Blog

A little bit about the science behind the road markings

With the increase of the number of vehicles the issue of road safety has come to the fore. People saw the need for road markings, however, in order for the road marking process to be more effective, they did a lot of research and observed what type of signs were noticeable on the roads, in what forms it should be expressed, how far away and so on. To put it simply, by conducting in-depth surveys required for road markings, navigation is much safer today. Now let's discuss this issue in detail.

Traffic markings as a measure of speed reduction and limit

Numerous studies have been conducted where speed reduction has been linked to road markings and driver behavior. ᲛFor example, early research by Aaron and Dewar showed that road marking triggers warning signals in drivers, which in turn reduces speed. After a few months of data, they concluded that road markings were helping to reduce speed by 40%. The following study examined the effects of two additional signs. The first white one was a 0.5 m long line found on the right of the road, followed by an additional information road marking, repeated every 50 m. As a result, both types of road markings have a significant impact on speed reduction.

In one study, the authors concluded that linking road markings to specific speed limits, such as 60, 80 and 100 km / h signs, might be a useful way to improve speed limit compliance. However, longitudinal signs were more effective at reducing speed than other warning signs.

Visibility of road signs

In order to study what the visibility of road signs was like, this issue was studied from many angles. These include identifying road markings from a specific distance, determining the minimum levels of retro-reflectivity required for drivers in both dry and rainy weather, and the factors that affect road visibility.

In one study, 5 arrow markers were tested, with 10 drivers observing them from a distance, and it was found that arrows that were full-scale and highly elongated had much more road visibility than signs that were half-scale.

The experiment even found that road signs with retro-reflection can be seen from an average distance of 90-120 meters. To determine the subjective level of retro-reflection, the movement of older drivers was observed. People aged 20-89 participated in the study. It was found that for more than 85% of participants over the age of 60, road markings were observed from a closer distance. Accordingly, for them the road visibility was less. Using a road marker visibility assessor, the authors also found that there was a significant difference in subjective assessments of the minimum level of retro-reflection between young and older drivers.

In total, the retro-reflectivity of road markings depends on many different factors, be it the age of the driver, the quality of the car glass, the type of road, the number of lanes and road markings, the climatic conditions or more. As a result, these studies have provided the necessary characteristics for the visibility of road signs.

Road markings and case of road accidents

Existence of road markings In relation to road safety, their presence or visibility has also been investigated in terms of the occurrence of road accidents or vice versa. Surveys have found that the addition of road signs reduces road accidents, ranging from about 3% to 16%. However, great importance is attached to road drawing methods.

According to the results of the study, the authors concluded that without the lines on the edges of the roads, the number of road accidents was 11% higher. However, the presence of concrete lines had a positive impact on road safety even in low visibility conditions.

In one of the studies, only the drivers who were involved in the accident at night were observed, although there should have been only one car involved in the incident… The results of the study supported the hypothesis that retro-reflection of road markings had a positive impact on road safety. Consequently, areas with higher retro-reflectivity are associated with fewer road accidents.

We must say that maintaining existing markings has a significant positive impact on road safety. And if the rainy climate is taken into account when drawing the roads and appropriate materials are used for marking, the road visibility and, consequently, the road safety increases.

The importance of road signs in road safety

We already know that road signs play an important role in creating a safe environment on the roads. Assists both drivers and pedestrians. However, road navigation is also an important issue, it even helps us to regulate the movement of vehicles and traffic jams. When drivers and pedestrians know what a particular sign indicates Traffic navigation becomes much easier for them because they know where to go and there is less chance of endangering others with the wrong movement.

You have probably often heard the phrase that special signs regulate traffic. However here you must not forget that people moving only by vehicles are not meant. An important place is occupied by pedestrians and markings made for them. A good example of this is the zebra crossings, with its help pedestrians are able to cross the street safely, while drivers slow down the traffic and avoid possible car accidents. As a result, pedestrian and driver safety is guaranteed…