Modeling of Restriping of Waterborne Paints Using Transverse Test Deck Data in Hot and Humid Climate

The National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) database is a promising tool for U.S. state agencies to evaluate the performance of waterborne paint pavement markings. Out of the total 50 U.S. states, 29 states (57%) utilize the NTPEP data to assess the performance of waterborne paints to be included in the approved materials list. Yet, this dataset is based on transverse retroreflectivity (R-L) measurements, which are significantly different from the longitudinal R-L measurements in real-world conditions. As such, the key objective of this study was to develop a methodology that converts the transverse R-L measurements of waterborne paints to the corresponding longitudinal measurements in hot and humid climate. This approach could be used by transportation agencies to predict the service life of their waterborne paints and make reliable restriping decisions. To achieve this objective, three road sections were selected in Louisiana, U.S., and four different waterborne paints were installed in the transverse and longitudinal directions. These road sections consisted of seven subsections with varying traffic levels and pavement surface types. The data collected included durability readings and longitudinal and transverse R-L measurements at five time periods between October 2020 and April 2022. Based on the collected data, two non-linear regression models (for asphalt and concrete surfaces) were developed, with reasonable accuracy, to predict the longitudinal R-L of waterborne paints based on the corresponding transverse R-L. The predicted longitudinal R-L could then be used to determine the expected service life of waterborne paints and make reliable restriping decisions.

Automated summary

This study aimed to develop a methodology to convert transverse retroreflectivity measurements to longitudinal measurements for waterborne paints in hot and humid climate conditions. The study found that two non-linear regression models were developed to predict the longitudinal retroreflectivity based on the transverse measurements, allowing for the determination of the expected service life and reliable restriping decisions for waterborne paints.