MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Optimization of Pavement Marking Performance
Authors:	Nadim I. Wehbe, Allen Jones, and Thomas Druyvestein
University:	South Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Dec 2017
Report #:	MPC-17-341
Project #:	MPC-306
TRID #:	01663139
Keywords:	alternatives analysis, cost effectiveness, durability, optimization, paint, retroreflectivity, road markings, test sections, thickness, winter maintenance

Abstract

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.

How to Cite

Wehbe, Nadim I., Allen Jones, and Thomas Druyvestein. Optimization of Pavement Marking Performance, MPC-17-341. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2017.