24.5 Pavement Markings
24.5.1 Overview
Pavement markings provide guidance for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians as they help guide traffic and limit motorist movement on the roadway. The material, color, and layout (continuous, dashed, etc.) all communicate messages to the motorist which guide their movements. In some cases, this can also be accomplished with words and/or symbols on the roadway.
Refer to the
, TxDOT’s
, and TxDOT traffic standards for specific design requirements for pavement markings.
24.5.2 General Considerations
Lane and shoulder width affect the safety of drivers and level of service of the roadway.
of this manual identify the appropriate lane and shoulder widths for various classes of highway facilities. Widths are considered to the center of the striping such that striping widths are excluded from width determinations.
24.5.3 Other Safety Benefits
Enhanced pavement markings may increase safety of highway facilities in targeted areas with a high frequency of crashes or constrained geometry such as horizontal and/or vertical curves with limited sight distance. Where bicycles and pedestrians are present, enhanced pavement markings should be used to alert drivers to pedestrian crossings and onroad bicycle facilities.