Where can I find information pertaining to when a road should or should not be striped?

Centerlines can be placed on any paved road if there is a need to do so to improve safety. One of the critical issues is that markings need to be maintained once placed. As for when they are needed, here is the text from the NYSLTAP-CLRP Traffic Sign Handbook and the MUTCD, Chapter 3B.01:

Center lines

Yellow center lines are used to divide traffic that have opposite directions of travel on two-way roads. Broken lines are used where passing is allowed. Solid double lines or a solid line with a broken line is used to mark no-passing zones. They should not be used on two-way roads less than 16 feet wide. At intersections, solid double lines are sometimes used to prohibit passing on the approaches, even if there is enough sight distance to pass. They can also be used to separate traffic approaching and departing from the intersection. A single solid yellow line shall not be used as a center line marking on a two-way roadway.

Center line pavement markings are required:

  • On paved urban arterials and collectors 20 feet or more in width with an average daily traffic (ADT) of 6,000 or more
  • On paved roads with more than two lanes

Center line pavement markings are recommended:

  • On paved urban arterials and collectors 20 feet or more in width with an average daily traffic (ADT) of 4,000 or more
  • On paved rural arterials and collectors 18 feet or more in width with an average daily traffic (ADT) of 3,000 or more
  • Center line markings should also be placed on other traveled ways where an engineering study indicates such a need

Center line pavement markings are not recommended:

  • On paved roads less than 16 feet in width without an engineering study due to the possibility of traffic encroaching in the opposite lane
  • Center line markings may be placed at a location that is not the geometric center of the roadway
  • On roadways without continuous center line pavement markings, short sections may be marked with center line pavement markings to control the position of traffic at specific locations, such as around curves, over hills, on approaches to grade crossings, at grade crossings, at bridges, and on approaches to intersections

More details about edge lines or other pavement markings are also available in the Traffic Sign Handbook.

Resources:

Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Chapter 3B. PAVEMENT AND CURB MARKINGS

Chapter 10 of the NYSLTAP-CLRP Traffic Sign Handbook.

 

Jan, 22'