Roadway Narrowing: Pavement Markings

Image Source: FHWA

DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION

Roadway narrowing is often done as part of resurfacing or roadway improvement projects. It may include repurposing additional paved space with markings or physically removing unused paved areas. Narrower lanes encourage reduced operating speeds, and excess width may be used to accommodate complementary safety strategies.   

Implementation Categories

CONSIDERATIONS

• Space freed up by narrowing lanes can be used for wider centerline buffers, non-motorized uses, parking, or wider shoulders that can accommodate rumble strips in rural areas.
• May be considered as part of resurfacing projects to minimize cost
• Reduces speeds 2 mph – 3 mph (NCHRP 737).
• Large vehicle operations may be impacted.

• KYTC’s Highway Design Guidance Manual outlines minimum widths of travel lanes for different roadway classifications

APPLICATION

• May be used:
  • For local, collector, and arterial streets where sufficient width is available.
  • In speed transition zones alongside other traffic calming strategies.
  • On high-speed rural roads to increase shoulder widths where wide striped lanes are present.
• Pavement marking updates can be coordinated with the pavement resurfacing schedule.

example

Image Source: FHWA

Complimentary Countermeasures

• Evaluate and Implement Road Reconfigurations
• Centerline Buffers
• Buffered Bike Lanes
• Lateral Shifts and Chicanes
• Median and Pedestrian Refuge Island