Why arent there better and longer lasting stripes on the road?
To some motorists it may seem like pavement markingsfor example, the stripes on the road that divide lanes of trafficare reapplied very frequently. There is no one best material or application technique. Instead, many factors go into the design of pavement markings and the decision of what materials to use and how to apply the markings at each location. • Durability and cost of materials: Pavement marking materials are generally either paint based or nonpaint based. Paint-based markings are nondurable, lasting from six months to two years. They are relatively inexpensive. Nonpaint-based markings are durable, generally last longer than paint-based markings and are more expensive than paint-based markings. Epoxy is an example of a nonpaint-based marking material. • Pavement type and condition: Asphalt concrete surfaces require either hot-applied thermoplastics or heavy applications of paint-based markings in order for the markings to be visible. For streets in good condition, more durabl
