Road Markings for Speed Control & Pedestrian Safety

Speed Reduction Measures and Pedestrian Safety: Comprehensive Road Markings Guide

Markings for Speed Breakers

Enhancing Speed Breaker Visibility

Markings on speed breakers play a crucial role in warning drivers of potential hazards. To improve night-time visibility, use retroreflective materials and road studs. Additionally, place warning signs before zebra crossings and informative signs at crossing locations.

Types of Speed Breaker Markings

Speed breaker markings include checkered patterns with alternating black and white bands, 500 mm wide on either side of the tapering section. Use triangular markings for both round-top and flat-top humps. The base of the triangular marking should be 750 mm, and the height should not exceed 1850 mm.

Raised Footpaths and Road Humps

Incorporate raised footpaths to prevent vehicles from avoiding road humps by using the shoulder. Design road humps of various chord lengths to accommodate different speeds.

Thermoplastic Bar Markings for Speed Control

Application of Thermoplastic Bar Markings

Thermoplastic bar markings offer a softer speed reduction method. Each set includes six 300 mm wide bars, 5 mm high, spaced 600 mm apart.

• Approach Speed up to 50 km/h: 1 set (d1 = 50 m)
• Approach Speed 51 to 65 km/h: 2 sets (d1 = 50 m, d2 = 80 m)
• Approach Speed 66 to 80 km/h: 3 sets (d1 = 50 m, d2 = 80 m, d3 = 120 m)
• Approach Speed 81 to 100 km/h: 4 sets (d1 = 50 m, d2 = 80 m, d3 = 120 m, d4 = 180 m)

Pedestrian Crossings

Effective Pedestrian Crossing Design

Pedestrian crossings should be placed at key intersections and areas of high pedestrian-vehicle conflict. Ensure crossings are marked to minimize inconvenience and enhance visibility. Avoid obstructing pedestrian paths with trees or signage.

Placement and Markings

At intersections, pedestrian crossings should be preceded by a stop line. For unsignalized crossings, place the stop line 2 to 3 meters back from the zebra crossing. At signalized intersections, position the zebra crossing 1 meter ahead of the primary signal, with an additional 1 meter for the stop line.

Refuge Islands and Accessibility

For pedestrian crossings longer than 10.5 meters, include a refuge island of at least 1.2 meters in width. Ensure kerbs are no higher than 50 mm to facilitate wheelchair access. Install road studs for visibility at night.

Crossing Width and Safety Measures

Pedestrian crossing width should be at least 2.0 meters, expanding to 4.0 meters based on pedestrian volume. Consider installing flashing signals 3-5 meters ahead of the crossing in urban areas to alert drivers.

Raised Kerbs and Priority Intersections

Provide raised kerbs at pedestrian crossings to enhance safety. At priority control T-intersections, ensure raised medians and triangular islands are depressed to accommodate all pedestrians, including those using wheelchairs.

Markings for Vulnerable Road Sections

Marking Vulnerable Road Sections

For roads with significant pedestrian activity, use zigzag hazard markings (HM20/HM21/HM22/HM23) along the centre and edge lines. Install speed breakers where needed and bar markings at other locations for softer speed control.

Bicycle Lane Markings

5.1 Bicycle Lane Design

Design bicycle lanes to accommodate both motorized vehicles and cyclists. Use solid white boundary lines—150 mm wide for speeds under 65 km/h and 200 mm wide for higher speeds. Minimum lane width is 1.5 meters, increasing to 2 meters for heavy traffic.

Cycle Lane Symbols and Continuity

Mark cycle lanes with the cycle symbol (BM08) and indicate the end of the lane with appropriate markings. Ensure continuity through bus stops and junctions with a continuous line and broken taper lines.

Railway Level Crossing Markings

Road-Rail Crossing Markings

At road-rail level crossings, implement the following markings: no-overtaking zones, stop lines, bar markings based on approach speed, and speed breaker markings. Use longitudinal warning lines based on carriageway width and install arrow markings to reinforce solid lines.

Transverse Marking Guidelines

If traffic signals are present, place a 300 mm wide stop line 1 to 2 meters from the signal. For controlled crossings, provide a give way line more than 2 meters from the rail, preceded by a give way marking and sign.

Saraswati Chandra Project Manager

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