South Dakota Department of Transportation
Project Synopsis
SD1994-17

Title: Pavement Marking Performance
Project Researcher: Dan Johnston, SDDOT
Project Manager: Dan Strand
Research Period: 1/1/1900 - 1/1/1900
Status: Active
Cost: $0.00

Problem Statement:Many of the paints that SDDOT utilizes for pavement markings will not meet the expected 1996 volatile organic compound (VOC) standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These standards are expected to limit the VOCs to less than or equal to 250 g/L in 1996. However, the exact VOC requirement has not been decided, therefore, the maximum may be in the range of 150 to 250 g/L. SDDOT will need to use paints that meet EPA Specifications.

Also, SDDOTs present pavement marking system(s) can not endure the traffic experienced in urban areas, much less urban areas when snow removal techniques are being implemented. SDDOTs high traffic urban areas presently require that pavement markings be re-painted 3 to 4 times during the warmer months each year. As well, in a last ditch effort to have pavement markings in urban areas prior to winter, markings may be placed as late as November. Markings placed this late in the season are likely to be placed when temperatures are below the specified minimums causing the markings to fail prematurely.

SDDOT needs to evaluate new high performance pavement marking systems and application techniques to determine which systems would: meet the EPAs 1996 VOC requirements; minimize the number of times pavement markings need to be reapplied each year; better endure snow removal techniques; be cost effective for both urban and rural areas.

Findings:

Research Objectives:
1  To identify new pavement marking systems and application techniques that will: meet the EPA's 1996 VOC requirements; minimize the number of times pavement markings need to be reapplied each year; better endure snow removal techniques; be cost effective in their respective area, urban or rural.

Research Tasks:
1  Meet with the project's technical panel to review project scope and work plan. The test site locations and pavement marking materials will be selected at this meeting.
2  Review and summarize relevant literature to determine previous work, policies and procedures from other sources.
3  Install Urban Test Sections. Place water base, alkyd, new specification alkyd (North Dakota Spec. for alkyd paints), polyester, and tape pavement marking systems in an urban setting. The pavement markings tested should not be limited to those listed in this task. Each of these systems shall be placed on both concrete and asphaltic concrete. Each system shall be surface applied as well as inlaid. Lastly, each system shall be placed both longitudinally as well as transverse. The longitudinal marking shall be placed in the same location as standard lane markings. However, the transverse markings shall be placed across the lane to simulate accelerated traffic testing. The installation of each pavement marking shall be placed according to the manufacturer's specifications and completed between May 1 and June 30, 1995. The following table depicts the experimental matrix for the urban test sections.
4  Installation of Rural Test Sections. Place water base, alkyd, new specification alkyd, polyester, tape, and epoxy pavement marking systems in a rural setting. The pavement markings tested should not be limited to those listed in this task. Each of these systems shall be placed on both concrete and asphaltic concrete. Each system shall be surface applied as well as inlaid. Lastly, each system shall be placed both longitudinally as well as transverse. The longitudinal marking shall be placed in the same location as standard lane markings. However, the transverse markings shall be placed across the lane to simulate accelerated traffic testing. The installation of each pavement marking shall be placed according to the manufacturer's specifications and completed between May 1 and June 30, 1995. The experimental matrix shown above shall be used for the rural test sections.
5  Monitor test sections and collect data such as, but not limited to, reflectivity, durability, adhesion, color retention, drying time, and VOC's.
6  Monitor relevant existing pavement markings. Collect available data.
7  Evaluate the data to determine the most cost effective, high performance, durable, and environmentally safe pavement marking material for use on rural and urban routes.
8  Prepare a final report and executive summary of the literature review, research methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
9  Install Urban Test Sections. Place water base, alkyd, new specification alkyd (North Dakota Spec. for alkyd paints), polyester, and tape pavement marking systems in an urban setting. The pavement markings tested should not be limited to those listed in this task. Each of these systems shall be placed on both concrete and asphaltic concrete. Each system shall be surface applied as well as inlaid. Lastly, each system shall be placed both longitudinally as well as transverse. The longitudinal marking shall be placed in the same location as standard lane markings. However, the transverse markings shall be placed across the lane to simulate accelerated traffic testing. The installation of each pavement marking shall be placed according to the manufacturer's specifications and completed between May 1 and June 30, 1995.

Documents Available: