IRC 379.4981 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR ROAD DELINEATORS THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS‘MEMBERS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS COMMITEE: 1. Rue Gobind Sieh Chie 2 Aten SE as) GaatMeho. Ass a 4 ROAD 5. RIT. Ate’ 6. 1. 8. ° MLK Chatterjee ECC. Chandrasekaran M.G. Dandavate NDat 10. Dr. M.P. Bhi 1. Ds, Rak, Ghosh 12, BR. Govind 13. LC. Gupta 14. S.A. Hoda. 15, MB. Jayauant, 16. ‘D'R! Kontt 1 SB.Kolkami 18. PAK, Lauria 19. H.C. Malhotra MR. Malya : Muthachen K. Suader Naik KK. Nambir > TK. Natirajea 25, MD. Pact 26, Satish Prasad Di. SK: Samaddar 28, Dr. 0.8. Sabgal 29. N. Sea 30: De Ajitha Simba 31, Maj, Geni. 1.8. Soin 3a Dr NS. Sdnivasan 33. Dr Bh. Subbaraia 48 Prof, CG. Swamloathan 35, Mics PAK. Thressia 436. The Dizector (Prof, GM. Andavan) a7. USe Marya » Deputy Director an i and Deputy Dir Go Bild and. Sem AGL Director Generah (Roads, Mininey of Shopigg & Transpos retgincer Rea), Mioistry of Shipeibg “ad tation Development’ Commaisiioner, Jammu aad. Kashmir NIDSE. Part 1; New Deli Secretary ‘to the Govt. of Mafarashtra PW Hf Department ‘Chief Executive Officer, West Betigal tndustiiel Infra-Structue Development Corparation. Chet “eaglaces, Pamban Badge Projet Engineer, Concrete Associatioa of India Chief Engineer (Retd.), Greater Kallash,, New. Delki Deputy Ditectordnd Head; ‘Reals, Division, Central Road Research Institute Rigi Pavemenis Divine “Research Institute Ducsior, of Desiens, ‘Rogigncin Cats Branch AH ‘Englneér-in-Chiel, Haryana P.W.D., 8&'R Project, Manager-cum-Maneping: "Director, Bikar State Bridge Construction" Corporation Neath, 24, Carter Road, Bosibay. ‘Manager, Blectronies Data Brocessing,, Bharat Petroleuti'Coxparstion Lid: Neopet palo, Indian OW Corpa ‘ginesr, Etumet Totland. Seca othe Govtrnen of Hinachn ads PW Development Manager, Gammos india Lis Boney Footie Hovse, P.O: Pinal: Kenia | Adininisttator, U:K. Project, Gulbarga.585102 Ramat | eat Fark Road, Ganahinagar, Adyar Maser 00030 Bena _ Division, Centeal Road Resesteh Instiuute Sues tecun Sele Bag iecacmmnt ie Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd: Sie Cheha Sala Engineer (Reid), 12¢A,° Chitranjany Director (Civil Eogincerng), Indian Standards Institution, Director General Bordst Roads ‘Chief Bxccutive, National Teac Planaing and ‘tut Cates Eta ‘Ramapuraas, Bhimavaram 334202 (A.P.) "Goniral Roud Researe Insect Chit Engineer (Construction), Teivandeum ‘iphways Research Staton, Madras i S) Ditector General: (Road Development) and Ride Sega Oe Gove oF tadias ‘intiey of Shippiag and Transport amare S ‘ex-officio IRC ; 79.1981 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR ROAD DELINEATORS Published by ‘THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS Jamnagar House, Shahjatan Road, New Delhi-110011 1981 Price Rs Ba. 32 (Plus packing & postage)TRC? 79-1981 First published : May, 1981 (Rights of Publication and Translation are reserved) Printed at PRINTAID, New Delhi we IRC : 79-1981 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR ROAD DELINEATORS i, INTRODUCTION 1.1. The role of delineators is to provide visual assistance to drivers about alignment of the road ahead, especially at night. Delineators are particularly eflective in the case of complex loca- tions involving changes in horizontaljvertical geometry, and during Severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog or snow. Normally, reflectors are used on the delineators for better night time visibility 1.2, Ina broad sense, “delineation” stands for any device ortreatment whose aim isto outline the roadway or a portion thereof. ‘This could include painted lines, raised pavement markers, posts, post-mounted reflectors or contrast treatments of the pavement. Delineation by pavement markings is covered by IRC:35-1970 Code of Practice for Road Markings (With Paints)". This standard deals only with post type delineators, with or ‘without retro-reflective units. 1.3, The standard was drafted initially by the Traffic Engi- neering Committee (personnel given below) and discussed in their meeting held at Trivandrum on the 3rd and 4th October, 1977. The Committee authorised Shri A.K. Bhattacharya, Shri R.P. Sika and Dr, N.S. Srinivasan to finalise the document in light of the discussion held during the meeting : H.C, Malhotra Convenor Dr NS. Srinivasan Member Secretary MEMBERS Prof. G.M. Andavan AR. Bandopadhyaya AK. Bhattacharya Prof, HU. Billani MAK. Chaiterjee Pe Das T. Ghost, LR: Radivali R. Th BG Mitra M.G. Uppal G! Nandagopat PAR. Wagh MD. Patel Bitcotor, Transport Research UR, Patwardhan Ministry’of Shipping and SM, Parultar ‘Transport Dr. KS. Pilla, Divisional Engineer, S.Ramanatha Pillai ‘Traffe Egg. Cell, Madras ‘Director General (Road Development) — Ex-aficio 1TR IRC: 79.981 oa ie ‘The Recommended Practice was processed by the Specifica- tions and Standards Committee in their meeting held at Calcutta fon the 21st December 1977 and on the authorisation of the Committe, final editing of the text on bebalf of the Committee was done jointly by Shri R-P. Sikka, Dr. N.S. Srinivasan, Shti HA. Bindra fssisied. by Shri J.B. Mathur for placing before the Executive Committee and the Council. It was approved by the Executive Committee in their meeting held at New Delhi on the 23rd June 1980 find. thereafter by the Couneil in their mecting held at Srinagar fon the Dist August, 1980. for being published as the finalised Gocument of the Congress after it has been suitably revised by Shi RP, Sikka and Dr. N.S. Srinivasan in light of the views expressed at the Council meeting. 2, SCOPE 2.1, Delineators are classified under three types (@ Roadway Indicators, Hazard Markers, and ‘Object Markers. 2.2. Bach of these serves a somewhat different purpose. “Roadway indicators" are intended to delineate the edges of the roadway so as to guide drivers about the alignment ahead, parti- ularly where it might be confusing for some reason. The objective Of “hazard markers” is to define obstructions like guard-rails and Sbutments adjacent to the carriageway, for instance at culverts and bridges which are narrower than the roadway width at appro- aches. “Object markers” are used to indicate hazards and obstruc- tions within the vehicle flow path, for example channelising islands close to the intersections. 2.3. Delineators are basically driving aids and should not be regarded as a substitute for warning signs, road markings, of barriers for out-of-control vehicles. 3. ROADWAY INDICATORS Design 3.1. Roadway indicators should be in the form of guide- posts made of metal, concrete, timber, cut stone, plastic or other Suitable material depending on availability and ‘cost. Tron tubes, Concrete or plastic pipes, wooden posts, steel channel sections etc. can.be conveniently adopted for the purpose. Plastic posts have the advantage of being safer for out-of-control vehicles while concrete pipes would be less prone to vandalism or theft, The posts 2 IRC: 79-1981 may have a circular, rectangular or trianguldccfos-section; howe the side fecing the trafic. should. not be Tess: than 10 em "wide, Se| gE pes ss, gene aton wry setanerean nctzion out oe cas L Fig. 1. Roadway indicators _As an alternative to normal posts, empty bitumen uitably painted, may also be ised for rondway delineation, 3 drumIRC: 79.1981 especially when it is for temporary use in the event of diversions, road works etc. 3.3, Roadway delineator posts should be about 80-100 om high and painted alternately black and white in 15 om wide stripes. Bitumen drums should also be painted similarly, Fig. 1. 3.4. While unreflectorised delineators are permissible (as shown in Fig, 1), itis preferable that for improved visibility at night ne at locations where visibility is poor due to fog etc., the'detinea- tor posts should be of reflectorsed type, fited with, white, coloured Jeetangular (80% 100 mm) or circular (75mm dia) reflectorised poneleat the top (see Fig. 1). For additional guidance, such Panels may also be fixed on reverse side of posts fixed on the right Fand side. These too should be white in colour. If feasible, re- flectors should also be fixed on empty bitumen drums employed for delineation, Appl 3.5, The decision to use roadway indicators, ‘whether con- tinuously or in short sections selectively, will be guided by factors Such as importance of the road, volume of fast traffic, speed of teal aceldent experience, danger posed by any specific’ deficiency fr the road aligoment, ete, Primary use of roadway delineators is in Moneurban sections of main roads, especially in curved reaches, Unless road and traffic conditions so warrant, their use in urban Sections will normally not be necessary, nor’on roads which are adequately lighted. 3,6. In situations where @ guard-rail or parapet wall is pro- vided for safety, roadway indicators may be mounted above or Jumediately behind the guard-rail. In addition, the guard-rail might be printed Bask and wate alternately as explained in para 3.3. Criteria for Use 3,7.. Normally, use of roadway indicators should be consi- dered under the following situations : @ Curved Sections (a) Horizontal eurves of radius 1000 m or less (b) Vertical curves with inadequate visibility, 4 kona oe IRC: 79-1981 (@) Road sections ‘where visibility i offen poor due to mist, {fog or snowy conditions (b) Reaches where the alignment appears uncertain to the driver, ©. pavement width transitions, temporary road diversions ee. (© Road sections subject to frequent submergence and ‘ponding due to storm water (8) Approaches to narrow bridges and culverts (e) Valley sie of hill roads (Road embankments exceeding 3 m in height (@) Approaches to important intersections (i) Special problem points such as causeways and sunnels. Placement and Spacing 38, Asa general rule, delineator posts should, be erected at the edge of the usable shoulder, and in the case of kerbed sec: Tee te distance of 0.6 0 5 im from the kerb face. On hill tends. they may be placed either on the parapet or at the edge of the shoulder. 43.9. The overall line of posts should be parallel to centre line of the road ordinarily, except that at guard-rails or other Tine auctions, it may be so adjusted that tbe delineators are in line orth or inside the mmnermost edge of the obstruction (see Fig: 2). UKs far as practicable, the tops of the pests should be in wnfor™ Prades taking into account the effects of shoulder erossfall and superelevation. 3,10. On. straight sections, roadway indicators should be spaced uniformly 50-70 m_ from” each other, according, to loca) SbaGitions, the posts being in pairs, one on each side of the road- sn Gn divided roads, these should also be provided op medians. Were the normal uniform spacing is affected by cross-roads, Uuveways ete, and a delineator would fall in that area, the same Shay be moved in ether direction a distance not exceeding, on¢ miadier of the usual spacing. If it still falls in such a zone, it should be omitted.IRC: 79.1981 saan se cen 44 ema Coat, Ra Sees ay Fi 4 installation on curved approach to a bridge 2, ‘Typical delineator installation on curved appr ie 3 ve ye fixed in ‘On horizontal curves, the spacing. should be fixe lation to the curve radius as given in Table 1, In addition, some relation IworeaToRS ON 1k ROADWAY {ECOMMENDED SPACING FO Tama 1 RD Tonsontat Conve ‘Spacing on curve, S Radius of curve 30 0 oetres) Ketres) a detin The spacing of first, aches, in eators 6S respectively (where 3.12, toadway indi we conve ae should be continued B the curve on cither side, } Second and third del dvance and bey 1981 lineators on the a Should be 1.88, 38 and icing On the’ curve) ippro~ "yond the curve, Fig. 3. Rosaway delineator spacing on curves On vertical eur icators should by cerotiete visibility is not adequate, % Provided at a spacing of 30 to SO at 7ARC: 79-1981 3.13. At problem locations like causeways, road delineators ‘may be installed at a much smaller spacing, say 5 or 10 m, accord- ing to local conditions. 4, HAZARD MARKERS Desiga 4.1. Any of the following two designs may be adopted for hazard makers : () Type 1, A. marker consisting of three red reflectors. arranged vantcally Gee Fig. 4). 4e2._ Striped markers consisting of alternately black and yellow rd at an angle of 45" towards the side of the 4). Iepossible, (0) per stoping domave Shattaction o€ which te tafe fo pass (See ‘ellectorised palnt may be used for this purpose, 200m br toce et 00 Fig. 4, Hazard markers 8 ae so IRC: 79-1981 Application and Placement 4.2. Hazard_markers should be put -up wherever there are objects 30 close to the road as to constitute an accident hazard, e.g. bridge abutments, guard-rails etc. Either of the two-desigas, ‘Type 1 of Type 2, could be used for the purpose. 43, The markets should be erected immediately abead of the line of obstruction, for instance on a narrow bridge just where the bridge rail starts, When placed in conjunction’ with a guard. rail ona bridge approach, the hazard markers should be located immediately behind the goard-rail and at sufficient height to ensure that these will be properly visible to the oncoming traffic, The inside edge of the markers should be in line with the inner edge of the obstruction as far as possible. 4.4. Typical application of these markers on a narrow bridge in continuation of @ curve is shown in Fig. 2. OBJECT MARKERS Design : 5.1. Several designs of object markers are possible. These const basically of citar red rectors arangad on tangulr] Fectangular. panels, or alternately allered reflectors “mounte Similarly. Typical designs are shown in Fig. 5. The markers may ibe bigger if the conditions so warrant. 5.2, At problem locations, red reflectors may also be used dependently, for instance inset on the face of the kerb. Application 5.3. Typical locations where object markers should be used are: (§) Traffic islands at approaches to intersections; (iy Around periphery of rotary islands; ii) Median openings; (iv) Facing approaching trafic at islands forming left infiltration lanes; (*) On mediansjislands on far side of the intersections; (i) At points where trafic divides into different directions e.g. down ramps ofa grade separated intersection, and (vil) On far side of T.junctions and street dead ends. 9IRC: 79-1981 £ ;" AED REFLECTORS SCM OIA (a ee D i . {Pein Wo sos0o a . 5. Typical designs of object markers 5.4. Object markers need not, however, be put up on islands provided with lighted bollards, Placement 5.5. The markers should be erected facing the traffic close tothe point where the obstruction within the roadway starts, for instance in the case of a channelising island at its nose point.” No part of the object marker should, however, encroach upon the carriageway. To ensure this, it is desirable that the markers should be set back from the face of the kerb a distance of at least 50 cm. 10 IRC: 79.1981 5.6. Height of object markers might vary depending upon the situation, but should be generally around 40-80 om so that reflectors are fully visible to the approaching traffic, 6, REQUIREMENTS FOR REFLECTORS 6.1, Reflectors can be made of films, synthetic materials or glass. Whatever material is used, it should have stable optical characteristics, desired colour (i.e. white for roadway indicators and red for hazard markers or object markers), and a visibility of at least 200 m under clear weather conditions when illuminated by the ‘upper beam of the car headlights, Synthetic reflectors cost relatively less and may be preferred, but glass reflectors have the advantage that inspite of frequent cleaning which would scratch other surfaces, they maintain their efficiency. Presence of water can, however, affect the efficacy of synthetic reflectors; it is therfore, desirable that these should be mounted in welded water-proof units. 6.2. The reflector units should be inset into the lateral face of the delineator post or securely fastened to it by suitable means. Rivets are preferable to screws, The units should be easily replace- able so that damage to a unit does not necessitate changing the post altogether. 7. INSTALLATION OF DELINEATORS Techniques of installation can vary according to nature and stiffness of the ground, and local custom, In hard ground, posts may be installed by burying or pressing them into the ground. If the ground is not stiff’ enough, a proper foundation, whether prefabricated or cast-in-situ, will be desirable. Installation should ensure that the post does not change its orientation, particularly when itis of a circular shape. 7.2. The delineators should be so positioned that the reflec torised or painted face is perpendicular to the direction of travel. 8. MAINTENANCE 8.1. Iron, wooden or concrete posts should be repainted regularly, To remove dirt, the reflective unit should be scrubbed clean periodically, especially after rains. The ground arouad the delineators should be kept clean by cutting grass and bushes peri dically so that visibility of the delineators is not affected, ul