Low-volume roads

Road markings and delineation devices are not generally recommended for roads with a traffic volume less than 200vpd. Advising drivers of sudden changes in the road environment on these roads can be achieved by the use of warning signs. There may, however be special circumstances where road marking and or delineation devices are desirable on roads with a traffic volume below 200vpd:

• where there are frequent horizontal and / or vertical or geometrically substandard curves;
• over sections where the crash record indicates a need, (ie where the proportion of lost control, head on or crashes in darkness are well above the national average);
• where continuity on a route or with an adjacent road is desirable;
• through areas commonly subject to fog, mist or steam; or
• where there is a high proportion of tourist traffic flows.

Centre-lines are generally not marked on the total route of low-volume roads with less than 100vpd and / or a width of less than 5.1m.

Edgelines are generally only applicable to low-volume roads with greater than 750vpd that have a desirable width of 6.6m. If this is the case, refer to the edgelines section. If the desirable width doesn’t exist, edgelines may be used for other purposes, such as on curves to protect the seal and reduce edge break. Table 2‑39 shows the form of road marking and delineation devices that should be used for rural roads with lower traffic volumes.

Edgelines

Table 2‑39: Summary of road marking and delineation devices for low volume rural roads

Table 2‑39 note:

1. The traffic volumes in vpd above which the marking or device should normally be applied.