MASKING AND REMOVING OF ROAD MARKINGS

This article reviews the methods that can be applied for the masking (demarking), the temporary remarking, and the removal (wholly or partly) of road markings. Some of the methods discussed are: a) the pretreatment; b) various milling methods; c) high-pressure water jetting with suction; d) pulling and chiselling off; e) demarking with paint or foil. The technical aspects and the aspects concerning the environmental protection and the working conditions are considered for each method. It is indicated which method is the most appropriate for a certain type of wearing course with a certain type of marking. Also a number of situations in which road markings need not to be removed are discussed. Finally the article looks into the measures that need to be taken when the removed materials must be treated as waste materials. In the Netherlands these materials fall under the Waste Materials Act or the Chemical Waste Materials Act, depending on the extent of pollution.