Markings

Markings - rural

Road markings for passing lanes on rural roads are illustrated in Figure 4‑1. They should be marked as specified in the following sections.

Figure 4-1

Centre-lines

Information on no-passing line markings is provided in the no-passing lines sections. Where a passing lane is adjacent to a median barrier, centre-line markings should be as described in the markings section of this manual. Otherwise, for centre-lines or wide centre-lines, a no-passing line should be marked for the direction of travel over the length of passing lanes and may be installed in the oncoming direction.

Treatments in the centre of the road - no-passing lines

Audio tactile profiled roadmarks - no-passing lines

Medians and median islands - markings

Edgelines

Information on edgelines is provided in the edgelines section.

Edgelines

Audio tactile profiled roadmarkings

Refer to the audio tactile profiled roadmarkings section for details on ATP markings at passing lanes.

Audio tactile profiled roadmarkings

Diverge and merge tapers

A sideways movement of approximately 1.0m/s is normally used for diverging movements and approximately 0.6m/s for merging movement. The length of merge and diverge tapers should normally be determined by the following formulae:

• diverge taper: L = V × Y / 3.6
• merge taper: L = V × Y / 2.16

Where:

• L = taper length (rounded to nearest 5m)
• V = 85th percentile approach speed (km/h)
• Y = lateral shift, ie lane width (m)

Refer to Austroads guidelines for more information on how diverge and merge tapers may be altered to suit various site situations. 

Lane lines

Refer to the lane lines section for details of lane line markings where multiple lanes are provided for the same direction of travel.

Lane lines

Diverge continuity line

A continuity line marking as specified in Table 4‑2 should be used for the diverge area. 

Table 4‑2: Specification for continuity lines at passing lane diverge area

The diverge line should normally be marked parallel to the diverge edgeline and offset at a minimum of 3.5m from it. Where an approach traffic lane is greater than 3.5m wide, the diverge line should be marked to gradually reduce the traffic lane width over the length of the diverge taper.

Delineation of the merge area

The delineation of passing lane merge areas requires special attention. The following treatments, which are shown in Figure 4‑1, are recommended:
Figure 4‑1

• increase the merge taper edgeline width to 200mm and install red RRPMs at 10m centres, and
• use an edge marker post spacing of 20m for the merge taper, and
• where a wide sealed shoulder run off area is provided, mark diagonal shoulder hatching.

The diagonal shoulder hatching should be marked as specified in Table 4‑3.

Table 4‑3: Specifications for shoulder hatching at passing lane merge areas

Markings - urban

Road marking

Passing lanes in urban areas should be marked in the same manner as passing lanes in rural areas, except that:

• sight distance requirements for a 70km/h operating speed should be applied;
• edgelines may not be needed; and
• additional shoulder widening and diagonal markings may not be required in the merge area.

Layout for rural and urban markings

Figure 4‑1: Markings for merge and diverge areas at passing lanes

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