Tennessee Durability Demonstration Projects

The pavement marking season is much longer in TN than it is in AK. In addition, there are more roadways to choose from in TN and more availability to various pavement marking materials. Therefore, in TN there are two test decks. One test deck will be set up similar to the Alaska test deck and another will include more materials to be installed with longline trucks rather than handcarts.

The test deck designs in Tennessee were chosen so that direct comparisons can be made between material in Alaska and Tennessee. One test deck, to be installed in the northeast corner of Tennessee will look and feel much like the Alaska test deck (i.e., it will have some of the same products and will also be installed with handcarts). This region of Tennessee was chosen for this test deck because it is most prone to snow and subsequent plowings. This test deck will be in Greene County on State Route 34.

Latest Data Files

Tusculum Deck Retroreflectivity Data Measurements (This data file is in Microsoft Excel)

Nashville Deck Retroreflectivity Data Measurements (This data file is in Microsoft Excel)

Lead-free Test Deck Retroreflectivity Data Measurements (These data files are in Microsoft Excel)
4WB-Swarco
5EB-Ennis
5WB-Dobco

2008 Update

Lead-free Test Deck Installation - State Route 840

In June 2008, the three half mile sections of yellow lead-free thermoplastic were applied over the existing markings on the SR840 test deck in sections 5WB, 4WB, and 5EB. Central Seal (Tennessee's on call striper) installed the markings and also provided the traffic control during the installation of each section. The thermoplastic materials were provided by Dobco, Ennis, and Swarco. The beads were the standard Tennessee bead, which is an AASHTO M247 bead. The markings were extruded using a titan striper, and were applied at a thickness between 70 and 110 mils. Initial color (day, night) and retroreflectivity measurements were made shortly after the lane was reopened to traffic. The traffic that was allowed to pass blew off the excess beads off the top of the line. Ideally there would have been at least a week of traffic prior to measurement to allow loosely imbedded beads to also be removed so that the initial readings would be more accurate. Due to travel this was not feasible, but comprehensive measurements will be made during the next data collection period scheduled for August.

Lead-free Test Deck Installation Summary

2007 Tusculum Pavement Marking Test Deck Area
State Route 34

The second test deck in Tennessee was installed in the spring of 2007 as part of Task 3 activities. The Tusculum pavement marking test deck area consists of a minimum of 7 test sections along SR-34 between SR-107 and SR-75. There are 3 test sections in the westbound direction, and 4 in the eastbound direction. Each section is approximately 0.5 miles long. The different markings installed are:

• High build acrylic paint
• Extended seasons (XSR) low temperature acrylic paint
• Modified epoxy formulation
• Modified urethane
• Methylmethacrylate (mix ratio 4:1, extruded)
• Methylmethacrylate (mix ratio 4:1, agglomerate applied)
• Thermoplastic (extruded)
• Tape (2 types)

Tusculum Deck Retroreflectivity Data Measurements (This data file is in Microsoft Excel)

2006 Nashville Pavement Marking Test Deck Area
State Route 840

The Nashville pavement marking test deck area was installed in October 2006. This test deck has nine sections along SR-840 between Interstate Highway IH-65 and IH-24. There are five test sections in the westbound direction, and four in the eastbound direction. Each section is approximately 0.5 miles long. The different markings that were installed are listed below.

• High build acrylic paint
• Extended seasons (XSR) low temperature acrylic paint
• Polyurea
• All weather paint (AWP)
• Thermoplastic (90 mil thickness, extruded)
• Thermoplastic (40 mil thickness, spray)
• Thermoplastic (40 mil thickness, spray applied on rumble strips)
• Thermoplastic (inverted profile, aka Gulfline)
• Spray thermoplastic at 90 mil (MMA splatter marking was planned but vendor was a no show).
  

Nashville Deck Retroreflectivity Data Measurements (This data file is in Microsoft Excel)

Alaska Durability Study

Safety Study

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