Method and apparatus for forming and applying retroreflective pavement markings

摘要

A method for forming and applying retroreflective pavement markings comprising the steps of a) spraying the area with a hot epoxy binder, b) depositing particles of a microcrystalline ceramic element having a high refractive index onto the fresh epoxy binder, c) depositing relatively large spherical glass beads onto the fresh epoxy binder, and d) depositing relatively small spherical glass beads onto the fresh epoxy binder. The small beads provide high reflectivity in daytime and at night on dry pavement. The large beads provide superior reflectivity at night on damp pavement. The ceramic element particles provide high reflectivity when wet and during heavy rain. Where the pavement is subject to snowplowing, the marking may be inlaid in a recessed area in the pavement, the recess being about 100 mils deep, and the wet epoxy layer being about 20 mils thick.

主权项

1. A method for forming a retroreflective marking on pavement by traversing a marking apparatus along the pavement in a selected marking direction, comprising the steps of:
a) spraying an epoxy resin onto said pavement to create a fresh non-polymerized epoxy layer; b) depositing high-reflectivity microcrystalline ceramic particles, coarse sieve-size glass beads, and fine sieve-size glass beads onto said fresh epoxy layer sequentially in a single pass of a multiple-distributor deposition apparatus moving at about 6 miles per hour with distributors of said multiple-distributor deposition apparatus spaced from one another by approximately 8 to 10 inches, and c) allowing said epoxy layer to become polymerized, wherein said retroreflective marking exhibits a reflectivity level of 500 cd/lx/m2.