The Table of Contents for this section is available.
The work covered by this section consists of furnishing, installing and removing pavement markings in accordance with the plans and specifications.
(A) General:
All materials shall meet the applicable requirements of Division 10, Section 1087.
(B) Material Qualifications:
All pavement markings shall be either on the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Approved Products List or be Traffic-qualified by the Traffic Control Unit. For more information on the Traffic-qualification process, contact the Traffic Control Section at Century Center Building B, 1020 Birch Ridge Dr., Raleigh, N.C., 27610, (919)2504151.
(C) Historical Performance:
Historical performance of the pavement marking material will be used in determining future use of the material by the NCDOT, even if the material has been traffic-qualified. Poor past or poor current performance of pavement marking materials at any site, whether or not related to a specific contract may be grounds for non-acceptance of a product on any project under contract.
(A) Testing Procedures:
All pavement marking materials and placement will be measured according to Materials and Test Unit Testing Procedure PM1.0.
(B) Application Equipment:
(1) General for all Application Equipment:
All parts of the pavement marking application equipment which come in contact with pavement marking material shall be constructed for easy accessibility during cleaning and maintenance.
Marking guns of the application device shall be in full view of the operators at all times. The applicator shall be mobile and maneuverable to the extent that straight lines can be followed and all standard curves can be made in true arcs.
Each application vehicle shall include at least one person who shall be a technical expert in equipment operations and pavement marking application techniques for the type of pavement marking that is being applied.
(2) Glass Bead Dispensing Equipment:
Drop-On beads applied to the surface of pavement markings shall be applied by an automatic high pressurized bead dispenser or a pressurized mechanical feed, attached to the marking equipment. The bead applicator shall be located at the proper distance behind the application of pavement marking material to provide the proper amount of retro-reflectivity. The bead applicator shall be equipped with an automatic cut-off control synchronized with the cut-off of the marking material. The beads shall be spread uniformly over the entire surface of the pavement marking, and partially embedded in the pavement marking.
Drop-On beads shall not be dispensed on pavement marking lines using gravitational methods or dropped by hand. Gravitational methods such as hand scattering will be permissible for applying drop-on glass beads to pavement marking symbols and word messages.
(3) Paint Application Equipment:
Paint pavement markings shall be applied using spraying equipment suitable for applying pavement marking material.
(4) Removable Tape Application Equipment:
Removable tape markings shall be placed using mechanical equipment recommended by their manufacturer.
(5) Thermoplastic Application Equipment:
The equipment used to install hot thermoplastic pavement marking material shall provide the following features:
Pre-melting Kettle: oil-jacketed, or air-jacketed; utilized for uniform melting and heating of the thermoplastic material. The kettle shall be equipped with an automatic thermostat control device to provide positive temperature control. The kettle shall provide continuous mixing and agitation of the thermoplastic material.
Applicator Storage Kettle: equipped with an automatic thermostat control device to maintain the thermoplastic material at the application temperature. The applicator storage kettle shall provide continuous mixing and agitation of the thermoplastic material during installation. The equipment shall be constructed so that all mixing and conveying parts, up to and including the application apparatus, maintains the thermoplastic pavement marking material at the specified installation temperature. The applicator storage kettle shall be capable of containing a minimum of 150 lbs. of molten thermoplastic pavement marking material.
"Push Cart" type application vehicles may contain the premelting and applicator storage functions in the same kettle.
The premelting and applicator storage kettles shall be constructed and arranged to meet the requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, the National Fire Protection Association, and State and local authorities. Conveying parts of the applicator, between the main material reservoir and the application apparatus, shall be constructed to prevent clogging and accumulation.
Application equipment shall be so constructed as to assure continuous uniformity in the thickness and width of the thermoplastic pavement marking. The applicator shall provide multiple width settings ranging from 4" to 12" and multiple thickness settings to achieve above the pavement thickness ranging from 0.090" to 0.120".
(6) Epoxy Application Equipment:
The epoxy marking material compounds shall be applied through machinery designed to precisely meter the two components in the ratio of proportion recommended by the manufacturer. This equipment shall also be designed to produce the required amount of heat at the mixing head and gun tip, and to maintain those temperatures within the tolerances recommended.
Epoxy application equipment shall be equipped with gauges for each proportioning pump so that any pressure difference can be easily monitored.
Each application device shall have a minimum of a 24" long static mixer unit for proper mixing of the two components of the epoxy marking material.
The application device shall be equipped with a metering device to register the accumulated installed footage for each gun.
(7) Cold Applied Plastic Application Equipment:
Cold applied pavement markings shall be placed using mechanical equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
(8) Maintenance:
All pavement marking application equipment shall be kept in proper working condition.
(9) Compensation:
There will be no direct payment for the items covered by this section.
Payment at the contract unit price for the various items in the contract will be full compensation for all items covered by this section.
(C) Weather Limitations and Seasonal Limitations:
Pavement markings shall not be placed when the pavement shows any visible signs of containing moisture, or it is anticipated that damage-causing moisture may occur during the installation and drying periods.
(1) Paint:
Paint shall be applied only when the ambient air temperature and pavement surface temperature is a minimum of 40F and rising and a maximum of 160F.
(2) Removable Tape:
Removable tape shall be applied only when ambient air temperature and pavement surface is a minimum of 50F and rising.
(3) Thermoplastic:(See Standard Special Provisions)
Thermoplastic pavement markings shall not be applied on existing pavement surfaces or new concrete pavements unless the ambient air temperature and the temperature of the pavement is 60F and rising.
Thermoplastic pavement markings shall not be applied on asphalt surfaces less than 12 hours old unless the ambient air temperature and the temperature of the pavement is 50F and rising.
(4) Epoxy:
Epoxy pavement marking shall not be applied unless the ambient air temperature and the pavement surface temperature is a minimum of 35F and rising.
(5) Cold Applied Plastic:
Cold applied plastic pavement marking shall be installed per manufacturer's specifications.
(D) Time Limitations for Placement and Replacement:
All required markings shall be in place and all markings that conflict with the new traffic pattern shall be removed before opening any lanes to traffic.
(E) Premarking:
The Contractor shall premark each installation of pavement marking materials prior to application, except when existing markings are visible. The premarking shall be a guide in placing the pavement markings. Placement of the pavement marking materials shall not be performed until the premarking has been inspected and approved by the Engineer.
(F) Surface Preparation and Curing Compound Removal:
To insure maximum possible adhesion, all pavements upon which new pavement markings are to be placed shall be properly prepared to accept the new pavement markings. The surface preparation shall include but not be limited to, cleaning, sealing and curing compound removal necessary for the markings to adhere to the pavement. All surface preparation methods shall be approved by the Engineer prior to implementing.
All pavements shall be cleaned free of grease, oil, mud, dust, dirt, grass, loose gravel and other deleterious material, prior to the application of the pavement markings.
The pavement surface area to be prepared including removal of curing compound shall be a minimum of 2 inches wider than the pavement markings to be placed, such that, an additional 1 inch of prepared area is on all sides of the pavement markings after they are applied.
All new Portland Cement Concrete pavements which contain curing compound shall have all curing compound and surface laitance removed where long-life pavement markings will be placed. Curing compound removal shall be accomplished by high pressure water, sand or shot blasting methods.
A primer-sealer shall be applied to the area where pavement markings are to be placed when and as recommended by the manufacturer. The primer-sealer shall be of the type recommended by the manufacturer of the pavement marking material, and shall be approved by the Engineer prior to use. The primer-sealer shall form a continuous film. The primer-sealer shall not cause any noticeable change in the appearance of the pavement markings. A sample of the primer-sealer shall be submitted to the Engineer, prior to application.
All pavement surface preparation including curing compound removal shall be conducted in such a manner that the pavement or joint material is not damaged or left in a condition that will mislead or misdirect the motorist. The Contractor shall repair any damage caused to the pavement, or joint materials caused by surface preparation or the removal of curing compound by a method acceptable to the Engineer and at no additional cost to the Department.
Where pavement surface preparation results in obscuring existing pavement markings of a lane occupied by traffic, the residue, including dust, shall be removed immediately by methods approved by the Engineer.
When surface preparation and curing compound removal operations are completed, the pavement surface shall be blown clean by compressed air to remove residue or debris.
Curing compound removal will be paid for at the applicable contract unit price. All other surface preparation will be consider incidental to the work covered by this specification.
(G) Application of Pavement Markings:
(1) General for all types of Pavement Markings:
The installed pavement marking material shall have a uniform thickness and smooth surfaced cross-section throughout its entire length.
All pavement marking widths and lengths shall be not less than the dimensions specified in the plans and shall not exceed the dimension by more than 1/2 inch.
Pavement marking lines shall be straight or of uniform curvature and shall conform with the tangents, curves, and transitions as specified in the plans and/or directed by the Engineer.
The finished lines shall have well defined edges and be free of horizontal fluctuations. The lateral deviation of the finished lines shall not exceed 1/2 inch from the proposed location alignment at any point. Any greater deviations shall be sufficient cause for requiring the material to be removed and replaced at no additional cost.
All longitudinal pavement marking lines 8 inches or less in width shall be applied with one pass of the pavement marking equipment. Pavement marking lines greater than 8 inches in width and pavement marking symbols may be applied with multiple passes of the pavement marking equipment.
The stem portion of straight arrows is to be applied in a single pass and the stem portion of turn arrows is to be applied in a maximum of 2 passes of the application equipment. Arrow heads may be applied by multiple passes of the application equipment, not to exceed three passes.
All pavement marking lines and symbols installed by multiple passes of the application equipment shall exhibit no gaps separating the application passes.
Letters and symbols shall conform to the sizes and shapes shown in the plans.
The pavement marking material shall be capable of accepting an overlay of compatible material.
The Contractor shall protect the pavement markings until they are track free. Any markings tracked by a vehicle shall be removed by methods acceptable to the Engineer and at no additional expense to the Department.
Any molten pavement marking which is crossed by a vehicle shall be reapplied.
The Contractor shall be responsible for removing all pavement marking materials spilled on the road surface by a method acceptable to the Engineer.
All yellow, white, and black pavement markings, without drop-on glass beads, shall visually match the color chips that correspond to the Federal Test Standard Number 595a for the following colors. The markings when subjected to accelerated weathering as described in U.S. Federal Specification No. (TTP115F) shall be within the tolerance limits of the color chips listed below:
WHITE: Color 17886
YELLOW: Color 13538
BLACK: Color 37038
(2) Glass Bead Application:
Drop-On - Method where glass beads are dispensed by a pressurized mechanical feed or a high pressurized means onto the pavement marking as it is applied to the pavement. Drop-On bead dispensing methods for pavement marking lines shall not be simply dependent on gravity, or dropped by hand. Drop-On bead dispensing for symbols and word messages may be accomplished by gravitational methods such as hand scattering.
(3) Paint Application:
The paint and beads shall be applied at the rate necessary to produce a minimum dry film thickness of 13 mils.
Drop-On beads shall be applied at the minimum rate of 6 pounds per gallon of paint.
(4) Removable Tape Application:
Removable tape shall be applied per manufacturer's instructions.
(5) Thermoplastic Application (Alkyd/Maleic & Hydrocarbon):
All thermoplastic markings shall be of the hot, machine applied type. Application of Alkyd/Maleic thermoplastic pavement markings shall be accomplished by extrusion methods only. Hydrocarbon thermoplastic pavement markings shall be applied using either extrusion, or spraying methods. Extrusion may be accomplished using either conventional extrusion equipment or "ribbon gun" extrusion devices.
All parts of the application and premelting equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned of foreign material prior to the introduction of the thermoplastic marking material.
The thermoplastic material shall be heated uniformly throughout and shall have a homogeneous disbursement of binder, pigment, and glass beads when applied to the surface of the pavement.
To avoid blistering and poor adhesion, the thermoplastic material shall be applied to dry pavements in a molten state at a minimum temperature of 400F for bituminous pavements and at a minimum temperature of 425F for Portland Cement Concrete pavements. The temperature shall be checked regularly for compliance with the specified application temperature range.
Glass beads shall be applied in the proper ratio to immediately produce a highly reflective marking. "Drop-on Beads" shall be uniformly applied to the surface of the molten thermoplastic material so that the beads are partially embedded. The beads shall be applied at a rate to obtain the minimum reflectance values. The rate of bead application shall be no less than 8 lbs. per 100 square feet of the line surface area.
At the time of installation, the in-place marking shall have the minimum reflectance values shown below, as obtained with a Mirolux 12 Retroreflectometer. The reflectance values shown below shall be maintained for a minimum of 30 days from the time of placement of the marking material.
WHITE: 375 mcd/lux/m2
YELLOW: 250 mcd/lux/m2
The marking shall, upon cooling, be uniformly reflectorized and have the ability to resist deformation caused by traffic throughout its entire length.
The Contractor, at his option, may place a thin layer of pavement marking paint prior to applying the thermoplastic markings. If this option is chosen by the Contractor, when not specified in the plans or by the Engineer, direct payment for the paint will not be made. The Contractor shall cover any such thin layer of pavement marking paint with thermoplastic pavement marking within 30 calendar days of placement. The thin layer of pavement marking paint and beads shall be applied at the rate necessary to produce a dry film thickness of 58 mils. Drop-on glass beads shall be applied at a rate of 13 pounds per gallon of paint. (See Standard Special Provisions)
Hydrocarbon thermoplastic material shall not be placed on fresh asphalt pavements until 15 days have elapsed from the day the last application of asphalt has been placed.
Drainage openings shall be provided at intervals of 250 feet in edge lines placed on the inside of curves and in edge lines on the low side of tangents. The openings shall be a maximum of 12 inches and a minimum of 6 inches in length.
The crossectional thickness of the thermoplastic markings above the surface of the pavement shall be as follows:
120 mils - center lines, skip lines, transverse bands, mini-skip lines, word messages, and median islands.
90 mils - edge lines, gore lines, crosswalk lines, diagonals, and arrow symbols.
(6) Epoxy Application
Epoxy pavement marking lines shall have a minimum dry thickness of 15 mils when placed on concrete pavements, and 20 mils when placed on asphalt pavements.
Epoxy markings shall not be placed on fresh asphalt pavements until 15 days have elapsed after the last asphalt is placed.
Using the Epoxy application equipment, the pavement marking materials shall be applied simultaneously. The Epoxy Resin, mixed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, shall be hot-sprayed onto the pavement surface within an application temperature range recommended by the manufacturer. Reflective glass beads are injected into the molten (liquid) Epoxy Marking.
Individual Components: Before mixing, the individual components shall be heated to within the temperature range of 100F to 170F. The upper limit of the manufacturer's recommended heating temperature shall not be exceeded at any time under any circumstances.
Mixed Material: After mixing, the application temperatures for the combined materials at the gun tip shall be within the temperature range recommended by the manufacturer for the particular product used.
Glass beads shall be applied in the proper ratio to immediately produce a highly reflective marking. "Drop-on Beads" shall be uniformly applied to the surface of the epoxy pavement marking so that the beads are partially embedded. The beads shall be applied at a rate to obtain the minimum reflectance values. The rate of bead application shall be no less than 20 lbs. per 100 square feet of the line surface area.
At the time of installation, the in-place marking shall have the minimum reflectance values shown below, as obtained with a Mirolux 12 Retroreflectometer. The reflectance values shown below shall be maintained for a minimum of 30 days from the time of placement of marking material.
WHITE: 375 mcd/lux/m2
YELLOW: 250 mcd/lux/m2
The marking shall, upon cooling, be uniformly reflectorized and have the ability to resist deformation caused by traffic throughout its entire length.
(7) Cold Applied Plastic Application:
Cold Applied Plastic shall be applied per manufacturers' instructions.
Cold Applied Plastic markings shall be 90 mils thick.
(H) Observation Period for Thermoplastic and Epoxy:
Thermoplastic and epoxy pavement markings shall be subject to a 180 day observation period.
The Contractor shall maintain responsibility for the pavement markings for a 180 day observation period beginning upon the satisfactory completion of all work required in the plans or as directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall guarantee the markings under the payment and performance bond, refer to Article 10910.
Traffic shall be operating on the facility during the entire 180 day observation period unless otherwise directed by the plans or the Engineer.
During the 180 day observation period the pavement marking material furnished and installed under this contract shall show no signs of failure due to blistering, excessive cracking, chipping, bleeding, staining, discoloration, oil content of the pavement materials, smearing or spreading under heat, deterioration due to contact with grease deposits, oil, diesel fuel, or gasoline drippings, chipping, spalling, poor adhesion to the pavement materials, loss of reflectivity, vehicular damage, and normal wear.
The Contractor, at no additional expense to the Department, shall replace any pavement markings that do not perform satisfactorily under traffic during the 180 day observation.
The minimum reflectance values at the end of the Observation period shall be 325 mcd/lux/m2 for white material and 200 mcd/lux/m2 for yellow material. These measurements will be taken by the Department within 30 days prior to the end of the Observation Period. The reflectance values shall be taken using a Mirolux 12 reflectometer.
At the end of the Observation Period, the thermoplastic pavement marking material must be within 10 mils of the initial, above the pavement, thicknesses as required in the plan. The thickness measurements shall be taken as specified by Materials and Tests Unit Procedure PM1.0.
(I) Removal of Pavement Markings:
This work includes the removal of all types of pavement markings including removal for long life marking preparation.
Pavement marking lines and symbols shall be removed by methods acceptable to the Engineer that will not materially or structurally damage the surface or texture of the pavement. The Contractor shall repair any damage to the pavement, pavement joint materials, or the pavement surface caused by the removal of existing pavement markings by methods acceptable to the Engineer at no additional cost to the Department.
The pavement surface shall be left in a condition that will not mislead or misdirect the motorist.
Where existing pavement markings are to be removed and replaced by other pavement markings, removal shall not begin until adequate provisions have been made to complete the installation of the replacement markings. Pavement markings shall be removed in such order that the markings remaining in place at any time will not be in a pattern that will mislead or misdirect the motorists.
The markings shall be removed so that the surface is in proper condition for adequate bonding of the new markings. Any material deposited on the pavement as a result of removing pavement markings shall be promptly removed as the work progresses by methods acceptable to the Engineer. When these operations are completed, the pavement surface shall be blown clean by compressed air to remove residue and debris.
Ninety (90) percent or more of the total area of the existing pavement markings shall be removed to uniformly expose the existing pavement surface.
The existing pavement markings shall be removed, such that, an additional 1 inch of pavement marking removal extends on each side of the existing marking.
Pavement markings installed by the Contractor which prematurely deteriorate, fail to adhere to the pavement, lack reflectorization, or are otherwise unsatisfactory, during the life of the project shall be replaced by the Contractor as determined by the Engineer.
Upon notification from the Engineer, the Contractor will be required to winterize the existing pavement markings on the project by placing an additional application of markings. The markings are to be suitable for use in winter periods whether in a temporary or final pattern. Payment will be made under the pay item for the type of marking placed.
(A) Pavement Marking Lines:
The quantity of pavement marking lines to be paid for will be the actual number of linear feet of pavement marking lines which have been satisfactorily placed and accepted by the Engineer. The quantity of solid lines shall be the summation of the linear feet of solid line measured end-to-end of the line. The quantity of skip or broken lines shall be the summation of the linear feet derived by multiplying the nominal length of a line by the number of marking lines in place and accepted by the Engineer.
(B) Pavement Marking Symbols:
The quantity of pavement marking symbols to be paid for will be the actual number of pavement marking symbols satisfactorily placed.
(C) Pavement Marking Messages:
The quantity of pavement marking messages to be paid for will be the actual number of pavement marking messages satisfactorily placed.
(D) Curing Compound Removal (Lines):
The quantity of curing compound removal (lines) to be paid for will be the actual number of linear feet of pavement surface from which the curing compounds are satisfactorily removed. Measurement shall be made along the surface of the pavement.
(E) Curing Compound Removal (Symbols & Messages):
The quantity of curing compound removal (symbols and messages) to be paid for will be the actual number of symbols and messages for which the curing compound has been satisfactorily removed.
(F) Removal of Pavement Marking Lines:
The quantity of removal of pavement marking lines to be paid for will be the actual number of linear feet of pavement marking lines which have been satisfactorily removed and accepted by the Engineer. The quantity of solid lines will be the summation of the linear feet of solid line measured end-to-end of the line. The quantity of skip or broken lines will be the summation of the linear feet of lines derived by multiplying the nominal length of a line by the number of lines removed and accepted by the Engineer.
(G) Removal of Pavement Marking Symbols & Messages:
The quantity of removal of pavement marking symbols and messages to be paid for will be the actual number of pavement marking symbols which have been satisfactorily removed and accepted by the Engineer.
1205-6 DESCRIPTION:(See Standard Special Provisions)
The quantity of pavement marking lines, measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price per linear foot for "Type Pavement Marking Lines, (width), (color)".
The quantity of pavement marking symbols measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price each for "Type Pavement Marking Symbols, (description)".
The quantity of pavement marking messages, measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price each for "Type Pavement Marking Messages (description)".
The quantity of removal of pavement marking lines, measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price per linear foot for "Removal of Pavement Marking Lines, ( inches wide)".
The quantity of removal of pavement marking symbols and messages, measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price each for "Removal of Pavement Markings (Symbols and Messages)".
The quantity of curing compound removal (lines), measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price per linear foot for "Curing Compound Removal (Lines)".
The quantity of curing compound removal (symbols and messages), measured as provided in Article 12055, will be paid for at the contract unit price per each for "Curing Compound Removal (Symbols and Messages)".
Such prices and payment will be full compensation for all work covered by this section including but not limited to furnishing, installing, and removing pavement markings during the life of the project.
Payment will be made under:
Pavement Marking Lines (width), (color) Linear Foot
Pavement Marking Symbols (description) Each
Pavement Marking Messages (description) Each
Removal of Pavement Marking Lines inches wide Linear Foot
Removal of Pavement Marking - Symbols & Messages Each
Curing Compound Removal (Lines) Linear Foot
Curing Compound Removal (Symbols & Messages) Each