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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Object Markers Explained
Striped yellow and black panels on a bridge pier, a small sign with three reflectors beside a culvert, a red diamond at the end of a road: these are object markers. Here is what the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) says each type means.
4 typesof object markers in the MUTCD
Type 3striped marker; the stripes slope toward the side traffic passes on
Type 4red marker for the end of a roadway
4 feetminimum mounting height that should be used for markers in or near the road
The short answer
An object marker marks an obstruction within or next to the roadway, or the end of a roadway. Type 1 (a yellow or black diamond with nine yellow reflectors, or all yellow) marks obstructions within the roadway. Type 2 (three yellow reflectors on a small white sign, or all yellow) marks obstructions next to the roadway. Type 3 (yellow and black stripes) can be used in or next to the roadway, and its stripes slope down toward the side traffic is to pass on. Type 4 (a red or black diamond with nine red reflectors, or all red) marks the end of a roadway.
The four types of object markers
When used, object markers shall not have a border. The MUTCD describes four types:
| Type | What it looks like | What it marks |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 (OM1-1, OM1-2, OM1-3) | A diamond at least 18 inches on a side: yellow (OM1-1) or black (OM1-2) with nine yellow retroreflective devices at least 3 inches across, or all yellow retroreflective (OM1-3). | Obstructions within the roadway |
| Type 2 (OM2-1V, OM2-1H, OM2-2V, OM2-2H) | Three yellow retroreflective devices, at least 3 inches across, in a vertical or horizontal row on a white sign at least 6 x 12 inches, or an all-yellow retroreflective sign at least 6 x 12 inches. | Obstructions adjacent to the roadway |
| Type 3 (OM3-L, OM3-C, OM3-R) | A 12 x 36 inch vertical rectangle with alternating black and retroreflective yellow stripes, each at least 3 inches wide, sloping down at 45 degrees. | Obstructions adjacent to or within the roadway |
| Type 4 (OM4-1, OM4-2, OM4-3) | A diamond at least 18 inches on a side: red (OM4-1) or black (OM4-2) with nine red retroreflective devices at least 3 inches across, or all red retroreflective (OM4-3). | The end of a roadway |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.70 and Figure 2C-17, read November 5, 2026.
Reading the stripes on a Type 3 marker
Pass on the low side: the stripes slope down at an angle of 45 degrees toward the side of the obstruction on which traffic is to pass.
Right and left markers: stripes that begin at the upper right and slope down to the lower left are right object markers (OM3-R). Stripes that begin at the upper left and slope down to the lower right are left object markers (OM3-L).
Center markers: if traffic can pass on either side of the obstruction, the stripes shall form chevrons that point upward. These are center object markers (OM3-C).
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2C.70 and 2C.71, read November 5, 2026.
Obstructions within the roadway
The rule: obstructions within the roadway shall be marked with a Type 1 or Type 3 object marker. Warning of the approach to the obstruction shall also be given by appropriate pavement markings.
Extra emphasis: a Type 1 or Type 3 marker may be installed at or near the approach end of a median island. Large surfaces such as bridge piers may be painted with diagonal stripes 12 inches or wider, similar in design to the Type 3 marker.
Signs instead: appropriate signs directing traffic to one or both sides of the obstruction may be used instead of the object marker.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.71, read November 5, 2026.
Obstructions next to the roadway
What gets marked: the MUTCD lists underpass piers, bridge abutments, handrails, ends of traffic barriers, utility poles and culvert headwalls. Markers can also be needed where there is no physical object, such as narrow shoulders, drop-offs, gores, small islands and abrupt changes in the roadway alignment that might make it undesirable to leave the roadway.
Which types: Type 2 or Type 3 markers may be used. Type 1 and Type 4 markers shall not be used to mark obstructions adjacent to the roadway.
Where the edge goes: the edge of the marker closest to the road user should be in line with the closest edge of the obstruction.
Guardrail ends: a marker on the approach end of a guardrail or crash cushion terminal should look like a Type 3 marker, be affixed directly to the approach end without a substrate, and generally conform to its size and shape.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.72, read November 5, 2026.
End of the roadway
Red means the road ends: the Type 4 object marker is used to warn and alert road users of the end of a roadway in other than construction or maintenance areas.
The rule: if an object marker is used to mark the end of a roadway, a Type 4 object marker shall be used. It may be used where there are no alternate vehicular paths.
Color code: in the MUTCD color code, red means stop or prohibition and yellow means warning.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 1D.05 and 2C.73, read November 5, 2026.
Mounting height
Close to the road: for obstructions within the roadway, or 8 feet or less from the shoulder or curb, the minimum mounting height, measured from the bottom of the marker to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, should be 4 feet.
Farther away: for obstructions more than 8 feet from the shoulder or curb, the clearance from the ground to the bottom of the marker should be at least 4 feet.
Exceptions: the mounting height may vary when an obstruction by its nature requires a lower or higher mounting, and markers should not present a vertical or horizontal clearance obstacle for pedestrians.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.70, read November 5, 2026.
Keep your headlights, tires and brakes ready
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 5, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Object marker FAQ
What is an object marker?
The MUTCD defines an object marker as a device used to mark obstructions within or adjacent to the roadway. Types 1, 2 and 3 mark obstructions, and Type 4 marks the end of a roadway.
What do the yellow and black striped signs mean?
Those are Type 3 object markers. The stripes slope down at 45 degrees toward the side of the obstruction on which traffic is to pass. If traffic can pass on either side, the stripes form chevrons that point upward (OM3-C).
What does a red diamond with red dots mean?
That is a Type 4 object marker, which is used to warn road users of the end of a roadway in other than construction or maintenance areas. If an object marker is used to mark the end of a roadway, the MUTCD says it shall be a Type 4.
What does a yellow diamond with nine reflectors mean?
That is a Type 1 object marker, used for obstructions within the roadway. The MUTCD says obstructions within the roadway shall be marked with a Type 1 or Type 3 object marker.
What does a small marker with three yellow reflectors mean?
That is a Type 2 object marker. Type 2 or Type 3 markers may be used to mark an obstruction adjacent to the roadway, such as an underpass pier, bridge abutment, handrail, utility pole or culvert headwall.
How high are object markers mounted?
For obstructions within the roadway or 8 feet or less from the shoulder or curb, the MUTCD says the minimum mounting height, from the bottom of the marker to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, should be 4 feet. The height may vary when an obstruction by its nature needs a lower or higher mounting.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Sign descriptions are from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Revision 1 dated December 2025), read November 5, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of national standards, not legal advice; state law sets the rules of the road where you drive. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Sections 1C.02, 1D.05, 2C.70-2C.73 and Figure 2C-17), Federal Highway Administration, Revision 1 dated December 2025 (PDF updated February 12, 2026), read November 5, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 5, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 5, 2026