Skid resistance of longitudinal line marking

Pavement markings provide guidance for road users and the general public through smoothing traffic flow and minimising the conflict between traffic streams. They are therefore an important component in the road safety practitioner's arsenal. The obvious performance characteristic required to provide this role is visibility, and much has been written regarding the achievement of visibility in both night and day conditions. The application of a pavement marking can reduce the skid resistance in that area, thereby creating a different level of grip in the transition between marking and pavement. This will create a hazard for some road users, and this paper seeks to develop the theme of skid resistance, risk assessment and treatment. The paper will finally focus on the issues surrounding longitudinal markings, and the impact that changes to specifications may have on the industry. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E212825.