Road Markings

Traffic Control Devices

Road Markings

Road Markings are another category of Traffic Control Devices in addition to the Road Markings. They are used as a means of controlling and guiding traffic and are highly important on urban roads and intersections as they promote road safety and bring out smooth and harmonious flow of traffic. They also supplement the messages conveyed by road signals and signs. In some cases, road markings are used alone to convey certain regulation, information or warning that cannot otherwise be effectively made known to the road users. Markings serve as a psychological barrier and thus help to signify the delineation of traffic path and lateral clearance from traffic hazards facilitating safe movement. The main functions of the road markings are to guide the safe and smooth flow of traffic in the following ways:

1. Segregation of Traffic

2. Stop and Go

3. Give Way Instruction

4. Overtaking

5. Direction

6. Speed Indication

7. Parking Zone

8. One way

9. Pedestrian Crossing

Classification of Road Marking

Based on the applications, the road markings are categorized into seven major categories which are described below:

1. Longitudinal Marking

2. Transverse Marking

3. Hazard Marking

4. Block Marking

5. Arrow Marking

6. Directional Marking

7. Facility Marking

Longitudinal Marking

The broken lines, single/double continuous lines and continuity lines are classified under Longitudinal Marking. Purpose of longitudinal marking is to navigate the driver for forward movements and to prohibit overtaking manoeuvre at certain hazardous locations. In multi lane road, the lane boundary established by longitudinal marking guide to avoid side swipe and head on collision. The broken longitudinal markings can be crossed, whereas continuous longitudinal markings cannot be crossed. The double continuous lines are used to make the compliance prominent. The continuous longitudinal marking in yellow colour signify that the marking provided is strictly prohibitive in nature and not to be straddled by vehicles.

Broken Line	White Continuous Line	Yellow Continuous Line

Transverse Marking

It is provided across the carriageway for traffic control with broken lines, single / double continuous lines such as Stop and Give Way. It establishes traffic control and its compliance is vital. The Transverse Marking shall always be accompanied with corresponding Road Sign. Set of Transverse Bar Markings are used to warn road users to slow down the speed.

STOP Line	Give Way Marking	Bar Marking

Hazard Marking

Hazard Marking facilitate traffic merging, diverging, prohibit cross-over and deflect the traffic ahead of hazardous situations. Examples of Hazard Markings are chevron marking, diagonal marking and hatch marking and its compliance is vital. Hazard marking shall always be accompanied with appropriate sign. Diagonal and Chevron markings are used to demarcate the neutral area at the nose of a channelizing island. Diagonal marking shall be marked where traffic flows on either side in opposite direction. Chevron marking are placed at locations where traffic is expected to either diverge or converge.

Diagonal Marking Where Traffic Flows in Opposite Area	Chevron Marking for Diverging Traffic
Chevron Marking for Merging Traffic	Hazard Marking for Traffic Deflection

Block Marking

The zebra crossing for pedestrians, triangular and checkered marking for speed breakers and Give Way symbol which are painted in blocks on carriageway are classified under Block Marking. The quality for block marking with adequate visibility is of utmost importance.

Pedestrian Crossing	Speed Breaker

Arrow Marking

The arrows painted on carriageway are meant to give direction for driver to take mandatorily and are classified under Arrow Markings.

Directional Marking

The word message which are directional in nature are classified as Directional Marking.

Facility Marking

The marking for parking, the word messages for buses, cyclists and disabled ones are classified under Facility Marking.

Parking Facility	Taxi Parking	Parking Restriction Marked by Yellow Kerb Painting with Continuous Yellow Line