User guide
1. Introduction
2. Home page
3. Main menu
4. Search signs
4.1. Search signs -> Select category
4.2. Search signs -> Advanced search
4.3. Search signs -> Select category Advanced search -> Results page
5. Image basket
6. Terms and conditions
7. Image formats and colours
1. Introduction
The traffic signs image database has 600+ images that are downloadable as EPS, JPG and PDF files. They are a sub-set of those in the publication Know Your Traffic Signs and are grouped in the same categories.
The portal was developed and maintained to view, search, select and download single and multiple traffic sign images.
The images in this database are aimed mainly at media professionals for reproduction in printed matter, on screen etc. The image files are not intended for use by traffic signs professionals, who should refer to working drawings, chapters of the Traffic Signs Manual and other relevant sources on the DfT website.
Information on the image formats and colours is given separately, as are the terms and conditions for reproducing the artwork.
The ultimate aim of making available this selection of correctly captioned traffic signs images is to enhance the lifelong understanding of signs by the general public and professional drivers, thereby contributing to greater road safety. Please use the images responsibly.
Traffic signs image database has been designed with the following Internet browsers:
Internet Explorer 6 & 7
Go to top2. Home page
The website can be found at the address:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/trafficsignsimages/
3. Main menu
You are presented with a menu list on the left:
- Home - Homepage
- Search signs - Search page where the user can search by category or use the advance search facility to search by keyword, colour, symbols etc.
- Image basket - Listing of all selected downloadable signs ready for download
- User guide - User guide on how to use the traffic signs image database
4. Search signs
The search signs enables you to browse our database to find the required sign. The search is broken down into two options: Select category, Advanced search.
4.1. Search signs -> select category
The select category page allows you to search for signs based on their category. Simply click on the relevant category. In response, the website produces a results page: a list of signs related to your category.
Example: Warning signs
4.2. Search signs -> Advanced search
Once you know the basics of category search, you might want to try Advanced search, which offers numerous options for making your sign searches more precise and getting more useful results.
You can reach this page by clicking Search signs -> Advanced search link from the left menu.
You can do a lot more with Advanced search than just selecting category. With Advanced search you can search for a sign that:
- contains a particular keyword(s)
- has a particular background colour
- has a particular border colour
- has a particular shape
- has a particular symbol
To select signs by keyword, type your words into the keyword text box. Spaces and commas between words will be treated as a separate word. Double and single quotes and the use of AND, OR, NOT in between keywords will not work.
Note: The 'none' option within symbol includes all signs that have no symbol, inclusive of all tourist signs.
The results page will list all signs that match the selected criteria.
4.3. Search signs -> Select category / Advanced search -> Results page
Each sign item listed is a search result that the system search engine found for your search criteria.
You can preview the sign by clicking on the sign itself.
Example: Preview
To add a sign to the image basket , there is an Add to basket button above each sign. Simply click on the Add to basket button for each sign you wish to download. The sign will be added to your basket.
To the top right there is an indication of the number of signs in the image basket. This will help you to keep tabs on the number of signs selected.
Clicking on the Basket link will take you to the image basket where you can finalise your signs to download.
Go to top5. Image basket
Image basket will provide you with a list of all selected images ready for download. From this screen you have the option to delete or add more images.
In addition, you have the option to empty the basket. The Add more signs and Empty basket option is available at the top right:
The Delete button is available under the action column. The second column is a caption for the corresponding sign.
You can preview the selected sign by simply clicking on the caption. The link will open a preview of the selected sign
At the bottom of the table there is a total signs count. Next to the count is the Download button. Proceed to download by clicking on it.
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6. Terms and conditions
You need to tick the 'I confirm that I agree to the above terms and conditions for reproducing images of traffic signs' before you can proceed to the download.
There are three available formats for downloading:
- EPS files can be used for printing at any size, because they carry vector and other information.
- JPG files can be used for printing, but not at any size, because they have a limited resolution.
- PDF files are mostly suitable for viewing on screen and outputting on computer printers.
The user needs to tick the box to confirm they have agreed to the terms and condition and then select the file format. Once completed, you will need to click on download button.
Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions, selected format and clicked the download button, you will be presented with a prompt to save the zip file. The zip file will contain all the selected images and an ImageList.txt file detailing the downloaded signs.
The zip files can be unzipped with Winrar, WinZip and the default Windows XP zip software.
Instructions for Macintosh (MAC) Users:
1. Download the Zip file
2. Ignore the decompression error (If any)
3. Go to the actual file where it was saved
4. Single Click on the file (file menu should be listed)
5. Select OPEN WITH STUFFIT Expander
StuffIT expander will open the ZIP file. Do not use the MAC default 'BOMArchiveHelper X'
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7. Image formats and colours
7.1 Formats
EPS files can be used for printing at any size, because they carry vector and other information.
JPG files can be used for printing, but not at any size, because they have a limited resolution.
PDF files are mostly suitable for viewing on screen and outputting on computer printers.
7.2 Main colours
Colour settings in the image artwork do vary slightly. Before you reproduce an image, please check that you've specified the main colours as follows:
|
Main colour |
Pantone (print) |
CMYK equivalent (print) |
RGB equivalent (screen view) |
|
 |
Red (e.g. warning signs) |
186 |
C0 M100 Y81 K4 |
R227 G24 B55 |
 |
Blue (e.g. motorway signs) |
300 |
C100 M44 Y0 K0 |
R0 G121 B193 |
 |
Yellow (e.g. waiting restrictions) |
116 |
C0 M16 Y100 K0 |
R255 G210 B0 |
 |
Dark green (e.g. direction signs, but not Quiet Lane) |
349 |
C100 M0 Y91 K42 |
R0 G112 B60 |
 |
Brown (tourist signs) |
469 |
C0 M52 Y100 K62 |
R121 G68 B0 |
 |
Light green (e.g. fire rendezvous signs) |
370 |
C56 M0 Y100 K27 |
R94 G151 B50 |
 |
Orange (e.g. emergency phone labels) |
1375 |
C0 M40 Y90 K0 |
R250 G166 B52 |
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