Delaware Administrative Code
Title 2 - Transportation
2000 - Department of Transportation
2400 - Division of Transportation Solutions
2402 - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Part 3 - Marking
Chapter 3D - MARKINGS FOR PREFERENTIAL LANES
Section 3D.01 - Preferential Lane Word and Symbol Markings
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
Support:
01 Preferential lanes are established for one or more of a wide variety of special uses, including, but not limited to, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, ETC lanes, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, bicycle lanes, bus only lanes, taxi only lanes, and light rail transit only lanes.
Standard:
02 When a lane is assigned full or part time to a particular class or classes of vehicles, the preferential lane word and symbol markings described in this Section and the preferential lane longitudinal markings described in Section 3D.02 shall be used.
03 All longitudinal pavement markings, as well as word and symbol pavement markings, associated with a preferential lane shall end where the Preferential Lane Ends (R3-12a or R3-12c) sign (see Section 2G.07) designating the downstream end of the preferential only lane restriction is installed.
04 Static or changeable message regulatory signs (see Sections 2G.03 to 2G.07) shall be used with preferential lane word or symbol markings.
05 All preferential lane word and symbol markings shall be white and shall be positioned laterally in the center of the preferential lane.
06 Where a preferential lane use exists contiguous to a general-purpose lane or is separated from a general-purpose lane by a flush buffered space that can be traversed by motor vehicles, the preferential lane shall be marked with one or more of the following symbol or word markings for the preferential lane use specified:
07 If two or more preferential lane uses are permitted in a single lane, the symbol or word marking for each preferential lane use shall be installed.
Option:
08 Preferential lane-use symbol or word markings may be omitted at toll plazas where physical conditions preclude the use of the markings (see Section 3E.01).
Guidance:
09 The spacing of the markings should be based on engineering judgment that considers the prevailing speed, block lengths, distance from intersections, and other factors that affect clear communication to the road user.
Support:
10 Markings spaced as close as 80 feet apart might be appropriate on city streets, while markings spaced as far as 1,000 feet apart might be appropriate for freeways.
Guidance:
11 In addition to a regular spacing interval, the preferential lane marking should be placed at strategic locations such as major decision points, direct exit ramp departures from the preferential lane, and along access openings to and from adjacent general-purpose lanes. At decision points, the preferential lane marking should be placed on all applicable lanes and should be visible to approaching traffic for all available departures. At direct exits from preferential lanes where extra emphasis is needed, the use of word markings (such as "EXIT" or "EXIT ONLY") in the deceleration lane for the direct exit and/or on the direct exit ramp itself just beyond the exit gore should be considered.
Option:
12 A numeral indicating the vehicle occupancy requirements established for a high-occupancy vehicle lane may be included in sequence after the diamond symbol or HOV word message.
Guidance:
13 Engineering judgment should determine the need for supplemental devices such as tubular markers, traffic cones, or other channelizing devices (see Chapter 3H).
