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Buses Only Road Sign – R121

The Buses Only road sign, designated R121, is a South African regulatory command sign used to indicate that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for buses only.

R121 imposes a mandatory requirement that drivers of buses use the designated public road or portion of the road. Other classes of road users must not use the public road or portion indicated by the sign.

What Does the R121 Road Sign Mean?

R121 means BUSES ONLY. It identifies a roadway or section of roadway that has been specifically designated for buses.

The sign is a regulatory command sign, so it communicates a mandatory vehicle-access restriction rather than simply providing information about a nearby bus facility.

Purpose of a Buses Only Sign

The purpose of R121 is to regulate access to a public road or portion of a public road according to vehicle class.

Where a roadway has been designated specifically for buses, R121 communicates to approaching road users that the indicated section is reserved for bus traffic.

It can form part of a wider traffic-management system where buses are provided with a designated route or roadway section separate from other vehicle classes.

Where Are R121 Buses Only Signs Used?

R121 may be used at the beginning of a public road or portion of a public road that has specifically been set aside for buses.

Possible applications include:

• Dedicated bus routes
• Bus-only roadway sections
• Bus lanes where the applicable traffic arrangement requires a vehicle-class command sign
• Public transport facilities
• Transport terminals and interchanges
• Bus rapid transit facilities where applicable
• Complex commercial developments with designated bus routes
• Other locations where bus movements need to be separated from other traffic

The exact application depends on the road layout, traffic-management arrangement and requirements applicable to the location.

R121 Is a Regulatory Command Sign

R121 is not simply an information sign indicating that buses may use a particular area. It is a mandatory command sign.

The SARTSM states that R121 indicates that the public road or portion of public road is set aside for buses only. Drivers of buses are required to use the designated roadway, while other classes of road users must not use the indicated section.

R121 and Bus Parking

R121 should not automatically be treated as a bus parking sign.

The primary purpose of R121 is to control access to a public road or portion of a public road for buses. If the specific requirement is to reserve parking bays for buses, an appropriate bus parking or parking-reservation sign and road marking should be considered instead.

Similarly, a passenger loading area may require additional signs and road markings to communicate where buses should stop and where passengers should board or leave the vehicle.

R121 and Dedicated Bus Lanes

Where a roadway includes a lane or section reserved for buses, R121 may form part of the applicable traffic-control arrangement where the vehicle-class restriction requires this type of command sign.

Public-road bus lanes can also involve additional regulatory signs, road markings, operating-time restrictions and directional information. The complete traffic arrangement should therefore be considered rather than relying on a single sign.

R121 at Transport Terminals

R121 can be useful as part of traffic management at transport terminals and other facilities where buses need a designated route through the site.

Large transport facilities may have separate areas for buses, taxis, minibuses, midi-buses, private vehicles, pedestrians and other road users. Vehicle-class command signs can help communicate these restrictions where they apply.

Additional directional, pedestrian, parking and passenger information signs may be required depending on the design of the facility.

R121 and Other Public Transport Vehicle Signs

R121 forms part of a series of South African vehicle-class command signs.

• R118: Taxis Only
• R119: Minibuses Only
• R120: Midi-Buses Only
• R121: Buses Only
• R122: Delivery Vehicles Only

These signs identify different vehicle classes and should not be used interchangeably. The appropriate sign depends on the class of vehicle for which the roadway has been designated.

R121 vs R120 Midi-Buses Only

R120 means MIDI-BUSES ONLY, while R121 means BUSES ONLY.

Although both signs relate to passenger transport vehicles, they identify different vehicle classes. The correct sign should therefore be selected according to the traffic arrangement and applicable vehicle classification.

R121 vs Bus Parking Signs

A Buses Only roadway and a bus parking area serve different purposes.

• R121: controls access to a public road or portion of a public road for buses.
• Bus parking signage: identifies a designated location where buses may park.

If a site has both a bus-only route and a dedicated bus parking or passenger-loading area, separate signs may be required for each purpose.

R121 Sign Placement

R121 should be positioned where approaching drivers can clearly identify the beginning of the bus-only roadway or portion of roadway.

When determining the position of the sign, factors such as the direction of approaching traffic, visibility, road layout, intersections, access points and other traffic signs should be considered.

Additional signs may be required where the designated bus route continues through intersections or has multiple entry points.

R121 Sign Design and Appearance

The permanent R121 Buses Only sign is a circular regulatory sign with a blue retroreflective background and white retroreflective border and symbol.

The use of retroreflective materials helps the regulatory sign remain identifiable under suitable lighting conditions, including at night when illuminated by vehicle headlights.

The sign should be manufactured to the applicable South African regulatory-sign specifications, including the required dimensions and materials for the particular installation.

Temporary Buses Only Sign – TR121

The temporary version of R121 is designated TR121.

The temporary version uses a yellow retroreflective background and outer border with a black semi-matt inner border and symbol, according to the SARTSM specification.

TR121 may be used where temporary traffic arrangements require a roadway or portion of a roadway to be restricted to buses, subject to the applicable temporary traffic-management requirements.

R121 Sign Size

The SARTSM provides specific dimensions for R121 in its regulatory-sign specifications. The correct size depends on the applicable sign standard and installation environment rather than there being one universal size for every installation.

For public-road applications, the relevant road authority or traffic-management professional should determine the appropriate sign application and specification.

R121 on Private Property

Schools, shopping centres, hotels, hospitals, event venues, transport facilities, industrial properties and other developments may require bus-specific traffic signage within their premises.

However, the official R121 sign is defined by the SARTSM as a regulatory sign for a public road or portion of a public road. For private-property applications, the property owner or site manager should determine whether an official regulatory sign or a private traffic-management sign is appropriate.

Site-specific parking, access, passenger-loading, property-management and municipal requirements should also be considered where relevant.

Benefits of Clear Buses Only Signage

• Clearly identifies a roadway designated for buses.
• Communicates the applicable vehicle-class restriction.
• Helps bus drivers identify designated routes.
• Can support the separation of bus traffic from other vehicle classes.
• Can form part of a wider public-transport traffic-management system.
• Can be used alongside applicable directional, parking and pedestrian signage.

Buses Only R121 Sign FAQs

What does the R121 road sign mean?

R121 means BUSES ONLY. It indicates that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for buses.

Can ordinary cars use an R121 roadway?

No. R121 is a vehicle-class command sign. The indicated public road or portion is set aside for buses, and other classes of road users must not use the section indicated by the sign.

Is R121 a bus parking sign?

No. R121 primarily controls access to a public road or portion of a public road for buses. A separate parking or reservation arrangement may be required when the purpose is to reserve specific bus parking spaces.

What is the difference between R120 and R121?

R120 means MIDI-BUSES ONLY, while R121 means BUSES ONLY. They are separate regulatory signs for different vehicle classes.

What is the temporary version of R121?

The temporary version is TR121. It uses the applicable temporary regulatory-sign colour and material requirements.

What colour is a permanent R121 sign?

The permanent R121 uses a blue retroreflective background with a white retroreflective border and symbol.

Where should an R121 sign be installed?

R121 should be positioned at the beginning of a roadway or portion of roadway designated for buses, with the sign placed so that approaching road users can clearly understand the restriction.

Can R121 be used at a bus terminal?

Yes. R121 can form part of a traffic-management arrangement at a bus terminal or transport facility where a public road or roadway section has been specifically designated for buses.

Get R121 Buses Only Road Signs from Signs4SA

Signs4SA can assist with R121 Buses Only road signs, temporary TR121 signs and other regulatory and traffic-management signage for suitable transport and roadway applications.

Contact Signs4SA to discuss your R121 signage requirements, provide your specifications and request a quotation.

Buses only signs come in a variety of styles and formats, including danger signs, warning signs, and caution signs. Danger signs are used to indicate an immediate threat that could cause serious injury or death, such as high voltage areas or hazardous materials. Warning signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause injury, such as slippery floors or falling objects. Caution signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause minor injury, such as low ceilings or uneven surfaces. Another type of safety sign is the Buses only sign, which is used to provide guidance on safe behavior. These signs can include instructions on how to use equipment or machinery safely, as well as reminders to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or follow specific safety protocols. Buses only signs can also be used to ensure compliance with safety regulations. For example, fire safety signs are required by law in most public buildings and workplaces. These signs indicate the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment.

More About Buses only

Safety signs are an essential part of any workplace or public space. They are used to warn people of potential hazards, provide guidance on safe behavior, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. One type of safety sign is the Buses only sign, which is designed to alert people to potential dangers in a particular area. Buses only signs come in a variety of styles and formats, including danger signs, warning signs, and caution signs. Danger signs are used to indicate an immediate threat that could cause serious injury or death, such as high voltage areas or hazardous materials. Warning signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause injury, such as slippery floors or falling objects. Caution signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause minor injury, such as low ceilings or uneven surfaces. Another type of safety sign is the Buses only sign, which is used to provide guidance on safe behavior. These signs can include instructions on how to use equipment or machinery safely, as well as reminders to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or follow specific safety protocols. Buses only signs can also be used to ensure compliance with safety regulations. For example, fire safety signs are required by law in most public buildings and workplaces. These signs indicate the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment. In addition to these types of safety signs, there are also specialized signs available for specific industries or hazards. For example, construction sites may use signs to indicate the location of underground utilities or to warn of falling debris. Healthcare facilities may use signs to remind employees to wash their hands or to indicate the location of first aid supplies. When selecting safety signs, it is important to choose signs that are appropriate for the specific hazard or situation. Signs should be placed in prominent locations where they are easily visible, and should be made from durable materials that can withstand harsh environmental conditions. By using safety signs effectively, businesses and organizations can help protect their employees, customers, and visitors from harm.

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