Opinions? - Pavement markings at on-ramp gore points

[kphoger]

The MUTCD gives some options when it comes to gore point pavement markings, for both off- and on-ramps.  In my experience, though, there is more uniformity between states when it comes to off-ramp pavement markings than there is when it comes to on-ramp pavement markings.  Most obvious to me is that chevrons between the channelizing lines are more commonly found at off-ramps than at on-ramps.  But also, the presence or absence of dotted lines varies too, across states and by off- or on-ramp usage.

What are your preferences, when it comes to on-ramps?


As for me...

I like chevrons in the neutral area—the same as at off-ramps— which does not seem to be very common, at least in places I've driven (in the middle in my illustration).

I dislike what I'll call the "Iowa treatment" of ending the ramp's left stripe early (on the right in my illustration).  Random example GSV:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PrrBuHGe1KaPP5E7

The one on the left in my illustration is OK, and it seems to be the most common.  I just prefer the neutral area to be more obviously not a lane, especially if it's a long and gradual merge with a long neutral area, and I think that's best accomplished by using chevrons.



I also dislike it when the dotted line extends all the way to the shoulder line (as it does in the MUTCD illustrations).  The MUTCD only requires that it extend "to a point at least one-half the distance from the theoretical gore to the downstream end of the acceleration taper", but the illustration itself shows the dotted line extended past that midpoint.  When it extends all the way through the taper, I think it's confusing:  where exactly does the lane begin to merge into the mainline?

[1995hoo]

Heh. What you call the "Iowa treatment" is something I've always associated with North Carolina (I should add that I've never been to Iowa). A similar design, but with the dotted lines beginning earlier than seen in your diagram, was long a fairly standard thing in North Carolina and was very common when I spent three years in that state in the 1990s. Here's another example. They seem to be getting away from that style when they widen or upgrade roads or when they add new interchanges.

I can't say I ever recall changing lanes earlier when the lines permit it in that situation, probably because it just never felt normal to me and I get over at what feels like the natural merge point. I suppose, though, that I could see the potential benefit of that configuration if the road is relatively clear and you're behind a vehicle that can't accelerate quickly, like a big truck, or someone who is just plain slow, like a little old lady who's afraid of the highway.

[kphoger]

(Note:  I mistakenly drew the chevrons upside-down in my illustration.  Please kindly ignore that brain fart.)

[epzik8]

I personally love the chevrons for their design element.

[SkyPesos]

I dislike what I'll call the "Iowa treatment" of ending the ramp's left stripe early (on the right in my illustration).  Random example GSV:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PrrBuHGe1KaPP5E7

I associate the "Iowa treatment" with Ohio, and I don't like it either.