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Pavement Marking

Parking lines lead to efficient use of parking lot space, and ensure visibility of handicap-accessible parking spaces. Arrows, stop bars, and other traffic control markings ensure the proper flow of traffic and optimize customer flow in and out of parking lots. Fire lanes, curbing and no parking zones ensure that vehicles will not block emergency response vehicles, entrances, or other important areas. Pavement markings can also enhance safety.

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.

Alaniz Construction can help with all this, and more:

Pavement Marking Materials

Water-based paint is the most common and economical pavement marking material. It has the lowest cost, with quick drying time, moderate durability and moderate visibility on wet nights. Alaniz Construction recommends water-based paint for parking lots, HOA/residential roadways and other low-traffic areas for these reasons.

Oil-based paint is more expensive than water-based, but offers a slightly higher quality. Oil-based paints cannot be striped over existing water-based paint, as adhesion would be an issue - which may also increase the cost. As most businesses do regular parking lot maintenance, the added cost is not generally worth the added quality.

Thermoplastic markings have a moderate cost and longer installation time, but also higher durability, visibility and reflectivity than paint. It is most commonly used on freeways and roadways.

Epoxy has a moderate cost, quick drying time, and good visibility, reflectivity and durability. It works particularly well indoors and in areas where it snows, because it resists the damaging effects of a snowplow better than other materials.

Pre-formed tapes have a higher cost, but offer excellent visibility and wet night reflectivity. It is most commonly used for crosswalks, symbols, legends and in some lane line applications.

Inlaid markings dramatically improve durability, but raise the cost significantly.

Glass beads can supplement the materials above to increase reflectivity, and must be added while the markings are still wet.

Raised Pavement Markers can also supplement pavement marking for added visibility. They enhance traffic lane delineation, especially in wet weather.

 

Pavement markings must be yellow or white. Red and blue are used in special cases:

  • Yellow longitudinal lines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions, or mark the left edge of the pavement on one-way roadways
  • White longitudinal lines separate traffic flowing in the same direction, or mark the right edge of the pavement
  • Contrasting black marking placed next to a white marking may be used to make the white line stand out on light-colored pavements
  • Words and symbols, crosswalk and stop lines are white
  • Blue is for parking spaces for persons with disabilities
  • Red is for raised pavement markings for roadways that shall not be entered such as one-way streets or alleys.

Application

Double applications are recommended on new pavements because the asphalt usually absorbs the first coat. Striping adds that true finishing touch to a quality paving or sealing project.

Water-based or latex-based traffic grade paints must be applied after the seal coat has properly cured, which may take several hours, depending upon sun exposure, humidity and other variables. If sufficient curing time is not allowed for the seal coat, traffic grade paint will bleed and become discolored. Excess traffic on fresh seal coat will also "scar" the pavement markings with tacky seal coat that has come onto vehicle tires and is tracked onto fresh pavement markings.

In pedestrian areas, marking materials should not create slipping or tripping hazards.

Durability and Visibility

Pavement marking effectiveness is measured by the durability and visibility of the markings. Durability is usually tracked by the amount of material still on the pavement surface over time, but can be scientifically tracked by measuring the bond strength of the material to the surface. Visibility is related to the brightness and reflectivity of the material. Glass beads mixed into the pavement marking paint can add to the visibility by increasing the material's retro-reflection characteristics.

  • Line width indicates the degree of emphasis. Normal centerlines and edge lines are 4"-6" wide. A wide line is at least twice the width of a normal line.
  • Double lines-two normal width lines separated by a discernible space-indicate maximum restriction:driving across them is prohibited.
  • Solid lines discourage crossing and should not be crossed. 
  • Broken lines may be crossed. A broken line is formed of segments and gaps, usually in the ratio of 1:3. For example, on rural roads a 10' segment would be followed by a 30' gap.
  • Dotted lines provide guidance and are generally used as line extensions. They have noticeably shorter segments: for example, a 2 foot line and a 2 - 6 foot gap. A dotted line where a lane is dropped or added may consist of a 3 foot line and a 9 or 12 foot gap. The marking shall be the same color and width as the line it extends. A normal-width line may be used to extend a wide line through an intersection.

Did you know that the ADA Standards for Accessible Design require a business to provide accessible parking spaces when it re-stripes a parking lot? Read more about ADA Parking Lot Compliance.