TEST DRAMATIZES SAFETY VALUE OF REFLECTORIZING PAVEMENT STRIPS

A 6-MONTH TEST WITH REFLECTORIZED STRIPES ON A 34- MILE COURSE IN NEW JERSEY, SHOWED A 44% DECLINE IN ACCIDENTS. THE TEST INCLUDED YELLOW CENTER-LINES FOR OPPOSING TRAFFIC AND WHITE EDGELINES. THE ALKYD PAINT USED HAD A 8-MIL DRY THICKNESS IN THE MAJORITY OF APPLICATIONS. THE GLASS REFLECTORIZING BEADS VARIED IN SIZE AND TYPE AS WELL AS IN THE AMOUNT PRESENT IN THE PRE-MIX AND DROP-ON APPLICATIONS. HIGHEST INITIAL REFLECTORIZATION AND WEAR WERE DEVELOPED BY DROPPING 6 LBS. OF BEADS WITH A SPECIAL FLOTATION COATING ON EACH GALLON OF NEW STRIPE. STEADIEST PERFORMANCE WAS OBTAINED WITH STRIPES WITH 4.25 LB OF BEADS IN PRE-MIX AND 2.5 LB OF DROP-ON BEADS. A MIXTURE OF BEAD SIZES ASSURED CONTINUED REFLECTORIZATION. EXPOSURE OF 50% OF THE SPHERE ACHIEVED FULL EFFECTIVENESS. STANDING WATER DIMINISHED REFLECTIVITY, ALTHOUGH REFLECTORIZATION CONTINUED. PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE MODIFICATION WAS FAVORABLE.

• Publication Date: 1972-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 22-3
• Serial:
  • Rural and Urban Roads
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Glass beads; Impacts; Public opinion; Road markings; Safety; Striping materials; Water
• Old TRIS Terms: Reflective beads; Traffic marking; Water effects
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00217310
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 20 1973 12:00AM