SECTION 687 - THERMOPLASTIC REFLECTORIZED PAVEMENT MARKINGS
687-1 DESCRIPTION. Under this work, the Contractor shall furnish and apply thermoplastic
reflectorized pavement markings at the location and in accordance with patterns indicated on the plans or as ordered by the Engineer, and in conformance with the MUTCD and these specifications. The thermoplastic pavement marking compound shall be extruded in a molten state onto the pavement surface. Following surface application of glass beads and upon cooling to normal pavement temperatures, the resultant marking shall be an adherent reflectorized stripe of the specified thickness and width that is capable of resisting deformation by traffic.
687-2 MATERIALS. Materials shall conform to the requirements of §727-01 White and Yellow
Thermoplastic Reflectorized Pavement Markings.
687-3 Construction Details
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
687-3.01 Equipment General. Thermoplastic applicating equipment shall be approved by the Engineer
prior to the start of work. Unless otherwise approved by the D.C.E.C., all projects specifying quantities greater than 65,000 feet of longitudinal pavement marking lines will be striped using only mobile applicating equipment for the longitudinal lines. Longitudinal pavement marking lines are Broken Lines (skipline), Edge Lines, Barrier Lines, and Solid Lines as defined by the MUTCD Portable applicating equipment will be acceptable for placing all other markings on these projects. Thermoplastic material shall be applied to the pavement surface by the extrusion method, wherein one side of the shaping die is the pavement and the other three sides are contained by, or are part of, suitable equipment for maintaining the temperature and controlling the flow of material (Note 1.)
A.Note 1. Alternate types of extrusion devices may be considered acceptable for use upon prior approval by the Materials Bureau. Requests for approval of alternate extrusion applicating equipment shall be made to the Materials Bureau by the Contractor/Manufacturer at least 90 days prior to its date of intended use. Detailed requirements and procedures for the acceptance of alternate equipment are available from the Materials Bureau. For heating the thermoplastic composition, the application equipment shall include a melting kettle(s) of such capacity as to allow for continuous marking operations. The melting kettle(s) may be mounted on a separate “supply” vehicle or included as part of the mobile applicating equipment. The kettle(s) shall be capable of heating the thermoplastic composition temperatures greater than 400°F. The heating mechanism shall be by means of a thermostatically controlled heat transfer medium. Heating of the composition by direct flame will not be allowed. Material temperature gauges shall be visible at both ends of the kettle(s). Application equipment shall be constructed to provide continuous mixing and agitation of the material. Conveying parts of the equipment between the main material reservoir and the extrusion shoe(s) shall be so constructed as to prevent accumulation and clogging. All parts of the equipment which come into contact with the material shall be so constructed so as to be easily accessible and exposable for cleaning and maintenance. The equipment shall be constructed so that all mixing and conveying parts up to and including the extrusion shoe(s), maintain the material at the required plastic temperature. The applicating equipment shall be so constructed as to insure continuous uniformity in the dimensions of the stripe. The applicator shall provide a means for cleanly cutting off stripe ends squarely and shall provide a method of applying “skip” lines. The equipment shall be capable of applying varying widths of traffic markings. The applicator shall be equipped with a drop-on type bead dispenser capable of uniformly dispensing reflective glass spheres at controlled rates of flow. The bead dispenser shall be automatically operated in such a manner that it will only dispense beads while the composition is being applied. Applicating equipment shall be mobile and maneuverable to the extent that straight lines can be followed and normal curves can be made in a true arc. Applicators shall be equipped and constructed in such a manner as to satisfy the requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters and the appropriate agencies of the State of New York. The equipment used for the placement of thermoplastic pavement markings shall be two general types: mobile applicator and portable applicator.
687-3.02 Mobile Applicating Equipment. The mobile applicator shall be defined as a truck mounted,
self-contained pavement marking machine that is capable of hot applying thermoplastic by the extrusion method. The unit shall be equipped to apply the thermoplastic material at temperatures exceeding 400°F, and at the widths and thicknesses specified herein. The mobile unit shall be capable of operating continuously and of installing a minimum of 20,000 feet of longitudinal markings in an 8–hour day.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 The mobile unit shall be equipped with a melting kettle(s) or materials storage reservoir(s) of such capacity as to allow for continuous marking operations. The kettle(s) or reservoirs shall be capable of heating or holding the thermoplastic composition at temperatures greater than 400°F. The mobile unit shall be equipped with an extrusion shoe(s), and shall be capable of marking edgeline and centerline stripes. The extrusion shoe(s) shall be closed, heat jacketed or suitably insulated unit; shall hold the molten thermoplastic at a temperature greater than 400°F; and shall be capable of extruding a line between 3 to 8 inches in width; and at a thickness of not less than 1/8 inch nor more than 3/16 inch, and of generally uniform cross section. Material temperature gauges shall be affixed or incorporated in the extrusion shoe in such a manner as to be visible, and capable of monitoring the composition temperature throughout the marking operation. The mobile unit shall be equipped with an electronic and programmable line pattern control system, or mechanical control system, so as to be capable of applying skip or solid lines in any sequence, and through any extrusion shoe in any cycle length.
687-3.03 Portable Applicating Equipment. The portable applicator shall be defined as hand operated
equipment, specifically designed for placing thermoplastic installations such as crosswalks; stop bars; legends; arrows; and short lengths of lane, edge, and centerlines. The portable applicator shall be capable of applying thermoplastic pavement markings by the extrusion method. It is intended that the portable applicator will be loaded with hot thermoplastic composition from the melting kettle(s). The portable applicator shall be equipped with all the necessary components, including a materials storage reservoir, bead dispenser, extrusion shoe, and heating accessories, so as to be capable of holding the molten thermoplastic at temperatures greater than 400°F, of extruding a line of from 3 to 8 inches in width, and in thickness of not less than 1/8 inch nor more than 3/16 inch and of generally uniform cross–section. Material temperature gauges shall be affixed or incorporated in the extrusion shoe in such a manner as to be visible, and capable of monitoring the composition temperature throughout the marking operation.
687-3.04 Application General. All pavement markings shall be placed as shown on the plans and in
accordance with the MUTCD. Before any pavement marking work is begun, a schedule of operations shall be submitted for the approval of the Regional Director or his authorized representative. When pavement markings are applied under traffic the Contractor shall provide all necessary flags, markers, signs, etc. to maintain and protect traffic; and to protect marking operations and the markings until thoroughly set. The application of pavement markings shall be done in the general direction of traffic. Striping against the direction of traffic flow shall not be allowed. The Contractor shall be responsible for removing, to the satisfaction of the Engineer, tracking marks, spilled thermoplastic or thermoplastic applied in unauthorized areas. When necessary, the Contractor shall establish marking line points at 30 feet intervals throughout the length of pavement or as directed by the Engineer.
687-3.05 Atmospheric Conditions. Thermoplastic pavement markings shall be placed upon dry
pavement surfaces. At the time of installation the pavement surface temperature shall be a minimum of 55°F and the ambient temperatures shall be a minimum of 50°F and rising. The Engineer will determine when atmospheric conditions are such to produce satisfactory results (Note 2).
A.Note 2. To comply with the 55°F pavement surface temperature requirement, it will benefit the Contractor to schedule striping work for seasons of warm weather when possible. In cooler conditions, striping operations may be coordinated with bituminous paving work to take advantage of residual heat, providing that the ambient temperature requirements of §687-3.05 are still met.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
687-3.06 Materials Application Requirements
A.Thermoplastic Primer. All pavement surfaces shall be primed except that on new bituminous pavements, when the thermoplastic pavement markings are applied within the same calendar year as the completion of paving operations, primer shall not be required. The primer shall be either a one-component or a two-component, cold or hot applied material of the type recommended by the manufacturer of the thermoplastic pavement marking material. At least five working days prior to the start of thermoplastic application, the Contractor shall provide the Engineer with the manufacturer's written instructions for primer application. The application of the primer shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations which shall include the method of application, the application rate, and the drying time.
B.Thermoplastic Composition.
1.Application Temperature - thermoplastic composition shall be applied at temperatures no lower than 400°F at the point of deposition. For purposes of these specifications, the point of deposition shall be defined as within the extrusion shoe.
2.Extruded Markings - all extruded markings shall be applied at the specified width, and at a thickness of not less than 1/8 inch nor more than 3/16 inch.
C.Reflective Glass Spheres (for Drop-On). Immediately following application, reflective glass spheres shall be dropped onto the molten thermoplastic marking at the rate of 1 lb per 20 square feet of composition.
687-3.07 Surface Cleaning and Preparation of Pavement. The Contractor shall be responsible for
cleaning the pavement surface to the satisfaction of the Engineer. Surface cleaning and preparation work shall be performed only in the area of the thermoplastic markings application. At the time of application all pavement surfaces shall be free of oil dirt, dust, grease and similar foreign materials. The cost of cleaning these contaminants shall be included in the bid price of this item. In addition, concrete curing compounds on new Portland Cement concrete surfaces; and existing pavement markings on both concrete and bituminous pavement surfaces shall be cleaned and paid for under separate items.
687-3.08 Application of Thermoplastic Pavement Markings. All special markings, cross walks, stop
bars, legends, arrows, and similar patterns shall be placed with a portable applicator. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents all center line, skip line, edge line and other longitudinal type markings may be applied with either a portable or a mobile applicator. When the surface preparation work has been completed, if applicable, the bituminous and/or concrete pavement surface shall be primed according to the manufacturer's written instructions. Primer shall not be required on new bituminous pavement surfaces that are completed within the same calendar year as the thermoplastic marking application. The primer shall be spray applied onto the pavement surface and allowed to dry according to the manufacturer's written instructions. Pavement surfaces that are primed and not striped with thermoplastic within the required drying time or within the same work day shall be re-primed. After the primer has dried, the thermoplastic shall be applied at composition temperatures no lower than 400°F at the point of deposition. Immediately after installation of the thermoplastic, drop-on
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 reflective glass spheres shall be mechanically applied such that the spheres are held by and embedded in the surface of the molten composition.
687-4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. Pavement striping will be measured by linear foot along the
centerline of the pavement stripe, and will be based on a 4 inch wide stripe. Measurement for striping with a plan width greater or less than the basic 4 inch as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer, will be made by the following method: Plan Width of Striping (inches) x Feet 4 inches No payment will be made for the number of feet of skips in the dashed line. Letters and symbols will be measured by each unit applied. A unit will consist of one letter or symbol. Example: “SCHOOL” would be measured as six units. Double and triple headed arrows will be measured as a single unit, but the “X” in railroad grade crossing markings (MUTCD Figure 8B-6) will be measured by feet of 4 inch stripe.
687-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The accepted quantities of markings will be paid for at the contract unit
price, which shall include the cost of furnishing all labor, materials and equipment to satisfactorily complete the work. The cost for maintaining and protecting traffic during the marking operations shall be included in the price bid. The cost of removal of concrete curing compounds and existing pavement markings will be paid under separate items and are not included in this item. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 687.0101 White Thermoplastic Reflectorized Pavement Stripes Feet 687.0201 Yellow Thermoplastic Reflectorized Pavement Stripes Feet 687.0301 White Thermoplastic Reflectorized Pavement Letters Each 687.0401 White Thermoplastic Reflectorized Pavement Symbols Each
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 1033–1037 of 1,489. View official source ↗