Chapter 7C. Markings¶
§7C.01 Crosswalk Markings¶
Guidance
01. Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections on established routes to a school where there is substantial conflict between motorists, bicyclists, and student movements; where students would not otherwise recognize the proper place to cross; or where motorists or bicyclists might not expect students to cross (see Figure 7A-1).
02. An engineering study considering the factors described in Section 3C.02 should be performed before a marked crosswalk is installed at a location away from a traffic control signal or an approach controlled by a STOP or YIELD sign.
03. Because non-intersection school crossings are generally unexpected by the road user, warning signs (see Section 7B.03) should be installed for all marked school crosswalks at non-intersection locations. Adequate visibility of students by approaching motorists and of approaching motorists by students should be provided by parking prohibitions or other appropriate measures.
Support
04. Section 3C.02 contains provisions regarding crosswalk markings at non-intersection locations. Section 3C.03 contains provisions regarding the placement and design of crosswalks, and Section 3B.19 contains provisions regarding the placement and design of the stop lines and yield lines that are associated with them. Provisions regarding the curb markings that can be used to establish parking regulations on the approaches to crosswalks are contained in Section 3B.18.
§7C.02 Pavement Word, Symbol, and Arrow Markings¶
Massachusetts-modified
Massachusetts amends this section per the Massachusetts Amendments to the 11th Edition of the MUTCD (January 2026). The National MUTCD text is shown above; below is Massachusetts's amended text, as published in the supplement (deletions removed, additions kept).
Supplement directives: - Delete Paragraph 02. - Insert the following paragraphs.
Guidance: 02A. If the SCHOOL word marking is used on one-lane approaches, the letters should be 6 feet or more in height.
02B. If the SCHOOL word marking is used on multi-lane approaches, the letters should be 10 feet or more in height.
Option
01. If used, the SCHOOL word marking may extend to the width of two approach lanes (see Figure 7C-1).
Guidance
02. If the two-lane SCHOOL word marking is used, the letters should be 10 feet or more in height.
Support
03. Section 3B.20 contains provisions regarding other word, symbol, and arrow pavement markings that can be used to guide, warn, or regulate traffic.
