SECTION 646 - DELINEATORS, REFERENCE MARKERS AND SNOWPLOWING MARKERS (Last Revised September 2021)
646-1 DESCRIPTION. Furnish and install delineators, reference markers and snowplowing markers in
accordance with the MUTCD, contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
646-1.01 Delineators. Delineators are retroreflective sheeting applied to panels mounted on posts or
applied to flexible units, which are installed along the highway to serve as driving aids.
646-1.02 Reference Markers. Reference markers are panels with a legend, placed at approximately 528
ft. (1/10 mile) intervals along the highway, to provide a numerical location reference.
646-1.03 Snowplowing Markers and Supplementary Snowplowing Markers. Snowplowing markers
and supplementary snowplowing markers are reflective units installed along the highway to identify guiderail sections for snowplow operators.
646-2 Materials.
Galvanized Coating and Repair Methods 719-01 Aluminum Sign Panels 730-01 Retro-Reflective Sign Sheeting 730-05 Delineator, Reference Marker, and Snowplowing Marker Posts 730-20 Flexible Delineator Posts 730-21 Stiffeners, Overhead Brackets and Miscellaneous Hardware 730-22
646-2 01
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
646-2.01 Posts. Galvanized steel posts as shown on the standard sheets and used for mounting panels.
646-2.02 Panels. Panels for backing of retro-reflective sheeting and installed on a post or other structure.
Holes may be punched or drilled. Edges shall be smooth and true and free from burrs or ragged breaks. Panels shall be fabricated as shown on the standard sheets.
646-2.03 Flexible Delineator Posts. Plastic or other polymer units with retroreflective sheeting applied
directly to the surface of the flexible delineator and installed directly along a highway.
646-2.04 Retro-Reflective Material.
A.Delineators. Type: §730-05 NYSDOT Class A sign sheeting Colors: Right side - White Left side - Fluorescent Yellow
B.Snowplowing Markers and Supplementary Snowplowing Markers. Type: §730-05 NYSDOT Class A sign sheeting Colors: Green
C.Reference Markers. Type: §730-05.02 NYSDOT Class A sign sheeting Colors: White Characters on Green Background Note: Panels supplied before March 1, 202 3, may be fabricated with NYSDOT approved ASTM Type III/IV and IX retro-reflective sign sheeting, based on the panel type.
646-2.05 Fasteners. Stainless steel, galvanized steel or aluminum as shown on the standard sheets.
646-2.06 Brackets. Aluminum alloy, galvanized steel or polycarbonate as shown on the standard sheets.
646-2.07 Corrosion Protection. Provide and use either an approved mastic or ⅛ inch thick plastic pad
placed between aluminum and steel to prevent dissimilar metals from coming in direct contact with each other.
646-3 Construction Details
646-3.01 Fabrication. Fabricate delineators, reference markers and snowplowing markers as shown on
the standard sheets using approved materials. Use the same type of sign sheeting on all panels within a project. Apply characters to reference markers as specified in §645-2.02 E. Sign Sheeting Characters, and as shown on the Contract Documents.
646-3.02 Location. Install at the locations and spacing as shown on the contract documents or as
ordered by the Engineer. Directional orientation, arrangement, number, and color of reflector units, at any given location shall be as shown on the contract documents. Install reference markers at approximately 528 ft (1/10 mile) intervals along the highway on new construction, at existing locations for replacement units, or as ordered by the Engineer. The Contractor will be given the location of each marker. Install snowplowing markers and supplementary snowplowing markers at the locations shown on the Contract Documents or as ordered by the Engineer.
646-3 03
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
646-3.03 Installation. Install flexible delineator posts as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and as
directed by the Engineer. Delineators, reference markers and snowplowing markers are to be erected on posts, brackets, existing posts, and structures in the manner shown on the standard sheets. Install delineator, reference marker and snowplowing/supplemental snowplowing marker panels on posts, brackets, existing posts, and structures in the manner shown on the standard sheets.
646-3.04 Inspection. After the installation of delineators, reference markers and
snowplowing/supplemental snowplowing markers, an inspection by the Engineer will be made in the daytime to confirm proper location, line and grade, vertical post alignment and visibility. The Engineer will also carry out a nighttime inspection to confirm proper orientation and to check for inconsistent or lack of retro-reflection and other defects more conspicuous at night. All problems and defects noted after the day and night inspections shall be corrected by the Contractor to the satisfaction of the Engineer at no additional cost to the State.
646-3.05 Damage. When delineators and markers are installed on walls, bridges, existing posts, poles or
structures, care shall be taken to not damage the appearance or structural features of the existing facilities. All damaged features shall be repaired or replaced, at no additional cost, to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
646-3.06 Panel Relocation. Carefully remove panels to be relocated and stockpile them in a safe above
ground location as shown in the contract documents or at a location satisfactory to the Engineer. Protect the panels, including the retroreflective sheeting, from damage. Replace all damaged panels at no cost to the State. Remove and dispose of all existing posts and/or hardware used only for the support of the existing panels. Removed posts shall become the property of the Contractor and shall be removed from the work site in a neat manner. Re-erect relocated panels on new posts, brackets, or bands at the locations specified in the contract documents or as directed by the Engineer.
646-4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. Delineators, reference markers, snowplowing markers,
supplementary snowplowing markers, flexible delineator posts, posts and brackets will be measured as the number of complete panels, brackets and posts installed. In the event a section of highway is under construction by others and reference markers cannot be installed, they will be measured as the number of marker panels and posts furnished only. Relocated panels will be measured as the number of panels relocated.
646-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all materials, equipment , and
labor necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Cost of mounting hardware will be included with the cost of the panels. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 646.21 Reference Marker Panel Each 646.22 Delineator, Snowplowing Marker, Supplementary Snowplowing Marker Panels Each 646.23 Large Delineator, Large Snowplowing Marker, Large Supplementary Snowplowing Marker Panel Each 646.24 Reference Marker, Delineator, Snowplowing Marker, Supplementary Snowplowing Marker Panels Relocation Each 646.31 Steel Post, 1.1 lb/ft Each 646.32 Steel Post, 2.0 lb/ft Each
647-1 01
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 646.40 Flexible Delineator, Single Unit, One Way Each 646.41 Flexible Delineator, Single Unit, Back to Back Each 646.42 Flexible Delineator, Double Unit Each 646.50 Brackets for Barrier and Multidirectional Mounting Each
Sections that cite this one
Get an email when 646 changes
New York revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 927–930 of 1,489. View official source ↗