EVALUATION OF RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS FOR ROADWAY DELINEATION DURING FOG

The feasibility of using reflex reflective devices and materials for roadway delineation and vehicle guidance during fog was investigated, with emphasis on the nighttime visibility characteristics. Also, consideration was given to various experimental methods of marker placement for roadway delineation and to protecting the markers from snowplow damage. Two types of corner-cube raised markers were placed along the highway edge line on 20-ft. (6.1 m) centers. In one placement concept, snowplowable and non-snowplowable markers were placed on the pavement surface; in a second concept, the markers were recessed below the pavement surface in grooves. The marking systems were subjectively evaluated by observing the legibility properties during fog and noting the number of markers visible. Based on the observations, the raised pavement markers were thought to provide sufficient nighttime roadway delineation for vehicle guidance during light to medium density fogs. Although data were not available for dense fog, it is felt that adequate delineation would be provided for such fog conditions. The method of grooving the pavement in the vicinity of the edge line for the purpose of recessing the markers to provide snowplowability was found to be feasible, providing adequate drainage is provided and a groove is placed in front of the marker. The length of the groove depends upon the reflectivity-distance requirements.

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• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18775
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored in part by Virginia Dept. of Highways and Transportation, Richmond, and Virginia Univ., Charlottesville.
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

  Charlottesville, VA  United States 

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Virginia Department of Highways

  Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  University of Virginia, Charlottesville

  Center for Transportation Studies, P.O. Box 400742
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22904-4742
• Authors:
  • Shepard, F D
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 28 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; Durability; Fog; Highway delineators; Highway design; Highway traffic control; Night; Pavement grooving; Pavements; Reflective signs; Reflectivity; Road markings; Shape; Snowplows; Traffic safety; Vehicle safety; Visibility; Vision
• Uncontrolled Terms: Configuration; Reflectance
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision; Highway delineation; Markers; Reflector markers; Traffic marking; Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00151729
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VA-77/R21 Final Rpt., VHTRC-77-R21
• Files: NTIS, NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 27 1977 12:00AM