• ♦Manual Notice 2004-1
• ►1. Introduction
  • ►1. Overview
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Structure of this Handbook
  • ►2. Handbook Information
    • ♦Purpose of Handbook
    • ♦Status of Handbook
    • ♦Application of Handbook Guidelines
    • ♦Handbook Content
  • ►3. Relation to Other Documents
    • ♦References to Other Documents
    • ♦Other TxDOT Documents
• ▼2. Material Selection
  • ►1. Overview
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Additional Information
  • ►2. External Factors that Influence Marking Performance
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Roadway Surface Characteristics
    • ♦Traffic
    • ♦Environmental
  • ►3. Pavement Surface Preparation
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Compatibility of Materials for Restripe Situations
    • ♦Marking Removal Methods
    • ♦Primer-Sealers
  • ►4. Pavement Marking Material Descriptions
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Summary of Material Use
    • ♦Supplemental Material Performance Information
    • ♦Thermoplastic Markings
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking Material Characteristics
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking Application Methods
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking — Surface Preparation
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking — Effect of Pavement Surface on Performance
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking — Effect of Traffic on Performance
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking — Environmental Effects on Performance
    • ♦Thermoplastic Marking Use Summary
    • ♦Water-Based Paint
    • ♦Water-Based Paint — Material Characteristics
    • ♦Water-Based Paint Application
    • ♦Water-Based Paint Performance
    • ♦Water-Based Paint Use Summary
    • ♦Preformed Tapes
    • ♦Preformed Tapes — Material Characteristics
    • ♦Preformed Tapes — Application
    • ♦Preformed Tapes — Removal
    • ♦Preformed Tapes — Performance
    • ♦Preformed Tapes — Use Summary
    • ♦Epoxy
    • ♦Epoxy Performance
    • ♦Epoxy Use Summary
    • ♦Other Materials
    • ♦Polyurea
    • ♦Modified Urethane
    • ♦Ceramic Buttons
    • ♦Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
    • ♦Profiled Thermoplastic
    • ♦Contrast Markings
    • ♦Heated-in-Place Thermoplastic (Shortline Applications)
    • ♦Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markings
  • ►5. Glass Beads
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Bead Types
    • ♦Bead Coatings
    • ♦Bead Application Properties
    • ♦Bead Manufacturing-Controlled Properties
    • ♦Bead Size
    • ♦Refractive Index
    • ♦Clarity and Roundness
  • ►6. Retroreflectivity Performance Specifications for Contracts
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Performance Factors
    • ♦Basis for Specification Compliance
  • ▼7. Material Selection Guide
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Material Selection Tables
• ►3. Installation and Inspection
  • ►1. Overview
    • ♦Introduction
  • ►2. Preliminary Items
    • ♦Pre-construction Meeting
    • ♦Field Documentation Items
  • ►3. Pre-installation Inspections
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Surface Moisture
    • ♦Dirt and Debris
    • ♦Air and Pavement Temperature
    • ♦Material Temperature
    • ♦Lateral Placement Guides for New Pavement Surfaces
    • ♦Striping Equipment
    • ♦Traffic Control
  • ►4. Inspection During Application
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Thickness
    • ♦Width
    • ♦Color
    • ♦Glass Bead Application Properties
    • ♦Nighttime Appearance
    • ♦Material Disposal
    • ♦Solutions to Common Problems Associated with Various Striping Applications
  • ♦5. Final Acceptance
  • ►6. Determining When To Restripe
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Determining End-of-Service Life
    • ♦Minimum In-Service Retroreflectivity Guidelines
• ►A. Visibility and Retroreflectivity
  • ♦1. Overview
  • ►2. General Retroreflectivity Concepts
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Factors Influencing Retroreflectivity
  • ►3. Driver Needs
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Factors Related to Driver Retroreflectivity Needs
    • ♦Suggestions from Research Literature
  • ►4. Portable Retroreflectometers
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Handheld vs. Mobile Units
  • ►5. Pavement Marking Management Programs
    • ♦Introduction
    • ♦Advantages
    • ♦Current Circumstances
• ►B. Specifications, Test Methods, and Standard Sheets

Anchor: #i1021821

Section 7: Material Selection Guide

Anchor: #i1021826

Introduction

This section serves as a pavement marking material selection guide for designers and others engaged in the selection of pavement marking materials. The data and recommendations reported in this section are based on research findings, literature, manufacturer recommendations, and practice of other agencies.

Anchor: #i1021836

Material Selection Tables

Although every attempt was made to make the material selection tables as comprehensive as possible, new materials and formulations frequently become available. Therefore, materials that are not listed in the following tables may be used on an experimental basis with approval of TRF or CST-MAT.

Table 2-19. Pavement Marking Materials for HOT-MIX ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS1, applies to pavement markings on hot-mix asphalt surfaces, Table 2-20, applies to pavement markings on hydraulic cement concrete surfaces, and Table 2-21 applies to pavement markings on surface treatments. Each table is broken down by traffic volume category and remaining service life of the pavement surface.

NOTE: Materials may be used for either shortline or longline application — with the exception of two-component materials (e.g., epoxy, modified urethane, polyurea), which should only be used for longlines.

The highest recommended pavement marking material and alternate materials for each category are given in the following tables along with additional application information. Material thickness should be applied according to TxDOT Specification Item �666 or according to manufacturer recommendations if no TxDOT specification exists.

Anchor: #BGBDFEECTable 2-19. Pavement Marking Materials for HOT-MIX ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS1

(The highest-recommended material is emphasized.)
-	Pavement Remaining Service Life
Traffic Characteristic	0–2 years	2–4 years	> 4 years
AADT2 < 1,000	Thermo, Water-Based Paint	Thermo, Water-Based Paint	Thermo, Water-Based Paint, Epoxy3, 4, Modified Urethane4, Polyurea4, MMA4
1,000 < AADT < 10,000	Thermo, Water-Based Paint	Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Modified Urethane4, Polyurea4, MMA4	Thermo, Preformed Tape, Epoxy3, 4, Polyurea4, Modified Urethane4, MMA4
AADT > 10,000	Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Modified Urethane4	Thermo, Preformed Tape, Epoxy3, 4, Polyurea4, Modified Urethane4, MMA4	Preformed Tape, Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Polyurea4, Modified Urethane4, MMA4
Heavy Weaving or Turning	Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Modified Urethane4	Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Polyurea4, Modified Urethane4, MMA4	Thermo, Epoxy3, 4, Polyurea4, Modified Urethane4, MMA4
Footnotes: 1. Materials may be used for shortlines or longlines — with the exception of two-component materials, which should only be used for longlines. Other materials may be used on an experimental basis with approval of TRF or CST-MAT. Contrast markings may be used to improve visibility and safety as needed. 2. AADT = Average Annual Daily Traffic. 3. Epoxies specially formulated as high-quality, high-durability permanent markings. 4. Experimental material.

Table 2-20. Pavement Marking Materials for HYDRAULIC CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS1

(The highest-recommended material is emphasized.)
-	Pavement Remaining Service Life
Traffic Characteristic	0–2 years	2–4 years	> 4 years
AADT2 < 10,000	Thermo3, Epoxy4, 6, Modified Urethane, Water-Based Paint	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Modified Urethane6, Water-Based Paint, Polyurea6, MMA6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Modified Urethane6, Polyurea6, Water-Based Paint, MMA6
10,000 < AADT < 50,000	Thermo3, Epoxy4, 6, Modified Urethane6, Water-Based Paint, Polyurea6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Modified Urethane6, Polyurea6, Water-Based Paint, MMA6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Preformed Tape, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6, MMA6
AADT > 50,000	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Modified Urethane6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Preformed Tape, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6, MMA6	Preformed Tape, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6, Epoxy6, MMA6
Heavy Weaving or Turning	Epoxy4, 6 , Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Preformed Tape, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6, MMA6	Epoxy4, 6, Thermo5 (concrete formulation), Preformed Tape, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6, MMA6
Footnotes: 1. Materials may be used for shortlines or longlines — with the exception of two-component materials, which should only be used for longlines. Other materials may be used on an experimental basis with approval of TRF or CST-MAT. Contrast markings may be used to improve visibility and safety as needed. 2. AADT = Average Annual Daily Traffic. 3. Primer-sealer required prior to application of current TxDOT spec. thermoplastic on concrete. 4. Epoxies specially formulated for use as high-quality, high-durability pavement markings. 5. See manufacturer’s recommendations for use of primer-sealer. 6. Experimental material.

Table 2-21. Pavement Marking Materials for SURFACE TREATMENTS1

(The highest-recommended material is emphasized.)
-	Pavement Remaining Service Life
Traffic Characteristic	0–2 years	2–4 years	> 4 years
AADT2 < 1,000	Thermo3,4, Water-Based Paint	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Modified Urethane6, Water-Based Paint	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Modified Urethane6, Polyurea6, Water-Based Paint
1,000 < AADT < 10,000	Thermo3,4, Water-Based Paint, Epoxy5, 6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Modified Urethane6, Polyurea6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6
AADT > 10,000	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Modified Urethane6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6
Heavy Weaving or Turning	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Modified Urethane6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6	Thermo3,4, Epoxy5, 6, Polyurea6, Modified Urethane6
Footnotes: 1. Materials may be used for shortlines or longlines — with the exception of two-component materials, which should only be used for longlines. Other materials may be used on an experimental basis with approval of TRF or CST-MAT. Contrast markings may be used to improve visibility and safety as needed. 2. AADT = Average Annual Daily Traffic. 3. If bleeding or aggregate loss on a new surface treatment is common, consider the use of a temporary pavement marking (for example, paint or thin thermo) prior to standard thermoplastic application until the pavement surface has stabilized. 4. For surface treatments with Grade 3 aggregates or larger, thermoplastic thicknesses greater than 100 mil may be necessary to achieve proper durability. 5. Epoxies specially formulated for use as high-quality, high-durability pavement markings. 6. Experimental material.