What Do the Markings on Highways Mean?
1 Answers
There are four common types of markings on highways: rumble strips, lane separation lines, and channelizing lines. Rumble strips: Also known as noise strips, they primarily remind drivers to stay in their lanes and reduce speed to avoid fatigue driving. When vehicles pass over these markings, they produce a "rumbling" sound, which serves as an effective warning and reminder for drivers, hence the name noise strips. Lane separation lines: Solid white lines are lane separation lines, prohibiting overtaking; if they are dashed white lines, they are lane division lines, merely indicating lane positions, and can be crossed. Channelizing lines: These are typically one or several white V-shaped or diagonal line areas set according to the intersection's terrain, indicating that vehicles must follow the designated route and are not allowed to drive over or cross the lines. These markings are mainly used at wide, irregular, or complex intersections, interchange ramps, and other special locations. Speed reduction markings: These are white dashed lines set in toll plaza areas, exit ramps, and other sections where vehicles need to slow down. They come in forms of single, double, or triple dashes, perpendicular to the direction of travel. Longitudinal speed reduction markings consist of a series of diamond-shaped dashed lines parallel to the lane boundaries. They are usually placed at bridge approaches and curves, creating a visual narrowing effect to induce a sense of pressure, prompting drivers to automatically reduce speed at necessary curves, slopes, and other locations.
