IRC Code 79: Median and Hazard Markers - Key Tools for Reducing Roadway Accidents

Effective road safety is a cornerstone of modern transportation infrastructure, and IRC Code 79 plays a critical role in this domain. Titled “Recommended Practice for Road Delineators”, this IRC standard offers detailed guidelines on the design, installation, and maintenance of median markers and hazard markers—key tools proven to reduce roadway accidents.

In this blog, we provide a comprehensive and easy-to-understand overview of IRC Code 79, focusing specifically on the sections related to median markers and hazard markers. If you are a road designer, traffic engineer, municipal planner, or road safety consultant, this guide will help you implement best practices for safer roads.

‍

What is IRC Code 79?
‍

IRC Code 79, officially titled IRC:79-2019 Recommended Practice for Road Delineators, is an Indian Roads Congress standard that provides specifications for using various types of road delineators:

• Roadway Indicators
• Median Markers
• Hazard Markers
• Object Markers

This code helps define the visual elements that guide drivers—particularly under low visibility conditions such as night-time driving, fog, rain, or complex road geometries.

Why Median and Hazard Markers Are Crucial for Road Safety
‍

According to IRC Code 79, median markers and hazard markers are two of the most critical visual aids that:

• Enhance night-time visibility
• Warn drivers of fixed roadside obstacles
• Prevent side-swipe or head-on collisions
• Improve awareness of median placement
• Highlight dangerous sections such as narrow bridges, culverts, and abutments

With increasing road traffic and higher vehicle speeds, properly placed markers aligned with IRC standards significantly reduce accident risks.

IRC Code 79 Guidelines for Median Markers
‍

Purpose of Median Markers

Median markers, specifically Flexible Median Markers (FMM), are designed to improve the visibility of medians during dark hours and adverse weather. Their use helps prevent vehicles from unintentionally colliding with medians.

Key Design Requirements

Per IRC Code 79:

• Material: Flexible, high-impact resistant, injection-molded thermoplastic
• Color: Neutral black body; retro-reflective element in fluorescent yellow
• Reflectivity: Type XI retro-reflective sheeting conforming to IRC:67
• Structure: U-shaped, flexible, with rebound/bounce back capability after impacts
• Minimum Dimensions:
  • Height: ≥ 180 mm
  • Width: ≥ 120 mm
  • Body thickness: ≥ 6.5 mm
  • Reflective area: ≥ 90 cm²
• Durability:
  • Survives 750 hits using 1.8 kg pendulum (ASTM D 256)
  • Withstands 50 Kgf tensile load (ASTM D 638)

Installation and Spacing

• Installed on concrete or solid medians using a combination of epoxy adhesive and mechanical fixing
• Typical placement:
  • Urban areas: every 2 meters
  • Interurban highways/expressways: every 5 meters (or as instructed by the supervising engineer)

Application Areas

• Urban roads with poor lighting
• High-speed expressways
• Divided highways
• Bridge parapets and elevated structures

IRC Code 79 Guidelines for Hazard Markers
‍

Purpose of Hazard Markers

Hazard markers, also called Object Hazard Markers (OHM), are designed to warn drivers of fixed roadside objects or road geometry features that could pose crash risks.

Common hazards include:

• Bridge abutments
• Guardrails
• Narrow bridges
• Obstructions near the edge of the traveled way

Design Requirements

• Pattern: Alternating black and yellow stripes at a 45° angle (sloping downward towards the side traffic should pass)
• Reflectivity: Type XI retro-reflective sheeting conforming to IRC:67
• Placement height: High enough to ensure visibility to approaching drivers
• Orientation: Retro-reflective face should be perpendicular to the direction of travel

Placement Guidelines

• Immediately ahead of the obstruction (for example, at the start of a narrow bridge or where guardrails begin)
• In conjunction with guardrails, placed just behind the rail
• Aligned with the inner edge of the obstruction to visually indicate the obstacle’s position

Practical Applications

• Bridge approaches
• Narrow culverts
• Roadside structures close to vehicle paths
• Curve transitions where obstructions are present

Maintenance of Markers (Per IRC Code 79)
‍

To ensure continued performance:

• Periodic cleaning: Remove dirt and grime, especially after rainy seasons
• Vegetation control: Cut grass and trim bushes near markers to maintain visibility
• Reflectivity checks: Confirm retro-reflective materials meet IRC:67 warranty requirements and replace as necessary

Conclusion
‍

IRC Code 79 provides comprehensive, practical guidance for using median markers and hazard markers—two essential tools for reducing roadway accidents in India.

Proper implementation of these elements helps:

• Guide drivers during low-visibility conditions
• Prevent accidental collisions with medians and fixed objects
• Improve driver awareness of changing roadway geometry

With India’s evolving road network and increasing traffic volumes, adhering to IRC Code 79 standards is more important than ever for highway agencies, urban planners, contractors, and road safety consultants.

By integrating well-designed and properly maintained median and hazard markers, India can take significant steps toward safer, smarter roads.

RoadVision AI is revolutionizing the way we build and maintain infrastructure by leveraging the power of AI in roads to enhance road safety and optimize road management. By utilizing cutting-edge roads AI technology, the platform enables the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other road surface issues, ensuring timely maintenance and improved road conditions. With a mission to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable roads, RoadVision AI ensures full compliance with IRC Codes, empowering engineers and stakeholders to make data-driven decisions that reduce costs, minimize risks, and improve the overall transportation experience.

‍