Section 8: Road Markings Appendix 2

9-8-1 Basic Matters

Road markings, along with road signs, are facilities that organize, guide, and regulate traffic.
They are extremely important as traffic management facilities. These markings are to be made
according to the following, and details are to be governed by the "Order Concerning Road
Signs, Road Markings, and Road Surface Indications" (Sign Order).

9-8-2 Types of Road Markings

Road Surface Markings (Road Management Authority): These are installed by the road
management authority.
Road Signs (Public Safety Commission): These are installed by the public safety commission.
Vertical Surface Markings (Road Management Authority): These are installed by the road
management authority.
(1) Installation Categories and the Relationship Between Road Markings and Road Surface
Indications

"Road Markings" are installed by the road management authority, whereas "Road Surface
Indications" are installed by the public safety commission. The relationship between the two
is shown in Table 9-8-1.

Table 9-8-1: Relationship Between Road Markings and Road Surface Indications

**Notes:**

1. The numbers in parentheses in the "Type" column indicate the "number" specified by the
Sign Order.
2. In the "Installation Location and Installation Category" column, ① indicates the
installation location or the meaning of the indication, and ② indicates the installation
category established based on the previous notification. This installation category does not
apply to toll roads; in such cases, all installations are to be carried out by the road
management authority. Additionally, for other roads, if there are established practices or
special circumstances making adherence to this installation category difficult, an alternative
category may be used upon agreement between both parties.
3. The installation categories are specified as follows:
- A. The table applies to paved sections excluding simple pavements.
- B. During installation, both parties should communicate and sufficiently consult in
advance.
- C. Maintenance and management after installation should, in principle, be carried out
by the initial installer.

**9-8-3 Usage Categories**

- Centerline: Melt type (JIS 5665 Type 3), thickness 1.5 mm

- Outer line: Heat type (JIS 5665 Type 2)

**9-8-4 Installation Style (Civil Engineering Design Manual P3-4-32 to P3-4-33)**

The standard values for the length, spacing, and width of "centerlines," "lane boundary
lines," and "outer lane lines" applied by paint are shown in the following table.

Table 9-8-2 [Ref. 9-17 p. 3-4-32]

Length (ｌ1), spacing (ｌ2), width (ｔ), and solid line spacing (ｄ) are as shown in the
following diagram.

Figure 9-8-1 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-33]

Notes:

(1) The values in parentheses in the above table apply in the following cases:
For the width of the centerline (broken line), it can be set to 0.12 m when placed on roads in
urban areas with low average travel speeds and low traffic volumes.
For the length and spacing ratio (l1: l2) of the broken line used for lane boundary lines, it
can be reduced to 1:1 in sections where it is particularly necessary to maintain good
continuous visibility of the road markings, such as on curves with a small radius or steep
gradients, or in urban areas where intersection intervals are particularly narrow. In such
cases, l1 = l2 = 5 m.

(2) Even on roads classified as limited-access highways in category ③, if speed regulations

below the design speed are enforced, the choice of standard values from either category ②
or ③ should be made considering the regulation period, etc.

(3) The standard values for road markings shown here apply to new or reconstructed roads
(excluding expressways and urban expressways). For existing roads, the standard values
should be gradually approached when repainting the markings, resurfacing the pavement,
overlaying, etc. However, for lane boundary lines (broken lines), during repainting, the total
length (l1 + l2) should remain as it is, and only the ratio (l1: l2) should be temporarily
adjusted to the standard. When resurfacing or overlaying, the continuity with the adjacent
road sections and the length of the section in question should be considered to appropriately
transition to the standard values.

9-8-5 Installation Method

(1) Centerline [101] [Centerline (205)]

When installing on a two-lane road

Figure 9-8-2 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-34]

(1) Centerline [101] [Centerline (205)

(a) Installed on roads without a central divider where the roadway width is 5.5 meters or
more.
(b) For roadway widths less than 6.0 meters, the line width (t) should be 0.15 meters, and
for 6.0 meters or more, the line width (t) should be 0.2 meters.
(c) When installing chatter bars, road markers, etc., decide based on the intended purpose
and the degree of necessity.
(d) The centerline is generally a broken line with a length of 5 meters, but it should be a
solid line in the following cases:
Near road curves or steep downhill sections (road curves with a radius of 300 meters or less,
downhill gradients of 5% or more, and sections longer than 100 meters).
Near the crest of an uphill.
Tunnels (except those with designated traffic lanes).
Sections where serious accidents are expected, such as bridges, overpasses, etc.
Intersections, railroad crossings, or pedestrian crossings, and sections extending 30 meters
ahead from the near edge of these features.
When installing on a four-lane road

Figure 9-8-3 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-35]

When constructing or renovating a four-lane or wider road without the possibility of

installing a central median, it is desirable to use two solid centerlines. In such cases, the lane
width shall be measured from the centerline of the roadway. Therefore, for lanes closer to
the center, there may be a reduction in effective traffic width (refer to Figure 9-8-4a), but if
conditions allow, such as ample shoulder width, lane widths can be expanded to ensure the
necessary clearance for traffic flow.
Figure 9-8-4 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-35]

(2) lane boundary line (102)

Figure 9-8-5 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-36]

When installed on a single side with two or more lanes, it is generally marked with a broken
line.
Solid lines are placed at the same locations as centerlines, except for cases where vehicles are
changing lanes, crossing, turning right or left, or parking and stopping.
(3) outer lane line (103)

Figure 9-8-6 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-36]

Figure 9-8-7 Roadway Outer Line Installation Standards [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-36]
Note:
The outer lane line is generally installed along the entire section. However, it may not be
installed where the width between the existing sidewalk areas or planned sidewalk areas is
less than 0.49 meters.
Among the width components, b does not need to be considered in bicycle lanes with high
bicycle traffic.
Among the width components, c is designated as a bicycle and pedestrian path.
For roadway widths ranging from 9.0 meters to 12.0 meters, consideration should be given
depending on the location.
For roadways intersecting or branching out:
Roadway widths less than 4 meters should be continuous.
Roadway widths 4 meters or more should be cut at the corners.

(4) Change in Roadway Width (105)

Install at all points where the roadway width changes.

The transition length when changing the roadway width should generally be l=15～50 times
the diameter
When changing the width at intersections, consider widening before and after the
intersection.

(5) Approach of Roadside Obstacles (106)

Chatter bars, etc., can be installed inside the outer perimeter line of this marking.

Figure 9-8-8 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-37]

Approach to Obstacles
To obstacles, install vertical surface markings (black and yellow reflective paint) and visual
guidance signs.
When avoiding on one side
Figure 9-8-9 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-37]
When avoiding on both sides

Figure 9-8-10 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-38]

(6) Channelizing Islands (107)

In complex or irregular intersections where it is necessary to indicate the passage for each
direction, and there is no space to install channelizing facilities using curbstones, or where
facilities using curbstones pose a risk of collision.
In road sections where it is necessary to separate opposing or same-direction flows (used as
a central divider).
When the roadway width changes.
When it is necessary to specifically indicate the vehicle's path at intersections.
When narrow roads intersect diagonally
In locations where there are many right-turning vehicles
If the intersection is irregular or excessively wide, requiring the indication of a center point
to guide right-turning vehicles.

Figure 9-8-11 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-38]

Figure 9-8-12 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-38]

(7) On-Street Parking (108)

Places such as old roadbeds that can effectively function as parking areas, along with (117-
A), are to be installed.

Example: (1) When the area is spacious (where generally five or more regular-sized cars can
park).

Figure 9-8-14 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-39]

Note: Regarding the installation of parking space markings within parking areas, consult
with the Public Safety Commission. (This applies to regulated perpendicular parking,
angled parking, etc.)
Figure 9-8-15 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-39]

Figure 9-8-16 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-40]

(2) When the space is narrow

Figure 9-8-17 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-40]

If l is 60 meters or more, it shall be considered as a gutter structure.
Regarding pavement structure, refer to section 8-9-1 "Pavement of Parking Strips."

(8) Climbing Lanes

In sections with heavy traffic volume and a high proportion of trucks, and where the
longitudinal gradient exceeds 5%, climbing lanes may be provided as necessary.
The schematic diagram of climbing lanes is as follows:

Figure 9-8-18 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-41]

Figure 9-8-19 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-41]

Figure 9-8-20 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-42]

(9-8-6) Installation Positions of Lane Lines Defining Width Composition

(1) Where there are no sidewalks
Figure 9-8-21 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-33]

(2) Where there are sidewalks

Figure 9-8-22 [Ref. 9-17 p.3-4-34]

Note 1) When there are sidewalks and the shoulder width is 0.49 meters or less, it is not
necessary to install lane lines.

Note 2) The roadway width is based on the lane width:

Specifically, for 1 lane W = 3.0m, for 2 lanes W = 3.0 x 2 = 6.0m
9-8-7 Positioning of Center Lines in One-Side Widened Sections

Figure 9-8-23