In this study, the Pavement Marking Visibility Module of the Tarvip model was validated by comparing field data from various studies to prediction results under similar conditions from Tarvip. Next, a comprehensive survey on the factors that affect pavement marking visibility and minimum RL levels was performed, with key factors identified, including pavement marking configuration, pavement surface type, vehicle speed, vehicle type, and presence of RRPMs. From these key factors, a methodology of using Tarvip to do a sensitivity analysis on factors modeled in it was developed. The plan was executed, and resulting RL values under typical conditions on United States roadways formed the basis of new recommendations. Finally, limitations of the recommendations were analyzed, and a plan for future research was presented. This study was aimed at completing the research to develop and scrutinize minimum levels for pavement marking retroreflectivity to meet nighttime driving needs. A previous study carried out in the 1990s was based on the CARVE model developed at Ohio University and resulted in a table of minimum levels of pavement marking retroreflectiviy values. Since then, a newer, more powerful analytical tool, Tarvip, which was developed at the Operator Performance Lab of the University of Iowa, overcomes a lot of limitations of the CARVE model and uses updated data that reflect the current states of vehicles and roadways in the United States.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 408: Pavement Marking Warranty Specifications presents information on the use of pavement marking warranties by United States and Canadian transportation agencies, including agency specifications. European experience is also included in the report for comparison purposes. Appendices D and E for NCHRP Synthesis 408 are available online--

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 713: Estimating Life Expectancies of Highway Assets, Volume 2: Final Report describes the technical issues and data needs associated with estimating asset life expectancies and the practices used in a number of fields—such as the energy and financial industries—to make such estimates.

Volume 1 addresses how to apply a methodology for estimating the life expectancies of major types of highway system assets. The methodology is designed for use in lifecycle cost analyses that support management decision making. Volume 2 describes the technical issues and data needs associated with estimating asset life expectancies and the practices used in a number of fields--such as the energy and financial industries--to make such estimates.

This research evaluated pavement marking performance and developed useful degradation models for thermoplastic and paint pavement markings which can help North Carolina meet the pending FHWA minimum retroreflectivity requirements. The impacts of several important factors (such as lateral location, directionality, region, and pavement roughness) on pavement marking retroreflectivity were evaluated. With two large datasets in hand, the authors determined whether these factors had significant impacts on marking retroreflectivity. Image processing techniques were used to analyze pavement marking surface glass bead density. The authors were able to explain why paint marking retroreflectivity values degraded over time by evaluating the impact of bead density on paint marking retroreflectivity. The research reviewed existing marking retroreflectivity degradation models and developed useful new models for both thermoplastic and paint pavement markings in North Carolina. The research presented a transportation asset management system framework for estimating the current and future condition of pavement markings. The research outcomes enable the North Carolina Department of Transportation to have a better understanding of thermoplastic and paint pavement marking performance, which can lead to cost saving by maximizing pavement marking service lifecycles.

Transportation asset management delivers efficient and cost-effective investment decisions to support transportation infrastructure and system usage performance measured in economic, social, health, and environmental terms. It can be applied at national, state, and local levels. This distinctive book addresses asset management for multimodal transportation, taking account of system component interdependency, integration, and risk and uncertainty. It sets out rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods for addressing system goals, performance measures, and needs; data collection and management; performance modeling; project evaluation, selection, and trade-off analysis; innovative financing; and institutional issues. It applies as easily to static traffic and time-dependent or dynamic traffic which exists on a more local level. It is written for transportation planners, engineers, and academia, as well as a growing number of graduate students taking transportation asset management courses.