Schools and commercial properties with roads often use reflective pavement markers so drivers have better visibility day or night and in rainy conditions. Using raised markers makes your roads more safe, as they reflect car headlights and alert drivers when they have moved out of a lane. Here’s a deeper look at how reflectors provide a safer driving environment.
The main purpose of reflective pavement markers is to provide safety reminders to drivers about where they are on the road. Reflectors help alert drivers if they have drifted out of a lane or that they should proceed with caution. These reflectors can be used in many different situations to help make the road more visible. They are common on mountainous roads, schools, and organizations with large parking lots and areas where danger is present.
Each device has a reflective surface that allows drivers to see it from a distance, even at night or during rainfall. These reflectors have lenses that come in various colors such as blue, green, red, white and yellow. The typical size of one of these units is 4 inches in length and 3.5 inches in height. The reflectivity can be made to be one-way or two-way, using corner reflector strips.
In the United States different colors have different meanings and applications when it comes to reflectors. Yellow or orange markers are very common, as they are used to separate opposing traffic or mark the left end of a one-way street. White markers are often used to mark lanes on a roadway. While blue markers indicate a nearby fire hydrant, a red marker suggests the road is closed to traffic.
Raised reflectors are designed to last many years. It’s still advantageous to periodically check each reflector to make sure it isn’t too worn and still has reflectivity in both dry and wet conditions. Some units are designed to have a rumble effect to give drivers greater awareness, so it’s important that they maintain this effect. The adhesive is designed to be permanent for both asphalt and concrete pavements.
Reflectors work well with parking lot striping. These reflectors are made to withstand heavy use and high impact events. They are typically easy to install and don’t require more than a caulking gun. The requirements for raised pavement markers are explained by the Federal Highway Administration. The requirements are based on optimum driving performance, road geometry, road conditions, and other factors.
Installing reflectors on pavement is a good way to help drivers see the road and its lanes more clearly, particularly in parking lots. Reflectors, which serve as extensions of traffic signs, give drivers a better sense of where they are on the road at night and in wet weather. For more information about reflective pavement markers, call Zumar at our Arizona, California or Washington location.