Among the various types of road signage, reflective traffic signs play a critical role in guiding and warning drivers. These informational traffic signs provide details about the route, nearby locations, landmarks, distances, and even temporary traffic changes. But here’s the key question:
Does the type of sign affect its effectiveness?
The answer is: Absolutely!
In this article, we explore the difference between standard signs (typically with 3-year or 5-year lifespans) and highly reflective traffic signs, and why choosing the right type of signage—especially when it comes to informational traffic signs—can significantly reduce accidents and improve road safety.
If you prefer, you can read the Persian version of this article here.
What Are Reflective Traffic Signs, and Why Do They Matter?
Unlike older or low-grade signs that quickly fade or lose visibility, reflective traffic signs are made with advanced materials like high-performance retroreflective sheeting. Leading brands such as Avery Dennison (USA) or Orafol (Germany) offer reflective films that can last 7 years (medium reflectivity) or up to 10 years (high reflectivity), depending on the grade used.
These reflective materials are engineered to bounce back vehicle headlights, making signs highly visible from long distances—even at night or in poor weather conditions like fog or heavy rain. This is especially critical for informational traffic signs, which drivers rely on to make timely decisions on the road. In the comparison of engineer grade vs diamond grade signs, diamond-grade sheeting provides far superior brightness and durability, making it the preferred choice for highways, intersections, and high-risk zones.
By using reflective traffic signs that comply with the latest traffic sign standards, municipalities and contractors ensure optimal visibility and alignment with modern safety requirements. The right traffic sign production process—paired with quality sheeting—can be the difference between a sign that lasts a few years and one that protects lives for a decade or more. To become familiar and buy traffic signs contact us today.
What Are Conventional Traffic Signs?
Conventional traffic signs are typically made from galvanized steel or aluminum sheets with basic paint coatings or low-cost reflective films—often imported from China. These films usually offer short-term durability of one to three years.
While these signs may perform adequately when first installed, their performance declines significantly over time. Exposure to sunlight, rain, dust, and other environmental factors causes the signs to fade and lose their retroreflective properties. As a result, their visibility in low-light or nighttime conditions is drastically reduced, preventing drivers from noticing critical information when it matters most.
This degradation makes it clear why many municipalities and contractors are now shifting to high-quality reflective traffic signs as part of modern traffic sign production practices.
Recommended Read: Why Iran is Becoming a Leading Supplier of Traffic Signs and Safety Barriers in the Middle East
Main Categories of Traffic Signs
To understand the unique value of informational traffic signs, it’s important to first review the general categories of traffic signage. Most road signs fall into one of the following three groups:
1. Informational Traffic Signs (Guide Signs):
These include signs that display city names, distances, exits, intersections, landmarks, or special zones. They are essential for navigation and orientation.
2. Warning Signs:
Used to alert drivers to upcoming hazards such as sharp curves, steep grades, or animal crossings.
3. Regulatory Signs:
These signs indicate legal rules and restrictions, such as “Stop,” “No Entry,” or “No Parking.”
Among these three types, informational traffic signs are especially critical because they guide drivers through unfamiliar routes. Without clear, visible signage, drivers may take wrong turns or miss important destinations, increasing the risk of accidents or confusion.
Upgrading these signs from conventional to reflective traffic signs, especially those made with high-performance materials like diamond-grade sheeting, is aligned with updated traffic sign standards and ensures visibility in all conditions.
Recommended Read: Important Factors to Consider in Traffic Sign Design
Advantages of High-Reflective Traffic Signs
Reflective traffic signs offer numerous advantages over conventional signs, especially in terms of visibility, durability, and compliance with modern traffic sign standards. These benefits make them the preferred choice for modern traffic sign production.
Key Benefits:
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Exceptional night-time visibility and performance in poor weather conditions (fog, rain, snow).
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Extended lifespan, often lasting up to 10 years depending on material type.
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Improved safety for urban streets and highways.
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Compliance with international traffic sign standards, including MUTCD and national road authority guidelines.
Comparison Table: Conventional vs. High-Reflective Traffic Signs
| Feature | Conventional Sign (3-Year) | High-Reflective Sign (7–10 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Night Visibility | Poor | Excellent |
| Weather Resistance | Low | High |
| Cost | Cheaper upfront | More expensive, but cost-effective long-term |
| Durability | Typically 1–3 years | 5–10 years depending on material grade |
| Application | Low-traffic areas, factories | Highways, expressways, low-light roads |
Why Informational Traffic Signs Should Be Reflective
Informational traffic signs play a critical role on highways and intercity roads. When a driver is moving at high speed, they have only a few seconds to view and process the information on a sign. If the sign is not clearly visible—especially at night or in foggy conditions—mistakes can happen that lead to dangerous situations.
That’s why modern traffic sign standards and road regulations strongly emphasize the use of reflective traffic signs for informational signs on highways and major roads.
Real-World Scenario:
Imagine a driver approaching an interchange at night. A poorly reflective sign might be missed entirely. But a diamond-grade reflective sign, part of best-in-class traffic sign production, would be clearly visible and help ensure safe decision-making.
International & National Standards for Informational Signs
According to international guidelines like the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices), reflective traffic signs used for informational purposes must feature materials with at least 7 years of reflectivity.
In Iran’s national road standards, it is also mandated that:
“High-reflectivity sheeting must be used for all informational signs installed on highways, freeways, and expressways to ensure maximum visibility in all lighting conditions.“
This is not just a matter of preference—it is a technical and legal requirement for ensuring road safety.
Critical Applications of High-Reflective Traffic Signs
In certain environments, using non-reflective or low-grade signs can be dangerous. High-reflective traffic signs are crucial in the following scenarios to ensure safety and visibility:
✅ Mountain roads with sharp turns
✅ Intercity routes with insufficient lighting
✅ High-risk intersections or locations with limited visibility
✅ Tunnel entrances and exit ramps
✅ Foggy or rainy areas throughout the year
✅ Industrial or construction zones with heavy vehicle traffic
These environments demand reflective traffic signs made with premium materials, such as diamond-grade sheeting, to ensure they meet international traffic sign standards.
Recommended Read: Pipe vs Polygonal Traffic Sign Post: Choosing the Right Traffic Pole for Your Project
Common Mistakes in Traffic Sign Selection & Installation
Despite the importance of correct traffic sign production and installation, many smaller municipal or subcontractor projects still make costly errors. These mistakes often reduce the effectiveness and durability of even high-quality informational traffic signs.
Major Mistakes Include:
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❌ Using low-quality reflective film that fades within a year
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❌ Installing signs at the wrong angle relative to driver visibility
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❌ Ignoring the standard mounting height in traffic sign standards
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❌ Failing to replace damaged or faded signs in time
Avoiding these mistakes ensures that both engineer grade and diamond grade signs perform at their best throughout their intended lifespan. Whether you’re dealing with informational traffic signs, warning signs, or regulatory signage, reflective traffic signs built to standard are critical to long-term safety.
Key Considerations for Contractors and Project Managers
If you’re responsible for sourcing or installing traffic signs in urban or intercity projects, here are several expert tips to ensure your work meets high traffic sign standards:
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Conduct a detailed review of route maps and critical zones during the design phase.
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Always use reflective traffic signs with sheeting approved by the national road authority, especially for informational traffic signs.
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Choose signs with long-term durability and resistance to UV rays, rather than focusing only on short-term cost.
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Hire experienced professionals for precise and regulation-compliant installation.
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Specify the type of engineer grade or diamond grade signs clearly in technical documentation.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Traffic Sign Means Choosing Safety
The type of traffic sign production used on roads directly impacts driver safety and the efficiency of traffic flow. While conventional signs may seem more budget-friendly at first glance, they often deteriorate quickly—leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced nighttime visibility.
In contrast, high-reflective traffic signs (such as those made with HIP or diamond-grade materials) offer reliable performance for up to 10 years and are the standard for informational traffic signs on major roads, highways, and urban routes.
Choosing high-quality, reflective signage is not an expense—it’s an investment in road safety.
Professional Traffic Sign Consulting and Installation by Gartal
Whether you’re planning a city street, an industrial complex, or a highway project, the Gartal Azin Naghsh team offers full-service expertise in traffic sign production, design, and installation. We provide:
✅ Custom production of reflective traffic signs using high-grade materials
✅ On-site installation by experienced technicians
✅ Compliance with traffic sign standards and international safety codes
✅ Engineering support for proper traffic sign placement and project planning
📞 Contact us today to discuss your needs and ensure your road safety infrastructure is built to last.
