Pavement markings may have lower skid resistance than the pavement surface, which may impact motorcyclists or bicyclists more than vehicles with 3 or more wheels. Larger marking area, such as crosswalks and stop bars, may pose even greater issues.

Treatment

: When introducing pavement markings, it is good practice to locate them away from where motorcyclists are likely to be accelerating, braking or turning. Pavement markings with an improved skid resistance similar to that of the adjacent roadway could be used where the road marking is considered necessary.

If thermoplastic markings are used, designers should check the specifications to ensure that a sufficient quantity of glass beads or some other rough surface additive are included to provide some skid resistance in wet weather as well as maximizing reflectivity.

A designer may also investigate manufactured roadway striping that is adhered to the pavement surface and can be specified with high-friction surfaces that are resistant to wear.

There are some disadvantages around application of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), including ‘greying’ of the marking over time due to traffic and the retroreflective performance. Designers need to take a balanced approach when considering pavement markings and use different types of road marking dependent on the site and the potential skidding risk to motorcyclists.