Impact of Bead Density on Paint Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper addresses the impact of bead density on paint pavement marking retroreflectivity. The writers collected retroreflectivity data and glass bead images on 40 segments of two-lane highways. Bead density is defined as the surface percentage of glass beads exposed above the paint marking material. Numerous methods for determining bead density were considered and studied. A new approach, referred to as a computer-aided counting method, was developed and a bead density analysis program was written. The program was used to analyze 108 images to obtain a bead density value for each image. A correlation study was conducted between pavement marking retroreflectivity and bead density. The findings of the study show that the normal range of glass bead density for older markings is 9–24% of the paint marking surface area. Furthermore, bead density values have a positive correlation with marking retroreflectivity readings; higher bead density leads to higher retroreflectivity. White paint markings have significantly higher retroreflectivity values than do yellow markings when the bead density values are the same.
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Acknowledgments
The writers acknowledge the sponsorship of this research by the NCDOT. The writers would especially like to thank Mr. Chris Howard, Ms. Meredith McDiarmid, and Mr. Mark Manriquez of the NCDOT for their support during this study. Still, the contents of this paper reflect the views of the writers, who are responsible for the data and results presented herein, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCDOT.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 8 • August 2010
Pages: 773 - 781
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 14, 2009
Accepted: Dec 18, 2009
Published online: Dec 28, 2009
Published in print: Aug 2010
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