Pavement Markings
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Thu, May 28, 2009 @ 12:21 PM
Pavement markings have important functions in providing guidance and information to drivers. In some cases they supplement
regulations or warnings given by other devices. In other cases they are used alone and produce results that cannot be obtained by any other device.
Pavement markings can also enhance safety. Centerlines have been shown to cut crash frequency by 29% compared to roads
without them. Marking types include not only pavement and curb marking but also object markers, delineators, colored pavements,
barricades, channelizing devices, and islands.
Pavement markings have limitations. They are obliterated by snow, may not be clearly visible when wet, and may not be very durable under heavy traffic. It may be necessary to refresh them every year or more often. Despite these limitations, pavement markings are still used because of their unique advantage: they convey information to drivers without diverting their attention from the road.
