Application of types of temporary/removable pavement marking material and special linestriping material

Virginia uses removable tape for construction pavement markings on final roadway surfaces and in areas where traffic patterns are subject to change before the pavement is resurfaced or demolished. There is an exception on non-final roadway surfaces in that paint is allowed in lieu of removable tape if the surface temperature of the pavement is below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum application temperature. The use of removable tape is required in the situations above to eliminate eradication of pavement markings since eradication provides an appearance of a line marking at nighttime due to the polishing of the stone/aggregate in the pavement. Paint is used for construction pavement markings where the roadway is to be resurfaced prior to changes in traffic patterns or where pavement is to be demolished and traffic patterns will not change before demolition. The specifications are performance-based and materials other than paint are allowed; however, at this time, only paint is approved.
At this time, VDOT is not specifying wet reflective construction pavement markings. However, the state is setting up some pilot projects where wet reflective construction pavement markings (removable tape) will be required for all construction pavement markings. VDOT expects to make a final decision on whether to require wet reflective markings for all construction pavement markings by fall 2006 after completion of some of the pilot projects.
VDOT does require the use of temporary pavement markers with construction pavement markings in transition (lane drop) or lane shift areas of work zones that encroaches on the traveled roadway for a period of more than three days and in other cases as required by the engineer. This provides for wet-weather reflectivity in the critical areas of a work zone. Problems have been experienced with temporary markers staying adhered to the roadway surface in high-volume areas, especially when there are large numbers of trucks.