Lane: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A lane is the area of a street or road marked by white or yellow lines, in which motorists maintain travel.

• A fire lane is the area next to a curb, which is reserved for firefighting equipment in the event of a fire. Parking in these areas, usually marked by red lines, often warrants a parking ticket.

• A passing lane is often provided on steep mountain grades, in order to allow smaller vehicles to pass larger, slower ones. This is sometimes called a climbing lane if on the uphill side. Passing lanes may also be provided on long stretches of other roadway. Passing in the lane of oncoming traffic is sometimes allowed given a long enough straightaway, if the broken line is on the normal side of travel.

• An auxiliary lane along a highway or motorway connects slip roads, with the entrance ramp or acceleration lane from one interchange leading to the exit ramp or deceleration lane of the next.

• The emergency lane of a road is reserved for breakdowns, and for emergency vehicles. Often, these lanes deliberately have ruts cut in them, in order to warn drivers that they are leaving the roadway. This is especially important in the circumstance that a driver falls asleep at the wheel.

• An HOV lane or carpool lane is reserved for carpooling, and of often marked with double broken white lines.

• An HOT lane is reserved for drivers without passengers, who pay a toll for the privilege.

• A turn lane is set aside for slowing down and making a turn, so as not to disrupt traffic. At a full intersection with a traffic light, turn lanes are used more to hold traffic until the light changes.

• A bike lane is a half-lane reserved for bicycling.

• A bus lane is reserved for buses, especially if there is an overhead catenary for electric buses.

• A reversible lane is one which uses overhead lights to indicate the current direction of travel it is to be used for. Typically, it is used at rush hour to accommodate extra traffic, and at other times as a center turn lane. In between, there is approximately one hour where no traffic is allowed. While the idea is very simple and easy, the suicide lane became a slang word for this, because many people did not pay attention to their driving or the lights. Because of the numerous accidents and collisions, these are rarely used now.

In general, broken lines mean passing is allowed, single solid lines mean it is discouraged, and double solid lines mean it is prohibited, as it often is in tunnels. In most countries, yellow is used down the center to denote oncoming traffic is across the line or median (central reservation). White is usually used to separate traffic going in the same direction, however some places have this reversed. Private roads and parking lots often ignore the rules altogether.

In the U.K., zig-zag lines painted on the street mark a pedestrian crossing area.

"Neutral" areas where traffic is prohibited are often painted with stripes, and are called the gore.

Lines are usually painted with highly reflective paint, often with tiny clear beads that reflect light straight back like a raindrop. Glass and now plastic reflectors are often embedded next to the lines for improved nighttime visibility. In California and Nevada, the reflectors are the lines, and no paint is used. Frequently, the "back" of the white reflectors are red, to indicate the wrong direction of travel for anyone who may attempt to do so.