ROAD JUNCTIONS
18.11 Where a road is crossed by a segregated tramway which operates as a signalled railway, the junction should be signed and marked in the same way as a railway level crossing (see section 19) using the appropriate vertical tram signs.
18.12 Junctions with heavy traffic flows or restricted visibility (including those which would normally be signed with the diagram 601.1 STOP sign) should be controlled by traffic signals with the special white signals for tramcars (diagram 3013). Where the route is for tramcars only, the transverse tram Stop line to diagram 1001.1 (see figure 18-3) should be provided at right angles to the tracks, positioned a minimum of 1.5 m before the primary tram signal (2.5 m where practicable). If trams are running with other vehicles but not segregated from them with a physical refuge, the Stop line to diagram 1001 should be used from the kerb to the centre line. The tram Stop line may be used in addition, either just in front of or just beyond the Stop line; this might be necessary to facilitate swept paths or where primary tram and other traffic signals are not co-located. If the tram route is segregated from other traffic by a refuge, the respective Stop line is used on each side.
18.13 At priority junctions, roads carrying tramways should always be treated as the major road. Where the minor road would normally be provided with a vertical GIVE WAY sign (diagram 602), as well as the Give Way road markings (diagrams 1003 and 1023, see paras 3.14 to 3.23), this should be replaced with a STOP sign (diagram 601.1) and transverse Stop line (diagram 1002.1). The use of the STOP sign requires site approval by the Secretary of State (see para 2.1). At all other junctions with a road carrying a tramway, the minor road should have the transverse Give Way line (diagram 1003), the triangular marking (diagram 1023) and a GIVE WAY sign (diagram 602).
18.14 All transverse markings on roads joining a tram route should be placed outside the swept path of the tramcars (see paras 18.19 to 18.23).
18.15 Where yellow box markings (diagrams 1043 or 1044) are laid at a junction in accordance with the guidance in section 12, the yellow marking should not be laid on the running rails or check rails of the tramway (see also para 18.23).
TRAM STOPS
18.16 On modern tramways, tramcars stop at purpose-built platforms to help passengers to board. These are readily recognisable by other traffic and the raised platform makes it unattractive for other vehicles to park there, so there should be no need for clearway markings of the kind used at bus stops.
18.17 Where a tram stop platform is located on a length of road shared with other traffic, it is sometimes necessary for the raised platform to project into the carriageway to ensure that it is close enough to the tram for passengers to board. The end of the platform facing approaching traffic should be protected by kerbing or surface treatment, or by hatched road markings to diagram 1040.4 (see para 4.54) to guide other traffic away from the end of the platform. Hazard reflectors to diagrams 560 or 561 might also be necessary.
18.18 If the tram stop is in a lay-by or on a short length of road reserved for trams only, the TRAM ONLY variant of diagram 1048.2 (see para 18.6) may be used in conjunction with the sign to diagram 953.1 and the plate 953.2 to discourage other traffic from entering the tram stop area. Where the track leading to the tram stop diverges from the main carriageway at a shallow angle, the techniques described in paras 18.7 to 18.10 should be used.
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