Circular No. 09/2006/TT-BGTVT guiding the implementation of traffic signal adjustments on roads participating in the Greater Mekong Subregion Facilitation Agreement for Transport of Persons and Goods Across Borders (GMS Agreement).

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing the Adjustment of Traffic Signs on Routes Participating in the Agreement on Facilitating Transport of Persons and Goods Across Borders Between Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS Agreement) Facilitating Transport of Persons and Goods Across Borders Between Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion Agreement Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS Agreement)

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Pursuant to the Road Traffic Law dated June 29, 2001;

Pursuant to the Agreement on Facilitating Transport of Persons and Goods Across Borders Between Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion signed on November 26, 1999, in Vientiane, Laos;

Pursuant to Protocol No. 1 and Annex 7 attached to the GMS Agreement;

Pursuant to Decree No. 34/2003/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2003 of the Government stipulating the tasks, powers, responsibilities for State management, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

The Ministry of Transport hereby provides guidelines for adjusting traffic signs on routes participating in the GMS Agreement as follows:

I. General Provisions

1. These Circulars guide the adjustment and supplementation of traffic signs and road markings on the routes participating in the GMS Agreement (hereinafter referred to as GMS routes) as specified in Appendix 1 of these Circulars.

2. The content of the adjustment of traffic signs on GMS routes includes changing symbols and characters to be appropriate; adding English text messages. Supplementing traffic signs not included in the Traffic Sign Regulations 22TCN-237-01 issued together with Decision No. 4393/2001/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 20, 2001 of the Minister of Transport is provided in Section II.

3. The content of the adjustment of road markings on GMS routes includes modifying and supplementing drawings and painted lines on the road surface, particularly at standing curves, flat curves, and intersections, as specified in Section III.

4. Characters, texts, colors, and sizes of traffic signs and symbols shall be applied according to the provisions of the Traffic Sign Regulations 22 TCN-237-01.

5. When the Vietnam Highway Administration requests the adjustment of the traffic sign system to comply with the GMS Agreement within a specified time limit, based on these Guidelines, the direct managing unit shall review the current traffic sign situation within the assigned GMS route range and prepare design files, submit them to the competent authority for approval before implementation.

 II. Traffic Signs

1. Warning Signs

a) Warning signs according to the Traffic Sign Regulations 22 TCN-237-01 are adjusted:

201a, 201b dangerous curve;

202 consecutive dangerous curves;

245 slow down.

Sample sign: Figure 1, 2 Appendix 2.

b) Additional warning signs:

A,8 dangerous roadside;

A,10a flying stones;

A,24 traffic congestion;

A,27 crossing railway tracks.

Sample sign: Figure 3, Appendix 2.

2. Priority Signs

Adjusted priority signs:

401 priority road;

402 end of priority road.

Sample sign: Figure 4, Appendix 2.

3. Prohibitory or Restrictive Signs

Added sign:

C,3h prohibiting vehicles carrying hazardous goods with special markings.

Sample sign: Figure 5, Appendix 2.

4. Instruction Signs

Added sign:

D,10a; D,10b; D,10c mandatory direction for vehicles carrying hazardous goods.

Sample sign: Figure 6-1, Appendix 2.

5. Special Regulation Signs

Added signs:

E,9a; E,9b; E,9c

E,10a; E,10b; E,10c

E,11a; E,11b

Sample sign: Figure 6-2, Appendix 2.

6. Information Signs, Utility Facility Signs, or Service Facility Signs

Added sign:

From F,9 to F,13

Sample sign: Figure 6-3, Appendix 2.

7. Directional and Guidance Signs

a) Added signs:

G,7; G,8; G,9a; G,9b; G,10; G,11a; G,11b; G,11c; G,12a; G,13

Sample sign: Figure 7, Appendix 2.

b) The G,19 sign of the Agreement is a lane avoidance sign in downhill areas, which is not included in the Regulations. However, in practice, some units have installed guidance signs such as "Escape Lane" similar to sign 414b or sign 446. In cases where they are only used as avoidance lanes, apply the model of the Agreement as shown in Figure 8, Appendix 2.

8. Supplementary Signs

a) Supplementary signs 503a, b, c of the Regulations differ from supplementary signs H,3a; H,3b; H,3c of the Agreement, thus should be adjusted according to the Agreement. The sample of the sign is as shown in Figure 9, Appendix 2.

b) Supplementary signs H6 of the Agreement are not included in the Regulations, so they can be applied according to the Agreement depending on specific circumstances if necessary. The sample of the sign is as shown in Figure 10, Appendix 2.

9. Signs that must be adjusted to bilingual

a) "Location Identification Signs" 445 in the Regulations 22 TCN-237-01 do not have similar signs in the GMS Agreement. Although many of these signs contain Vietnamese text, in necessary cases, they may be adjusted to bilingual with the following principles:

- The size and color of the sign; type and font size of the text on the sign remain as per the Regulations. The arrangement of the text is arranged on two lines like signs 445k, l, m, with the principle of Vietnamese text above, English text below, same type and font size.

- The content of the text is adjusted as follows:

b) The descriptive warning signs 446 as provided in the Regulations are not included in the Agreement but have Vietnamese text. Therefore, if necessary, they may be adjusted to bilingual with the following principle:

The size and color of the signboard; the type and font size of the text on the signboard remain as stipulated in the Regulations. The arrangement of the text is to be arranged in two lines, similar to signboards 446a, b, c, with Vietnamese at the top and English at the bottom, using the same type and font size.

The content of the text is adjusted as follows:

c) For some signboards in the Regulations, the Vietnamese text is adjusted and supplemented with English, and presented as follows:

Sign 419 is adjusted as Figure 11, Appendix 2;

Sign 422 is adjusted as Figure 12, Appendix 2;

Sign 434 is adjusted as Figure 13, Appendix 2;

Sign 435 is adjusted as Figure 14, Appendix 2;

Sign 436 is adjusted as Figure 15, Appendix 2;

Sign 443 is adjusted as Figure 16, Appendix 2;

III. Road Markings

1. In cases where necessary, the text of marking number 44 in the Regulations may be adjusted to bilingual as shown in Figure 17, Appendix 2.

2. In new construction, upgrading, renovation, or major repair of roads where the road width, curve radius, longitudinal slope, superelevation, and design speed are adjusted, the design of road markings must prioritize the parameters specified in the Agreement; for other parameters not fully covered, the current standards shall apply.

3. If it is not possible to apply the parameters specified in the Agreement due to the characteristics of the road, the current standards may be applied.

IV. Implementation

1. This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

2. The Vietnam Highway Administration organizes implementation, directs the Highway Management Zones, Departments of Transport, Departments of Transport and Public Works, and relevant project management units along GMS routes to adjust or install new signs according to the guidance provided in this Circular.

The completion deadline for adjusting traffic signs on each specific route is determined by the Vietnam Highway Administration based on the start date for allowing vehicles from GMS countries to travel on that route.

3. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Transport for research, guidance, and appropriate amendments and supplements.