3Speed limit signing#

3.1Speed limit signs#

3.1.3Signs for linear speed zones and default speed limits#

c) Speed Limit AHEAD (G9-79) Replace the reference to AS 1742.2-2009 with AS 1742.2-2022.

3.1.6Repeater signs#

Replace item (g)(iii) with: As a general reminder of the speed limit (item (b) above) – single signs on the left side of the roadway at a spacing no greater than that given in Table 3.1.6. Repeater signs provided on divided multilane roads and one-way multilane roads shall be duplicated.

3.1.9School zones#

Replace the entire clause with the following:

R4 040-Q01 · G9-040-Q01 · R4 040-Q02 · R4-040-Q03 · R4-040-Q04 · R4-040-Q05

A SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q01) or Enhanced SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q03) sign shall be used to demarcate the start of a school zone. The SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q01) sign shall not be installed on a side road approach to a school zone. The SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q01) sign shall be installed as repeater signs (see Clause 3.1.6). Where an Enhanced SCHOOL ZONE (R4-04-0-Q03) sign demarcates the start of a school zone, at least one Enhanced SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q03) sign shall be installed as a repeater signs at school zones greater than 500 m in length. A SCHOOL ZONE AHEAD (G9-040-Q01) sign shall be installed at least 300 m in advance of the first school zone sign(s) either where the normal speed limit on approach is greater than 80 km/h, or where otherwise required in accordance with Clause 3.1.3(c). The SCHOOL ZONE (R4-040-Q02) sign should be installed opposite a terminating road within a school zone. The Enhanced School Zone (R4-040-Q04 and R4-040-Q05) signs may be installed on a road with a 40 km/h speed limit. Where a school zone begins at an intersection, and the normal speed limit on the road is greater than 50 km/h, a Speed Limit (R4-1) sign may be omitted in advance of the school zone sign. Where a road continues beyond a school zone, the school zone shall be terminated by the installation of a Speed Limit (R4-1) sign displaying the speed limit that applies beyond the school zone. The speed limit and times of operation applicable to a school zone shall be determined in accordance with the QRSTUV: GSM.

A typical layout for a school zone on a two-lane road is shown in Figure 3.1.9.

NOTE 1 School zone speed limits shall be determined in accordance with the QRSTUV: GSM. · NOTE 2 For times of operation refer to the QRSTUV: GSM. · NOTE 3 The R4-040-Q02 sign should be installed opposite a terminating road within a school zone.

3.1.11Supplementary plates#

1. c)The ON RAMP (R9-17) supplementary plate shall be installed below the Speed Limit (R4-1) sign on the right-hand side of a multi-lane off ramp, where one is provided in accordance with clause 2.1.2.2(f). This sign is not used under Speed Limit (R4-1) signs on the left-hand side of ramps.

Additional supplementary plates which may be used in conjunction with Speed Limit (R4-1) signs are as follows:

1. i.Class of vehicles
2. ii.Examples of R4-040-Q06
3. iii.The Class of Vehicles (R4-040-Q06) sign shall be displayed to indicate the class(es) of vehicle to which a speed limit applies.

Add to (f) the following:

1. i.BRIDGE DAMAGE CONTROL (G9-040-Q02)
2. ii.G9-040-Q02
3. iii.The BRIDGE DAMAGE CONTROL (G9-040-Q02) sign may be installed to inform motorists of a reduced speed limit at a bridge or floodway due to structural damage. If the speed limit is reduced for other reasons, the ON BRIDGE (R9-15) sign shall be used instead.
4. iv.Where installed, the following requirements apply:
5. a)The BRIDGE DAMAGE CONTROL (G9-040-Q02) sign shall be duplicated on both sides of the road.
6. b)A fluorescent orange target board should be installed around the Speed Limit (R4-1) and BRIDGE DAMAGE CONTROL (G9-040-Q02) signs.
7. v.CRASH ZONE (G9-040-Q03)
8. vi.G9-040-Q03
9. vii.The CRASH ZONE (G9-040-Q03) sign shall only be used to supplement a Speed Limit (R4-1) sign in a black links zone.
10. viii.HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q04)

G9-040-Q04

For guidance on the use of the HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q04 and G9-040-Q12) signs see clause 3.1.19.

Times of Operation signs in the R9-1 series may be used below the HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q04) sign to indicate part-time speed restrictions in a high active transport user area (HATUA).

HOSPITAL ZONE (G9-040-Q05)

G9-040-Q05

Where a speed limit has been reduced due to the presence of a hospital, the HOSPITAL ZONE (G9-040-Q05) sign shall installed.

NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06)

G9-040-Q06

For guidance on the use of the NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign see clause 3.1.17.

SETTLEMENT (G9-040-Q07)

G9-040-Q07

The G9-040-Q07 supplementary plate may be installed in advance of a hamlet, settlement or group of dwellings where the speed limit has been reduced. The supplementary plate is intended to inform drivers of the reason for the reduced speed limit.

RAILWAY CROSSING (G9-040-Q08)

G9-040-Q08

The RAILWAY CROSSING (G9-040-Q08) sign shall be installed under a Speed Limit (R4-1) sign where the speed limit is reduced due to the presence of a railway crossing.

3.1.12Variable speed limits#

For further guidance on the installation of Variable Speed Limit Signs (VSLS) and supporting static signs refer to the Queensland Guide to Smart Motorways (QGSM).

3.1.13Signs for high crash zones (black links) and approaches to high speed rural intersections#

Where a speed limit has been reduced in a black links, zone or on approach to a high speed rural intersection, in accordance with the QRSTUV: GSM, the following apply:

1. a)Speed Limit AHEAD (G9-79) sign(s) shall be provided, except where the reduced speed limit in a black links zone is higher than the preceding speed limit. See Clause 2.1.2.2(b) and Clause 3.1.3(c).
2. b)Either an appropriate supplementary plate beneath the first Speed Limit (R4-1) sign displaying the reduced speed limit or an appropriate warning sign shall be installed in accordance with Queensland MUTCD Part 2 to inform drivers of the reason for the reduced speed limit.
3. c)A fluorescent orange target board shall be provided around the initial Speed Limit (R4-1) sign together with any associated supplementary plate(s), and all repeater signs.
4. d)The length of the reduced speed zone on approach to a high speed rural intersection should not exceed 300 m.
5. e)The first repeater speed sign shall be installed at a distance not exceeding 300 m into the black links zone. Additional repeater signs shall be installed at a distance not exceeding 1 km.
6. f)If the speed limit is reduced due to multi-vehicle crashes, the following signs may be installed following the first Speed Limit (R4-1) sign to inform drivers of the reason for the reduced speed limit:
7. i.The HIGH CRASH SITE (W5-040-Q01_1) sign may be installed on the approaches to the high speed rural intersection. Where used, an appropriate warning sign from Queensland MUTCD Part 2 should be considered.
8. ii.The HIGH CRASH ZONE NEXT x km (W5-040-Q01_2) sign may be installed for a high crash zone (black link).

Examples of W5-040-Q01

3.1.14Township entry treatment sign#

Example of R4-040-Q07

Where a township entry treatment is installed, the Speed Limit (R4-040-Q07) sign shall be installed adjacent to the pavement marking. Guidance on the application of township entry treatments is provided in Technical Note 170 Township Entry Treatments.

3.1.15110 km/h speed ZONE ENDS sign#

G9-040-Q09

The 110 km/h ZONE ENDS 500 m (G9-040-Q09) sign shall be installed 500 m prior to the end of a statically posted 110 km/h zone. This sign should be duplicated.

Speed Limit (R4-1) signs at the start of a lower speed zone following the 110 km/h zone shall be supplemented with a fluorescent orange target board.

3.1.16Speed limit awareness stickers#

G9-040-Q10

Refer to the QRSTUV: GSM for guidance on the use of the 50 km/h IN MY STREET (G9-040-Q10) wheelie bin sticker.

3.1.17Signs for new speed limits#

NEW LIMIT signs may be used temporarily to supplement Speed Limit (R4-1) signs. If used, the following temporary signs shall be installed for a period no longer than 3 months from the date the new speed limit signs are installed.

• a) NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06)

G9-040-Q06

The NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign may be installed below a Speed Limit (R4-1) sign to increase motorists awareness of a new speed limit. Where used the following applies:

1. i.The NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign shall be installed beneath the first Speed Limit (R4-1) sign at the start of the new speed zone.
2. ii.Where the Speed Limit (R4-1) sign is duplicated at the start of the new speed the NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign shall also be duplicated.
3. iii.The NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign may be installed under repeater speed limit signs in the new speed zone past major intersections or at other locations where deemed necessary.

• b) NEW SPEED LIMIT AHEAD (G9-040-Q11)

G9-040-Q11

The NEW SPEED LIMIT AHEAD (G9-040-Q11) sign may be installed in advance of a NEW LIMIT (G9-040-Q06) sign at the start of a new linear or area speed zone. Where used the following requirements apply:

1. i.The NEW SPEED LIMIT AHEAD (G9-040-Q11) sign shall be installed 100-200 m in advance of the start of the new speed limit in each direction of travel.
2. ii.The NEW SPEED LIMIT AHEAD (G9-040-Q11) sign shall not be installed ahead of repeater signs within the newly created speed zone.

Figure 3.1.17 illustrated an example layout for new speed limit signs.

3.1.18Signs for personal mobility device speed limits#

R4-040-Q08 R4-040-Q09 R4-040-Q10

The Speed Limit for Personal Mobility Devices (R4-040-Q08, R4-040-Q09, or R4-040-Q10) sign or pavement marking shall be used when imposing a speed limit on paths for personal mobility devices (PMDs).

A signed PMD speed limit ends at the nearest of the following:

• An end PMD speed limit sign or pavement marking.
• A speed limit sign or road marking applying to the path with a different speed limit.
• Where the path intersects with a road or another path.

If a signed speed limit for PMDs is to continue beyond an intersecting road or path, a new PMD speed limit sign or pavement marking shall be installed.

To provide an end PMD speed limit sign or pavement marking, an END (R7-4) sign shall be installed below a Speed Limit for Personal Mobility Devices (R4-040-Q08, or R4-040-Q09) sign or pavement marking.

3.1.19Signs for high activity zones#

G9-040-Q12

The HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q12) sign may be installed in HATUA speed zones to begin the zone and as repeaters throughout the zone where required in accordance with Clause 3.1.6. Where used, the HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q12) sign shall be placed on the side of the Speed Limit (R4-1) sign furthest from the traffic lane.

In constrained situations where the HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q12) sign cannot be installed, the HIGH ACTIVITY ZONE (G9-040-Q04) supplementary plate may be used in conjunction with the Speed Limit (R4-1) sign (see Clause 3.1.11).

HATUA zones and speed limits are determined in accordance with the QRSTUV: GSM.

3.1.20Signs for beaches and access tracks#

The signs for beaches and access tracks given in Table 3.1.22 may be used in Queensland.

3.3Pavement markings#

The following replaces that in the Standard:

Pavement numerals may be installed adjacent to a static speed limit sign where the pavement surface is suitable.

Where painted numerals are used the following applies:

1. a)Painted numerals shall only be used to supplement immediately adjacent static speed limit signs and shall not be used alone.
2. b)Painted numerals shall not be used where there are time-based or variable speed limits (for example, school zones or smart motorways).
3. c)A separate set of identical numerals shall be painted in the centre of each traffic lane.
4. d)Numerals shall be marked in accordance with Queensland MUTCD Part 2.

3.3.1School zone pavement message#

The SCHOOL ZONE pavement message may be used in association with school zone signs at sites where driver awareness of the school zone might be reduced by the alignment of the road or by the volume or type of traffic. The use of other pavement messages in advance of pedestrian facilities at schools should be restricted to sites where driver awareness of the facility might be reduced by the horizontal or vertical alignment of the road or by volume of traffic, particularly during the peak periods when children are likely to be present on the road. The SCHOOL ZONE pavement message is the only pavement message approved for use with a school zone sign. The SCHOOL ZONE pavement message may be incorporated with a threshold treatment for added emphasis (see Clause 3.3.2). The SCHOOL ZONE pavement message shall be marked in accordance with Queensland MUTCD Part 2.

3.3.2School zone threshold treatment#

The school zone threshold treatment is detailed in PM-040-Q01 and illustrated in Figure 3.3.2. A school zone threshold treatment shall only be applied adjacent the initial school zone speed limit sign (see Clause 3.1.9), and should only be used in speed zones of ≤ 80 km/h. The school zone threshold treatment shall be confined to the lane(s) applicable to drivers travelling into a school zone. No threshold treatment shall be marked on the departure lanes out of a school zone, or in any shoulder or bicycle lane. Each instance of the school zone pavement message marked on the pavement shall span no more than 2 lanes. When spanning across 2 lanes, the message text should be centred horizontally about the centre lane line. Refer to the QRSTUV: GSM for further guidance on threshold treatments at school zones.

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