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Road markings are a psychological barrier and an important component of a highway, which function in guiding and controlling the traffic. It also channelizes the pedestrians and cyclists movement into a safe location ensuring smooth and orderly flow of traffic and for promoting road safety.
In this article, we discuss 7 types of road marking classified based on the
placement of markings with regard to vehicular movement and also based on the function of the markings.
Contents:
1. Longitudinal Markings
The main purpose of longitudinal marking is to guide and navigate the driver for forwarding movements and to prohibit overtaking maneuvering at certain at hazardous locations to avoid sideswipe and head-on collision accidents.
The longitudinal markings are usually in white and yellow color, where white is used prominently and yellow is used where it is strictly prohibited not to be straddled by the vehicles. The classification of longitudinal marking is listed in the table below-
Table 1: Longitudinal Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
2. Transverse Markings
The transverse markings are provided across the carriageway for the purpose of traffic control with broken lines, single/double continuous lines such as stop marking and give-way marking. These transverse markings are always accompanied with corresponding signs.
The classification of transverse marking is listed in the table below-
Table 2: Transverse Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
3. Hazard Marking
The hazard markings facilitate the major actions of the vehicles such as traffic merging/diverging, prohibiting to cross-over, and deflecting the traffic ahead of hazardous situations. These markings are generally done with chevron and diagonal marking, hatch marking and prohibitory marking.
The hazard marking shall always be accompanied by an appropriate sign. The classification of hazard marking is listed in the table below-
Table 3: Hazard Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
4. Block Marking
The markings made on the road which are in blocks such as zebra crossing for pedestrians, triangular and checkered marking for speed breakers. The quality of block marking with adequate visibility is of utmost importance.
The application of thermoplastic paint for block marking is generally different from longitudinal marking. The hazard marking shall always be accompanied by an appropriate sign. The classification of block marking is listed in the table below-
Table 4: Block Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
5. Arrow Marking
The arrows painted on the carriageway are meant to give direction for the driver to take mandatorily turns.
The application of thermoplastic paint for block marking is generally different from longitudinal marking. The hazard marking shall always be accompanied by an appropriate sign. The classification of arrow marking is listed in the table below-
Table 5: Arrow Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
6. Directional Marking
The word message which is directional in nature is classified under directional marking. The classification of directional marking is listed in the table below-
Table 6: Directional Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
7. Facility Marking
The markings which are intended to facilitate the parking for the vehicles are termed as facility marking. The classification of facility marking is listed in the table below-
Table 7: Facility Marking in Highways as per IRC 35
Read More:
1. Classification of Roads and Their Details
2. What are Road Humps? Features and Classes
