White vs. Yellow central divider line

[Alex Von Königsberg]

I am wondering what other countries besides N. America use yellow line that divides traffic moving in opposite direction? I know that in Europe only Finland and Norway paint central line in yellow colour. In Asia, it seems that Thailand and Indonesia both have yellow line as well. What about the rest of the world? :)


http://mikul.net/images/map1.jpg

[acela]

Malaysia uses white colour and only uses yellow colour when there is a road construction.

[invincible]

I'm pretty sure yellow is used in New Zealand.

Yellow is also used in (the very few) parts of Australia which receive snowfalls.

[vince_rilian]

In the Philippines, highways have yellow lines along urban/built up areas, but when you reach rural areas, they're often painted with white lines... while some roads, even if they are major roads, still use white lines...

[Alex Von Königsberg]

I'm pretty sure yellow is used in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, only a no-passing lane is painted in yellow. So, I think NZ still falls under the category of white central line.

[Billpa]

If I'm not mistaken, most, if not all, South American countries use yellow- at least the pictures I've seen would suggest that. Also, I believe South Africa uses yellow on the edge and not the center.

[pilotos]

In Greece, we use white lanes, yellow lanes are quite rare and i 've only see yellow lanes in mountain roads or in places with a lot of fogue, and yellow lanes also indicate that its forbidden to drive or park there.

[ChrisZwolle]

The Netherlands use white markings.

Yellow is only in temporary situations, with road works, or, in special cases, when a line is drawn on the pavement, it means no parking along this pavement.

[pilotos]

The Netherlands use white markings.

Yellow is only in temporary situations, with road works, or, in special cases, when a line is drawn on the pavement, it means no parking along this pavement.

Also in Greece yellow lanes can be found in in temporary situations, such as construction works.

[balasto]

The Netherlands use white markings.

Yellow is only in temporary situations, with road works, or, in special cases, when a line is drawn on the pavement, it means no parking along this pavement.

Same as in Spain.

[BL]

In the Philippines, highways have yellow lines along urban/built up areas, but when you reach rural areas, they're often painted with white lines... while some roads, even if they are major roads, still use white lines...
it means there is no rule.

[snupix]

Same as in Spain.

It's EU standard, so it's the same within the EU (I still don't know how Sweden can use yellow traffic signs - in Croatia we had to change them to white bc of the EU)

[Rebasepoiss]

It's EU standard, so it's the same within the EU (I still don't know how Sweden can use yellow traffic signs - in Croatia we had to change them to white bc of the EU)
Aren't a lot of traffic signs in Finland also yellow?

[snupix]

Aren't a lot of traffic signs in Finland also yellow?

I think they are. (The background is not white, but yellow)

[Rebasepoiss]

A finnish road:
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6177/img0072kz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[TheCat]

In Israel, a yellow line is used to mark the outer edges of the road and is
mandatory on all roads without a curb (so all non-urban roads). It is actually
very good, because in other countries often the edge is not clearly marked
and it is dangerous at night.

Here are a few examples:
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8458/makhteshramonfw7.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5313/sometrip1smallvh8.jpg
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5149/kvish70smallch6.jpg

Double dashed yellow lines are used to mark public transportation lanes:
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/180/ptach17vsmallld8.jpg

And lastly, red lines are temporary lines in construction zones.
However, I also like the North American system, because I think it is convenient
to have a different colour for separate directions. A third colour perhaps? :)

[Alex Von Königsberg]

It's EU standard, so it's the same within the EU (I still don't know how Sweden can use yellow traffic signs - in Croatia we had to change them to white bc of the EU)
Traffic signs with yellow background are perfectly legal as defined in the Vienna Convention from 1968 (http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/signalse.pdf). I personally don't like them, but I understand why they make sense in the countries that have heavy snowfalls in winter.

[x-type]

in Italy sometimes appear yellow lines even without special situations. check out the picture
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/ixic/IMG_0539.jpg

Croatia (and all former Yugoslav countries) had yellow edge lines on motorways and statal roads, but in last few years it has been changed and there are no more yellow lines (except in special situations). interesting thing: while we had yellow edge lines, special situations had been signed with red lines

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/ixic/A1misc10karlovac-novigrad.jpg

[Otis LA]

BRAZIL follows United States pattern, with yellow lines dividing opposite directions. But the continuous yellow line at left in duplicated roads are quite rare. White is common in this case (sorry, my english is not very good...).

[TheCat]

...
Croatia (and all former Yugoslav countries) had yellow edge lines on motorways and statal roads, but in last few years it has been changed and there are no more yellow lines (except in special situations). interesting thing: while we had yellow edge lines, special situations had been signed with red lines

Interesting, the second pic is similar to Israel, but in Israel the yellow line appears only
at the absolute edge, so on a highway like the one you posted, the line separating
the carriageways would be white, whereas the far right line would be yellow.
If you encounter a road marked like the one in your second picture, drivers
would assume they can only travel on the rightmost lane :)

[ryanr]

It is yellow in the Philippines too:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4924/subic31ds.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8435/subic77nw.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1153/subic4vo.jpg

[ChrisZwolle]

China (Karakoram Highway in Xinjiang

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Karakorum-carretera-d08.jpg/800px-Karakorum-carretera-d08.jpg

[Norsko]

In Norway lines that divides traffic moving in opposite direction are yellow, while lines that dividies traffic moving in the same direction (f.eks. on motorways) are white. The lines at the edge of the road are allways white.

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Seems like Sout Korea and China both have yellow central line. I updated the map.

[gronier]

In Chile, only roads where there's a lot of snowfall, central line is yellow, in the other roads it's white

[Alex Von Königsberg]

In Chile, only roads were there's a lot of snowfall, central line is yellow, in the other roads it's white
I think it might be confusing. IMO, it is better to use either always white or always yellow central line without switching colours.

[TheCat]

^^ I agree. I actually like the yellow central line in North America (and some
other countries). Although rare, ambiguities may arise in some occasions,
especially on roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed (I think in Germany there are such roads,
in which case they use a slightly thicker dashed line to indicate the separation).
So I think the yellow divider is a simple and effective way to get rid of all
ambiguities.

However, I also like the yellow line used at the edges of the road, like in Israel
and South Africa. On country roads at night it adds to safety, because the
driver easily knows that the yellow line is a "do not cross under any circumstance"
line. That yellow line actually also aids to some degree in distinguishing opposite
lanes of traffic, because a yellow line to your far left indicates you are travelling
on a 2-lane road where you share the traffic, whereas a white one indicates
you're probably on a motorway since the only edge marked by the yellow
line is on your right.

[Nephasto]

Although rare, ambiguities may arise in some occasions,
especially on roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed (I think in Germany there are such roads,
in which case they use a slightly thicker dashed line to indicate the separation).



Roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed??
Does that exist? I mean, by portuguese laws that would be forbidden, and I guess that by any reasonable law it would be forbidden too.
If there are multiple lanes into each direction but there's no divider, the line in the middle should allways be solid, not dashed. Because it's allways forbidden to cross that line, because you don't need the other direction lane to takeover, as it hapens with 1 lane per direction roads.

[ADCS]

Roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed??
Does that exist? I mean, by portuguese laws that would be forbidden, and I guess that by any reasonable law it would be forbidden too.
If there are multiple lanes into each direction but there's no divider, the line in the middle should allways be solid, not dashed. Because it's allways forbidden to cross that line, because you don't need the other direction lane to takeover, as it hapens with 1 lane per direction roads.

I have seen several two lane roads where in an area with steep grades, there are extra climbing lanes for trucks. That is a possibility for where there would be two dashed lines signifying same way and opposing way.

[Nephasto]

I have seen several two lane roads where in an area with steep grades, there are extra climbing lanes for trucks. That is a possibility for where there would be two dashed lines signifying same way and opposing way.

I've seen that in many places, but in those cases, the dashed line in between the two directions turns into a solid line when the extra lane appears.
At least here in Portugal.


I have a photo of one taken in Portugal(taken in the direction with 2 lanes):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN3969.jpg

The line between opposite directions is a mixed solid/dashed line. Solid for those travelling on the direction with 2 lanes, and dashed for those travelling in the direction with just one lane (who need to go to the lane in the opposite direction to overtake).

There's allways a solid or mixed solid/dashed line between directions, so there's no confusion.

[TheCat]

Roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed??

I agree. To tell you the truth, I've seen it in a driving simulator in a virtual
part of Berlin :) Here are 2 screenshots I made:

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7135/sim1jc8.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4237/sim2ww7.jpg

[Nephasto]

^^Well, shot's from a driving simulatar aren't good enough for me.
I need to see real photo's to believe in it! ;)

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Roads with multiple lanes into each direction where even the line
separating opposite directions is dashed??
I have seen it in France, but in those cases central line was at least twice thicker and it was dashed with shorter intervals.

[Alex Von Königsberg]

To tell you the truth, I've seen it in a driving simulator in a virtual
part of Berlin :) Here are 2 screenshots I made:
Nowhere in Europe have I seen such wide lanes and empty streets. Nowhere :lol:

[x-type]

in Barcelona at Diagonal!!! all are dashed!:lol: :lol: of course, only reason is changable traffic ragulation (arrows and X'es on portals above)

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/ixic/diag.jpg

[ChrisZwolle]

I have seen it in France, but in those cases central line was at least twice thicker and it was dashed with shorter intervals.

It's called a suicide lane.:lol:

[Nephasto]

I have seen it in France, but in those cases central line was at least twice thicker and it was dashed with shorter intervals.


But that's in city avenues, or in highways?
I guess in avenues.

[Rebasepoiss]

Lanes with changable traffic direction are always dashed.....It has to be....Otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to cross it.

[Nicolás]

^^Well, shot's from a driving simulatar aren't good enough for me.
I need to see real photo's to believe in it! ;)

Yeah, it's really like that sometimes - very confusing in bigger cities :ohno: I don't really like that. But it's true, the line is a bit thicker a dashed different but not always.

[Bartolo]

In Ontario all a solid line means is its recommended to not cross onto the other side, double solid line mean very strongly recommended to not onto other side of the road. Its only illegal to pass when there is a sign that says, "No passing"

[Maxx☢Power]

The "no ambiguity" argument I think is the strongest argument for the yellow divider line. I quite like it, having grown up with it (Norway), as you _always_ know that the yellow line must be on your left, and on the other side traffic flows in the opposite direction.

Two common arguments for all-white road markings are higher visibility and cheaper "paint". The yellow used for road markings is not as visible as white, and it's also more expensive (which does matter if you need X*1000km of it). The yellow also wears off faster than white, and you can see that on old roads where you can still see the white at the edges but the yellow is barely visible.. AFAIK, both the United States and Norway (and maybe others) have researched the feasibility of changing to all-white, but they found the safety increase wouldn't be that high but the costs would be very high, with the re-education of an entire country and all that. This isn't as much an issue for Norway as it is for the US, and I guess "we" will convert to the European standard at some time.. Though I personally favour the yellow and white combination.. There's nothing like a new stretch of black asphalt with bright, double yellow lines running down the middle :)

[sonysnob]

Interestingly, the province of Ontario has recently been experimenting with orange line paint in construction zones. From what I understand, the province says the lines are quite visible at night, during the rain and during the snow, however, I can't see the use of orange line paint ever expanded beyond construction zones

[Alex Von Königsberg]

AFAIK, both the United States and Norway (and maybe others) have researched the feasibility of changing to all-white, but they found the safety increase wouldn't be that high but the costs would be very high, with the re-education of an entire country and all that.
I doubt it will ever take place. American society is too conservative to adopt any cnahges regardless of how efficient they might be. Personally, I found it very easy to drive with the white central lane, so it wouldn't be a big deal for me. But if they want to make such a big change, I would recommend first to finish something that they have started a long time ago (in early 70s) (http://youtube.com/watch?v=CeyGEwjLPGw)

[ADCS]

I doubt it will ever take place. American society is too conservative to adopt any cnahges regardless of how efficient they might be. Personally, I found it very easy to drive with the white central lane, so it wouldn't be a big deal for me. But if they want to make such a big change, I would recommend first to finish something that they have started a long time ago (in early 70s) (http://youtube.com/watch?v=CeyGEwjLPGw)

Booo! I like my miles, gallons, pounds and degrees Fahrenheit! I can do metric just fine, but the customary system works out well for me. :nuts: And yellow lines are better as well, if only for lack of ambiguity. It definitely looks nicer, as well; the all-white is a little too striking for my taste. It's nice to know that you cannot go left of the yellow line (at least in the US, I know it's different elsewhere); that makes turning onto unfamiliar streets a lot easier.

I don't think there ought to be a global standard. Countries should do whatever they feel is best by their own citizens. That is who the roads are essentially for, anyway. It also makes traveling that much more interesting. Every time one goes out, there is something new to learn.

[Alex Von Königsberg]

ADCS, I also believe that yellow line is better than white. That is why it is interesting for me how the DOT will explain why they are switching to white. Saving money is the only logical explanation to that, but the general public will not buy it.

As for the global standard, I think it depends on what you mean by "global standard". I don't want diverse cultural and ethnic groups to lose their identity or language, but when it comes to the roads, I think that global standard will be good for general wellfaire.

One more thing I'd like to say. Naturally, people tend to oppose any changes even if they will obviously bring long-term benefit. Other countries were not born metric, they all switched at some point. And you know who made people switch? Their government. And look now - people all over the world (except USA) are pretty happy that they all measure things in one system instead of converting numerous units into other units. Besides, it would be extremely inconvenient in the age of globalization. Same applies to uniform traffic rules. Think long-term benefits.

BTW, France and Germany are both members of the Geneva Convention, but man, are they different! So, I wouldn't worry about part.

[ADCS]

ADCS, I also believe that yellow line is better than white. That is why it is interesting for me how the DOT will explain why they are switching to white. Saving money is the only logical explanation to that, but the general public will not buy it.

As for the global standard, I think it depends on what you mean by "global standard". I don't want diverse cultural and ethnic groups to lose their identity or language, but when it comes to the roads, I think that global standard will be good for general wellfaire.

One more thing I'd like to say. Naturally, people tend to oppose any changes even if they will obviously bring long-term benefit. Other countries were not born metric, they all switched at some point. And you know who made people switch? Their government. And look now - people all over the world (except USA) are pretty happy that they all measure things in one system instead of converting numerous units into other units. Besides, it would be extremely inconvenient in the age of globalization. Same applies to uniform traffic rules. Think long-term benefits.

BTW, France and Germany are both members of the Geneva Convention, but man, are they different! So, I wouldn't worry about part.

Oh, I know all the arguments, and needless to say, they are logical, for the most part. However, once again, the US has a big problem with centralized government projects. This is not simply conservatism, it's fundamental to the national character. Now, if states started metricating, then it would happen more quickly. Also, its unwise to forget the historical relationship between W. Europe and the US. We don't have a problem with those standards because they're inherently European, instead, it's more like we have a problem with Europe telling us what to do for the last 400 years. Meanwhile, we have developed standards that work well for us, and along with this, we're powerful enough that we don't have to change.

Of course, metrication came around in the 1970s, and that just happened to coincide with the US citizens being very mad at their government for a good long while, for many reasons. If Watergate and the 55-mph speed limit never happened, I think it would be much more likely that we would be full metric by now; the political will was there at the time. Circumstances just derailed the whole thing.

Besides, most everything important is in metric anyway, who cares what we call it?

OK, back on topic.

[TheCat]

I have a question about British road markings. What do those diagonal zigzagged marks at the center and sometimes the edges of the road mean?

[Alex Von Königsberg]

On the edges of the road, it means absolutely no parking.

[x-type]

On the edges of the road, it means absolutely no parking.

or better - don't even think to stop there :D

[Alex Von Königsberg]

I prefer this sign much better:

http://gettingaroundgermany.home.att.net/g_imgs/z283.gif

In the USA they paint the kerb in red colour and/or put custom non-standardized signs like this:

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/730715/2/istockphoto_730715_no_stopping.jpg

[Vrysxy]

I went to Nicaragua last christmas and the highways were in good shapes.. it suprises me because is a third world country, some of the roads were new..
here are some pics. As u see they paint the line in white..
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8956/nicaragua030yj5.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5682/nicaragua002mo2.jpg

[Alex Von Königsberg]

It's all good, but the original discussion was about the central lane.

[Vrysxy]

It's all good, but the original discussion was about the central lane.

same thing.. that's the central line, isnt it?:)

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Well, on your pictures there is no central line because it is a divided highway.

[Vrysxy]

because it's a green line :hahaha:

[ChrisZwolle]

because it's a green line :hahaha:

http://www.trafficlinq.nl/findpictures/data/media/22/w_4080_00_055.jpg

Dutch 100km/h road with green middle markings :)

[Rebasepoiss]

^ Are drivers allowed to cross that line?

[ChrisZwolle]

^ Are drivers allowed to cross that line?

As far as i know: yes, but this line shows the limit is 100km/h.

But they've gone crazy about the new road markings, all kind of messy lines are found in The Netherlands. Take a look at this:

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/3602_160x135.jpg

This is good old stuff:
http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/661_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/706_640x480.jpg

new shit:
http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/677_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/768_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/687_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/681_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/682_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/688_640x480.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/vp_3801_320x240.jpg

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/vp_3803_320x240.jpg

And the worse is: Of all these pictures, there are at least some 5 varieties each. So think of how not-uniform our roads looks. It's completely messy.

[Vrysxy]

http://www.trafficlinq.nl/findpictures/data/media/22/w_4080_00_055.jpg

Dutch 100km/h road with green middle markings :)

now that is weird.

[Billpa]

http://www.crow.nl/img/fromdb/677_640x480.jpg

Is the idea to straddle that? Interesting idea if that's what's expected.

[spongeg]

i think we use both in canada - though the finnish one looks more what we have but i think i have seen yellow on the outside

cut to me paying attention when i go on my lunch break

[Alex Von Königsberg]

Yeah, I noticed that Canadian road marking looks more Finnish than American. Especially left turn pockets and accelerating/decelerating lanes on the motorways look very European.

[TheCat]

i think we use both in canada - though the finnish one looks more what we have but i think i have seen yellow on the outside

cut to me paying attention when i go on my lunch break
From all the roads I've seen, at least in Ontario, Canada is exactly like the USA - yellow in the middle, white everywhere else.

[TheCat]

As far as i know: yes, but this line shows the limit is 100km/h.

But they've gone crazy about the new road markings, all kind of messy lines are found in The Netherlands. Take a look at this:

...
And the worse is: Of all these pictures, there are at least some 5 varieties each. So think of how not-uniform our roads looks. It's completely messy.
Haha, very interesting. But I don't quite understand the markings on the sides rather than the middle where both directions of travel seem to be allowed - what is that for?

[x-type]

Haha, very interesting. But I don't quite understand the markings on the sides rather than the middle where both directions of travel seem to be allowed - what is that for?

well: probably you're suposed to drive in the middle in both directions, and while you're passing by vehicle from opposite direction, you have place to move for safe passing by. it is allways safer to drive in the middle, then at the edge. of course, you must be fully concentrated for vehicles from opposite direction. and those tracks at the side could be for pedestrians or bicycles, too

[ChrisZwolle]

Haha, very interesting. But I don't quite understand the markings on the sides rather than the middle where both directions of travel seem to be allowed - what is that for?

It means you are only allowed to drive at 60km/h/40MPH.

But many drivers think you are not allowed to drive right of those markings, but you can't pass unless using the whole road width.

[Maxx☢Power]

Oh, I know all the arguments, and needless to say, they are logical, for the most part. However, once again, the US has a big problem with centralized government projects. This is not simply conservatism, it's fundamental to the national character. Now, if states started metricating, then it would happen more quickly.

This isn't restricted to the US. People in Europe don't always like the decisions taken on a European (as opposed to national) level either. It has something to do with how far away the decision-makers are, and people get all "screw those corrupt/overpaid/power-hungry politicians in Washington/Brussels, trying to tell us what to do", but this particular issue has everything to do with conservativism and unwillingness to change.

Also, its unwise to forget the historical relationship between W. Europe and the US. We don't have a problem with those standards because they're inherently European, instead, it's more like we have a problem with Europe telling us what to do for the last 400 years. Meanwhile, we have developed standards that work well for us, and along with this, we're powerful enough that we don't have to change.

No-one's telling you what to do. If you want to measure by body parts and things you find on the ground, that's fine, but it'd be nice if you would consider what effects this has in other places. It makes things really inefficient (think space shuttle disaster), and it's incredibly backwards. This isn't a Europe vs America thing, it's an America vs the world thing.

[ADCS]

it's a America vs the world thing.

Yeah, but in the eyes of most Americans, there is no "rest of the world" other than Europe :tongue2: :lol:

If Lockheed Martin isn't using the metric system by now, they're idiots. I'm sure pretty much every other science and engineering-based company in the US does.

[adzees]

In Pakistan they use white as a center divider.. and yelloe on the sides
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/suhaibonline/247377942kOjlmM_ph.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/suhaibonline/247383875blZXFK_ph.jpg
http://daewoopak.com/pgallery/M%20II/Motorway-9.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/402745796_9c1f70e66b.jpg?v=0

[DanielFigFoz]

The Netherlands use white markings.

Yellow is only in temporary situations, with road works, or, in special cases, when a line is drawn on the pavement, it means no parking along this pavement.


In Portugal too