Automated Raised Pavement Marker Machine (Conveyor System)

This report summarizes a project directed towards the development of an automated machine for placing raised pavement markers. The report includes the basic design criteria established in the project and the various concepts considered to fulfill these objectives. The report also contains the detailed design, construction, testing, and evaluation of the automated Raised Pavement Marker (RPM) Applicator (conveyor belt) System. This machine was designed to apply reflective and non-reflective raised pavement markers with bituminous adhesive from a vehicle traveling up to 10 MPH. The results of this project show that a machine can be manufactured which has the ability to apply raised pavement markers and marker adhesive from a moving vehicle while allowing the operator to remain within the protective confines of the vehicle cab. The automated raised pavement marker machine (RPMM) was able to apply markers with pseudo-bituminous adhesive at speeds up to 5 MPH, making standard marker patterns or placing a single marker. The feasibility of an automated raised pavement marker machine was clearly demonstrated.