New road marking materials improved safety
Researchers, scientists, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) partnering on the project ROADMARK (Novel mineral material for road marking) have produced a new road marking material. The substance is sprayed onto roads in a water medium, yielding durable, self-cleaning, waterproof and anti-skid road markings. Initial project work involved studies on cement polymers and additives and the setting times of various road coatings. The team created a database with suitable and candidate raw materials from which they chose the most promising for further testing and application. They developed a new latex composition for cementitious material. The best composition was Vac/VeoVa, which ROADMARK combined with hydroxyapatite. Following, the team developed a new cementitious composition for road marking formulation. The final mixture imparts, among other features, elasticity and flexibility and confers thermal insulating properties and lubricity to the final product. The final road marking material composition is a dry formulation that, after water addition, leaves an integrated marking material for concrete or asphalt applications. The technological approach enabled ROADMARK to produce an enhanced cementitious paint formulation that complies with established regulations. It is based on an inorganic material, a non-fuel fossil-dependent alternative, reducing associated costs as well as environmental impact. The chosen mineral compositions contribute to improved adhesion between the asphalt and the paint, improving also the paint's durability. Its retroreflective, colour and luminance properties are optimal for use in road markings, and it can be used in equipment commonly employed for paint application and with different finishing methods. The paint can be applied with air gun, brush, roller, an extensor applicator or even a trowel. All were shown to achieve good workability and substrate adhesion (asphalt or cement), fast drying, a good finish and surface levelling. ROADMARK's new material for road markings affords improved visibility and road safety as well as savings in terms of material and maintenance costs, and reduced traffic-related injuries and deaths. The developments are slated to deliver benefits for various stakeholder groups, including public authorities, manufacturers and applicator companies. Project work and outcomes also bode well for European SMEs, boosting their competitiveness in industrial coatings.
Keywords
Road marking, road safety, ROADMARK, cement, coatings, asphalt
