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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.
[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]
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommends having minimum curb-to-curb clearance for two-lane highways of 24 feet (7.3 m) and wall-to-wall clearance of 30 feet (9.1 m), while desired curb-to-curb clearance should be 39 feet (12 m), and wall-to-wall clearance should be 44 feet (13 m). [22]
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.
The only exceptions to this standard were for double center lines on multi-lane highways and for center lines in no-passing zones, where yellow was recommended but not mandatory. [45] By November 1954, 47 of the 48 states had adopted white as their standard color for highway centerlines, with Oregon being the last holdout to use yellow. [33]
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 ...