Driving is so much a part of most people's lives they don't even think about how they make some crucial decisions when they are on the road. There are good reasons you don't pass on hills, turn left, or drive in the emergency lane. Drivers aren't always conscious of how much direction traffic markings are giving them constantly. A lot goes into deciding where, how, and what materials make up all the pavement marking AR drivers see everyday.
There are pros and cons to all the materials used to make the roads safer. Whether officials decide to use tapes, raised markers, thermoplastic, paint, or reflective beads is based on a wide range of factors. These factors include the daily traffic count, the function, the location, kind of pavement, availability of labor, equipment needed, life span versus cost, and how much money they have allocated in the annual budget.
Paint was the first material ever used to mark the roadways for drivers. Today paint is still the most popular and widely used material. Of the four base materials used in its manufacture, three are solvent borne, and one is water borne. The solvent borne are the most common, but because it is more environmentally friendly, the water borne paint is being applied more often than in the past.
Thermoplastic is another material that has been used for many years. A lot of municipalities prefer it to paint because it contains no solvents at all and is therefore a better choice for the environment. Other cities prefer it because it is more easily seen at night and in poor weather. It lasts longer than paint in cool climates, but is less long lasting in hotter regions. In order for it to adhere properly the pavement must be prepared with some type of primer.
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 also used for permanent and temporary markings. The materials are factory made and distributed in rolls that are applied to the pavement, sometimes with the use of an adhesive. The cost of tape is relatively high, but the life span is comparable to the other markings if the tape is put down properly. It is also easy to repair and replace tape that becomes loose or torn.
A lot of drivers complain about raised markers, but that may be because they are so effective. Most people have hit these markers while going too fast and experienced the jolt and noise that accompanies that mistake. Raised markers are especially effective during rain events because they are raised above the normal waterline and can be clearly seen.
Safety is the primary concern when officials make decisions about roadway markings. They want them to be easy to recognize and clearly visible. It is up to drivers to obey their instructions.
There are pros and cons to all the materials used to make the roads safer. Whether officials decide to use tapes, raised markers, thermoplastic, paint, or reflective beads is based on a wide range of factors. These factors include the daily traffic count, the function, the location, kind of pavement, availability of labor, equipment needed, life span versus cost, and how much money they have allocated in the annual budget.
Paint was the first material ever used to mark the roadways for drivers. Today paint is still the most popular and widely used material. Of the four base materials used in its manufacture, three are solvent borne, and one is water borne. The solvent borne are the most common, but because it is more environmentally friendly, the water borne paint is being applied more often than in the past.
Thermoplastic is another material that has been used for many years. A lot of municipalities prefer it to paint because it contains no solvents at all and is therefore a better choice for the environment. Other cities prefer it because it is more easily seen at night and in poor weather. It lasts longer than paint in cool climates, but is less long lasting in hotter regions. In order for it to adhere properly the pavement must be prepared with some type of primer.
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 also used for permanent and temporary markings. The materials are factory made and distributed in rolls that are applied to the pavement, sometimes with the use of an adhesive. The cost of tape is relatively high, but the life span is comparable to the other markings if the tape is put down properly. It is also easy to repair and replace tape that becomes loose or torn.
A lot of drivers complain about raised markers, but that may be because they are so effective. Most people have hit these markers while going too fast and experienced the jolt and noise that accompanies that mistake. Raised markers are especially effective during rain events because they are raised above the normal waterline and can be clearly seen.
Safety is the primary concern when officials make decisions about roadway markings. They want them to be easy to recognize and clearly visible. It is up to drivers to obey their instructions.
About the Author:
Find an overview of the benefits you get when you use pavement marking AR services and more info about a reliable service provider at http://www.arrowstriping-nwa.com/about-us right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment