Field Evaluation of In-Lane Pavement Markings in Advance of Freeway Interchanges

Abstract

Freeway interchanges with lane drops, double-lane exits with optional lanes, and other unusual geometries violate driver expectations and may result in late lane changes and erratic movements near the exit gore. In-lane pavement markings can reiterate the information provided on overhead signs that depict the geometry of the upcoming interchange. Researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute designed and conducted field studies at freeway interchanges to evaluate the operational impacts of route shield and directional arrow in-lane pavement markings. The addition of route shields resulted in better utilization of optional and inside exit-only lanes. In addition, motorists made lane changes farther upstream of the exit and made fewer unnecessary lane changes after the installation of the route shields. The addition of directional arrows also positively affected the lane distributions and lane change rate, but the effect on unnecessary lane changes was not as evident. Researchers concluded that the installation of in-lane pavement markings (either route shields or directional arrows) improved operations and, potentially, safety at the interchanges studied. There is evidence to suggest that a combination of route shields and directional arrows may be more beneficial to motorists than directional arrows alone.

The Effect of Lane Direction Pavement Markings on Driving Performance and Safety: A Driving Simulator Study

“…Colucci and Valdés (2017) found that DPMs, which started one km prior to an exit ramp, eliminated lane choice errors. Finley and Ullman (2011) compared three different DPMs conditions: name of the road to which the current lane leads within a colored shield, white arrows, and a combination of both name and arrows. The combined condition was found to be most effective.…”

Analysis of the Driver’s Behavior Characteristics in Low Volume Freeway Interchange

“…And also many researchers put efforts on interchange safety analysis and evaluation. Finley and Ullman conducted field studies at freeway interchanges to evaluate the operational impacts of route shield and directional arrow in-lane pavement marking and concluded that the installation of in-lane pavement markings improved operations and safety at the interchanges [9]. Torbic et al synthesized the current state of knowledge concerning the safety assessment of interchanges, developed a spreadsheet-based computational tool for examining the safety performance of existing interchanges, and identified gaps in knowledge concerning interchange safety assessment [10].…”

Assessing the Elastic Moduli of Pavement Marking Tapes using the Tape Drape Test

“…Highly visible, durable, and easily removable TPMs are necessary to provide drivers with a clear travel path through work zones without damaging the roadway surfaces (1,2). In many areas, TPMs are also required to temporarily cover and sometimes replace existing permanent pavement markings to avoid potential lane confusion for drivers (3)(4)(5). Durability and ease of installation and removal are high priorities for TPM tapes because reapplication and intensive tape removal processes can significantly increase both material and labor costs, delay roadway reopenings, and damage roadway surfaces from grinding or milling (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”