Diagonal shoulder markings

Diagonal shoulder markings are used to clearly indicate the shoulder zone, encourage traffic to use the traffic lanes and create a perceptual narrowing to reduce speeds.

Legislation

The TCD rule (clause 7.6) specifies that:

A road controlling authority may mark white diagonal shoulder markings on a road if the road controlling authority considers it is desirable to differentiate the shoulder from the roadway.

A road controlling authority must mark a sealed shoulder in the form described [above] if it is:

(a) 5 m wide or more, exclusive of any marked parking area; and

(b) being used, or is likely to be used, by motor vehicles as a lane.

Application

Diagonal shoulder markings should be provided where it is undesirable for traffic to use a wide sealed shoulder as an extra traffic lane.

When marking shoulders, no gap should be left between the diagonal shoulder markings and the edgeline as shown in the typical layouts for standard markings section.

Typical layouts

Consideration should be given to the effects these markings have on cyclists and powered two wheelers which are susceptible to the reduced friction that may be available on road markings. It may be necessary to use road markings that provide higher skid resistance and / or adjust the locations of markings to safely accommodate these road users.

Rural roads

Sealed shoulders on rural roads which are:

• 5m or more in width and being used, or is likely to be used, by motor vehicles as a lane must be marked with diagonal shoulder markings as specified in Table 2‑24.
  Table 2‑24
• between 2m and 2.5m, may be marked with diagonal shoulder markings if an RCA considers it would improve road safety (see Figure 2‑31 for typical layouts).
  Figure 2-31
• less than 2.0m wide normally would not require diagonal shoulder markings.

Urban roads

Diagonal shoulder markings may be required on urban roads:

• where sealed shoulders are 1.5m or greater in width and parking is not utilised;
• to differentiate between parking and edgelines (i.e. where sealed shoulders are 3.0m or greater in width and parking is permitted, but is not marked as such). In these situations, the area between the edgeline to 2.0m from the kerb may be marked with diagonal shoulder markings; (refer to TCD manual Part 13 – Figure 6.4);
  TCD manual Part 13
  and
• if the distance between marked parking zones and the edgeline is greater than 1.0m.

Sealed shoulders on urban roads should be marked as specified in Table 2‑24.

Table 2‑24: Diagonal shoulder markings on rural and urban roads