Predicting Pavement Marking Service Life with Transverse Test Deck Data

Abstract

Pavement marking test decks are an effective way to evaluate the quality of marking in the field. Transverse test decks provide accelerated wear on markings in the wheelpath area and can provide a side-by-side comparison of different pavement marking materials. The drawback is that the relationship between transverse and long-line pavement marking test decks is relatively unknown. This study was developed to provide better understanding of the relationship between the accelerated wear area on a transverse marking and how it relates to typical wear on a longitudinal marking. The objective of the study was to develop a model for predicting long-line pavement marking retroreflectivity values from transverse pavement marking test deck data. These models and associated parameters can be used to estimate the retroreflectivity of an edge line marking or the amount of time it will take for the edge line marking to reach a given retroreflectivity level. The user needs only the transverse retroreflectivity readings and an initial or assumed initial edge line retroreflectivity value.