Optimization of Pavement Marking Performance

An experimental research study was conducted to evaluate the constructability, durability, and visibility of alternative pavement marking materials and application practices in South Dakota and to assess the cost-effectiveness of pavement marking alternatives for use on concrete and asphalt pavements. The research was performed on seven pavement marking test sections on highways in different regions of South Dakota. The test sections were designed to represent different pavement marking material combinations and winter maintenance conditions. The parameters considered in this study were paint type (waterborne and epoxy), paint thickness (15, 17, 20, and 25 mils), paint color (white and yellow), reflective elements (glass beads and wet reflective elements), line type (edge line and skip line), pavement type (asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete), pavement surface preparation (surface and inlaid applications), and winter maintenance region (wet freeze and dry freeze). The collected data included: 1) paint thickness measurements, 2) retroreflectivity of the pavement marking at different ages and under dry and wet conditions, and 3) visual rating of the pavement marking. Data analysis included: 1) curve fitting of measured retroreflectivity with time, 2) investigation of the relationship between retroreflectivity and visual rating, 3) effect of the different parameters on retroreflectivity longevity, and 4) cost effectiveness of the different pavement marking alternatives. An interactive spreadsheet was developed to compare the unit costs of different pavement marking alternatives.

  • Record URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    South Dakota State University, Brookings

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    P.O. Box 2219
    Brookings, SD  United States  57007

    Mountain-Plains Consortium

    North Dakota State University
    Fargo, ND  United States  58108

    South Dakota Department of Transportation

    700 East Broadway Avenue
    Pierre, SD  United States  57501

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Wehbe, Nadim I
    • Jones, Allen
    • Druyvestein, Thomas
  • Publication Date: 2017-12

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 113p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01663139
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 17-341
  • Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Mar 20 2018 5:09PM