Synthesis of Safety for Traffic Operations - Transports Canada

Pavement Markings
TABLE 5.8: Safety Impacts of Pavement Marking Reflectivity
Time
Area
Measure
Interval
A B C D
1 RR 178 --- --- ---
N/D 0.56 --- --- ---
2 RR 215 167 --- ---
N/D 0.56 0.88 --- ---
3 RR 217 211 249 254
N/D 0.96 0.70 0.34 0.48
4 RR 181 196 157 151
N/D 0.92 0.41 0.37 0.56
5 RR 196 159 151 205
N/D 0.19 0.70 0.13 0.33
6 RR 226 195 215 208
N/D 1.43 0.65 0.37 0.58
7 RR 247 226 281 228
N/D 1.02 0.81 0.67 0.38
8 RR 146 140 122 170
N/D 0.33 0.63 0.63 0.82
9 RR 202 162 151 228
N/D 1.21 0.28 0.67 0.84
10 RR 281 184 181 ---
N/D 0.73 0.70 0.22 ---
11 RR 280 166 235 ---
N/D 0.43 0.84 0.69 ---
Of interest in the Lee et al paper is that the regression equation for all sites combined,
although it is poorly correlated, indicates that as reflectivity increases, so does the
proportion of night-time crashes. This is contrary to intuition, which suggests that more
visible markings should assist motorists in control and guidance of their vehicles, and
reduce crashes. However, this finding is consistent with more recent thinking that
suggests more reflective markings provide the motorist with a better view of the roadway
alignment, leading the motorist into thinking they can see better than they in fact can.
Transverse Markings
Retting et al (1997)
Retting et al (1997) conducted a study to determine the impacts of right-and-thru
pavement marking arrows on rear-end crashes at four commercial driveways in Virginia.
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