If drivers were asked, they would probably say that traffic lights and road signs give them the information they need to drive safely and obey the laws. Most drivers take the traffic markings on the road for granted. They are so used to these subtle signs, they don't always appreciate how important they are. Officials make decisions all the time regarding the pavement marking AR drivers see.
Whether markings are made with paint, thermoplastic, reflective beads, tapes, or raised markers depends on a variety of factors. The Department of Transportation has to take into account the climate, location and function, traffic count, type of pavement, cost versus estimated life expectancy, availability of labor and equipment, and how much money is in the budget. Each of these factors is weighed before any work is begun.
Painted markings are the most common and the oldest form of traffic direction. They were introduced in Michigan at the turn of the twentieth century. Paint can be either reflective or non-reflective and is manufactured from four base materials. Three are solvent borne and the most commonly used, but water borne paint is becoming more widely used because of environmental concerns.
Thermoplastic has been used since before the Second World War and is preferred by many because they do not contain solvents, which makes them more environmentally friendly. They also have the advantage of being more visible under rainy night conditions and have a longer life span than paint in warm climates. Thermoplastics are not as long lasting in cold climates however. They do require surface preparation, in the form of primer or some other treatment, in order to maximize the adhesion.
Neither one of these materials in naturally reflective. On sunny days that doesn't matter, but during nighttime hours and in wet conditions, it can be difficult to drive without some type of reflective roadway markings. Glass beads are the most common material used currently to create reflective paint and thermoplastic. Their transparency and shape help to make them naturally reflective.
Tape is being increasingly used on a permanent basis. It has a higher initial cost, and in the past was mostly used on a temporary basis to direct traffic in areas of road construction and repair. Tapes come in rolls from the factory and are applied directly to the roadway with or without the addition of an adhesive. Tape lasts as long as other materials and is easy to repair if it gets loose or torn.
Raised markers are often hated by drivers who try to go over them too quickly, even when they have had advance warning about them. These markers, or buttons, are extremely effective at getting drivers' attention. They have the added advantage of being raised above the pavement, which makes them easy to see when it is raining.
Driving safely should be the number one rule on the road. Following the visual instruction traffic markings send is critical. It can make the difference between life and death.
Whether markings are made with paint, thermoplastic, reflective beads, tapes, or raised markers depends on a variety of factors. The Department of Transportation has to take into account the climate, location and function, traffic count, type of pavement, cost versus estimated life expectancy, availability of labor and equipment, and how much money is in the budget. Each of these factors is weighed before any work is begun.
Painted markings are the most common and the oldest form of traffic direction. They were introduced in Michigan at the turn of the twentieth century. Paint can be either reflective or non-reflective and is manufactured from four base materials. Three are solvent borne and the most commonly used, but water borne paint is becoming more widely used because of environmental concerns.
Thermoplastic has been used since before the Second World War and is preferred by many because they do not contain solvents, which makes them more environmentally friendly. They also have the advantage of being more visible under rainy night conditions and have a longer life span than paint in warm climates. Thermoplastics are not as long lasting in cold climates however. They do require surface preparation, in the form of primer or some other treatment, in order to maximize the adhesion.
Neither one of these materials in naturally reflective. On sunny days that doesn't matter, but during nighttime hours and in wet conditions, it can be difficult to drive without some type of reflective roadway markings. Glass beads are the most common material used currently to create reflective paint and thermoplastic. Their transparency and shape help to make them naturally reflective.
Tape is being increasingly used on a permanent basis. It has a higher initial cost, and in the past was mostly used on a temporary basis to direct traffic in areas of road construction and repair. Tapes come in rolls from the factory and are applied directly to the roadway with or without the addition of an adhesive. Tape lasts as long as other materials and is easy to repair if it gets loose or torn.
Raised markers are often hated by drivers who try to go over them too quickly, even when they have had advance warning about them. These markers, or buttons, are extremely effective at getting drivers' attention. They have the added advantage of being raised above the pavement, which makes them easy to see when it is raining.
Driving safely should be the number one rule on the road. Following the visual instruction traffic markings send is critical. It can make the difference between life and death.
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