Roadworks & Highways · 16 checks

Road Marking & Signage
QA inspection checklist

Road marking, lining, and signage installation quality audit.

Every check below carries what good looks like, when it passes, the standard it comes from and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is what turns a tick-box into an inspection.

Road Markings

  1. 1.
    Line type matches TSRGD specification
    What to look forLine type (continuous, broken, ladder, hatching, kerb-line, edge-line) per the TSRGD diagram referenced in design. Solid lines uniform width, dashed lines with correct mark/gap. Type confirmed by visual against TSRGD plate.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD 2016 (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions): line types per Schedule 1 — diagrams 1003 (broken white), 1004 (continuous white), 1009 (lane line), etc. Each line type referenced by diagram number in design.
    StandardTSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5 (Road Markings).
    Common defectsWrong line type at hazard — non-compliant TSRGDContinuous line where broken needed (or vice versa) — wrong meaningNo-overtaking line missing in dangerous zoneHatching omitted at junctionLine type not on highway authority approval
  2. 2.
    Line width correct
    Record: Width (mm)
    What to look forLine width consistent along run. Measured with rule at multiple points. Typical 100 mm (lane line), 150 mm (centre line, edge line), 200 mm (edge of carriageway). No "fishtailing" or width variation.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD / SHW Clause 1212: standard widths 100/150/200 mm; tolerance ±10 mm. Edge line typically 150 mm; centre line typically 100-150 mm.
    StandardTSRGD 2016. SHW Clause 1212. BS EN 1436.
    Common defectsWidth inconsistent — sloppy spray applicationWrong width — non-compliantFishtailing at start/stopNo width record — disputes at auditExcessive overspray
  3. 3.
    Line positioning correct per design
    What to look forLines positioned per design — centre line on road centre, edge lines on edge of carriageway, lane lines at correct lane width. Stop lines at correct distance from junction. ASLs (Advanced Stop Lines) at correct position behind cycle box.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD / approved drawing: line position ±50 mm of design plan position. Stop line 1 m back from junction edge or per signal head. ASL 5 m typical between cycle line and stop line.
    StandardTSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. SHW Clause 1212.
    Common defectsCentre line off-centre — lane widths unequalEdge line on wrong side of edge — narrow effective laneStop line in wrong position — vehicle in junctionASL too close to cycle lineLines drift over distance
  4. 4.
    Retroreflectivity acceptable
    Record: mcd/m²/lux
    What to look forRetroreflective beads (glass) applied during line laying. Reflectivity tested by retroreflectometer on sample points. Newly applied marking should give Class B+ values (≥ 200 mcd) typical.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1436 / SHW Clause 1212: dry retroreflectivity Class R3 (≥ 100 mcd/m²/lux) typical; new application R4-R5 (≥ 200 mcd) achievable. Wet performance Class RW per design. Skid resistance Class S1-S5.
    StandardBS EN 1436:2018 — Road marking materials performance. SHW Clause 1212.
    Common defectsNo beads applied — line non-reflectiveBeads too thinly applied — < 100 mcdWet performance fail (highway authority spec)Bead grade wrong — too small (low reflectivity) or too largeNo retroreflectivity test record
  5. 5.
    Skip / gap pattern correct for dashed lines
    What to look forDashed line mark and gap lengths match TSRGD diagram. Pattern consistent along entire run. Edge line dashed correctly at edge of carriageway. Lane line dashes at consistent rhythm.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD: e.g. lane line 4 m dash, 2 m gap (1004); centre line 2 m dash, 4 m gap (1003); approach to no-overtaking line 6 m dash, 3 m gap (1003.1). Tolerance ±200 mm.
    StandardTSRGD 2016 Schedule 1. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5.
    Common defectsMark length off — pattern breaksGap length off — visual irregularityNo-overtaking 3:1 pattern not achieved on approachSkip/dash inconsistent across roadDashes truncated near junction without proper closure
  6. 6.
    Hatching and arrows to specification
    What to look forHatched areas (chevrons, herringbone, parallel diagonal) per TSRGD diagram. Arrows correct shape and size for road category. Stop / Give Way text legibility from approach distance.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD: hatching diagrams 1040.2 / 1041.1; lane arrows 1038 / 1038.1; text height per Working Drawings — typically 1.6 m on motorway, 1.0 m on A-roads, 0.4-0.6 m on local roads.
    StandardTSRGD 2016 Schedule 1. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. DfT Working Drawings.
    Common defectsHatching density wrong — TSRGD non-compliantArrow shape wrong — not from Working DrawingText size too small — illegible at speedHatching obscured at one endWrong arrow type for lane direction
  7. 7.
    Thermoplastic well bonded — no lifting
    What to look forThermoplastic line material bonded to surface — no lifting at edges, no curl, no de-bonding. Surface dry and clean before application. Primer applied if specified by manufacturer.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1871 / SHW Clause 1212: thermoplastic to manufacturer technical data; surface temperature within range (typically > 5°C); surface dry and free of dust / loose material; primer for SMA / aged surfaces.
    StandardBS EN 1871:2018 — Road marking materials thermoplastic and cold plastic. SHW Clause 1212.
    Common defectsLifting at edges — primer not used / surface dirtyCold-applied paint used where thermoplastic specified — short lifeSurface wet at application — bond failsSurface temperature too lowNo primer on aged / textured surface

Road Studs & Cat Eyes

  1. 8.
    Stud type and colour correct per location
    What to look forStud colour per TSRGD — white between lanes, red on left edge / hard shoulder, amber on right edge of dual carriageway, green at slip roads/lay-by entries. Bidirectional / unidirectional reflectors as required.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD / Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5: stud colours and meanings as defined; passive (depressible) studs to BS EN 1463-1; performance Class PRP / PNH per location.
    StandardTSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. BS EN 1463-1:2009 — Road studs.
    Common defectsWrong colour at slip road — driver confusionBidirectional where unidirectional needed (or vice versa)Studs missed in patternDamaged / dirty reflectors not replacedWrong performance class for traffic
  2. 9.
    Spacing correct
    Record: Spacing (m)
    What to look forStud spacing per design — typically 9 m on lane lines, 18 m on edge lines (variations on motorway approach to junctions, slips). Measured with tape / wheel. Spacing consistent along run.
    Acceptable whenPer Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5: typical spacings — motorway lane line 9 m, edge 18 m; reduced spacing approaching junctions / chevroned areas. Tolerance ±200 mm.
    StandardTraffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. SHW Clause 1212.
    Common defectsSpacing too far — gap in studded lineSpacing too close — wasted materialSpacing not reduced at junction approachStuds missing entirelyNo spacing record
  3. 10.
    Adhesive bond secure
    What to look forStud bonded with bitumen-based or epoxy adhesive per manufacturer. Substrate clean and dry. Stud sits flat — no rocking. Bond not displaceable by hand pressure after cure. Cure time observed before traffic.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1463-2 / manufacturer: adhesive type per substrate / season; cure time per ambient (typically 1-4 hours hot bitumen, 30 min epoxy). Pull-off test ≥ 200 N per stud at sample.
    StandardBS EN 1463-2:2010 — Road studs test methods. Manufacturer technical data.
    Common defectsStud popped out — adhesive failureBond fails in cold weather — wrong adhesive gradeStud not flush — corner sticks up, vehicle damageCure time not observed — traffic loosensNo record of pull-off testing
  4. 11.
    Retroreflective elements clean and undamaged
    What to look forReflectors clean — no road dirt build-up. Reflective insert not cracked, scratched, or yellowed. Performance verified by visual at night or by photometric test if specified.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1463-1 Class PRP / PNH: photometric performance retained at acceptance. Visual retro-reflection from 50 m clear at night.
    StandardBS EN 1463-1:2009. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5.
    Common defectsConstruction dirt on reflectors — not cleaned at handoverCracked reflective insertYellowing — UV damage from low-quality plasticReflector face damaged by trafficPhotometric test not done

Signage

  1. 12.
    Sign type and size match TSRGD
    What to look forSign face matches TSRGD diagram and size. Custom legends per Working Drawings. Sign material aluminium or composite per design. CE/UKCA per BS EN 12899-1.
    Acceptable whenPer TSRGD 2016 / Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 4: sign size depends on speed limit and importance — minimum size given for each diagram. Sign blank to BS EN 12899-1; aluminium gauge per design.
    StandardTSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 4. BS EN 12899-1:2007 — Fixed vertical road traffic signs.
    Common defectsSize below minimum for road categoryCustom legend not from Working DrawingCE/UKCA missingWrong material — gauges thin, distortsDiagram not in TSRGD — non-compliant
  2. 13.
    Mounting height correct
    Record: Height (mm)
    What to look forSign height to underside per design and TSM Chapter 4. Typical 2.1 m to underside in pedestrian areas, 1.5-2.0 m on rural verges, 5.0 m at sign gantries. Measured at base of post / column.
    Acceptable whenPer Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 4: 2.1 m to underside in built-up area (pedestrian clearance); 1.5 m on rural verge (vehicle visibility). Higher for gantry / motorway. Tolerance ±100 mm.
    StandardTraffic Signs Manual Chapter 4. TSRGD 2016.
    Common defectsHeight too low — pedestrian strike riskHeight too high in built-up — visibility for short pedestrian poorInconsistent height along route — looks slap-dashSign on too-tall post — off-axis from driver lineNo height record
  3. 14.
    Post and fixings secure
    What to look forSign post / column plumb. Foundation per design — typically concrete pad of 600-900 mm cube for 76 mm post, larger for taller / heavier signs. Fixings tight, no rotation. Passive safety post (frangible) where specified.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 12767 (passive safety) / BS EN 40 (lighting columns where applicable): foundation per loading; passive safety class HE / NE / LE for proximity to carriageway. Fixing torque per ETA.
    StandardBS EN 12767:2019 — Passive safety. BS EN 40 — Lighting columns. Manufacturer ETA.
    Common defectsPost tilts after install — foundation under-specNo passive safety post in collision zone — riskFixings loose — sign rotates in windFoundation off-designPost galvanising scratched — rust
  4. 15.
    Sign face clean and visible — no obstruction
    What to look forSign face clean of construction debris. No vegetation obscuring sign — vegetation clearance per highway authority. No competing signs / advertising blocking line of sight. Sign visible from minimum stopping distance.
    Acceptable whenPer Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 4 / DMRB: minimum visibility distance per sign type and approach speed. Vegetation cleared 5 m around sign typical. No "sign spam" near key sign.
    StandardTraffic Signs Manual Chapter 4. DMRB CD 109. TSRGD 2016.
    Common defectsTree growth obscures sign — no clearanceConstruction sign left in front of new permanent signSign turned by wind — not visible to driversSign vandalised / dirty at handoverNew sign blocks existing — competing for attention
  5. 16.
    Retroreflective grade correct (Class RA1/RA2)
    What to look forRetroreflective sheeting class per design — Class RA1 (engineer grade) for low-speed local roads; RA2 (high intensity) for trunk roads / high speed; RA3 (diamond grade) for motorway / fluorescent overhead. Photometric test on completed sign.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 12899-1 / TSM Chapter 4: RA1 (Type 1, 50 m visibility), RA2 (Type 2, 80 m), RA3 (highest, microprismatic) per highway authority spec for road category.
    StandardBS EN 12899-1:2007. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 4. BS EN 12899-4 (factory production control).
    Common defectsRA1 used where RA2 specified — sign visible at lower distanceSheeting damaged in transport — local low spotsWrong colour balance — non-compliant chromaticityNo factory production control documentationSheeting application bubbled — not heat-rolled

Questions people ask

What is a road marking & signage QA inspection for?

To record that the work was checked against the specification before it was covered up or handed over: a pass or fail against each item, a measurement where one matters, and a photo where it failed. It is the evidence a client's quantity surveyor or clerk of works asks for, and the thing that settles the argument at final account.

What standards does this checklist check against?

Each item names its reference. On this checklist that includes TSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5 (Road Markings)., TSRGD 2016. SHW Clause 1212. BS EN 1436., TSRGD 2016. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. SHW Clause 1212., BS EN 1436:2018, TSRGD 2016 Schedule 1. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5., TSRGD 2016 Schedule 1. Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5. DfT Working Drawings.. The contract specification and the approved drawings always take precedence over a general standard; where they say something stricter, inspect to that.

Who signs a QA inspection off?

The person who carried out the check, named and dated, and where the contract calls for it the client's representative as a witness. The signature records that the check was done and what was found. It is not a warranty of the work.

How many items are on it, and do I have to use them all?

16 checks across 3 sections. Delete what does not apply to the job and add anything the specification asks for that is not here. A checklist that has plainly been thought about carries more weight than a long one nobody read.

Is this useful for a subcontractor as well as a main contractor?

More so. The subcontractor is the one who gets asked to come back and open something up. A signed inspection sheet with photos at the time is the cheapest insurance on a construction site.

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