Road markings: A technical review of products and their evolution

Since their first use in 1917 in The United Sates, traffic markings (the ma terial used for marking concrete and asphalt pavements) have undergone a st eady evolution to meet functional requirements as well as environmental cha llenges. Early traffic markings were based on oil and resin formulations. W ith the advent of latex emulsions technology in the 1950s, water-borne traf fic marking paints and coatings were developed which offered safety in hand ling and application. Over the years, water-borne traffic paints have been greatly improved and today they ore The prefered products of the industry. In addition to conventional traffic marking points (oil and water-borne), t hermoplastics and reflective traffic marking tapes ore being used in consid erable quantities. The benefits against the cost considerations dictate whi ch types of traffic marking systems ore used. The performance criteria of t raffic makings ore detailed in several U.S. Federal Standards that ore freq uently used for the selection of the current traffic markings.