Like signs, road stripes and pavement markings communicate their messages to motorists through a uniform system of colors, patterns, widths, symbols, and words. This uniformity makes it possible for drivers to instantly recognize the meaning of the markings in any situation and quickly react to them, enabling them to travel safely and efficiently along the roadway.

As in signs, color plays an important role in striping and markings:

• White- WHITE is the color for all markings except those that are specifically required to be yellow and except for special red and blue raised pavement markers.
• Yellow- YELLOW is the color for all centerlines because centerlines separate lanes traveling in opposing directions.
• Blue- BLUE is the color of special markings that supplement white markings in a parking space specifically designated as reserved for the disabled. Additionally, a blue raised pavement marker indicates the location of a fire hydrant.
• Red- The only markings that are RED are special raised pavement markers (reflectors on or in the pavement) that are placed to be visible to "wrong-way" drivers. These special markers warn drivers not to enter one-way roadways or one-way ramps in the wrong direction.

In this section we will look at some of the more basic types of road stripes and markings and the colors used:

• Center Lines
• Edge Lines
• Lane Lines
• Stop Lines
• Crosswalk Markings
• Arrow Markings
• Word and Symbol Markings

Yellow Center Lines

Centerlines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions. Centerlines may not be located in the actual center of the road, such as when there are more lanes in one direction of travel than in the other direction. Centerlines are always YELLOW. By their PATTERN, centerlines regulate whether passing and overtaking is allowed or prohibited. There are also some special patterns for centerlines to indicate special uses of certain lanes.

 

White and Yellow Edge Lines

Along a one-way ramp, one-way street, or a one-way roadway that is one half of a divided highway, YELLOW edge lines mark the left edge of the pavement or the boundary between a travel lane and an adjacent left shoulder.

WHITE edge lines mark the right edge of pavement or boundary between a travel lane and an adjacent shoulder along the outer edge of a roadway.

 

Lane Lines

Lane lines separate lanes that go in the same direction, such as on a highway having two or more lanes in each direction. Lane lines are always WHITE. By their PATTERN, lane lines indicate whether crossing the line is permitted, discouraged, or prohibited.

A BROKEN (dashed) white lane line indicates that it is permissible to cross the line to change lanes.

A single SOLID white lane line indicates that crossing the line to change lanes is discouraged, for example when a separate turn lane is provided.

 

Stop Lines

A STOP LINE is a wide solid white line across a lane or lanes. It indicates the required position to stop your vehicle in compliance with a stop sign, a traffic signal, or a railroad grade crossing.

 

Cross Walk Markings

CROSSWALK MARKINGS show pedestrians where to safely cross the road or street, and they supplement signs to warn drivers of the possibility that pedestrians may be crossing at a specific location.

Crosswalk markings at most locations are of one of the three pattern types shown in the intersection diagram below.

 

Arrow Markings

Arrow markings on the pavement tell drivers what movements (straight, left, right, etc.) are allowed from a specific lane.

 

Word and Symbol Markings

Markings of words or easily-recognized standard symbols on the pavement complement signs and provide information about regulations pertaining to a lane or an approach to an intersection, messages warning of conditions to watch out for ahead, or guidance on what lane to use to reach certain destinations, routes, or directions.

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