620.4 Circular Intersection Markings (MUTCD Chapter 3D)
620.4.1 General (MUTCD Section 3D.01)
Guidance. Pavement markings and signing for a circular intersection should be integrally designed to correspond to the geometric design and intended lane use of a circular intersection.
Markings on the approaches to a circular intersection and on the circulatory roadway should be compatible with each other to provide a consistent message to road users. The markings should supplement the signing, both conveying the optional and mandatory movements such that road users will know to choose the proper lane in the approach to the circular intersection and remain in that lane throughout departure from the circulatory roadway.
Support. Common circular intersection types include roundabouts, rotaries, and traffic circles (see definitions in EPG 911 (MUTCD Section 1C.02)). Traffic circles and rotaries are often much larger than roundabouts. Modern roundabouts feature channelized, curved approaches that reduce vehicle speed. Traffic calming circles are smaller and are typically used on urban or suburban neighborhood streets.
Figure 620.4.1.1 provides an example of the pavement markings for approach and circulatory roadways at a roundabout. Figures 620.4.2 through 620.4.1.9 illustrate examples of markings for roundabouts of various geometric and lane-use configurations.
Actuated LED pedestrian warning signs (see EPG 903.1.12), traffic control signals, pedestrian hybrid beacons, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (see EPG 902) are sometimes used at roundabouts to facilitate the crossing of pedestrians or to meter traffic.
EPG 913.1.12 provides information about circular intersections that contain or are in close proximity to grade crossings.
EPG 914.5.5 contains information regarding bicycle lane markings at circular intersections.
EPG 620.3.7 contains information regarding crosswalks at circular intersections.
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620.4.2 White Lane Line Pavement Markings for Roundabouts (MUTCD Section 3D.02)
Standard. Multi-lane approaches to roundabouts shall have lane lines.
A through lane on a roadway that becomes a dropped lane (mandatory left-turn or right-turn lane) at a roundabout shall be marked with a dotted white lane line in accordance with EPG 620.2.8.
Guidance. Multi-lane roundabouts should have lane line markings within the circulatory roadway to continuously channelize traffic in the circulatory roadway and through the departure movement.
Standard. Continuous concentric lane lines shall not be used within the circulatory roadway of a roundabout.
Option. Channelizing lines (see EPG 620.2.9) and chevron and diagonal markings (see EPG 620.2.24) may be used on the approaches to and within the circulatory roadway of multi-lane roundabouts to separate traffic lanes, discourage lane changing, and/or compensate for off-tracking of larger trucks and vehicles.
Support. Reducing the spacing between lines of a broken (intermittent) lane line allows better delineation of the lower-radius curves typically found in circular intersections.
620.4.3 Edge Line Pavement Markings for Roundabout Circulatory Roadways (MUTCD Section 3D.03)
Guidance. A white edge line should be used on the outer (right-hand) edge of the circulatory roadway.
Where a white edge line is used for the circulatory roadway, it should be as follows (see Figure 620.4.1.1):
- A. A solid line adjacent to the splitter island, and
- B. A wide dotted white extension line (2-foot line segments separated by 4-foot gaps) across the lane(s) entering the roundabout.
Standard. Edge lines and edge line extensions shall not be placed across the exits from the circulatory roadway at roundabouts.
Option. A yellow edge line may be placed around the inner (left-hand) edge of the circulatory roadway (see Figure 620.4.1.1) and may be used to channelize traffic (see Drawing B in Figure 620.4.1.4).
620.4.4 Yield Lines for Roundabouts (MUTCD Section 3D.04)
Option. A yield line (see EPG 620.2.18) may be used to indicate the point behind which vehicles are required to yield at the entrance to a roundabout (see Figure 620.4.1.1 and 620.4.1.2).
620.4.5 Word and Symbol Pavement Markings for Roundabouts (MUTCD Section 3D.05)
Option. YIELD (word) (see Figure 620.4.1.1) and YIELD AHEAD (symbol or word) pavement markings may be used on approaches to roundabouts.
Word and/or route shield pavement markings may be used on an approach to or within the circulatory roadway of a roundabout to provide route and/or destination guidance information to road users (see Figure 620.4.1.9).
620.4.6 Arrow Pavement Markings for Roundabouts (MUTCD Section 3D.06)
Guidance. Lane-use arrow pavement markings should not be used on single-lane approaches to circular intersections.
Lane-use arrows should be used on approaches to circular intersections with multi-lane approaches.
Standard. Lane-use arrow pavement markings shall not be provided between a crosswalk and a wide dotted line across the lane(s) entering the circular roadway.
Except as provided in the following Option paragraph, where lane-use arrows are used on the approaches to a roundabout, they shall be curved-stem (see Drawing F in Figure 620.2.22.1).
Option. Normal-stem lane use arrows may be used on the approaches to roundabouts where they more effectively indicate road geometry based on engineering judgment.
An oval or circle may be used with the lane-use arrows in the left-most lane to symbolize the central island (see Drawings B, C, and F in Figure 620.2.22.1).
Standard. If used, an oval or circle shall only be used with lane-use arrows in the left-most lane to symbolize the central island.
Guidance. If lane-use arrows are used on the approaches to a roundabout, the style used should match the style of the lane-use arrows (normal-stem or curved-stem) used on the regulatory lane-use signs on the approach.
If lane-use arrow pavement markings are used within the circulatory roadway of multi-lane roundabouts, normal-stem lane-use arrows (see EPG 620.2.22 and Figure 620.2.22.1) should be used.
Support. Details and sizes of the standard and curved-stem arrows that can be used for circular intersections are contained in the FHWA’s “Standard Highway Signs” publication (see EPG 911 (MUTCD Section 1A.05)).
620.4.7 Markings for Other Circular Intersections (MUTCD Section 3D.07)
Option. The markings shown in EPG 620.4 may be used at other circular intersections if engineering judgment indicates that their presence will benefit drivers, pedestrians, or other road users. Figure 903.2.40.1 provides an example of markings at a mini-roundabout.