Delineators
What Is a Delineator Post? Types, Uses & MUTCD Spec
Cojo
Invalid Date
7 min read
A delineator post is a vertical, retroreflective traffic-control device that visually guides drivers along the edge of a roadway, lane, or parking-lot path. Most delineators are 36 to 48 inches tall, anchored to pavement, and made of flexible polymer that recovers after vehicle impact. The Federal Highway Administration covers placement, spacing, and reflectivity in MUTCD Section 3F, the federal spec that governs delineator use on public roads.
Cojo installs delineators across Oregon parking lots, drive-thru pickup lanes, and school drop-off zones. This guide covers the five product families, the MUTCD specs that drive selection, and how to match the right delineator to the right job.
A delineator post answers one question for the driver: "Where does the lane go?" When pavement markings are wet, snow-covered, sun-glared, or simply faded, painted edge lines stop working. A vertical post above the pavement holds the line of sight even when the ground does not.
For parking-lot owners, the practical problem set is narrower:
Delineator posts solve all five without the cost or footprint of a bollard or curb extension.
Five product families cover almost every parking-lot installation. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Section 3F.01 defines the device class; manufacturers split it into the variants below.
| Type | Best For | Typical Height | Recovery After Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible (flex post) | Parking lots, drive-thrus, edge lines | 36 to 48 in | High -- polymer memory |
| Surface-mount | Retrofit installs, no-core scenarios | 36 to 48 in | High |
| Base-mount removable | Valet zones, event lanes, seasonal use | 36 to 48 in | High -- pull-out base |
| Channelizer | Lane shifts, taper warnings | 28 to 42 in | Medium |
| Tubular marker | Short-term lane shifts (90 days or less) | 18 to 36 in | Medium |
The two devices look similar from a distance and are often confused at the spec stage. The functional split is clear: a delineator guides, a bollard stops. Our delineator vs bollard comparison covers the call in detail. The short version:
If the goal is to keep cars out of a pedestrian zone, choose a bollard. If the goal is to keep cars in a lane, choose a delineator.
The Federal Highway Administration publishes the MUTCD (fhwa.dot.gov MUTCD). Section 3F governs delineator use, with these load-bearing rules for parking-lot installs:
Oregon DOT supplements MUTCD in ODOT Traffic Manual for state highways. Local jurisdictions may add city-specific overlays for sidewalk-adjacent installs.
For the full spacing math, see our delineator spacing MUTCD guide.
Five locations earn a delineator more often than not:
On a 22,000-square-foot Beaverton retail center we channelized in February 2026, we set 47 white flex posts at 8-foot intervals along the right edge of the drive-thru queue. The lot owner had been losing two to three queue jumpers per day. Post-install, the drift complaints dropped to zero in 30 days.
Industry Baseline Range
| Component | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Flex post (36 in, surface-mount) | $25 to $55 per post |
| Flex post (48 in, surface-mount) | $40 to $85 per post |
| Base-mount removable | $60 to $120 per post |
| Channelizer | $35 to $70 per post |
| Installation labor (per post) | $15 to $40 |
| Adhesive and anchor hardware | $4 to $12 per post |
Polymer flex-post raw-material cost climbed in 2025 alongside fuel and resin. Type IV reflective sheeting prices jumped roughly 9 percent in the same period. Labor for a 50-post drive-thru job runs longer than the per-post math suggests because traffic-control setup is a fixed-cost overhead. Expect a real Oregon drive-thru install to land at the upper third of the table above. For a precise number, contact Cojo.
Oregon parking-lot delineator installs do not require a state permit, but state-highway-adjacent work falls under Oregon DOT permit rules. City sidewalk-adjacent work in Portland requires coordination with Portland Bureau of Transportation per Title 17. Salem, Eugene, and Bend each maintain their own ROW permit process.
For local install pricing and code references, see our delineator installation Portland Oregon page.
Delineator posts are one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades a parking-lot owner can make. They cost less per linear foot than re-painting a fading edge line, and they hold visibility through wet, dark, and snowy conditions where paint quits. Cojo installs flexible delineators, surface-mount channelizers, and removable base-mount posts across Oregon. Contact Cojo for a site walk and a quote, or learn more about our striping services.
A practical guide to sealcoating apartment and condo parking lots. Covers phased scheduling, tenant communication, cost allocation, liability, and ROI for property value.
Get accurate 2026 asphalt paving costs for Oregon driveways, parking lots, and roads. Per-square-foot pricing, cost factors, and money-saving tips.
Asphalt vs concrete driveway compared: cost, durability, maintenance, looks, and how each holds up in Oregon weather. See the side-by-side breakdown to decide.
Have a question about this topic? We'll respond within 24 hours.