High performance thermoplastic and cold applied plastic road markings: How long do they last?

Abstract

The function of road markings is to provide guidance and warnings to motorists. These markings should be clearly visible at all times. It is empirical that the materials used should be durable especially on roads with heavy traffic to ensure that the safety and comfort of motorists are not compromised at all times, and to avoid the need to repaint regularly which is cumbersome and requires a significant amount of funds. This paper highlights some good and bad practices in laying the road markings which result in satisfactory and poor performances respectively. Field trials have been carried out using thermoplastic and cold applied plastic produced and installed by various applicators. Various factors which could possibly affect the brightness and durability of the road markings such as the quality of the inter-mix and drop-on reflective beads, different techniques in incorporating the drop-on reflective beads, variation in the laying temperature and thickness of the road markings, and the conditions of the road surface during laying, are discussed. Test results have shown that cold applied plastic provides higher retro-reflectivity than thermoplastic after four years which indicates that the former type could hold the reflective beads more firmly.