Article 28

1. Other markings on the carriageway, such as arrows, parallel or oblique stripes, or inscriptions, may be used to repeat the instructions given by signs or to give road-users information which cannot be suitably conveyed by signs. Such markings shall be used, in particular, to show the boundaries of parking zones or strips, to mark bus or trolleybus stops, where parking is prohibited, and for pre-selection before intersections. However, if there is an arrow on the carriageway where it is divided into traffic lanes by means of longitudinal markings, drivers shall follow the direction or one of the directions indicated in the lane along which they are travelling.

2. Subject to the provisions of Article 27, paragraph 4 of this Convention which relate to pedestrian crossings, the marking of part of the carriageway or of an area raised slightly above the level of the carriageway by parallel oblique stripes framed by a continuous line, or by broken lines, shall, in the case of areas framed by a continuous line, mean that vehicles must not enter that area, and in the case of areas framed by broken lines, that vehicles shall not enter that area unless it can be seen that it is safe to do so or in order to turn into a joining road on the opposite side of the carriageway.

3. A zigzag line at the side of the carriageway shall mean that parking on that side of the carriageway is prohibited as far as the line extends. Such line possibly together with the word „BUS” or with the letter „A” may be used to indicate a bus or trolleybus stop.

Article 29

1. The road markings mentioned in Articles 26 and 28 of this Convention may be painted on the carriageway or applied in any other way provided that it is equally effective.

2. If road markings are painted, they shall be yellow or white; however, blue may be used for markings showing places where parking is permitted or restricted. When both yellow and white are used in the territory of a Contracting Party, markings of the same class shall be of the same colour. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term „white” shall include shades of silver or light grey.

3. In tracing out the inscriptions, symbols and arrows of road markings, account shall be taken of the need to elongate them considerably in the direction of movement of traffic, because of the very narrow angle at which they are seen by drivers.

4. It is recommended that road markings intended for moving vehicles should be reflectorized if the density of traffic so requires and if lighting is poor or there is no lighting.

Article 30

Annex 2 to this Convention is a set of recommendations relating to the layout and design of road markings.

Chapter V

MISCELLANEOUS

Article 31

Signs for road works

1. The limits of road works on the carriageway shall be clearly shown.

2. Where the extent of the road works and the volume of traffic justify it, the limits of the works shall be marked by setting up continuous or discontinuous barriers painted with alternate red and white, red and yellow, black and white, or black and yellow stripes, and in addition, at night, if the barriers are not reflectorized, by lights and reflecting devices. Reflecting devices and fixed lights used for this purpose shall be red or dark yellow and flashing lights shall be dark yellow. However:

(a) Lights and devices visible only to traffic moving in one direction and marking the limits of road works on the opposite side of the road from that traffic may be white;

(b) Lights and devices marking the limits of road works separating the two directions of traffic may be white or light yellow.

Article 32

Marking by lights or reflecting devices

Each Contracting Party shall adopt for the whole of its territory the same colour or the same system of colours for the lights or reflecting devices used to mark the edge of the carriageway.

LEVEL-CROSSINGS

Article 33

1. (a) Where a signaling system is installed at a level-crossing to give warning of the approach of trains or of the imminent closing of the gates (barriers) or half-gates (half-barriers), it shall consist of a red flashing light or of red lights flashing alternately, as specified in Article 23, paragraph 1(b), of this Convention. However:

(i) Flashing red lights may be supplemented or replaced by light signals of the three-colour red-amber-green system described in Article 23, paragraph 2, of this Convention, or by such a signal without the green light, if other three-colour light signals are installed on the road near the level-crossing or if the crossing is equipped with gates;

(ii) On earth-tracks (dirt roads) where traffic is very light and on footpaths, only a sound signal need be used.

(b) The light signals may be supplemented by a sound signal in all cases.

2. The light signals shall be installed on the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction of traffic; whenever conditions such as the visibility of the signals or the density of traffic so require, the lights shall be repeated on the other side of the road. However, if it is considered preferable because of local conditions, the lights may be repeated on an island in the middle of the carriageway, or placed above the carriageway.

3. In accordance with Article 10, paragraph 4, of this Convention, sign B,2, „STOP”, may be set up at a level-crossing which has neither gates, half-gates nor light signals giving warning of the approach of trains; at level-crossings where this sign is displayed, drivers shall stop at the stop line or, in the absence of such a line, level with the sign and not move off again until they have ascertained that no train is approaching.

Article 34

1. At level-crossings equipped with gates or staggered half-gates on either side of the railway line, the presence of such gates or half-gates across the road shall mean that no road-user may proceed beyond the nearest gate or half-gate; the movement of gates towards a position across the road and the movement of half-gates shall have the same meaning.

2. The showing of the red light or lights mentioned in Article 33, paragraph 1 sub-paragraph (a), of this Convention, or the operation of the sound signal mentioned in the said paragraph 1, shall likewise mean that no road-user may proceed beyond the stop line or, if there is no stop line, beyond the level of the signal. The showing of the amber light of the threecolour system mentioned in Article 33, paragraph 1 (a) (i), shall mean that no road-user may proceed beyond the stop line or, if there is no stop line, beyond the level of the signal, unless the vehicle concerned is so close to the signal when the amber light appears that it cannot safely be stopped before passing the signal.

Article 35

1. The gates and half-gates of level-crossings shall be clearly marked in alternate stripes of red and white, red and yellow, black and white, or black and yellow. They may, however, be coloured white or yellow only, provided that a large red disc is displayed at the centre.

2. At all level-crossings which have neither gates nor half-gates there shall be placed, in the immediate vicinity of the railway line, sign A,28 as described in Annex 1, section A. If there is a light signal giving warning of the approach of trains or sign B,2, „STOP”, sign A,28 shall be placed on the same support as the light signal or sign B,2. Placing of sign A,28 is not mandatory at:

(a) An intersection between a road and a railway track at which rail traffic proceeds very slowly and road traffic is regulated by a railwayman making the necessary hand signals; or

(b) An intersection between a railway track and either an earth-track (dirt road) where traffic is very light, or a footpath.

3. (Deleted)

Article 36

1. Because of the special danger presented by level-crossings, the Contracting Parties undertake:

(a) To have one of the danger warning signs bearing one of the symbols A,25; A,26 or A,27 placed in advance of all level-crossings; however, no sign needs to be set up

(i) In special cases which may arise in built-up areas;

(ii) On earth-tracks (dirt roads) and paths where power-driven vehicular traffic is exceptional;

(b) To have all level-crossings equipped with gates or half-gates or with a signal giving warning of the approach of trains, unless road-users can see the railway line on both sides of the level-crossing for such a distance that, allowing for the maximum speed of the trains, the driver of a road vehicle approaching the railway line from either side has time to stop before proceeding on to the level-crossing if a train is in sight, and in addition that road-users who are already on the crossing when a train appears have time to reach the other side; however, it shall be open to the Contracting Parties to derogate from the provisions of this subparagraph at level-crossings where trains travel relatively slowly or power-driven vehicular traffic on the road is light;

(c) To have every level-crossing having gates or half-gates operated from a position from which such gates or half-gates cannot be seen equipped with one of the systems for signaling the approach of trains referred to in Article 33, paragraph 1, of this Convention;

(d) To have every level-crossing having gates or half-gates operated automatically by the approach of trains equipped with one of the systems for signaling the approach of trains referred to in Article 33, paragraph 1, of this Convention;

(e) In order to make gates and half-gates more visible, to have them equipped with reflecting material or reflecting devices and, if need be, to illuminate them at night; in addition, on roads where there is heavy motor traffic at night, to equip the danger warning signs installed in advance of the level-crossing with reflecting material or reflecting devices and, if need be, to illuminate them at night;

(f) Wherever possible, near level-crossings equipped with half-gates to have a longitudinal marking placed in the middle of the carriageway prohibiting vehicles which approach the level-crossing from encroaching on the half of the carriageway reserved for traffic in the opposite direction or even to install directional islands separating the two opposed streams of traffic.

2. The provisions of this Article shall not apply in the cases referred to in the last sentence of Article 35, paragraph 2, of this Convention.

Chapter VI

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 37

1. This Convention shall be open at United Nations Headquarters, New York, until 31 December 1969 for signature by all States Members of the United Nations or of any of the specialized agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency or Parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and by any other State invited by the General Assembly of the United Nations to become a Party to the Convention.

2. This Convention is subject to ratification. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

3. This Convention shall remain open for accession by any of the States referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. The instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General.

Article 38

1. Any State may, at the time of signing or ratifying this Convention, or of acceding thereto, or at any time thereafter, declare by notification addressed to the Secretary-General that the Convention shall become applicable to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. The Convention shall become applicable to the territory or territories named in the notification 30 days after the receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General or on the date of entry into force of the Convention for the State making the notification, whichever is the later.

2. Any State which makes a notification under paragraph 1 of this Article shall notify on behalf of the territories on whose behalf that notification was made the declarations provided for in Article 46, paragraph 2 of this Convention.

3. Any State which has made a declaration under paragraph 1 of this Article may at any time thereafter declare by notification addressed to the Secretary General that the Convention shall cease to be applicable to the territory named in the notification and the Convention shall cease to be applicable to such territory one year from the date of receipt by the Secretary-General of the notification.

Article 39

1. This Convention shall enter into force 12 months after the date of deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification or accession.

2. For each State ratifying or acceding to this Convention after the deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into force 12 months after the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.

Article 40

Upon its entry into force, this Convention shall terminate and replace, in relations between the Contracting Parties, the Convention concerning the Unification of Road Signals, opened for signature at Geneva on 30 March 1931, or the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, opened for signature at Geneva on 19 September 1949.

Article 41

1. After this Convention has been in force for one year, any Contracting Party may propose one or more amendments to the Convention. The text of any proposed amendment, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum, shall be transmitted to the Secretary-General, who shall communicate it to all Contracting Parties. The Contracting Parties shall have the opportunity of informing him within a period of 12 months following the date of its circulation whether they: (a) accept the amendment; or (b) reject the amendment; or (c) wish that a conference be convened to consider the amendment. The Secretary-General shall also transmit the text of the proposed amendment to all other States referred to in Article 37, paragraph 1 of this Convention.

2. (a) Any proposed amendment communicated in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be accepted if within the period of 12 months referred to in the preceding paragraph less than one-third of the Contracting Parties inform the Secretary-General that they either reject the amendment or wish that a conference be convened to consider it. The Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties of each acceptance or rejection of any proposed amendment and of requests that a conference be convened. If the total number of such rejections and requests received during the specified period of 12 months is less than one-third of the total number of Contracting Parties, the Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties that the amendment will enter into force six months after the expiry of the period of 12 months referred to in the preceding paragraph for all Contracting Parties except those which, during the period specified, have rejected the amendment or requested the convening of a conference to consider it.

(b) Any Contracting Party which, during the said period of 12 months, has rejected a proposed amendment or requested the convening of a conference to consider it may at any time after the end of such period notify the Secretary-General that it accepts the amendment, and the Secretary-General shall communicate such notification to all the other Contracting Parties. The amendment shall enter into force, with respect to the Contracting Parties which have notified their acceptance, six months after receipt by the Secretary-General of their notification.

3. If a proposed amendment has not been accepted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article and if within the period of 12 months specified in paragraph 1 of this Article less than half of the total number of Contracting Parties inform the Secretary-General that they reject the proposed amendment and if at least one-third of the total number of Contracting Parties, but not less than 10, inform him that they accept it or wish a conference to be convened to consider it, the Secretary-General shall convene a conference for the purpose of considering the proposed amendment or any other proposal which may be submitted to him in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Article.