PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND INCIDENT REDUCTION

Pavement markings come in many different forms, but the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) defines the two general categories of pavement markings as longitudinal and transverse markings. A classic example of longitudinal markings would be the center and edgeline markings along a roadway. Traditional transverse markings include crosswalk lines, stop lines, and symbol markings. Pavement markings may also have as many different meanings. Regardless of their meaning, however, pavement markings are used to inform and warn drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists of local and federal regulations and potentially hazardous locations. Possibly the greatest advantage to using pavement markings is that they allow drivers to focus their attention where the hazard is most likely to be located - on the roadway. There are nearly an unlimited number of situations in which a crash may occur. Pavement markings may best be suited as a means for incident reduction in only a select few. The objective of this report is to identify the areas where pavement markings may be most beneficial for crash reduction and to investigate how pavement markings have been used to reduce the number of accidents in these areas. A literature review showed that pavement markings can be effective in the areas of horizontal curvature, turning movements, and pedestrian crosswalks. The remainder of this report is a review of the limitations of pavement markings and a discussion about their use in each of the following areas: horizontal curvature, turning movements, and pedestrian crosswalks. The discussion in each area also includes general recommendations for use of pavement markings as determined from the results of the reviewed studies. The report concludes with a summary of the limitations and use of pavement markings to increase the motorist and pedestrian safety.