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Minimum lane width: The minimum lane width is 12 feet (3.7 m), identical to most US and state highways. Shoulder width: The minimum width of the left paved shoulder is 4 feet (1.2 m), and of the right paved shoulder 10 feet (3.0 m). With three or more lanes in each direction, both shoulders are to be at least 10 feet (3.0 m) wide.
In the United States, the Interstate Highway standards for the Interstate Highway System use a 12 ft (3.7 m) standard lane width, while narrower lanes are used on lower classification roads. In Europe, laws and road widths vary by country; the minimum widths of lanes are generally between 2.5 to 3.25 m (8.2 to 10.7 ft). [ 13 ]
The selection of lane width affects the safety, maximum capacity, and cost, of a highway. Safety is best at a width of 3.0 to 3.1 metres (9.8 to 10.2 ft) in urban settings, where both narrow (less than 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in)) and wide (over 3.1 metres (10 ft)) lanes have higher crash risks.
A carriageway (British English) [1] or roadway (North American English) [2] consists of a width of road on which a vehicle is not restricted by any physical barriers or separation to move laterally. A carriageway generally consists of a number of traffic lanes together with any associated shoulder , but may be a sole lane in width (for example ...
[22] [23] [24] Florida's ESU plan prohibits trucks, busses, and trailers from driving on the shoulder and limits the speed limit to 50 mph on the shoulder, which is typically only 10 feet (3.0 m) wide compared to the standard 12 feet (3.7 m) width of highway travel lanes and contains rumble strips. [22]
A controlled access highway may be two lanes known as a two-lane expressway. They are often undivided, are sometimes built when traffic volumes are low (but may be upgraded later), right-of-way is limited or due to low funding. They may be designed for easy conversion to one side of a four-lane freeway and right of way may already be acquired.
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Generally, the minimum-width standard for a WOL in the US is 14 feet (4.3 m). [1] A wide outside through lane (WOTL) is a WOL that is intended for use by through traffic. Conversely, a narrow lane is a lane that is too narrow to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a motor vehicle.