Citation

Shelburne TE, Straub AL, Sheppe RL. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1952; 57: 77-95.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1952, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reports a field-performance study of traffic marking paints. In August, 1949, eight experimental sections of paints were installed on various types of pavement surfaces. Eleven paints purchased from leading manufacturers were included in the study. Eight of these were installed as plain paints and also as binders for beads-on-paints, while the other three were of the beads-in paint type. All paints were applied with a self-propelled traffic-line striper (Kelly-Creswell, BP-3) which, except for size, was identical in many respects to those used by the department in actual field operations. Extreme care was used to insure a wet-film thickness of 0.015 inch. The paints were installed in duplicate as transverse lines in accordance with astm standard method of conducting road-service tests. For comparative purposes, short sections of longitudinal lines of the reflectorized paints were incorporated in the study. One test section was installed on an abandoned road and subjected to weathering only. A further test section was devoted to a study of various bead types and particle-size gradation. Performance was evaluated at intervals over an 18-month period. Durability and reflectivity were determined by means of visual inspection, a photographic record and night visibility as measured by the hunter meter. The paints were rated in order of their performance and on the basis of these studies purchasing specifications were prepared. Approximately 80,000 gal. Were purchased and applied in 1950. Despite the severe winter, field forces reported this past spring that the pavement lines on primary roads were in generally good condition and that in many cases only spot work would be necessary until late summer or early fall.