Abstract
Clearly visible lane markings are important for all road users, particularly autonomous vehicles. In general, nighttime retroreflectivity is one of the most challenging marking visibility characteristics for agencies to monitor and maintain, particularly in cold weather climates when agency snowplows remove retroreflective material during winter operations. Traditional surface-applied paint and glass beads typically only last one season in climates with routine snowplow activity. Recently, transportation agencies in cold weather climates have begun deploying improved recessed, durable pavement markings that can last several years and have very high retroreflective properties. These recessed durable markings are typically either epoxy, thermoplastic or preformed tape and are typically installed during new construction or significant pavement resurfacing projects. As a result, several dozen installations may occur in a state in any calendar year. This presents a challenge for states that need to program annual re-painting of traditional waterborne paint lines, but not paint over the much more costly durable markings.
This study reports on the utilization of mobile mapping LiDAR systems to classify and evaluate pavement markings along a 73-mile section of westbound I-74 in Indiana. LiDAR intensity data can classify pavement markings into 3 groupings: high-performing durable tape, non-tape, and needing maintenance. Color images collected during the LiDAR intensity data collection were used to validate the LiDAR classification. These techniques can be employed by agencies to develop accurate pavement marking inventories that ensure only painted lines (or segments with missing tape) are repainted during annual maintenance.
Keywords
LiDAR, pavement markings, preformed tape
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/32
SPR Number
4741
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, Indiana
Date of Version
2024
DOI
10.5703/1288284317806
Recommended Citation
Brinster, G. L., Hodaei, M., Eissa, A. M., DeLoach, Z., Bruno, J. E., Habib, A., & Bullock, D. M. (2024). Leveraging LiDAR intensity to evaluate roadway pavement marking retroreflectivity (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2024/32). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317806