549 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 500 PAVING SECTION 549 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS
549.01 Description
Apply durable and nondurable pavement markings (lines, letters, numbers, arrows, and symbols) to various surfaces at locations and in patterns as specified or as directed.
549.02 Materials
As specified.
549.03 Construction
549.03.01 Quality Control (QC). Submit a proposed Quality Control Plan (QCP) to the Engineer
at least 30 days before the pre-striping meeting. Address procedures for random sampling as specified in MSMT 729. Provide details as to how the equipment and material will be controlled to ensure conformance with the specifications. Include the following.
a.Manufacturer’s application recommendations,
b.Personnel certifications,
c.Inspection and record-keeping procedures,
d.Minimum frequencies of sampling and testing as specified. Detail when and how corrective actions will be taken for unsatisfactory construction practices and deviations from the Contract Documents. Deviations from the QCP will be cause for immediate suspension of the marking operation. Operations will not resume without approval.
a.Certified Technicians. MSMT 729. Provide certified technicians to perform quality control testing and sampling. The technicians shall demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of sampling and testing procedures. Duties include the following.
1.Performing quality control during the marking operations in conformance with approved QCP and the MSMT 729. 549 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
2.Identifying the location of quality control tests. Should a certified technician be delinquent in any of their duties as determined, then the technician’s certification shall become invalid, and a recertification is required.
3.All pavement marking operations will be suspended until a certified replacement technician is provided.
b.Records. Maintain complete records of quality control inspection results, including actions taken to correct problems. Submit a copy of the QC results daily, signed by the certified technician, to the Engineer. Identify the location of the following quality control tests.
1.Ambient temperature.
2.Pavement surface temperature.
3.Material temperature.
4.Material thickness.
5.Retro-reflectivity.
6.Alignment.
7.Color.
549.03.02 Placement. Do not begin placement operations until the QCP is approved and a
walkthrough with the Engineer and pavement marking foreman has been performed to approve the layout.
549.03.03 Quality Control Test Strips. Conduct a quality control test strip and a metal-plate test
at the beginning of each day’s operations to demonstrate that the application equipment is working properly and applying markings as required. Repeat the demonstration whenever there is a change in the equipment settings, or as directed, when the quality of the line being applied is in question. Authorization to proceed will be given when the quality control test indicates conformance. If the application of the control test strip is on the actual roadway, correct any application that is not in compliance.
549.03.04 Widths. The traveled way lane widths and the longitudinal lines widths shall be as
specified. Lane widths shall be measured from center to center of the lane lines once a control line is established for the lane configuration of the roadway. When measurements are taken from existing longitudinal lines, the point of reference shall be the center of the single line or the center of the space between dual lines. The traveled way lane widths are in compliance when they have an acceptable appearance and are within 2 in. of the proposed lane widths. 549 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
549.03.05 Alignment. Place markings in a straight and uniform manner. Lane lines are in
compliance when they have an acceptable appearance and are visually in alignment, with no more than a 3/8 in. variation in any 40 ft section of traveled way. Maintain longitudinal alignment through all intersections and breaks, even though the lines may discontinue. Do not apply markings over longitudinal joints. Offset the markings 2 in. Place surface surface-applied tape back 1 in. from transverse joints or cracks.
549.03.06 Layout Markings. Remove layout markings that detract from the overall appearance
or function of the final markings, as determined.
549.03.07 Cleaning Pavement Surfaces. Prior to application, clean pavement surfaces of oil,
dirt, grease, concrete laitance, and other contaminants to a width 4 in. to 6 in. wider than the markings to be applied.
549.03.08 Marking Removal. Refer to Section 558. Remove existing pavement markings that
conflict with new or altered traffic patterns. Use an approved method and ensure that the pavement surface is not damaged by the process. Repair or replace damaged pavement.
549.03.09 Curing. Protect the markings until dry or cured by placing warning devices according
to the MdMUTCD or as approved. If a vehicle damages uncured markings, reapply the markings and remove marks left on the pavement by the vehicle. For pavements in service, only one lane of traffic at a time will be permitted to close.
549.03.10 Observation Period. Repair any defects in materials and workmanship of the
pavement markings for a period of 180 days for durable and 60 days for nondurable materials from the date the pavement is opened to traffic. The observation period for inlaid tape is 365 days. Time charges will not be assessed during the observation period, provided all other work is complete. At the end of the observation period, the pavement markings will be inspected for durability, color, and retro-reflectivity. The Contractor will be informed of pavement markings that have failed and that require corrective action. Pavement markings will be failed for any of the following conditions.
a.More than 5 percent of the substrate is exposed in any 2000 ft section of longitudinal marking.
b.Retro-reflectance values have dropped below the minimum retroreflectivity specified.
c.Marking is discolored when compared visually with the color chips. Restripe or remove and replace all failed markings within 30 days of receiving written notification.
549.03.11 Removal, Replacement, or Corrective Actions. Provide corrective actions for
markings unsatisfactorily installed or that fail during the observation period, as determined, including Maintenance of Traffic. The current road user fee will also be applied when traffic disruption occurs during corrective actions. 549 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
549.03.12 Quality Assurance (QA). The Administration will provide certified quality assurance
technicians for the following.
a.Perform independent sampling and testing.
b.Periodically observe QC testing.
c.Direct additional sampling and performing additional tests at any time and at any location.
d.Monitor conformance with the QCP.
e.Evaluate quality control results. Results of QA testing will provide the basis for final acceptance. Independent assurance audits will be performed to confirm and assure that both the quality control personnel's test methods and quality control test equipment conform to specifications.
549.04 Measurement and Payment
Payment for furnishing and applying pavement markings (lines, letters, numbers, arrows, and symbols) will be made under the pertinent pavement markings items. Quality control will not be measured but the cost will be incidental to the other pertinent items specified. Removal of layout markings that detract from the overall appearance or function of the final markings as determined will be at no additional cost to the Administration. Repair or replacement of pavement damaged by marking removal will be at no additional cost to the Administration. Reapplication of damaged uncured markings will be removed and new markings applied at no additional cost to the Administration. Removal, replacement, and other corrective actions for markings that are unsatisfactorily installed will be at no additional cost to the Administration, including associated Maintenance of Traffic to perform the corrective work.
Referenced in this section
Sections that cite this one
Pavement Markings in other states
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Source: Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2026 Edition. Pages 735–738 of 1,138. View official source ↗