688-1DESCRIPTION. Under this work, the Contractor shall furnish and apply preformed 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 preformed reflectorized pavement marking shall be applied on new and existing bituminous and portland cement concrete surfaces by hand and mechanical methods. The resultant marking shall be an adherent reflectorized stripe that is capable of molding itself to the contours of the pavement surface and of resisting deformation by traffic.
688-2MATERIALS. Materials shall conform to the requirements of §727-04 White and Yellow
Reflectorized Pavement Markings.
688-3CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
688-3.01General. All pavement markings and patterns 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. 688-3.02 376 Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 At least five (5) days prior to the start of work, the Contractor shall provide the Engineer with the manufacturer's written instructions for the application of preformed marking and primer materials. When pavement markings are applied under traffic, the Contractor shall supply all necessary flags, markers, signs, and other devices, to maintain traffic and to protect the markings until set. The application of pavement markings shall be done in the general direction of traffic. Striping against the direction of traffic flow will not be allowed without prior approval of the Engineer. The Contractor shall be responsible for removing, to the satisfaction of the Engineer, preformed markings applied in unauthorized areas. When required by the Engineer, the Contractor shall establish marking line points at 30 feet intervals throughout the length of the pavement or as directed by the Engineer.
688-3.02Application Methods. Preformed pavement markings shall be applied by the following
methods. The installation of markings on the project may be performed simultaneously by more than one method.
bituminous surfaces after finish rolling is complete.
and portland cement concrete pavement surfaces as prescribed in §688–3.03 Weather and Seasonal Limitations.
688-3.03Weather and Seasonal Limitations. The Engineer shall determine as to when temperature and
pavement surface conditions are such as to produce satisfactory results. Preformed pavement markings shall be placed upon dry pavement surfaces; pavements exposed to rain or wet conditions shall be allowed to thoroughly dry before marking application. Preformed markings applied in conjunction with §688–3.02A, During Bituminous Paving Operations, shall only be placed within the seasonal limitations of Standard Specification §402-3.01. The bituminous pavement surface temperature shall, at all times, be the controlling temperature at which preformed markings are placed, and shall be between 100°F and 170°F. Preformed markings applied in conjunction with §688–3.02B, on completed pavements, shall be applied within the seasonal limitations of Table 688-1, Temperature and Seasonal Requirements. The pavement surface and ambient air temperatures in Table 688-1 shall, in all cases, be the controlling temperatures at which preformed markings are placed. Marking application work shall be discontinued when temperatures fall below the specified requirements. TABLE 688-1 TEMPERATURE AND SEASONAL REQUIREMENTS (§688–3.02b. ON COMPLETED PAVEMENTS) Geographic Location Pavement Surface Temperature Ambient Air Temperature Allowable Installation Dates Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 9 (All Counties) Region 8 (Ulster County only) 70°F, Min. 60°F, Min. May 15 to September 1 Regions 8 & 10 (except Ulster County) 70°F, Min. 60°F, Min. May 15 to September 15 Region 11 70°F, Min. 60°F, Min. May 1 to September 30 NOTES:
controlling temperature shall be the average of three temperature readings taken at locations 100± feet apart.
688-3.04 377 Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
688-3.04Mechanical Applicating Equipment. Mechanical applicating equipment for the placement of
preformed pavement marking stripes shall be of the type recommended by the manufacturer of the preformed material. All applicating equipment shall be approved by the Engineer prior to the start of work.
688-3.05Rollers. Preformed markings applied in conjunction with §688-3.02a, during bituminous
paving operations, shall be rolled into place with compaction equipment meeting the requirements of Standard Specification §402-3.04. Vibratory roller models shall operate in a 'static' mode. Preformed markings applied in conjunction with §688-3.02B., On Completed Pavements, shall be rolled into place using steel shell or pneumatic rubber–tired roller equipment approved by the Engineer. Steel wheel rollers shall weigh a minimum of 200 lbs on each axle. Pneumatic rubber–tired rollers shall exert a minimum tire compression on the pavement of 28 psi. Hand rollers or rubber tired vehicles (e.g. pick–up truck) meeting the above requirements may be suitable for use.
688-3.06Primer Requirements. When required, primer or adhesive shall be used for marking
applications in accordance with the written recommendations of the manufacturer of the preformed marking material. Primer materials shall be placed at the application rate and by the application methods recommended by the manufacturer. When primer is applied, the area of application shall be at least the width or dimension, of the new preformed marking, plus one inch on each side.
688-3.07Surface Cleaning and Preparation of Pavement Surfaces. 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 preformed 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 removed and paid for under separate items.
688-3.08Application of Preformed Reflectorized Pavement Markings. Unless otherwise approved by
the Engineer, all longitudinal lines shall be applied using mechanical applicating equipment. Transverse and special marking patterns may be applied by hand or mechanical methods. Preformed marking operations shall not begin until after the pavement surface has been cleaned and prepared. Preformed stripes shall not be applied over longitudinal paving joints or over the point of transition between the pavement surface and adjoining shoulder. The placement of stripes in the area of transition shall be either on the pavement or on the shoulder, as directed by the Engineer. No roller shall operate in excess of 3.0 mph. One roller pass shall be defined as one movement of the roller over any point of the preformed marking, in the direction of the marking application.
not begin until finish rolling of the new bituminous pavement is complete. At the time of marking application, the surface temperature of the new bituminous pavement shall be between 100°F and 170°F. The Contractor shall coordinate paving and preformed marking operations to conform with surface temperature requirements. Immediately after finish rolling is complete, the preformed marking shall be applied on the new bituminous surface. Traces of water or other residue from finish rolling operations shall first be removed. Immediately after its placement, the preformed marking shall be adhered to the warm pavement surface by rolling. Rollers shall make a minimum one pass, and operate in the same 688-3.08 378 Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 direction that the marking was applied. Diagonal, reverse or crosswise rolling will not be allowed. The minimum one pass may be increased by the Engineer if, in his opinion, the desired adherence is not obtained.
performed within the limitations of §688–3.03 Weather and Seasonal Limitations. If required by the manufacturer, primer and adhesive activators shall be applied and allowed to dry in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the preformed material. The preformed marking shall be placed on the pavement surface and adhered by rolling. Rollers shall make a minimum of one pass, and operate in the same direction that the marking was applied. Diagonal, reverse or crosswise rolling will not be allowed. The minimum one pass may be increased by the Engineer if, in his opinion, the desired adherence is not obtained.
688-4METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. Pavement striping will be measured by feet along the
centerline of the pavement stripe and will be based on a 4 inch wide stripe. The preformed pavement markings will be inspected during and following installation to determine conformance with this specification. In addition, they will be inspected following a performance period that will extend for 180 calendar days following both their installation and opening of the roadway to traffic. Within 15 consecutive calendar days after the end of the 180 day performance period, a final performance inspection will be made by the Engineer. If this inspection discloses any work, in whole or in part, as not being visibly intact and serviceable to the following extent, the Contractor shall completely repair or replace such work:
feet long pavement section.
feet long pavement section.
edge line in any 500 feet long pavement section.
Letters and Symbols. 90 percent by area of any individual line, letter or symbol. When required all repair or replacement work shall be performed in accordance with this specification and completed within 60 calendar days of the earliest allowable installation date as specified in Table 1, for that location. The Engineer shall determine the limits or quantity of preformed to be repaired or replaced. Upon completion of the final performance inspection, or after satisfactory completion of any necessary corrections, the Engineer will, within 10 calendar days, notify the Contractor in writing, of the date of such final performance inspection and release the Contractor from further performance responsibility. Pavement striping on–going projects will be measured as the total of the striping applied, if after the final 180 day performance period, damage to the striping is not in excess of that specified (e.g. If 95% of the edgeline striping is intact in a 500 feet pavement section, the edgeline will be measured as the full 500 feet of applied marking. No deduction will be made for the damaged 5% (25 feet) of striping). Measurement for striping with a plan width greater or less than the basic 4 inches as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer, will be made by the following method: 688-3.08 379 Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 Plan Width of Striping (inches) x Feet 4 inches No payment will be made for the number of feet of gaps between broken or dotted line segments. Letters and symbols will be measured by each unit applied. A unit will consist of one letter or one 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.
688-5BASIS 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 of cleaning pavement surfaces of oil, dirt, dust, grease and similar foreign materials 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
688.01White Preformed Reflectorized Pavement Stripes Feet
688.02Yellow Preformed Reflectorized Pavement Stripes Feet
688.03White Preformed Reflectorized Pavement Letters Each
688.04White Preformed Reflectorized Pavement Symbols Each
SECTION 689 (VACANT)
Get an email when 688 changes
New York revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.