Does my road look too wide? it measures just under 5 inches across any help is appreciated [:)]
James. It looks fine. From a scale perspective (this must be HO) 5" x 87 = 435" / 12" = ~ 36 ft or ~ 18 ft per lane.
Whether 18 ft is typical for you will depend on if you are modeling a particular road.
Ok thanks. so what is the average width of a road in The US? I gather 18ft is about right?
James…I think it depends on what surrounds the road. Lots of buildings and other activity might require a more narrow road if you need space for those other things. If the road is located out in the country and you need to fill layout space, it can be larger.
If you find a prototypical scene near your home that looks pleasing to the eye, measure the street & compare the width to what you have, which by the way appears to be almost 4" wide—not 5" 
In America, road widths vary too much to make any sense.
One thing I did notice is the position stop at the 2nd track. There’s not enough space to safely permit something to stop there so I doubt there would be a yellow line across the road…with the idea that vehicles should either stop at the first yellow line or proceed all the way through both RR crossings…
I think your road width looks fine.
conagher: Thanks for that.
the street will be semi suburban with just a couple of buildings.
and I’ll go correct that crossing later on.
again thanks for that.
Oops [:I]. So, 4" would equal about a 29 ft wide road or 14.5 ft per lane.
Most 2 lane highways in Louisiana = 11 ft per lane with 8 ft shoulder
Standard roadway = 9 - 10 ft per lane, shoulder optional
Back road = 6 - 10 ft per lane, often 1 to 2 lane, no shoulder
I hope this helps.
The US “standard” lane width is 12 feet. (Which is just a little more than 1 5/8 inches in HO Scale.) Since the late 1960’s white edge stripes (solid white lines) to mark the outside of the “traveled way” have been standard. If you paint a solid white stripe 1-5/8 inches from the yellow stripe on each side, your road will correctly represent a road with two 12 foot lanes and 6 foot paved shoulders.
“Standard” prototype paved shoulder widths are generally 4 feet or 8 feet but in reality paved shoulders can be any width from about 6 inches to 12 feet or more. 8 foot shoulders are considered the minimum width for an automobile to park off the traveled way and still be on pavement. It allows automobiles to park on pavement far enough off the traveled way that most drivers don’t feel the need to encroach on the opposing lane when passing.
Outside the pavement there should be a gravel shoulder. Gravel shoulders vary in width but a couple feet wide is normal. Often roads with narrow paved shoulders will have wide gravel shoulders. The idea is to have a total shoulder width wide enough to park automobiles off the traveled way.
In addition to white edge stripes (already mentioned) the stop lines at the crossing should be wide white stripes (9 - 12 inches) at right angles to the center yellow line.
The only other thing I can think of is a slightly darker streak down the center of each traffic lane, and maybe a darker line or two representing the sealer poured into the inevitable cracks by the highway maintainers. One fast, light pass with an airbrush for the streak, India ink and a drawing pen for the cracks.
Other than that, you seem to have a typical Texas road there. (Texas goes in for wide paved shoulders.)
Chuck
I Haven’t yet weathered the road and that, but thanks for the tips.
So it should be a white Line across at the crossing? and the white edges. how far in should the white edge line be? (if not already mentioned) and since its a semi rural setting, could the road just have a gravel shoulder?
thanks for all your help guys
Here you go :http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/html-index.htm
A link to the manual of universal traffic control devices (MUTCD) - US federal ‘standards’ which most states/counties/municipalities adhere to (for one reason, to help reduce liability exposures). Covers signage, lane markings, road geometry, etc
For your particular question about railroad grade crossings - Section 8b - signs and markings http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part8/part8b.htm
Have fun!
Also, there would usually be a double yellow line down the middle of a two-way road, rather than one.
I appreciate all this guys [:)]
I’ll take a look at that website a bit later on.
http://photos.kitmaker.net/data/500/RR_xing.jpg
Note: shoulders are not shown and although not shown in this diagram, white edge lines between traveled way and shoulder are standard.
It was mentioned earlier that there should be a white stop line, however I would have thought for the roadworkers to save money it would be easier to use one colour, not both Ie: white, or yellow.
http://www.robl.w1.com/pix-5/I-970152.htm
that is the sort of look iam aiming for, I see what you mean by the white edge stripe.
thanks again
ok hows it look now? I added shoulder lines and white stop lines, I also added double yellow lines.
really appreciate this guys.
bump [:)]
bump again [:)]
one last bump [:)]