The surface of concrete roads of cities and towns need to be marked with various kinds of paints, for the convenience of pedestrians and vehicle drivers. Even the pavements and parking spaces can be marked in different styles, to indicate where to stop on the way or cross the road, to avoid accidents. However, different countries have their own systems of line marking on their roads, about which all drivers receive thorough knowledge during their driving training. Usually, white and yellow colour is chosen for these markings on the dark surface of concrete roadways so that maximum visibility is available from a distance.
Different Types Of Line Marking On The Road Surfaces
- Single solid lines are known as the standard line marking in most of the countries in the world. This type of line is drawn with only one color, preferably white or yellow for best visibility. This line marking has the width of 100 – 150 mm and drawn longitudinally along the direction to which a vehicle is supposed to be driven. People also use these lines in parking lots, to mark the individual space for a car. A line stripper with only one spray gun is used to draw such solid lines over the road surface.
- Double lines are usually drawn at the middle of a road, to mark the separate flow of traffic on two sides of these lines. Two solid lines are used at the center, to stop vehicles from crossing to the other side. Sometimes, one solid line is combined with a skipped line or multiple solid lines alternated with skip lines. A line stripper with two spray guns is the best choice for drawing these lines while the use of two automatic spray guns can make the job of line marking much faster.
- Skip lines are created by drawing several segments of a broken line. It is easier to draw such lines and thus, widely practiced in many countries. However, the colors, lengths, widths, and distance between two lines vary from one country to another. Such line marking is used for separating the traffic flow on busy roads and keep vehicles moving in a straight line. The lanes for cycles and pedestrians are also marked conveniently with these lines. Automatic guns are applied for making these lines just by pushing a button on that machine. The dimensions and distances between the lines are programmed in these guns and semi-automatic guns are also used in some places.
- Diagonal lines are drawn to mark the non-driving areas, where numbers of parallel solid lines are created over the road surface, to cross another set of lines in a particular angle. Usually, these lines are drawn manually, to maintain the measurements related to the lines. However, now automatic machines are also used for drawing such lines quickly, by adjusting the tip of the spray gun to the required angle.
- Multicolored line marking is also practiced in some countries, mainly seen in the busy roadways and airports. The traffic lanes are marked with white and yellow lines while dual contrast colors of white and black are seen on light grey floors of airports. Two spray guns of a machine should be loaded with distinct colored paints, for creating such dual colored lines.
Though the paint is the most common material for line marking on the roads; several thermoplastic materials are also used for this purpose. Glass beads, plasticizer chemicals, and other filler materials are also used for creating lines over road surfaces. A cold plastic chemical is also used in a too chilling or too hot climate, as it remains intact on both weather extremities. However, only the cheapest options are chosen for marking the lines over the busy roads.
