Dashed yellow lines on multi lane roads

[1995hoo]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

Maybe they'll use it to help with traffic leaving Tides games? It is one of the logical connections from Harbor Park to 264.

This is making me remember the old Capital Centre in Maryland, the arena where the Capitals played until 1997 (it's now been demolished and a shopping center replaced it). I think Harry S. Truman Drive, which was the primary route used to access the arena from the Beltway (via Central Avenue), was striped similarly to what's seen in that Street View image except the road was wider and they always maintained at least one lane going against the prevailing flow of traffic.

[US 89]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

It looks consistent with tidal flow but none of the signage or signals seem to be in place yet.

Definitely, or what might be referred to as a "contraflow lane".

Some in the US do not operate with signals, but instead with flippable signage, such as here (until it was restriped with a center lane).

As for that Norfolk example, I'm guessing the "center lane closed" sign would be bagged when contraflow is in effect, and extra signs or cones placed as necessary. Still, it's weird not to see any extra signage.

There's something similar to that on 5400 South (SR 173) southwest of Salt Lake City, but with a lot more lanes. Normally there are 3 lanes each direction with a center turn lane, but it switches to 4-1-2 during rush hour. UDOT uses the term "Flex Lanes" to describe the setup, and that phrase is even signed at each traffic light.

[jakeroot]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

It looks consistent with tidal flow but none of the signage or signals seem to be in place yet.

Definitely, or what might be referred to as a "contraflow lane".

Some in the US do not operate with signals, but instead with flippable signage, such as here (until it was restriped with a center lane).

As for that Norfolk example, I'm guessing the "center lane closed" sign would be bagged when contraflow is in effect, and extra signs or cones placed as necessary. Still, it's weird not to see any extra signage.

There's something similar to that on 5400 South (SR 173) southwest of Salt Lake City, but with a lot more lanes. Normally there are 3 lanes each direction with a center turn lane, but it switches to 4-1-2 during rush hour. UDOT uses the term "Flex Lanes" to describe the setup, and that phrase is even signed at each traffic light.

Fairly new setup there, too. Are there any other examples of these "Flex Lanes" in the Salt Lake region? It's interesting to see them given branding.

The contraflow system I am most used to is along West Georgia Street in Vancouver. The only signage from side streets are those indicating "Centre Lane Closed When Flashing". But, at least with our examples, there is some signage. That Norfolk example has nothing apart from those tiny regulatory signs.

[Roadrunner75]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

The access road to the Salem Nuclear Power Plant in NJ used to be striped that way with overhead lane control signals hung from wires, but more recently they restriped it to two sets of double yellow.  A sign here indicates the center lane is for emergency use only:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4970533,-75.4645437,3a,74.9y,227.89h,91.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suk9pQ0yMqQnxGkYBQoIaqA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Maybe it should indicate "Center Lane for Those Fleeing for Their Lives Only"

[US 89]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

It looks consistent with tidal flow but none of the signage or signals seem to be in place yet.

Definitely, or what might be referred to as a "contraflow lane".

Some in the US do not operate with signals, but instead with flippable signage, such as here (until it was restriped with a center lane).

As for that Norfolk example, I'm guessing the "center lane closed" sign would be bagged when contraflow is in effect, and extra signs or cones placed as necessary. Still, it's weird not to see any extra signage.

There's something similar to that on 5400 South (SR 173) southwest of Salt Lake City, but with a lot more lanes. Normally there are 3 lanes each direction with a center turn lane, but it switches to 4-1-2 during rush hour. UDOT uses the term "Flex Lanes" to describe the setup, and that phrase is even signed at each traffic light.

Fairly new setup there, too. Are there any other examples of these "Flex Lanes" in the Salt Lake region? It's interesting to see them given branding.

Those are the only flex lanes in the state as of now. They seem to work fairly well though, so I wouldn't rule out maybe seeing some more in the Wasatch Front in the not-too-distant future.

[jakeroot]

This one in Norfolk, VA used to have one lane in each direction with the center turn being a two-way left turn. In the past couple years though, it was restriped to this configuration. Not sure of its intended usage.

The access road to the Salem Nuclear Power Plant in NJ used to be striped that way with overhead lane control signals hung from wires, but more recently they restriped it to two sets of double yellow.  A sign here indicates the center lane is for emergency use only:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4970533,-75.4645437,3a,74.9y,227.89h,91.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suk9pQ0yMqQnxGkYBQoIaqA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Maybe it should indicate "Center Lane for Those Fleeing for Their Lives Only"

That's very interesting. Was the thinking genuinely to help with evacuation from the plant? If Chernobyl is any indication, quick evac should only be necessary if they failed to construct a containment structure around the reactor, and the thing starts releasing radioactive material into the air. Pretty sure most American reactors built since the 50s have had containment structures (unlike those shifty RBMK reactors in the Soviet Union).

Are there any other examples of these "Flex Lanes" in the Salt Lake region? It's interesting to see them given branding.

Those are the only flex lanes in the state as of now. They seem to work fairly well though, so I wouldn't rule out maybe seeing some more in the Wasatch Front in the not-too-distant future.

Seems fairly unlike the SLC area to not just widen the road to add the extra lanes, so I can understand why it might be rare.

[dcraig]

On the Mt Hood Highway (US-26) in Oregon, there are 2+1 sections where the "1" lane can pass:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.3021416,-121.7507861,3a,75y,291.71h,78.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spzlW56bG9jxz6xK7g3go7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656