Botts dots

American  

[bots] / bɒts /

plural noun

Slang.

1. small, protruding, reflecting ceramic tiles used on some roads instead of painted lines to mark lanes.

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Etymology

Origin of Botts dots

First recorded in 1965–70; named after Elbert D. Botts (1893–1962), U.S. chemist, who developed them

Example Sentences

In fact, it was at times more comfortable than on a conventional motorcycle, because the space between the two front wheels allowed me to straddle the center line and the Botts Dots that sometimes make lane splitting bumpy.

From Los Angeles Times

These days, the most challenging driving environments require self-driving cars to make guidance decisions without white lines, Botts Dots, or clear demarcations at the edge of the road.

From The Verge

Las Vegas has what’s known as Botts’ dots, instead of painted lane lines; the street layout is an absolute mess; and CES week brings in well over 100,000 visitors, adding to an already significant crush of pedestrians.

From The Verge

For example, California is phasing out “Botts Dots” — raised bumps that alert people when they cross a lane divider — in part because automated vehicles apparently don’t understand them.

From New York Times

And I feel sure that automated vehicles can be programmed to include Botts Dots in lane-marker categorization.

From New York Times