Pavement markings save lives and reduce congestion. A benefit-cost analysis of edgelines, centerlines, and lane lines is presented. The analysis considers marking applied with fast-drying paint or thermoplastic, the most frequently used marking materials in the UnitedStates. A literature review and telephone survey suggested stripingwith fast-drying paint costs $0.035/linear-ft in rural areas and $0.07/linear-ft in urban areas. Thermoplastic lines cost more than painted ones, but they can have lower life-cycle costs; in areas where snowplowing is unnecessary, they have longer lives. Published literature suggests that existing longitudinal pavement markings reduce crashes by 21 percent and edgelines on rural two-lane highways reduce crashes by 8 percent. Applying these percentages to published aggregate crash costs by roadway type yields the safety benefits. The analysis assumes markings improve traffic flow from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm on arterials, freeways, and Interstate highways, increasing average speeds by 2 mph. On average, each dollar currently spent on pavement striping yields $60 in benefits. The benefit-cost ratio rises with traffic volume. The urban ratio is twice the rural ratio. The sensitivity analysis shows the benefit-cost ratios are robust. Where striping reduces congestion, the travel time savings alone yield a positive benefit-cost ratio for striping. Most highways already have a fullcomplement of lines; rural two-lane highways, however, sometimes lack edgelines. Edgelines on these roads will yield benefits exceedingtheir costs if an average of one nonintersection crash occurs annually every 15.5 mi of roadway.
Samenvatting