GB/T 18574-2026 Urban rail transit signs English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 18574-2026
Urban rail transit signs
城市轨道交通标志
Issue date: 2026-04-30 Implementation date: 2026-10-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 General Requirements
5 Passenger Service Signs
5.1 General
5.2 Direction Signs
5.3 Location Signs
5.4 Information Signs
6 Vehicle Signs
6.1 General
6.2 Exterior Vehicle Signs
6.3 Interior Vehicle Signs
7 Depot Signs
7.1 General
7.2 Production Safety Signs
7.3 Train Movement Signs
7.4 Road Traffic Signs and Markings
7.5 Depot Public Signs
8 Wayside (Interval) Signs
9 Accessibility Signs
10 Safety Protection Zone Signs
11 Safety Signs and Fire Safety Signs
11.1 Safety Signs
11.2 Fire Safety Signs
12 Others
Annex A (Informative) Examples of Information Element Combinations for Passenger Service Signs
Annex B (Informative) Illustrative Examples of Urban Rail Transit Signs
Bibliography
Urban rail transit signs
1 Scope
This document specifies the general requirements for urban rail transit signs, as well as requirements for passenger service signs, vehicle signs, depot signs, wayside (interval) signs, accessibility signs, safety protection zone signs, safety signs and fire safety signs.
This document applies to the design, installation and placement of urban rail transit signs.
2 Normative References
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 2893 (all parts) Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs
GB 2894 Safety colours and safety signs
GB 5768 (all parts) Road traffic signs and markings
GB/T 10001 (all parts) Public information graphical symbols
GB 13495.1 Fire safety signs — Part 1: Signs
GB 15562.1 Environmental protection signs — Discharge outlet (source)
GB/T 15565 Graphical symbols — Terms
GB/T 15566.1 Guidance system for public information — Setting principles and requirements — Part 1: General principles
GB/T 15566.4 Guidance system for public information — Setting principles and requirements — Part 4: Public transport station
GB 15630 Requirements for the placement of fire safety signs
GB/T 15720 Chinese braille
GB/T 16275 Lighting for urban rail transit
GB/T 16900 General rules for the presentation of graphical symbols
GB/T 16903 Rules for the presentation of graphical symbols for public information symbols — Design principles and requirements
GB 17945 Fire emergency lighting and evacuate indicating system
GB/T 20501 (all parts) Public information guidance systems — Design principles and requirements for guidance elements
GB/T 25058 Information security technology — Implementation guide for classified protection of cybersecurity
GB/T 23809.1 Emergency guidance systems — Setting principles and requirements — Part 1: Inside buildings
GB/T 23809.2 Emergency guidance systems — Setting principles and requirements — Part 2: Outside buildings
GB/T 30240.1 Guidelines for the use of English in public service areas — Part 1: General principles
GB/T 30240.2 Guidelines for the use of English in public service areas — Part 2: Transportation
GB/T 31015 Public information guidance systems — Design and setting principles and requirements for accessibility needs
GB/T 31523.2 Safety information identification system — Part 2: Setting principles and requirements
GB/T 33660 Guidelines for accessibility design of urban public transport facilities
GB 50157 Code for design of metro
GB 50763 Code for accessibility design
GB/T 51223 Technical code for public building identification system
GB 51298 Standard for fire protection design of metro
GB 55019 General code for accessibility of building and municipal engineering
GB 55033 Technical code for urban rail transit engineering
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 15565, GB/T 20501 (all parts) and the following apply.
3.1 urban rail transit
An urban public passenger transport system that operates on dedicated rails, including metros, light rail, monorail, trams, maglev, automated guideway transit, and regional rapid rail systems.
[Source: GB/T 50833-2012, 2.0.1]
3.2 sign information element
A basic unit of information conveyed by a sign.
NOTE: Usually includes graphical symbols, text and colour.
3.3 direction sign
A sign composed of graphical symbols and/or text together with directional symbols, indicating the direction of travel to a desired destination.
[Source: GB/T 15565-2020, 4.2.2]
3.4 accessibility sign
A sign composed of graphical symbols, text (including braille) and relevant equipment and facilities specifically for use by wheelchair users, persons with visual impairments and others with special needs, providing directional, location and information services.
3.5 information sign
A sign composed of diagrams, tables and text, used to convey public information related to services.
4 General Requirements
4.1 Urban rail transit signs (hereinafter referred to as “signs”) shall be standardised, coordinated, clear, legible, easily recognisable and understandable, and shall comply with the provisions of GB 55033. Signs may incorporate new technologies as required.
4.2 The design of sign information elements shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 20501 (all parts).
4.3 Signs shall preferentially use graphical symbols, which may be supplemented by text. Text shall not be placed within the graphical symbol. Where a graphical symbol is highly recognisable and understandable, the graphical symbol may be used alone. Information for which no graphical symbol exists may be conveyed directly by text.
4.4 The information elements of a combination sign shall be ordered according to the primary and secondary nature of the information content.
4.5 Graphical symbols in signs shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 2893 (all parts), GB 2894, GB/T 10001 (all parts) and GB 13495.1.
4.6 When a sign is designed individually, the graphical symbol shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 2893 (all parts), GB/T 16900 and GB/T 16903.
4.7 The orientation of a directional graphical symbol shall be consistent with the actual scene.
4.8 Chinese characters in signs shall be in accordance with the “Table of General Standard Chinese Characters”, and phrases and abbreviations shall be standardised.
4.9 Numbers in signs shall be Arabic numerals.
4.10 The font style for Chinese characters in signs shall be consistent, and the boldface font should be used. The background colour of the sign shall have a strong contrast with the colours used for graphical symbols and text.
4.11 The Romanisation of place names shall comply with the provisions of the “Regulations on the Administration of Place Names”.
4.12 Except for place names, other text in signs shall be presented in both Chinese and English. Other languages may be added as required. In minority autonomous regions, minority languages may be added. The English translation and writing shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 30240.1 and GB/T 30240.2.
4.13 Signs shall be placed in conspicuous positions not obscured by other objects.
4.14 Signs with the same function should be designed uniformly. Signs at the same point should be installed together.
4.15 The placement of signs shall not encroach on relevant clearances, nor shall it affect the normal passage or emergency evacuation of passengers.
4.16 The dimensions of sign carriers shall be standardised according to the building structure and the function of the sign. The variety of sizes should not be excessive, ensuring clarity and ease of recognition.
4.17 Except for braille signs, the mounting height of signs shall be determined by factors such as the average eye level of adults, the average eye level of wheelchair users, the viewing angle, the viewing distance, the building structure, and the window height of trains. The
GB/T 18574-2026 Urban rail transit signs English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 18574-2026
Urban rail transit signs
城市轨道交通标志
Issue date: 2026-04-30 Implementation date: 2026-10-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 General Requirements
5 Passenger Service Signs
5.1 General
5.2 Direction Signs
5.3 Location Signs
5.4 Information Signs
6 Vehicle Signs
6.1 General
6.2 Exterior Vehicle Signs
6.3 Interior Vehicle Signs
7 Depot Signs
7.1 General
7.2 Production Safety Signs
7.3 Train Movement Signs
7.4 Road Traffic Signs and Markings
7.5 Depot Public Signs
8 Wayside (Interval) Signs
9 Accessibility Signs
10 Safety Protection Zone Signs
11 Safety Signs and Fire Safety Signs
11.1 Safety Signs
11.2 Fire Safety Signs
12 Others
Annex A (Informative) Examples of Information Element Combinations for Passenger Service Signs
Annex B (Informative) Illustrative Examples of Urban Rail Transit Signs
Bibliography
Urban rail transit signs
1 Scope
This document specifies the general requirements for urban rail transit signs, as well as requirements for passenger service signs, vehicle signs, depot signs, wayside (interval) signs, accessibility signs, safety protection zone signs, safety signs and fire safety signs.
This document applies to the design, installation and placement of urban rail transit signs.
2 Normative References
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 2893 (all parts) Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs
GB 2894 Safety colours and safety signs
GB 5768 (all parts) Road traffic signs and markings
GB/T 10001 (all parts) Public information graphical symbols
GB 13495.1 Fire safety signs — Part 1: Signs
GB 15562.1 Environmental protection signs — Discharge outlet (source)
GB/T 15565 Graphical symbols — Terms
GB/T 15566.1 Guidance system for public information — Setting principles and requirements — Part 1: General principles
GB/T 15566.4 Guidance system for public information — Setting principles and requirements — Part 4: Public transport station
GB 15630 Requirements for the placement of fire safety signs
GB/T 15720 Chinese braille
GB/T 16275 Lighting for urban rail transit
GB/T 16900 General rules for the presentation of graphical symbols
GB/T 16903 Rules for the presentation of graphical symbols for public information symbols — Design principles and requirements
GB 17945 Fire emergency lighting and evacuate indicating system
GB/T 20501 (all parts) Public information guidance systems — Design principles and requirements for guidance elements
GB/T 25058 Information security technology — Implementation guide for classified protection of cybersecurity
GB/T 23809.1 Emergency guidance systems — Setting principles and requirements — Part 1: Inside buildings
GB/T 23809.2 Emergency guidance systems — Setting principles and requirements — Part 2: Outside buildings
GB/T 30240.1 Guidelines for the use of English in public service areas — Part 1: General principles
GB/T 30240.2 Guidelines for the use of English in public service areas — Part 2: Transportation
GB/T 31015 Public information guidance systems — Design and setting principles and requirements for accessibility needs
GB/T 31523.2 Safety information identification system — Part 2: Setting principles and requirements
GB/T 33660 Guidelines for accessibility design of urban public transport facilities
GB 50157 Code for design of metro
GB 50763 Code for accessibility design
GB/T 51223 Technical code for public building identification system
GB 51298 Standard for fire protection design of metro
GB 55019 General code for accessibility of building and municipal engineering
GB 55033 Technical code for urban rail transit engineering
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 15565, GB/T 20501 (all parts) and the following apply.
3.1 urban rail transit
An urban public passenger transport system that operates on dedicated rails, including metros, light rail, monorail, trams, maglev, automated guideway transit, and regional rapid rail systems.
[Source: GB/T 50833-2012, 2.0.1]
3.2 sign information element
A basic unit of information conveyed by a sign.
NOTE: Usually includes graphical symbols, text and colour.
3.3 direction sign
A sign composed of graphical symbols and/or text together with directional symbols, indicating the direction of travel to a desired destination.
[Source: GB/T 15565-2020, 4.2.2]
3.4 accessibility sign
A sign composed of graphical symbols, text (including braille) and relevant equipment and facilities specifically for use by wheelchair users, persons with visual impairments and others with special needs, providing directional, location and information services.
3.5 information sign
A sign composed of diagrams, tables and text, used to convey public information related to services.
4 General Requirements
4.1 Urban rail transit signs (hereinafter referred to as “signs”) shall be standardised, coordinated, clear, legible, easily recognisable and understandable, and shall comply with the provisions of GB 55033. Signs may incorporate new technologies as required.
4.2 The design of sign information elements shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 20501 (all parts).
4.3 Signs shall preferentially use graphical symbols, which may be supplemented by text. Text shall not be placed within the graphical symbol. Where a graphical symbol is highly recognisable and understandable, the graphical symbol may be used alone. Information for which no graphical symbol exists may be conveyed directly by text.
4.4 The information elements of a combination sign shall be ordered according to the primary and secondary nature of the information content.
4.5 Graphical symbols in signs shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 2893 (all parts), GB 2894, GB/T 10001 (all parts) and GB 13495.1.
4.6 When a sign is designed individually, the graphical symbol shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 2893 (all parts), GB/T 16900 and GB/T 16903.
4.7 The orientation of a directional graphical symbol shall be consistent with the actual scene.
4.8 Chinese characters in signs shall be in accordance with the “Table of General Standard Chinese Characters”, and phrases and abbreviations shall be standardised.
4.9 Numbers in signs shall be Arabic numerals.
4.10 The font style for Chinese characters in signs shall be consistent, and the boldface font should be used. The background colour of the sign shall have a strong contrast with the colours used for graphical symbols and text.
4.11 The Romanisation of place names shall comply with the provisions of the “Regulations on the Administration of Place Names”.
4.12 Except for place names, other text in signs shall be presented in both Chinese and English. Other languages may be added as required. In minority autonomous regions, minority languages may be added. The English translation and writing shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 30240.1 and GB/T 30240.2.
4.13 Signs shall be placed in conspicuous positions not obscured by other objects.
4.14 Signs with the same function should be designed uniformly. Signs at the same point should be installed together.
4.15 The placement of signs shall not encroach on relevant clearances, nor shall it affect the normal passage or emergency evacuation of passengers.
4.16 The dimensions of sign carriers shall be standardised according to the building structure and the function of the sign. The variety of sizes should not be excessive, ensuring clarity and ease of recognition.
4.17 Except for braille signs, the mounting height of signs shall be determined by factors such as the average eye level of adults, the average eye level of wheelchair users, the viewing angle, the viewing distance, the building structure, and the window height of trains. The
