Page:Report of the Traffic Signs Committee (1963).pdf/65

 lines should also be used when the volume of traffic is heavy or where fog is prevalent. What the precise standards of marking should be is a matter which we recommend for consideration by the Departments in consultation with local highway authorities.

Double white lines are the most important longitudinal marking because they are mandatory and we consider that they should always be laid in reflectorised materials with 'catseyes' between them.

The appropriate form of marking for lane and warning lines will depend both on the volume of traffic on the road and whether or not it is lighted throughout the night. We suggest that where there is no street lighting or it is switched off during part of the night the use of both 'catseyes' and reflectorised lines should be considered for both lane and warning lines on the most heavily trafficked roads and roads where there is a high incidence of fog, poor alignment or dangerous conditions (e.g. on mountain roads). On lightly trafficked roads and roads not subject to fog, the choice between plain lines and reflectorised lines, either alone or in combination with 'catseyes', will mainly need to depend on traffic conditions on these roads but we think that plain lines might generally be sufficient where 'catseyes' are employed. In streets where the lighting is in operation all night we doubt whether 'catseyes' are necessary except possibly in foggy areas. Normally plain lines alone would be appropriate.

243. Under present Regulations 'catseyes' are reserved for longitudinal markings. We think that this should continue to be the case and that they should not be used in stop lines.

It is current practice to use white reflectors in 'catseyes' set in the central part of the carriageway and occasionally red reflectors at the edge of the carriageway. Because of the risk of confusion with central markings in fog we do not advocate the use of white 'catseyes' to mark the edge of the carriageway at Y junctions, acceleration or deceleration lanes or at lay-bys. In these circum stances the broken white lines mentioned in paragraph 229 should be used and these should be reflectorised wherever special emphasis is required by road or traffic conditions.

We do not consider that yellow or other coloured reflectors alone (excluding red which is used for edge marking) are sufficiently distinctive to be used in central markings to indicate, for example, the approach to a road junction. Experimental work done by the Road Research Laboratory in the use of alternate white and yellow 'catseyes' set in warning lines shows promise and we think that this should be studied further. If this method of marking proves satisfactory it might then be used not only in the centre of the road to indicate the approach to a hazard but also along the edge of the carriageway at lay-bys and side roads.

244. The standard of maintenance should be raised and restoration of all road markings after road repairs should take place sooner so that the long intervals often experienced between road repair and replacement of lines and 'catseyes' do not occur. Where work is done by contract the Departments might consider whether or not it would help to reduce these delays if the restoration of carriageways markings with completion of road works was made obligatory by the terms of the contract.