The importance and benefits of road line marking are definitely underrated. Since line marking is very common in any road network in Australia, may drivers and pedestrians care less about it, discounting the safety benefits it could provide them. The truth is that line marking is a very important traffic safety feature as it provides accurate and easy-to-see guidance to road-users.
Line Marking Safety And Materials
According to traffic safety-related studies, line markings or pavement markings are effective tools in improving safety. It is said that with the help of center line markings, road accidents are reduced by almost 30 percent in comparison to roads that do not have markings. Simply put, road networks like highways, freeways, streets, and even parking areas with line markings are relatively safer for drivers to use than roads without them. In Australia, different materials are used for painting of line markings, but the most common ones include water-based paint, thermoplastic materials, and epoxy. Line marking professionals contend that the most cost-efficient materials for less crowded roads are water-based paints. However, for more crowded roads, they say that thermoplastic materials are more economical since they are more likely to be removed and repainted on a regular basis.
Removing Line Marking
In relation to line marking removal, aside from line marking, this process is also a key component in maintaining traffic safety. Faded line markings can pose risks to drivers as they can easily get confused with the flow of the lines. Hence, it is important for these line markings to be removed and repainted. There are different ways on how line markings are removed, including sand blasting, soda blasting, shot blasting and gas torching, but the most common ones are grinding and water blasting. While grinding is one of the most common techniques used in removing line markings, many road line marking companies tend to avoid performing this technique for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it results in scarring of roads. Even though there are available precision equipment to perform this technique, scarring could still occur especially when removing material imbedded in inner portions of asphalt. Road scars could collect snow and ice, which could result in road hazards. Another reason why grinding method is not the best technique available is because it is not very friendly to the environment. The residue of asphalt is blown by wind or washed away by rain water.
In comparison with grinding, water blasting is relatively more environment-friendly and more cost-efficient. Needle-sharp water jets can easily remove line markings as the water effectively penetrates the asphalt’s pores with so much ease. The technique does not leave scars, which make it more efficient and safer. Because of its efficiency, water blasting has become one of the go-to techniques of companies in Australia, and has likewise become the favorite method of clients.
Hiring Line Marking Professionals
If your company or organization is looking to hire line marking professionals, there are several things you should keep in mind, including the following:
Hire professionals who have years of experience in the business – This should be automatic whenever looking to hire any professionals. You would want to entrust your line marking concerns with experienced workers in order for the project to run as smoothly and as efficiently as possible.
Ask for estimates from different companies – Get quotation from at least three different line marking companies so you will have better leverage in finding the company with the most affordable and flexible packages and terms.
Check the company’s profile first – Before committing into hiring a company, make sure that you have read about its profile and know about how it works with clients by reading client reviews and feedbacks. This will help you decide whether or not that company is worth hiring.
Line marking is important in maintaining traffic safety. Hence, it is just wise and logical to hire the best people in the business in order to ensure their effectiveness and safety.