7.1.8 Speed Change Lanes

Arterials can incorporate all types of speed change lanes including:
  • Left and right turn lanes;
  • Passing or climbing lanes;
  • Acceleration and deceleration lanes for entrance and exit ramps; and
  • Weaving lanes.
Speed change lanes should be provided where vehicles must slow to leave a facility or accelerate to merge onto a facility.
The width of a speed change lane should match the through lane width of the facility. See
Section 4.10.2
and refer to
AASHTO’s A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets
for additional guidance on speed change lane widths and their use.
If climbing lanes are warranted, for guidance on climbing lanes see
Section 4.10.2.12
.