2 Del. Admin. Code § 3B.04
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024
Section 3B.04 - White Lane Line Pavement Markings and WarrantsStandard:
01 When used, lane line pavement markings delineating the separation of traffic lanes that have the same direction of travel shall be white.02 Lane line markings shall be used on all freeways and Interstate highways. Guidance:
03 Lane line markings should be used on all roadways that are intended to operate with two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel, except as otherwise required for reversible lanes. Lane line markings should also be used at congested locations where the roadway will accommodate more traffic lanes with lane line markings than without the markings. Support:
04 Examples of lane line markings are shown in Figures 3B-2, 3B-3, and 3B-7 through 3B-13. Standard:
05 Except as provided in Paragraph 6, where crossing the lane line markings with care is permitted, the lane line markings shall consist of a normal broken white line.06 A dotted white line marking shall be used as the lane line to separate a through lane that continues beyond the interchange or intersection from an adjacent lane for any of the following conditions: A. A deceleration or acceleration lane,B. A through lane that becomes a mandatory exit or turn lane,C. An auxiliary lane 2 miles or less in length between an entrance ramp and an exit ramp, orD. An auxiliary lane 1 mile or less in length between two adjacent intersections. Guidance:
06A (DE Revision) Dotted white line markings described in Paragraph 6 should be 10 inches wide along all state-maintained roadways.07 (DE Revision) For exit ramps with a parallel deceleration lane, a dotted white lane line shall be installed from the upstream end of the full-width deceleration lane to the theoretical gore or to the upstream end of a solid white lane line, if used, that extends upstream from the theoretical gore as shown in Drawings A and C of Figures 3B-8 and 3B-8A. Guidance:
08 (DE Revision) For exit ramps with a parallel deceleration lane, a wide dotted white line extension should be installed in the taper area upstream from the full-width deceleration lane as shown in Drawings A and C of Figures 3B-8 and 3B-8A.09 (DE Revision) For an exit ramp with a tapered deceleration lane, a wide dotted white line extension should be installed from the theoretical gore through the taper area such that it meets the edge line at the upstream end of the taper as shown in Drawing B of Figures 3B-8 and 3B-8A. Standard:
10 (DE Revision) For entrance ramps with a parallel acceleration lane, a dotted white lane line shall be installed from the theoretical gore or from the downstream end of a solid white lane line, if used, that extends downstream from the theoretical gore, to a point at least one-half the distance from the theoretical gore to the downstream end of the acceleration taper, as shown in Drawing A of Figures 3B-9 and 3B-9A. Guidance:
10A (DE Revision) Dotted white lane line markings described in Paragraph 10 should be 10 inches wide along all state-maintained roadways. Option:
11 (DE Revision) Paragraph deleted.13 (DE Revision) A wide dotted white lane line shall be used:A. As a lane drop marking in advance of lane drops at exit ramps to distinguish a lane drop from a normal exit ramp (see Drawings A, B, and C of Figures 3B-10 and 3B-10A),B. In advance of route splits with dedicated lanes (see Drawing D of Figures 3B-10 and 3B-10A),C. To separate a through lane that continues beyond an interchange from an adjacent auxiliary lane between an entrance ramp and an exit ramp (see Drawing E of Figures 3B-10 and 3B-10A),D. As a lane drop marking in advance of lane drops at intersections to distinguish a lane drop from an intersection through lane (see Drawings A and B of Figure 3B-11), andE. To separate a through lane that continues beyond an intersection from an adjacent auxiliary lane between two intersections (see Drawing C of Figure 3B-11). Guidance:
14 (DE Revision) Lane drop markings used in advance of lane drops at interstate, freeway and expressway exit ramps should begin at least 1/2 mile in advance of the theoretical gore. Markings for lane addition entrance ramps should be installed as shown in Figure 3B-9B.15 On the approach to a multi-lane exit ramp having an optional exit lane that also carries through traffic, lane line markings should be used as illustrated in Drawing B of Figure 3B-10. In this case, if the right-most exit lane is an added lane such as a parallel deceleration lane, the lane drop marking should begin at the upstream end of the full-width deceleration lane, as shown in Drawing C of Figure 3B-8.16 Lane drop markings used in advance of lane drops at intersections should begin a distance in advance of the intersection that is determined by engineering judgment as suitable to enable drivers who do not desire to make the mandatory turn to move out of the lane being dropped prior to reaching the queue of vehicles that are waiting to make the turn. The lane drop marking should begin no closer to the intersection than the most upstream regulatory or warning sign associated with the lane drop.17 (DE Revision) Along interstates, freeways, and expressways, the dotted white lane lines that are used for lane drop markings and that are used as a lane line separating through lanes from auxiliary lanes should consist of line segments that are 3 feet in length separated by 9-foot gaps. Along all other roadways, the dotted white lane lines that are used for lane drop markings and that are used as a lane line separating through lanes from auxiliary lanes should consist of line segments that are 2 feet in length separated by 6-foot gaps. Support:
18 Section 3B.20 contains information regarding other markings that are associated with lane drops, such as lane-use arrow markings and ONLY word markings.19 Section 3B.09 contains information about the lane line markings that are to be used for transition areas where the number of through lanes is reduced. Standard:
20 Where crossing the lane line markings is discouraged, the lane line markings shall consist of a normal or wide solid white line. Option:
21 Where it is intended to discourage lane changing on the approach to an exit ramp, a wide solid white lane line may extend upstream from the theoretical gore or, for multi-lane exits, as shown in Drawing B of Figure 3B-10, for a distance that is determined by engineering judgment.22 Where lane changes might cause conflicts, a wide or normal solid white lane line may extend upstream from an intersection.23 In the case of a lane drop at an exit ramp or intersection, such a solid white line may replace a portion, but not all of the length of the wide dotted white lane line. Support:
25 (DE Revision) On approaches to intersections, a solid white lane line marking should be used to separate a through lane from an added mandatory turn lane. The length of the solid white lane line should be one-half the length of the full-width mandatory turn lane (see Figure 3B-11).26 (DE Revision) On approaches to signalized intersections, solid white lane line markings should be used to separate adjacent through lanes or adjacent mandatory turn lanes from each other. The length of the solid white lane line markings should be as depicted in Figure 3B-11. 26A (DE Revision) On approaches to bypass lanes, a solid white lane line marking should be used to separate the through lane from the bypass lane as depicted in Figure 3B-11A. Option:
27 Where the median width allows the left-turn lanes to be separated from the through lanes to give drivers on opposing approaches a less obstructed view of opposing through traffic, white pavement markings may be used to form channelizing islands as shown in Figure 2B-17.28 Solid white lane line markings may be used to separate through traffic lanes from auxiliary lanes, such as an added uphill truck lane or a preferential lane (see Section 3D.02 ).29 Wide solid lane line markings may be used for greater emphasis. Standard:
30 Where crossing the lane line markings is prohibited, the lane line markings shall consist of a solid double white line (see Figure 3B-12).2 Del. Admin. Code § 3B.04