<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-01-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001278382</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GLOBAL SIGNAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>gsl</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292513</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fortress Investment Holdings LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 46TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245521</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORTRESS INVESTMENT GROUP LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>46 FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245518</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORTRESS INVESTMENT FUND LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 46TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001101762</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORTRESS REGISTERED INVESTMENT TRUST</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 46TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001293246</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRIT PINN LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 46TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001293245</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fortress Fund MM LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 46TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>894857</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Drawbridge Global Macro Fund Ltd.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4705883</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by FIT GSL LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14995</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Drawbridge Gloabl Macro Fund LP</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>24440</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Drawbridge Investment Partners LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>19162248</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by FRIT PINN LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>646928</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Fortress Registered Investment Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5137444</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Fortress Pinnacle Investment Fund LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>497076</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by FRIT Holdings LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Disposed of pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 5, 2006 (the &quot;Merger Agreement&quot;), by and among Global Signal Inc. (the issuer, &quot;Global Signal&quot;), Crown Castle International Corp. (&quot;Crown Castle&quot;) and CCGS Holdings LLC, in exchange for either 1.61 shares of Crown Castle common stock or $55.95 in cash, at each stockholder's election and subject to proration as described in the Merger Agreement. As a result of the proration calculations that have not yet been completed as of the date of this filing, it is not possible to determine the exact amount of merger consideration to be received by the reporting person for each share of Global Signal disposed of in the merger.  Crown Castle will issue a press release announcing the final merger consideration when it is determined.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Drawbridge Global Macro Advisors LLC is the investment advisor of Drawbridge Global Macro Fund Ltd., and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares  listed as beneficially owned by Drawbridge Global Macro Fund Ltd. Fortress Investment Group LLC is the sole managing member of Drawbridge Global Macro Advisors LLC. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">FIT GSL LLC is 100% owned by FIT Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortress Investment Trust II, an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which is majority owned by Fortress Investment Fund II LLC, which is managed by its managing member Fortress Fund MM II LLC, which is managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC pursuant to a management agreement. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity owned by certain individuals including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed herein as beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as beneficially owned by Mr. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Drawbridge Global Macro Advisors LLC is the investment advisor of Drawbridge Global Macro Fund LP, and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares listed as beneficially owned by Drawbridge Global Macro Fund LP. Fortress Investment Group LLC is the sole managing member of Drawbridge Global Macro Advisors LLC. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Drawbridge Investment Partners LLC is 100% owned by Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP and Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd., entities for which Drawbridge Special Opportunities Advisors LLC is the investment manager. Drawbridge Special Opportunities Advisors LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group LLC. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">FRIT PINN LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FRIT Holdings LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortress Registered Investment Trust, which is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Fund LLC. Fortress Investment Fund LLC is managed by its managing member Fortress Fund MM LLC, which is managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC pursuant to a management agreement. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Mr. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Fortress Registered Investment Trust is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Fund LLC. Fortress Investment Fund LLC is managed by its managing member Fortress Fund MM LLC, which is managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC pursuant to a management agreement. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">FIG Advisors LLC is the investment advisor of Fortress Pinnacle Investment Fund LLC. Fortress Investment Group is the holder of all issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of FIG Advisors LLC.  Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">FRIT Holdings LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortress Registered Investment Trust, which is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Fund LLC. Fortress Investment Fund LLC is managed by its managing member Fortress Fund MM LLC, which is managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC pursuant to a management agreement. Fortress Investment Group LLC is 100% owned by Fortress Investment Holdings LLC, an entity which is owned by certain individuals, including Wesley R. Edens. The shares disclosed in the table as being beneficially owned by the reporting persons are also included in the shares reported as being beneficially owned by Wesley R. Edens. Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of all reported shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein and the inclusion of the shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>See signatures included in Exhibit 99.1</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
