"Nicolas" wrote in message
...

First of all, I'd like to know the leaning of the zigzag lines that can be
seen in many streets in London, also shown on this picture :
http://www.fh-oow.de/fbbug/html/h_a/...road-zebra.jpg

Note that they are white if the restriction is full-time, such as on a
crossing. There are also yellow zigzags which can be found around schools,
and here the restriction is part-time.

Finally, I'd be grateful if some of you could list some keywords of road
marking in english so that it would help me to go on with my researchs in
english and not only in french...

I have this
pedestrian crossing = crosswalk = zebra crossing

We also have "toucan crossing" and "pelican crossing". Incidentally, the
flashing yellow ball on top of a pole is called a Belisha Beacon.

(how were the zebra crossing before the age of white lines ? In paris,
"nails" were used until the years 1970s as you can see here
http://www.toddwebbphotographs.com/france/50-32.html )

The correct English name is "studs", not "nails". They used them here in the
1970s, but I don't think they use them now.

pavement marking seems to be a US term

Traffic engineers in England call the traffic surface the "pavement", even
though ordinary people in England use "pavement" to describe only the
pedestrian walkway beside the traffic surface.

Are there specific technical words for the different
kind of lines dot lines, etc...

I believe there are no names for the different markings which separate
traffic lanes. The only words for road markings which I can recall are
"chevron", "stripe", "dash" and "box junction". A "mini roundabout" is also
a road marking. Also look up "red route" (I believe these only exist in
London).

--
John Rowland - Spamtrapped
Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html
A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood.
That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line -
It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes