This thesis research investigated the predictive performance of pavement marking retroreflectivity measured under various conditions of continuous wetting. The researcher compared nighttime detection distance of pavement markings in simulated rain conditions and the retroreflectivity of the same pavement markings in several continuous wetting conditions. Correlation analyses quantified the predictive performance of the resulting retroreflectivity values from the continuous wetting conditions. The researcher measured the retroreflectivity of 18 pavement marking samples under 14 different conditions. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has three standards for measuring the retroreflectivity of pavement markings under: dry (E-1710), recovery (E-2177), and continuous wetting conditions (E-2176). Using three ASTM standard conditions resulted in three sets of retroreflectivity data, and variations of the continuous wetting standard produced an additional 11 sets of continuous wetting condition data. The researcher also incorporated detection distance values measured for the same 18 pavement marking samples under three different simulated rainfall conditions at night. The three conditions included: high (0.87 in/hr), medium (0.52 in/hr), and low (0.28 in/hr) flow rates, these rates were to simulate typical rainfall rates in the state of Texas. The correlation analyses measures the linear relationship as well as the logarithmic relationship between the detection distance and the retroreflectivity of the pavement markings. A pavement markings' retroreflectivity is typically used as a detection distance performance indicator, therefore a high degree of correlation between retroreflectivity and detection distance would be desired. A high degree of correlation would indicate that a measured retroreflectivity value of a pavement marking would provide a good indication of the expected detection distance. The researcher conducted analyses for several subgroups of the pavement markings based on the markings type or characteristics. Dry, recovery, and all the continuous wetting retroreflectivity data were correlated to the detection distances. Correlation values found during this thesis research did not show a high degree of correlation for most of the subgroups analyzed. This indicates that measured retroreflectivity would not provide very good predictive performance of the pavement markings detection distance in rainy conditions.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Sunanda Dissanayake / Motorists generally follow the guidance provided by the pavement markings while traveling on roads. Under certain circumstances, construction joints may be necessary in concrete pavements, which are generally designed to be coincident with the pavement markings. At some locations, however, the construction joints may not exactly match the pavement markings. These situations may create confusion in the minds of drivers, which may lead them to follow joints instead of the markings. In the absence of detailed studies on this topic, an effort was made in the present study to evaluate the effects of unmatched longitudinal construction joints and pavement markings on the lateral position of vehicles. Sites having the characteristics of unmatched longitudinal construction joints and pavement markings were identified, and detailed data were collected at one of the sites. Video camera technique was used for capturing the movements of vehicles along the test site for longer durations. The video tapes were later reduced in the laboratory to extract necessary information. The distance to the right side of the vehicles from right curb of the road, the type of vehicle, presence of vehicles in the adjacent lane, weather and light conditions, and the movement of the vehicles immediately after traversing the section of the road having unmatched longitudinal construction joints and pavement markings were the main parameters observed while reducing the data. Two surveys were also conducted for gathering the opinions of some practitioners and engineers on the issue. Statistical analyses were carried out using t-tests to evaluate if there were differences. Several comparisons were made for different types of vehicles based on various conditions. The analysis results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the actual and expected distances to the center-line of vehicles, implying that the lateral position of vehicles may have been affected by the joints. A model was also developed to determine the lateral position of the vehicles by considering the parameters used in the analysis. Based on the survey results and analysis of field data, it was found that the lateral position of vehicles may have been affected by the unmatched joints and pavement markings.

Chevron pavement markings have seen rising interest in the United States as a means to reduce speeds at high-speed locations and improve safety performance. In Atlanta, there are two freeway-to-freeway ramps where chevron markings are being used. A previous study analyzed before-and-after speed data at these ramps and found only a modest reduction on overall vehicle speeds. However, a cursory crash analysis indicated that the ramps had crash reductions of over 60%, suggesting that safety benefits exist even though vehicle speeds are not significantly affected. This research aims to evaluate the safety performance of chevron markings on the two ramps in Atlanta, GA in order to quantify the potential impact of the treatment on safety and to understand the mechanism by which the treatment influences safety. This thesis begins with a literature review covering topics in human factors in safety, past uses of different types of pavement markings, and methods in using crash databases and police reports in accident studies. Next, the thesis presents an in-depth before and after analysis of crash data from crash databases and police reports provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation. And finally, the thesis concludes with a summary of findings and a discussion of further research needs. The results verified that there were 73% and 61% crash reductions in the two study ramps. Chevron markings appear to have benefitted all types of crashes and that they are possibly serving as a warning to drivers of potential upcoming hazards. Unavailability of a number of police reports and errors in crash databases were limitations to this study, and ultimately, new sites should be selected carefully and further studies need to be performed to better understand the treatment's benefits.

Performance-based asset management provides a strategic framework for managing transportation infrastructure to improve existing procedures for resource allocation. The importance of comprehensive management of pavement marking assets not only results in monetary benefits to the agencies but also complements other management systems in providing safer driving conditions. A majority of research concerned with pavement markings addresses installation, performance, maintenance, and economic evaluation. Although agencies have developed guides and manuals on these subjects, they had difficulties in practical implementation. The purpose of this study was to address the issues that were identified in the practical implementation of analytical and information tools of asset management practice in the field of pavement markings. Problems of limited variable data, censored data and uncertainty in field evaluation and retroreflectivity based prediction were addressed by adopting statistical techniques. Sectional assessment and management methods were proposed as a part of a practical restriping methodology. An information tool was developed in a geographic information system (GIS) environment as an application. Retroreflectivity was the only performance measure on which the analysis and application was carried out. Two case studies were conducted, one for statistical techniques with retroreflectivity data collected by the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) on U.S. Highway 78 westbound, Lee County, Mississippi. The other for application with retroreflectivity data collected using mobile retroreflectivity unit (MRU) on FM 57, Fisher County, Texas. This research effort provides a framework for an agency in developing a pavement marking management program to maintain good visibility of markings. It also provides a basis for further research in building an integrated asset management system based on other transportation assets.

No description available.

<p>  </p> <p>For decades, agencies have collected infrastructure condition assessment data using dedicated equipment that require substantial capital investments and staff time to operate/drive. However, these techniques are challenging to scale network wide. The United States has over 8 million lane miles of roadways which generate almost 3 trillion vehicle miles annually.  Connected vehicles can now provide real-time data on a wide range of parameters such as vehicle speed, location, lane markings, and 3 axis acceleration. This dissertation develops techniques to validate, utilize and leverage connected vehicle data for infrastructure assessment and monitoring.  </p> <p><br></p> <p>Opportunities to employ connected vehicle data were examined in the following areas: quality of lane marking edge lines, width of lanes (particularly temporary lanes in construction zones), and pavement roughness. Quality of lane markings was evaluated using embedded lane keep assist data and equipment. In 2020 and 2021 over 5000 miles of pavement markings were evaluated on Indiana interstates. Comparisons between 2020 and 2021 data showed detection increase from 80.2% to 92.3%.  Although there are no industry standards for lane keep assist data, this study demonstrated both the importance and utility of partnering with the automotive industry to develop shared vision on acceptable lane quality. </p> <p><br></p> <p>A follow-up quantitative study was performed using a LiDAR vehicle to compare LiDAR values with those that are obtained from traditional retroreflectivity measurements used for contract acceptance and maintenance decisions. A comparison of LiDAR intensity to retroreflectivity (the industry standard) on 70 miles of US-52 and US-41 in Indiana was assessed and a linear regression found that the intensity values are comparable to retroreflectivity readings with an R2 of 0.87 and 0.63 for right edge and center skip lines respectively. These results suggest that LiDAR is a viable tool for monitoring of retroreflectivity of pavement markings that are strongly correlated with existing standards, but scale much better than traditional retroreflectivity measurement techniques.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The LiDAR data also provided the opportunity to evaluate how well modern vehicles measure lane width. This dissertation reports on over 200 miles of roadway and when compared to LiDAR and field measurements had a root mean square error of 0.24 feet. This data is valuable for agencies to quickly identify system wide where lane widths fall below acceptable design standards, typically 11-feet. </p> <p> </p> <p>The final connected vehicle data set evaluated was pavement roughness and compared with traditional dedicated vehicles collecting international roughness index (IRI) data. The study evaluated a 20-mile segment in 2022, and showed a linear regression between these data sets had an R2 of over 0.7, suggesting that connected vehicle roughness data can be utilized for network level monitoring of pavement quality. Scalability of these techniques is also illustrated with graphics characterizing IRI values obtained from almost 6 million records to evaluate improvements in Indiana construction zones and over 5,800 miles of I-80 in April of 2022 and October 2022.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Although connected vehicle data for infrastructure assessment is still in its infancy, these case studies demonstrate significant opportunities for public agencies to collect selected system wide infrastructure condition in near real-time, and in many cases at a lower cost than traditional techniques. </p>

A qualidade dos sistemas de sinalização viária é avaliada, tradicionalmente, com base nas características físicas de seus elementos, bem como na durabilidade e conservação dos materiais que os compõem. Em alguns casos, a verificação do atendimento aos critérios técnicos de projeto é também considerada. Depreende-se, daí, que a avaliação estrutural dos elementos de sinalização seja integralmente contemplada por meio dessas avaliações. Por outro lado, a eficácia da sinalização não é necessariamente garantida pela integridade física ou estrutural dos elementos. Por se tratar de um sistema de comunicação com o usuário, que transmite informações que influenciarão as ações dos motoristas na tarefa de guiar o veículo no trânsito, é necessário, também, avaliar o desempenho funcional dos elementos de sinalização. Em outras palavras, o funcionamento e a eficiência da sinalização são tão importantes quanto a situação de seu estado físico. Esta pesquisa descreve aspectos a serem considerados na avaliação de desempenho funcional dos sinais de trânsito com base na observação no campo e na abordagem dos fatores que afetam as medidas de desempenho, conduzindo, em rodovias federais brasileiras concedidas à iniciativa privada, dois experimentos ainda pouco conhecidos no país. O primeiro experimento avaliou o desempenho de um conjunto de placas de sinalização de regulamentação de velocidade máxima permitida, aplicadas em configurações diversas. As medidas de desempenho escolhidas foram a distância de detecção e a distância de legibilidade da sinalização, que foram medidas por meio de observadores em curso na rodovia, em condições reais de operação. O segundo experimento avaliou o desempenho de um conjunto de demarcações no pavimento de uma rodovia também em condições reais de operação. A medida de desempenho foi a retorrefletividade da sinalização horizontal sob tráfego real. A pesquisa inova ao utilizar o conceito de planejamento de experimentos, otimizando o modelo estatístico a ser estimado com menos execuções experimentais. / The quality of the traffic signs systems is traditionally assessed based on physical characteristics of their elements, as well as the durability and conservation of materials they are made of. In some cases, the verification of compliance with the technical criteria for design is also considered. Therefore, it appears that the structural assessment of sign elements is fully covered by these evaluations. Moreover, the effectiveness of traffic signs is not necessarily guaranteed by physical or structural health of the elements. Once the traffic signs comprise a system of communication with the users, which gives information that will influence the actions of the drivers on the task of guiding the vehicle in traffic flow, it is also necessary to evaluate the functional performance of the traffic signs. In other words, the operation and efficiency of traffic signs are as important as their physical condition. This research describes some aspects to take into account in the evaluation of performance of traffic signs based on observation in the field and in the approach of the factors affecting performance measures, carrying out in Brazilian federal highways under concession to the private sector two experiments still little known in this country. The first experiment evaluated the performance of a set of speed limit signs applied in different configurations. The chosen performance measures were the detection distance and the legibility distance of the signs, which were measured by subjects driving on open road under real operating conditions. The second experiment evaluated the performance of a set of pavement markings also on open road under real operating conditions. The performance measure was the retroreflectivity of the pavement markings under real traffic. The survey breaks new ground by using the concept of optimal design of experiments, optimizing the statistical model to be estimated with fewer experimental runs.

A qualidade dos sistemas de sinalização viária é avaliada, tradicionalmente, com base nas características físicas de seus elementos, bem como na durabilidade e conservação dos materiais que os compõem. Em alguns casos, a verificação do atendimento aos critérios técnicos de projeto é também considerada. Depreende-se, daí, que a avaliação estrutural dos elementos de sinalização seja integralmente contemplada por meio dessas avaliações. Por outro lado, a eficácia da sinalização não é necessariamente garantida pela integridade física ou estrutural dos elementos. Por se tratar de um sistema de comunicação com o usuário, que transmite informações que influenciarão as ações dos motoristas na tarefa de guiar o veículo no trânsito, é necessário, também, avaliar o desempenho funcional dos elementos de sinalização. Em outras palavras, o funcionamento e a eficiência da sinalização são tão importantes quanto a situação de seu estado físico. Esta pesquisa descreve aspectos a serem considerados na avaliação de desempenho funcional dos sinais de trânsito com base na observação no campo e na abordagem dos fatores que afetam as medidas de desempenho, conduzindo, em rodovias federais brasileiras concedidas à iniciativa privada, dois experimentos ainda pouco conhecidos no país. O primeiro experimento avaliou o desempenho de um conjunto de placas de sinalização de regulamentação de velocidade máxima permitida, aplicadas em configurações diversas. As medidas de desempenho escolhidas foram a distância de detecção e a distância de legibilidade da sinalização, que foram medidas por meio de observadores em curso na rodovia, em condições reais de operação. O segundo experimento avaliou o desempenho de um conjunto de demarcações no pavimento de uma rodovia também em condições reais de operação. A medida de desempenho foi a retorrefletividade da sinalização horizontal sob tráfego real. A pesquisa inova ao utilizar o conceito de planejamento de experimentos, otimizando o modelo estatístico a ser estimado com menos execuções experimentais. / The quality of the traffic signs systems is traditionally assessed based on physical characteristics of their elements, as well as the durability and conservation of materials they are made of. In some cases, the verification of compliance with the technical criteria for design is also considered. Therefore, it appears that the structural assessment of sign elements is fully covered by these evaluations. Moreover, the effectiveness of traffic signs is not necessarily guaranteed by physical or structural health of the elements. Once the traffic signs comprise a system of communication with the users, which gives information that will influence the actions of the drivers on the task of guiding the vehicle in traffic flow, it is also necessary to evaluate the functional performance of the traffic signs. In other words, the operation and efficiency of traffic signs are as important as their physical condition. This research describes some aspects to take into account in the evaluation of performance of traffic signs based on observation in the field and in the approach of the factors affecting performance measures, carrying out in Brazilian federal highways under concession to the private sector two experiments still little known in this country. The first experiment evaluated the performance of a set of speed limit signs applied in different configurations. The chosen performance measures were the detection distance and the legibility distance of the signs, which were measured by subjects driving on open road under real operating conditions. The second experiment evaluated the performance of a set of pavement markings also on open road under real operating conditions. The performance measure was the retroreflectivity of the pavement markings under real traffic. The survey breaks new ground by using the concept of optimal design of experiments, optimizing the statistical model to be estimated with fewer experimental runs.

Pavement markings are vital for safely navigating roadways. The nighttime visibility of pavement markings is enhanced by addition of retroreflective glass beads, most of which are made from recycled glass. Concern has been raised over the presence of heavy metals in glass beads used in pavement markings and their effect on human and environmental health. Based upon the potential risk associated with the presence of arsenic and lead in the glass beads, two Bills are currently being considered before the 112th Congress of the United States of America seeking to set a maximum permissible limit for the amount of arsenic and lead in glass beads used within pavement marking systems on domestic roadways. This study was designed to support legislative decision making by providing data necessary for risk assessment. The experiments carried out provide: an analysis of glass bead metal content and extractability; an evaluation of the relationship between arsenic content of the glass beads and their retroreflective performance; an evaluation of analytical methods used to measure the total bead metal content; and an analysis of samples of glass bead and soil mixture from a glass bead storage site used to determine site-specific metal concentrations in the soil media. Mean arsenic content, measured using the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's KOH fusion digestion, in all the glass beads examined ranged from 11 ppm to 82 ppm, while mean lead content, measured using KOH fusion digestion, ranged from below quantification limit to 199 ppm. Total metal content measurements indicated a high amount of variability in the glass bead samples; most likely associated with the use of recycled glass feed during manufacturing. The relationship between the retroreflective performance and the arsenic content of the glass beads was analyzed and a weak but positive correlation was observed between the two factors. However, a more detailed study is required to evaluate the relationship between arsenic content and retroreflectivity. Different methods to evaluate the total metal content in glass beads were compared; it is recommended that any analytical method may be used, as long as the standard reference material is reproduced within the range of concentration expected in the glass beads. In the analysis of the field site samples of soil containing glass beads obtained from a glass bead storage and transfer facility, the mass content of beads in the soil varied from a mean of 19% to 78% depending on the location within the facility. However, a detailed analysis with larger number of samples must be performed to evaluate the effect of glass beads on the total arsenic content of the soil.