Pavement Markings and Markers

General
Pavement markings are patterns or shapes set into the surface of, applied upon or attached to the pavement to inform or guide traffic. Typical markings intended to guide traffic include striping, traffic buttons, raised pavement markers and graphics.
Federal Requirements
  1. 23 CFR §655.603
    – Provides that the
    National MUTCD
    is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. A state MUTCD may be used if found by FHWA to be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD. The
    Texas MUTCD
    has been found to meet these criteria.
State Requirements
  1. Texas Transportation Code §544.001
    – Requires TxDOT to develop a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices that correlates with and, to the extent possible, conforms to the system approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The
    Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
    (TMUTCD) is incorporated by Texas Transportation Code §544.001 and shall be recognized as the Texas standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. Furthermore, Texas Transportation Code §544.002(b) requires LGs to use and conform to the TMUTCD and approved specifications adopted under §544.001.
  2. 43 TAC §15.56
    – Requires projects to be designed in accordance with TxDOT procedures, standards and guidelines.
  3. 43 TAC §25.1
    – Establishes the TMUTCD as the standard for traffic control devices in Texas.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
lists the required practices the LG and TxDOT must follow for the design of pavement markings.