Top Safety Guidelines for Installing Signage in Dubai: What You Need to Know

Hazards and Distractions
Signage plays a crucial role in urban environments, but improper placement or design can create significant safety hazards. Table 2 highlights situations where signs may compromise traffic safety and should, therefore be prohibited.

When is a Sign Considered a Hazard?

A sign is classified as a safety hazard if:

• Non-Compliant Format: The sign format is not covered by the Manual or relevant by-laws and is deemed illegal unless explicitly approved by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or Dubai Municipality (DM).
• Obstructed Sightlines: It blocks the driver’s or pedestrian’s line of sight at intersections or access points.
• Traffic or Pedestrian Flow Interference: The sign impedes the smooth flow of pedestrians or vehicles.
• Insufficient Clearance: The sign lacks appropriate vertical and lateral clearance from the carriageway or footpath.
• Visual Clutter: It creates excessive visual clutter, making it difficult for drivers to process essential signage, especially near:
  • Weave areas
  • Ramps
  • Intersections
  • Areas with heavy pedestrian movement
• Information Overload: The sign displays more than 16 bits of information in any viewshed, leading to driver distraction.
• Resemblance to Traffic Devices: It could be mistaken for a traffic control or regulatory sign.
• Driver Distraction: In the opinion of the RTA, the sign distracts drivers in a way that may lead to unsafe driving conditions.
• Excessive Illumination: If illuminated, the sign may cause discomfort to pedestrians and drivers or hinder their vision.
• Interference with Road Traffic Signs: The sign is attached to, combined with, or obscures a road traffic sign, causing confusion or creating safety hazards.
• Obstruction of Pedestrian and Driver Views: It obstructs views of the road, railways, or pavements, such as at junctions, bends, or changes in road width.
• Location in Restricted Zones: The sign is positioned in restricted areas such as heritage zones, public open spaces, conservation areas, residential zones, or environmentally sensitive areas.
• Improper Placement: It is placed on trees, between mature tree lines, or on government buildings or religious institutions.
• Inconsistent Content: The content conflicts with the Emirate’s social and cultural values.
• Improper Placement of Glass Facades: Advertisement signage on glass facades, except for films or transparent stickers, is not permitted.

Traffic and Movement: Safety and Visual Considerations
Signage must be positioned and designed to ensure it does not impede movement or create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers.

Key Safety Guidelines for Traffic and Movement

• Building and Emergency Exit Clearance: Signs should not block building facilities or emergency exits. Clearances are determined based on the type and capacity of the exit.
• Minimizing Headlight Reflections: To prevent headlight reflections, signs should be angled 5 degrees away from the driver’s line of sight.
• Protrusions into Roadways: Signs must not extend into the road carriageway or paved parking surfaces.
• Setback from Carriageways and Traffic Signals: Freestanding signage within the Right of Way (ROW) must not overhang the carriageway and should maintain safe vertical and lateral clearance. Additionally, large and medium advertisements (such as unipoles and megacoms) should be positioned a safe distance from traffic signals.
• Avoiding Imitation of Traffic Control Devices: Advertisements must not resemble traffic control devices, such as traffic lights, or contain reflectors that could be mistaken for control devices at night.
• Illumination and Reflectance Standards: The permissible level of reflectance and illumination must not exceed the maximum limits defined in section 2.4 of the Manual.
• Legibility and Font Size: A font size of at least 150mm is advisable to ensure clarity.
• Restriction on Large Red Displays: Large red displays on illuminated signs should be avoided as they may be confused with traffic signals or vehicle taillights, especially in wet or nighttime conditions.
• Prohibition of Video and Animated Signs: Signs containing video or animated content are prohibited if visible to drivers. Any exceptions require exceptional approval from the technical committee appointed by the RTA/DM.

Exceptions to the Manual
Certain items fall outside the scope of the Manual and may be permitted only if they do not interfere with visibility, traffic safety, or the existing signage system. However, the RTA/DM retains the authority to remove these exceptions if they are found to be non-compliant.

Permissible Exceptions

1. Government and political corps signboards and national flags
2. Regulatory or guidance signs
3. Street or navigation signage
4. Traffic signs and signboards for pedestrian and vehicle movement
5. Signboards promoting historical antiquities and distinctive features placed by RTA/DM
6. Warning and security signboards or cautionary signs
7. Seasonal road decorations that are not considered advertising mediums

Non-Permitted Items

• Stickers on any RTA/DM infrastructure without approval.
• Outdated or obsolete signage outside the RTA ROW must be removed immediately.

Duration of Advertising Licenses
The duration for erecting an Out of Home (OOH) advertising sign is determined at the discretion of the approving authority and is subject to the specific terms of the contract.

Compliance with Dubai Decree No. (6) of 2020
All OOH contractors must strictly adhere to the guidelines specified in Decree No. (6) of 2020 regulating advertisements in the Emirate of Dubai.

References and Applicable Manuals

1. Dubai Municipality Advertising Signage Manual: Supersedes previous signage standards.
2. Road Side Design Guide: Defines lateral clearances for signage.
3. Code of Construction Safety Practice: Applicable to work undertaken in the city and the ROW.
4. Work Zone Traffic Management Manual: Provides guidelines on traffic management within work zones.
5. Dubai Access Management Manual: Specifies access management procedures.
6. Dubai Traffic Control Devices Manual (DTCDM), 2004: Outlines control device standards.