On a freeway in California, at the freeway exit ramp, to the left of the freeway exit ramp, and just beyond the free exit ramp, and to the right of traffic on the shoulder of the freeway there are at times road surface markings as follows: An outline de-marking the road shoulder and within the shoulder are parallel lines on an angle to the edge of the de-marked shoulder section, and each of the parallel lines are separated by five to ten feet or so.

The question is: What is the intended purpose of this shoulder area?

Thank you very much for your reply (and please indicate whether your reply is opinion or based on official knowledge).