Pavement Markings: Materials, Layout & Application
What the exam tests
The Pavement Markings domain tests color, pattern, width, material selection, surface preparation, and application. Markings are part of the traffic control system; they must be visible in daylight and retroreflective at night and in wet conditions.
Core rules
- Yellow separates opposing traffic and marks the left edge of divided highways and ramps; white separates same-direction traffic and marks right edge lines.
- Longitudinal lines are normally 4–6 in wide; wider lines are used where emphasis is needed. Broken lines use a standard line/gap pattern; solid lines prohibit crossing.
- On a two-way centerline, use broken yellow where passing is permitted, solid yellow on the side where passing is prohibited, and double solid yellow where both directions are prohibited.
- Materials include waterborne paint, thermoplastic, preformed tape, epoxy, polyurea, and MMA. Select for traffic, climate, surface type, and snowplow exposure.
- Glass beads provide retroreflectivity; bead quality and embedment matter. Apply within the manufacturer's temperature and humidity limits after cleaning and drying the surface.
Worked example
A two-lane rural road has a passing zone that ends before a curve. The technician lays out a broken yellow centerline through the passing zone, then a solid yellow line on the direction approaching the curve and a broken yellow line on the opposite side where passing remains legal. The solid line extends through the sight-restricted curve. The crew checks line width, gap pattern, and bead application before opening the lane.
Traps
Using white for a centerline; applying over a damp or dirty surface; over-beading or under-beading; failing to taper a line change; and assuming a durable material is always better-thermoplastic can be damaged by snowplows if not specified correctly.