AASHTO Journal - Utah DOT Using New Lane Marking Assessment Tech

The Utah Department of Transportation recently began using new mobile retroreflective technology to assess the visibility of lane markings on I-15; eliminating the need to use crews to visibly measure highway lane markings.

[Above photo by Utah DOT]

This agency noted that “retroreflectivity” refers to the addition of special glass beads or microprisms to an object. In this case, the agency embeds glass beads into highway lane markings to increase their visibility – especially at night.

Utah DOT stressed that its new mobile data collection technology allows it to more comprehensively assess the visibility of its lane markings in any weather condition and determine how to address visibility problems – all while saving taxpayer dollars and making the data collection process safer for highway travelers and crews.

Previously, retroreflectivity measurements required crews to slowly pace over lane markings on a highway, holding a “retroreflectometer” as it scanned lane markings with lasers and collected data. Not only did this take longer, it posed significant safety risks as crews had to create work zones in high speed/high volume areas, like lanes or on-ramps, the agency said.

Conversely, the new moving data collection method uses mobile retroreflectometer units or MRUs mounted to a car, which then follows behind another car that splashes water on the lane striping; allowing the MRU to assess the visibility of lane markings when wet, Utah DOT noted.

“Any time we can do our jobs safely – and get the data we need without anyone getting hurt and impacting the public – it’s a big win,” said Abdul Wakil, Utah DOT’s maintenance asset engineer, in a statement.

“Not only are we helping to keep routes safe and efficient in the present, but we’re also looking for innovative ways to improve their travel experience in the future — while keeping our crews safe,” Wakil pointed out

MRUs are also lowering the costs associated with testing retroreflectivity, as the previous method required the Utah Highway Patrol or UHP and Utah DOT’s Incident Management Team or IMT to create work zone “buffers” as crews gathered data with the static retroreflectometers.

Now, crews collect data while remaining in motion, without the assistance of UHP or the IMT following behind them and creating a buffer from traffic—thus saving time and money in resources.

Utah DOT added that it has five designated testing zones along southbound I-15 between South Salt Lake and Draper. Data is currently being used to gauge the viability of wet-reflective tape to increase visibility in rainy conditions. Data on that product’s reflectivity is then being reported back to companies and partners, which are using that information to improve their products used on Utah’s state roads, the agency said.