Additional Info

Trams Only – R138 Road Sign

The Trams Only road sign, identified as R138, is a South African regulatory command sign used to indicate that a public road or portion of a public road has been specifically set aside for trams.

Where R138 is displayed, the designated roadway is reserved for trams and other classes of road users are not permitted to use the public road or portion of public road identified by the sign.

R138 forms part of the South African road-sign system for managing public transport and light rail infrastructure. The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual includes the sign to provide a standardised approach for signing tramways and light rail vehicle facilities.

What Does the R138 Road Sign Mean?

R138 means TRAMS ONLY.

The sign indicates that the relevant public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for trams only.

It imposes a mandatory requirement that no other class of road user shall use the public road or portion of public road identified by the R138 sign.

Is R138 a Regulatory Command Sign?

Yes. R138 is a regulatory command sign.

It does not simply provide information about the presence of a tramway. It gives a mandatory instruction concerning the use of the designated public road or road section.

Where R138 is installed, the relevant tram facility has been designated for tram use and other road users must not use the roadway identified by the sign.

What Is R138 Used For?

R138 is used where a public road or portion of a public road has been specifically set aside for tram traffic.

The sign can form part of a wider light rail transit (LRT) or tramway traffic-management system. The SARTSM includes R138 to provide guidance for the signing of tram and light rail vehicle infrastructure.

Where Are R138 Signs Used?

R138 may be required at locations where trams or light rail vehicles operate on a designated public-road facility.

Potential applications include:

• Dedicated tramways
• Tram-only road sections
• Light rail transit routes
• Dedicated tram lanes
• Tramway approaches and access routes
• Public transport infrastructure
• Light rail transport projects
• Road sections specifically reserved for tram operation

The actual application depends on the design of the transport facility and the requirements of the responsible road authority.

R138 and Light Rail Transit

The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual recognises the potential use of light rail transit systems and provides a basic range of signs for tram and light rail infrastructure.

The manual explains that R138 can be used to indicate tram-only facilities, while additional signs are available for other traffic-management requirements associated with light rail systems.

R138 and Other Public Transport Vehicles

Not every public transport facility is intended for trams only. Where trams share a public roadway with other passenger-transport vehicles, different command signs may be appropriate.

The SARTSM provides additional signs for shared operation, including:

• R138: Trams Only
• R139: Buses and Trams Only
• R140: Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only

The appropriate sign depends on the vehicle classes that have been designated to use the particular roadway.

R138 Sign Placement

The SARTSM states that R138, together with R139 and R140, should be displayed at the beginning of a roadway set aside for the relevant passenger-transport vehicle types.

The sign should therefore be positioned where tram drivers and other road users can clearly identify the beginning of the tram-only roadway or road section.

The exact location should take account of the road layout, visibility, junctions, access points and other traffic signs in the area.

R138 Sign Design and Colours

The permanent R138 sign uses the standard permanent regulatory command-sign colour arrangement:

• Border and symbol: White retroreflective
• Background: Blue retroreflective

The blue background with white retroreflective border and symbol identifies R138 as a permanent command sign.

R138 Sign Size

The dimensions of R138 should be selected according to the applicable South African Road Traffic Signs Manual specifications.

SARTSM Volume 4 provides the dimensional specification for R138 and refers to the relevant enlargement factors and high-visibility applications where applicable.

The correct physical size should therefore be determined according to the road environment and applicable sign specification rather than using one universal size for every installation.

Tram and Light Rail Traffic Management

Tramways can require a combination of regulatory, warning, directional and information signs.

Depending on the design of the light rail system, additional signage may be required for:

• Tramway junctions
• Tram crossings
• Tram stops
• Light rail routes
• Pedestrian crossings
• Roadway crossings
• Tram-only lanes
• Shared public transport facilities

The Department of Transport's public-transport signing guidance includes specific information for light rail transit and tramway signing.

R138 and Other Road Users

R138 is intended to clearly separate a tram-only roadway from other road users.

Where the sign designates a public road or portion of a public road for trams only, other classes of road users shall not use the designated roadway.

This makes the correct selection and placement of the sign important when a roadway has been formally designated for tram operation.

R138 for Tramway Projects

Tram and light rail projects can require specialised traffic-management arrangements because rail vehicles may operate within or alongside the normal road environment.

R138 provides the vehicle-class command where a section of public road is specifically reserved for trams.

Other signs and road markings should be selected according to the particular tramway design and the requirements of the responsible road authority.

R138 on Private Property

Private developments may have internal roads or transport facilities that accommodate specialised passenger transport. However, the official R138 designation applies to a public road or portion of a public road set aside for trams.

Private-site signage should therefore be selected according to the site's traffic-management requirements and should not automatically be represented as an official public-road R138 installation.

Who May Need R138 Signs?

R138 signage may be relevant to organisations involved in tramway and light rail infrastructure, including:

• Road authorities
• Municipalities
• Public transport authorities
• Light rail transit projects
• Tramway infrastructure projects
• Transport infrastructure contractors
• Traffic-management contractors
• Public transport facilities
• Urban transport development projects

Benefits of Clear R138 Signage

• Clearly identifies a roadway designated for trams.
• Provides a mandatory vehicle-access instruction.
• Helps identify the beginning of a tram-only roadway.
• Separates designated tram traffic from other road users.
• Supports organised light rail traffic management.
• Can form part of a wider tramway and public transport signage system.

Frequently Asked Questions About R138 Road Signs

What does the R138 road sign mean?

R138 means Trams Only. It indicates that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for trams only and that other classes of road users shall not use the designated roadway.

Is R138 a regulatory sign?

Yes. R138 is a regulatory command sign that gives a mandatory instruction concerning the use of the designated roadway.

Where should an R138 sign be installed?

R138 should be displayed at the beginning of a roadway that has been set aside for trams. The exact position should follow the applicable road-sign requirements and the design of the tramway.

Can buses use an R138 roadway?

No. Where R138 designates a public road or portion of a public road for trams only, other classes of road users are not permitted to use the designated roadway. If buses and trams are intended to share the roadway, a different command sign such as R139 may be applicable.

What is the difference between R138 and R139?

R138 means Trams Only, while R139 means Buses and Trams Only. The applicable sign depends on which passenger-transport vehicle classes are designated to use the roadway.

What is R140?

R140 is the Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only command sign. It is used where these three passenger-transport vehicle classes share a designated public roadway.

Can R138 be used for light rail transit?

Yes. The SARTSM includes R138 as part of the basic signing system for trams and light rail transit infrastructure.

Can Signs4SA supply R138 signs?

Yes. Signs4SA can assist with R138 Trams Only road signs and other regulatory, command, traffic-management and public transport signage. Provide your required sign code, dimensions, quantity and installation requirements when requesting a quotation.

Order Trams Only – R138 Road Signs

Need R138 Trams Only signs for a tramway, light rail transit project or designated public transport roadway?

Contact Signs4SA to discuss your R138 signage requirements, provide your specifications and request a quotation.

Trams 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 Trams 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. Trams 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 Trams 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 Trams only sign, which is designed to alert people to potential dangers in a particular area. Trams 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 Trams 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. Trams 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.

Customer Reviews