Section 5: Clear Zones
Anchor: #i1005970Clear Zone Specifications
Location |
Functional Classification |
Design Speed (mph) |
Avg. Daily Traffic |
Clear Zone Width (ft)3,4,5 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum |
Desirable |
||||
Rural |
Freeways |
All |
All |
30 (16 for ramps) |
|
Rural |
Arterial |
All |
0 - 750 750 - 1500 >1500 |
10 16 30 |
16 30 -- |
Rural |
Collector |
> 50 |
All |
Use above rural arterial criteria. |
|
Rural |
Collector |
<45 |
All |
10 |
-- |
Rural |
Local |
All |
All |
10 |
-- |
Suburban |
All |
All |
<8,000 |
106 |
106 |
Suburban |
All |
All |
8,000 - 12,000 |
106 |
206 |
Suburban |
All |
All |
12,000 - 16,000 |
106 |
256 |
Suburban |
All |
All |
>16,000 |
206 |
306 |
Urban |
Freeways |
All |
All |
30 (16 for ramps) |
|
Urban |
All (Curbed) |
> 50 |
All |
Use above suburban criteria insofar as available border width permits. |
|
Urban |
All (Curbed) |
< 45 |
All |
4 from curb face |
6 |
Urban |
All (Uncurbed) |
> 50 |
All |
Use above suburban criteria. |
|
Urban |
All (Uncurbed) |
< 45 |
All |
10 |
-- |
1 Because of the need for specific placement to assist traffic operations, devices such as traffic signal supports, railroad signal/warning device supports, and controller cabinets are excluded from clear zone requirements. However, these devices should be located as far from the travel lanes as practical. Other non-breakaway devices should be located outside the prescribed clear zone or these devices should be protected with barrier. 2Average ADT over project life, i.e., 0.5 (present ADT plus future ADT). Use total ADT on two-way roadways and directional ADT on one-way roadways. 3 Without barrier or other safety treatment of appurtenances. 4 Measured from edge of travel lane for all cut sections and for all fill sections where side slopes are 1V:4H or flatter. Where fill slopes are steeper than 1V:4H it is desirable to provide a 10 ft area free of obstacles beyond the toe of slope. 5 Desirable, rather than minimum, values should be used where feasible. 6 Purchase of 5 ft or less of additional right-of-way strictly for satisfying clear zone provisions is not required. |