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Road Striping and Markings Guidelines

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the federal document that standardizes signs and markings on roads across the United States. Washington State has adopted this manual with specific amendments, making it mandatory for all counties. The MUTCD ensures that traffic control devices, like No Passing Zones and Stop signs, are uniform nationwide. 

What Roads Get Striped?

With over 900 miles of roads, not all can be striped due to resource limitations. However, we surpass federal and state requirements by striping more roads than mandated. Here's how we decide: 

• Federally Classified Arterials and Collectors: All receive centerline and edge line stripes.
• Non-Federally Classified Roads: Those with speed limits over 35 mph get centerlines.
• Roads with speed limits of 40 mph or higher also receive yellow reflectors (RPMs) on the centerline for enhanced visibility.

The Striping Process

For optimal nighttime visibility, we restripe all roads annually from May to October. The paint used contains reflective glass beads, making it highly visible when wet and under headlights. Striping is weather-dependent, requiring dry conditions and temperatures above 50°F, and the paint dries quickly, within 30 seconds to five minutes. 

How You Can Help

Your cooperation is crucial during striping operations: 

• Pay attention to signs on our trucks and cones on the road.
• Avoid Driving Across Wet Paint: Cones are placed to protect wet lines; please do not drive over them.
• Maintain Distance: Keep back from striping vehicles to avoid paint on your vehicle and to ensure safety. 
• Driving through wet paint is illegal and can damage the striping. If paint gets on your vehicle, it can be removed with a high-pressure hose within an hour, but it's best to act quickly as the paint sets hard.
  
• Please note that Kitsap County will not reimburse for damages due to driving on wet paint.
  

Why Won't the County Mark This Crosswalk?

All intersections have legal crosswalks, marked or not, where pedestrians have the right of way. However, marked crosswalks aren't necessarily safer. The MUTCD advises against marking crosswalks without a study, especially if not at a stop sign or signal. Marked crosswalks require significant pedestrian traffic (at least 20 crossings per hour) to justify installation. For high-risk locations, we install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) for increased visibility.