High-Performance Road Markings in Australia

26 Juli 2022 – Europe, the United States and Australia are working together on a unique project: SWARCO Road Marking Systems’ international team is pooling its strengths with the application of high-performance road markings on Roe Highway in Perth, Australia. “This project clearly demonstrates the advantages of high-performance markings and the resulting increase in road safety. The higher the quality of marking systems, the more safely they guide people and vehicles on the road,” says Peter Tomazic, Vice President Region Europe at SWARCO Road Marking Systems.

Unique Combination Enhances Visibility and Road Safety

For this project, SWARCO Road Marking Systems is combining the strengths of certain products and state-of-the-art application techniques from all over the world. SUPERSTRIPE thermoplastics developed in the US were used as the marking material and applied as dot markings. The special surface of this kind of structured markings enables excellent drainage. This makes for impressive visibility especially in wet conditions.
 
Naturally, a marking system is not complete without reflective glass beads. Here, the team relied on SWARCO SOLIDPLUS premium glass beads, developed in Austria, which yield exceptional retroreflection values. And now, the measurements on Roe Highway are there to prove it, too, demonstrating retroreflection values of up to 1500 mcd/m²*lx. These values far exceed standards required by law. “The combination of SUPERSTRIPE thermoplastics and SWARCO SOLIDPLUS reflective glass beads reliably delivers high retroreflection values, especially in wet conditions, increasing road safety,” Tomazic explains.

Excellent Visibility Means Lower Accident Risk

The newly applied road markings attracted a great deal of media interest. A video published on the website of the 6PR – Perth’s Best Talk Station radio channel quickly drew social media users’ attention to the luminous white lane markings. Radio listeners and social media users alike were impressed by the markings’ excellent visibility. The outstanding results are based on the combination of SUPERSTRIPE thermoplastics and SWARCO SOLIDPLUS premium reflective glass beads. Used together with state-of-the-art application techniques, this system is unique on the market. “This marking system enhances road safety significantly, especially in wet and dark road conditions. Excellent visibility allows for better orientation, reduces accidents and can potentially save lives,” Tomazic emphasizes.