Freeway exit ramp diverge areas (parallel) are coded similar to the entrance ramp merge areas. The effective diverging area includes the entire auxiliary lane (or drop lane) starting at the taper and continuing to the painted gore point. The diverge section is typically one link with the number of lanes equal to the number of lanes on the freeway plus the number of lanes diverging from the freeway. There can only be one connector upstream of the diverge link. There can be two connectors downstream of the merge link, one for the ramp link and one for the main freeway link. The LCD can be coded similar to that of the merge/weave area of entrance ramps such that the distance exceeds that of the diverge area.

Freeway exit ramp diverge areas (taper) are coded using one connector placed at the painted gore point connecting the main freeway link to the ramp link. The main freeway link may not be broken with a connector. An appropriate LCD is recommended to be assigned to the connector to give vehicles enough time to merge to the correct lane to reach the exit ramp. A LCd is assigned such that it reflects the driver expectation and typically matches the location of the first guide or overhead sign indicating the approaching off-ramp.

Figure 13-4

below illustrates a diverge segment.