2 Del. Admin. Code § 3B.02
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024
Section 3B.02 - No-Passing Zone Pavement Markings and WarrantsStandard:
01 No-passing zones shall be marked by either the one direction no-passing zone pavement markings or the two-direction no-passing zone pavement markings described in Section 3B.01 and shown in Figures 3B-1 and 3B-3.02 When center line markings are used, no-passing zone markings shall be used on two-way roadways at lane-reduction transitions (see Section 3B.09) and on approaches to obstructions that must be passed on the right (see Section 3B.10).03 On two-way, two- or three-lane roadways where center line markings are installed, no-passing zones shall be established at vertical and horizontal curves and other locations where an engineering study indicates that passing must be prohibited because of inadequate sight distances or other special conditions.04 On roadways with center line markings, no-passing zone markings shall be used at horizontal or vertical curves where the passing sight distance is less than the minimum shown in Table 3B-1 for the 85th-percentile speed or the posted or statutory speed limit. The passing sight distance on a vertical curve is the distance at which an object 3.5 feet above the pavement surface can be seen from a point 3.5 feet above the pavement (see Figure 3B-4). Similarly, the passing sight distance on a horizontal curve is the distance measured along the center line (or right-hand lane line of a three-lane roadway) between two points 3.5 feet above the pavement on a line tangent to the embankment or other obstruction that cuts off the view on the inside of the curve (see Figure 3B-4). Click here to view Image
Table 3B-1. Minimum Passing SightDistances for No-Passing Zone Markings
| 85th-Percentile or Posted or Statutory Speed Limit | Minimum Passing Sight Distance |
| 25 mph | 450 feet |
| 30 mph | 500 feet |
| 35 mph | 550 feet |
| 40 mph | 600 feet |
| 45 mph | 700 feet |
| 50 mph | 800 feet |
| 55 mph | 900 feet |
| 60 mph | 1,000 feet |
| 65 mph | 1,100 feet |
| 70 mph | 1,200 feet |
Guidance:
04A (DE Revision) Where center line markings are used, no-passing zone markings on all approaches to an intersection should be based on the distances shown in Table 3B-1. Where center line markings are used, no-passing zone markings should extend a minimum of 200 feet on all departure legs of an intersection (see Figure 3B-1). Support:
05 The upstream end of a no-passing zone at point "a" in Figure 3B-4 is that point where the sight distance first becomes less than that specified in Table 3B-1. The downstream end of the no-passing zone at point "b" in Figure 3B-4 is that point at which the sight distance again becomes greater than the minimum specified.06 The values of the minimum passing sight distances that are shown in Table 3B-1 are for operational use in marking no-passing zones and are less than the values that are suggested for geometric design by the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Streets and Highways (see Section 1A.11). Guidance:
07 Where the distance between successive no-passing zones is less than 400 feet, no-passing markings should connect the zones. Standard:
08 Where center line markings are used, no-passing zone markings shall be used on approaches to grade crossings in compliance with Section 8B.27. Option:
09 In addition to pavement markings, no-passing zone signs (see Sections 2B.28, 2B.29, and 2C.45) may be used to emphasize the existence and extent of a no-passing zone. Support:
10 Section 11-307 of the "Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC)" contains further information regarding required road user behavior in no-passing zones. The UVC can be obtained from the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances at the address shown on Page i. Standard:
11 On three-lane roadways where the direction of travel in the center lane transitions from one direction to the other, a no-passing buffer zone shall be provided in the center lane as shown in Figure 3B-5. A lane-reduction transition (see Section 3B.09) shall be provided at each end of the buffer zone.13 Yellow diagonal crosshatch markings (see Section 3B.24) may be placed in the flush median area between the two sets of no-passing zone markings as shown in Figure 3B-5. Guidance:
14 For three-lane roadways having a posted or statutory speed limit of 45 mph or greater, the lane transition taper length should be computed by the formula L = WS. For roadways where the posted or statutory speed limit is less than 45 mph, the formula L = WS2/60 should be used to compute the taper length. Support:
15 Under both formulas, L equals the taper length in feet, W equals the width of the center lane or offset distance in feet, and S equals the 85th-percentile speed or the posted or statutory speed limit, whichever is higher. Guidance:
16 The minimum lane transition taper length should be 100 feet in urban areas and 200 feet in rural areas.2 Del. Admin. Code § 3B.02