Snowplowable raised pavement markers (SRPMs) are commonly used in Virginia to supplementlane lines on the interstate and portions of the primary system. While the SRPMs improve lanedelineation at night and during inclement weather, the SRPMs can become damaged or detachedfrom the pavement after prolonged exposure to traffic and snowplows. Prior to 2009, Virginiahad no formal method or schedule for routinely inspecting these markers following initialinstallation.In April 2006, a fragment of an SRPM metal casting became dislodged and injured amotorist. In response to this incident, a statewide study was initiated to determine if there weresystemic problems with SRPMs becoming damaged or detached on Virginia’s interstates.Casting condition, reflector condition, epoxy condition, and installation adequacy were inspectedon 78 1-mile segments of interstate pavement containing SRPMs. The study found that nearly 8percent of all SRPM castings inspected were either missing or damaged. Approximately 35percent of reflectors inspected were either missing or damaged. An analysis of risk factorsshowed that total traffic since installation and initial installation adequacy were most stronglycorrelated with casting failures. These data were used to develop an SRPM casting inspectionprogram and schedule that has been adopted by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Thestudy also recommends increased training for installers and inspectors.
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