
- Bike route signs, including the Bay State Greenway
Railroad Crossings
- A round yellow warning sign usually comes before a crossing. Slow down and prepare to stop. If you see or hear a train, do not speed up to beat it.
- A white crossbuck marks the crossing itself. A number below it shows how many tracks there are.
- Many crossings also have red flashing lights, a bell and a red-and-white striped gate.
When the lights begin to flash, stop at least 15 feet from the light post or gate. Stay stopped until the gate rises and the lights stop flashing. Failing to stop brings a heavy fine. Never drive around a lowered gate or ignore flashing lights, even if you see no train.
Section 11.2 covers what to do if your vehicle stalls on the tracks, including the emergency phone number posted on the crossbuck.
Signs That Are Easy to Confuse
| Pair | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| YIELD triangle vs. No Passing Zone pennant | YIELD points down and stands on the right. The pennant points sideways and stands on the left side of the road |
| Round railroad advance sign vs. crossbuck | The round yellow sign warns that a crossing is ahead. The white crossbuck marks the crossing itself |
| Orange vs. yellow warning signs | Orange means construction or maintenance (Section 7.4). Yellow means a general hazard |
| Fluorescent yellow-green vs. yellow | Fluorescent yellow-green is reserved for school, pedestrian, bicycle and curve warnings |
| Green vs. blue guide signs | Green gives directions and distances. Blue lists services such as gas, food and lodging |
At night and in fog, shape and color are often all you can make out, which is why the exam asks you to identify signs by them.
Recognition Practice
| You see | It means |
|---|---|
| A purple sign at a toll plaza | Electronic tolling only |
| A fluorescent pink sign on a closed highway | Incident management detour or closure |
| A white rectangle with a black route number | A Massachusetts state route |
| A yellow-green sign with an arrow on a sharp bend | Curve warning |
| A round yellow sign with an X and RR | Railroad crossing ahead |
What does a purple sign mean on Massachusetts highways?
Electronic toll collection
Recreational or scenic areas
Hospital and evacuation routes
Incident management detours
Railroad crossing lights begin flashing as you approach. Where must you stop?
At least 50 feet back from the white crossbuck sign
At least 15 feet from the light post or gate
At least 5 feet from the nearest rail of the track
Right at the gate arm, as close as you safely can
How are numbered Massachusetts state highway routes posted?
Blue rectangles showing the outline of Massachusetts
White rectangles with black letters and borders
Green circles with white numbers and a state outline
Red, white and blue shields like the Interstate signs
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.