Field Data Analysis of Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity and Its Relationship with Paint and Glass Bead Characteristics

Pavement marking retroreflectivity, a critical factor for safe driving, depends on the characteristics of both the paint and the embedded glass beads. However, traditional methods for predicting pavement marking service life often overlook these materials properties. This study investigates the infl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 14; no. 10; p. 4205
Main Authors Mazzoni, Laura N., Vasconcelos, Kamilla, Albarracín, Orlando, Bernucci, Liedi, Linhares, Guilherme
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.05.2024
Subjects
Analysis
GAMLSS
gradation
Laboratories
Paints
particle shapes
road markings
Roads & highways
test sites
Traffic
volume solids
Brazil
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Summary:Pavement marking retroreflectivity, a critical factor for safe driving, depends on the characteristics of both the paint and the embedded glass beads. However, traditional methods for predicting pavement marking service life often overlook these materials properties. This study investigates the influence of paint and glass bead characteristics on pavement marking retroreflectivity performance and addresses the characterization of glass bead size distribution by the coefficient of uniformity and curvature. Three field test sites on a Brazilian highway with various paint and glass bead combinations were evaluated. A statistical model, GAMLSS (Generalized Additive Model for Location, Scale, and Shape), was adjusted to evaluate the performance of the markings’ retroreflectivity as a function of paint and glass bead characteristics. The model revealed that well-graded glass beads increased retroreflectivity by around 10%, while paints with a higher volume of solids improved service life around 65%. Therefore, the results show that acrylic water-based paints with higher volumes of solids and well-graded glass beads with better shape characteristics should be preferred to improve pavement markings’ retroreflectivity and service life. The statistical model identified the key characteristics with the greatest impact on pavement marking retroreflectivity, offering valuable insights for real-world applications, which will assist pavement marking practitioners and road authorities in selecting appropriate materials to achieve enhanced durability.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app14104205