641.01 Description. This specification gives general requirements for various kinds of
retroreflective pavement markings. Deviations from these general requirements are covered in the specific requirements for each marking type. Place all pavement markings according to the OMUTCD.
641.02 Materials. Use marking materials that are a formulation, identified by a manufacturer’s
code number, prequalified by the Laboratory and that have the same composition as the prequalified marking material. Any materials delivered without a DSR when applicable and applied without Laboratory preapproval shall be removed. Laboratory tested materials not meeting specifications shall be removed from the project site. Furnish a safety data sheet (SDS) for each material, including resin, catalyst, primer, adhesive, activator, glass beads, and cleaning solvent, to be used on the project to the Engineer before material delivery. Inform workers of the location of all SDS and allow workers an opportunity to review them. Furnish the Engineer , prior to application, the paint manufacturer's printed application equipment requirements and application instructions.
641.03 General. Apply lines as solid, broken, or dotted lines, either singly or in combination, as
shown on the plans. Apply broken lines in a 40 foot cycle consisting of a 10 foot dash and a 30 foot gap between broken lines, unless otherwise shown on the plans. Use an a ccurate striping mechanism that is capable of being easily adjusted to retrace existing broken markings or to apply new materials at the correct spacing. Begin broken lines that are to be applied over plainly visible existing broken lines within 6 inches o f the beginning of the existing broken line, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. Apply dotted lines in an 8 foot cycle consisting of a 2 foot dot and a 6 foot gap between dots for line extensions and in a 12 foot cycle consisting of a 3 foot line segment and a 9 foot gap for lane drop/add markings. Fill gaps that were not marked as a result of template use for spray -applied auxiliary markings with marking material after the template is removed. If applying extruded thermoplastic, the Contractor may leave small gaps in arrows or letters resulting from template use unfilled. Ensure that pavement markings are free of uneven edges, overspray, or other readily visible defects that detract from the appearance or function of the pavement markings. Ensure that lines are sharp, well defined, and uniformly retroreflective. Apply the lines to the width specified ±1/4 inch. Fuzzy lines, excessive overspray, or non -uniform application are unacceptable. The Engineer will inspect lines at night to verify proper retroreflectivity. Correct pavement markings that are improperly applied, located, or reflectorized. Reapply lines applied with insufficient material quantities according to 641.11, 644.04 or 648.05. Remove improperly located lines according to 641.10, and apply new lines in the correct locations. Reapply any lines applied with non-specification materials. Disperse remaining loose glass beads or wet reflective optics from the non-marked roadway surface in areas where the glass beads or wet reflective optics are applied by hand, are loaded into the striping apparatus, or are applied along the radii of intersections Obtain the Engineer’s approval for methods and equipment used for pavement preparation, marking, and marking removal. Keep glass beads dry during storage and before use. Furnish to the Engineer at least 3 days in advance of installation current copies of the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for application of any marking material, including primer, activator, catalyst, and adhesive, shown on the plans. Schedule and perform other c onstruction work, such as shoulder paving, seeding, and mulching in a manner to avoid damage to applied pavement markings. Do not apply pavement marking materials to the reflector of a plowable raised pavement marker. Interrupt the application of the pavement marking line at each raised pavement marker where marking material would otherwise be applied to the marker’s prismatic reflector. Provide a maximum gap in the marked line of 18 inches at each marker. Remove pavement marking material applied to a prismatic reflector surface, or replace the reflector that same workday. If material must be removed from the reflector, restore the reflector’s brightness to its prior condition.
641.04 Equipment. Equip long line pavement marking equipment with a computerized Data
Logging System (DLS), including a cab mounted display. For center line, lane line, and edge line markings, when the length of marking exceeds 0.5 mile of continuous line equivalent, provide the Table
641.04 1 DLS capabilities.
TABLE 641.04-1 Provide the highway number with the county and beginning and ending county log points rounded to the nearest thousandths of a mile, the beginning and ending coordinates determined by a Global Positioning System receiver with at least 16 foot accuracy, and the direction of travel in terms of increasing or decreasing county log points. The Department will provide mapping information downloadable through Transportation Information Mapping System (TIMS) online LRS layer at https://gis.dot.state.oh.us/tims Provides cellular capabilities for field data transmission. Provide GPS mapping system that is capable of real time (within 20 minute) tracking of the Department cloud DLS report format, Table 641.04-2 requirements, and color coded alarms for a 20 percent deficiency in film thickness, bead rate, and wet reflective optic rate. Send report to the Engineer or their designated representative by email at 8:00 AM the day after the work is completed. Transfer raw data collected by the DLS directly to a secure server. Provide flagging of data entered manually. Ensure the DLS manufacturer provides all required data via an API connection and a Department login with direct access to stored data summary on a secure password protected website. Record as a separate DLS report line entry the Table 641.04-2 information for each route section marked, when the length of center line, lane line and edge line marking exceeds 0.5 mile of continuous line equivalent. A route section is defined as one direction of a contiguous section of highway (without breaks) with the same route number designation. Continuous line equivalent is defined as 0.5 mile of edge line, 0.25 mile of double yellow center line, or 2 mile of lane line. DLS documentation is not required for center line, lane line, and edge line markings of 0.5 mile continuous line equivalent or less, and for channelizing lines of any length. If the DLS equipment fails, finish that day’s work only and resume when the DLS equipment is working. Provide documentation of the corrective work that was required to make the DLS and ancillary equipment operational. Repair the DLS before resuming work. Document the application and material usage quantities from the time of the DLS failure and make calculations to determine the gallons or pounds of binder per mile and pounds of beads, wet reflective optics, or both per mile. The Department will provide a standard DLS long report form (CA-T-9, CA-T-10, CA-T-11, or CA- T-12), that prescribes the correct DLS report format and required content prior to beginning of work. Ensure the DLS records start time once the project or report line is started and the first gun is on. In addition to the Department DLS report format required content, document in accordance with the DLS at least the Table 641.04-2 requirements. TABLE 641.04-2 ADDITIONAL DLS REPORT REQUIREMENTS. Measure and record application vehicle speed to nearest 0.1 MPH, Measure and record weight or volume of material used by color, Measure and record weight or volume of material used by line type, Measure and record weight or volume of material used by line width. The DLS must store data and export to a secure server on at least a daily basis. Ensure the data is in GeoJSON format, JSON format, or Microsoft Excel format. Ensure the DLS manufacturer provides the Engineer a support contact email, an API connection, and a direct access login to the data being exported to the secure server. Provide data in the Department cloud DLS report format. Ensure the data is available to the Engineer within 24 hours of the pavement marking work and may be retrieved by the Engineer o r designated field personnel for inclusion with documentation reporting. Ensure the electronic records are completed in their final form prior to the records being removed from the pavement marking equipment. Ensure each DLS has at least an annual calibration of all mechanical and electrical components and its software function and output confirmed by the DLS manufacturer or their designated representative. Ensure evidence of the annual calibration is carried by a signed and dated stamp or seal affixed to the inside of the driver’s door of each striper.
A.Traffic Paint, Polyester , Epoxy . Ensure the cab mounted display shows the actual material application rate and film thickness.
B.Thermoplastic, Spray Thermoplastic . Ensure the cab mounted display shows the actual bead application rate. Use application equipment that includes a kettle for melting the thermoplastic material and maintaining it at the proper temperature. Equip the kettle with a thermostat to control the temperature of the melted thermoplastic material and to prevent overheat ing. Use equipment that continuously mixes and agitates the molten thermoplastic material. Ensure that the parts of the equipment that convey the thermoplastic material from the kettle to the application point maintains it at the required temperature. Attach an automatic dispenser for glass beads, wet reflective optics, or both to the equipment so that the beads, optics, or both are immediately and uniformly dispensed over the marking surface. Equip the dispenser with an automatic cut -off control synchr onized with the cut -off of the thermoplastic material.
641.05 Pavement Preparation. Clean all visible loose or foreign material from the surface to be
marked. Equip the pavement marking equipment with an air jet to remove all debris from the pavement in advance of the applicator gun. Operate the air jet when marking material is being applied, and synchronize it with marking material application. Power-broom clean all surfaces where gore markings or edge lines are to be applied. If required by the Engineer, also power-broom clean other surfaces. Do not apply marking to portland cement concrete until the concrete in the areas to be marked is clean of membrane curing material and is dry. Before applying marking material, the pavement surfaces must be completely dry. In the presence of the Engineer, test for moisture using the following test procedure, when rainfall has occurred within 24 hours prior to the start of the pavement marking operations or as directed by the Engineer. MOISTURE TEST Tape a 12 inch square sheet of thin plastic to the road surface, sealing all edges. After 15 minutes examine the side of the sheet facing the road surface. If more than a sparse amount of moisture is present, do not apply marking material.
641.06 Layout and Premarking. Lay out the locations of all lines, words, and other symbols to
ensure their proper placement. Do not start marking operations until the Engineer or the Engineer’s representative has approved the layout and premarking lines If applying longitudinal or transverse lines, use existing lines, construction joints, or premarking to guide this marking equipment. On projects where resurfacing or other operations will result in obliteration of the existing pavement markings, establish reference points to ensure proper placement of restored markings. If existing markings are to be retraced, verify any adjustment in the location with the Engineer. Establish “T” marking of no-passing zones according to the plans or a no-passing zone log provided by the Engineer. Locate premarking from survey data or reference points, and offset it so as to parallel the theoretical edge of the marking lines at a maximum distance of 1 inch. Use templates for the layout of arrows, words, and other symbols. Place premarking for longit udinal lines at 40 foot intervals, and do not exceed 2 inches in width or 12 inches in length. Locate premarking for auxiliary markings from the plans or schematic forms provided by the Engineer.
641.07 Line Placement Tolerance. Ensure that pavement marking lines are straight or smoothly
curved, true to the alignment of the pavement, and do not deviate laterally from the proper location at a rate of more than 2 inches in 100 feet. The Engineer will not allow any deviation greater than 3 inches. Remove improperly located lines according to 641.10 and apply new lines in the correct locations.
641.08 Marking Types. Apply marking materials at the rate or thickness specified in 642.04,
643.04, 644.04, 645.03, 646.05, 647.04, or 648.05 and, except for parking lot stall markings, ensure that they are uniformly retroreflective. Ensure that portions of parking stalls that are adjacent to street traffic are retroreflective. Pavement markings consist of the following types:
A.Edge Lines. Place edge lines as continuous stripes using the width specified. Locate the center of the stripe 6 inches from the edge of pavement. Ensure that the right edge line is applied to the left of the right edge of pavement. Ensure that the left edge line is a pplied to the right of the left edge of pavement.
B.Lane Lines. Place lane lines using the width specified, as white stripes between contiguous lanes of pavement carrying traffic in the same direction. Place them as broken lines unless specified solid. Offset lane lines to the left of the longitudinal joint, if presen t, or the theoretical line lying between contiguous lanes, if a joint is not present. Ensure that the nearer edge of the stripe is 2 inches to the left of the joint or line. Do not place lane lines through intersections.
C.Center Lines. Place center lines as single or double yellow stripes between contiguous lanes of pavement carrying traffic in opposite directions. Center line marking includes two -way left-turn lane striping and the outline of left-turn islands. Make each stripe 4 inches wide, solid or broken as specified.
D.Channelizing Lines. Place channelizing lines as continuous white stripes, using the width specified.
E.Stop and Crosswalk Lines. Place stop lines as solid 24-inch wide white stripes. Place transverse crosswalk lines as solid 12-inch wide white stripes. Place longitudinal bar crosswalk lines as solid 24- inch wide white stripes.
F.Transverse/Diagonal Lines. Place transverse/diagonal lines as solid 24-inch wide stripes, of the color specified, and at an angle to the direction of travel.
G.Curb and Island Marking. Prepare exposed surfaces and curbs and paved islands according to
641.05 In addition, remove and dispose of all visible loose or foreign material, including vegetation,
on and immediately contiguous to surfaces to be marked.
H.Symbol Markings. Place all railroad, school, bicycle and handicap symbol markings using white markings. A railroad marking includes the 16 inch crossbuck, two 72 inch “R”s, two 24 inch transverse lines, and a stop line. A school marking includes the word “SCHOOL” and two 16 inch transverse lines. A shared lane marking includes the bicycle symbol and two sharrows. A bicycle crossing symbol includes the bicycle symbol and the word “XING”.
I.Parking Lot Stall Marking. Place parking lot stall marking lines as continuous 4-inch wide white stripes.
J.Lane Arrows. Place lane arrows using white markings.
K.Words on Pavement. Place words on pavement using white markings.
L.Dotted Lines. Place dotted lines using the width and color specified.
M.Yield Lines. Place yield lines as solid white 24 -inch isosceles triangles pointing toward approaching traffic. The term long lines, when used in sections 642 through 648 includes edge lines, lane lines, center lines, and channelizing lines over 200 feet long. The term auxiliary markings, when used in Items 642 through 648 includes channelizing lines 200 feet or shorter, stop lines, yield lines, crosswalk lines, transverse lines, diagonal lines, curb markings, island markings, symbol markings, parking lot stall markings, lane arrows, and dotted lines.
641.09 Two-Way Radio Communications. If two-way radio equipment is required, furnish and
maintain radio equipment necessary for the voice communication between the striper and the inspector’s vehicle at all times during the pavement marking operation. Use equipment capable of transmitting and receiving normal voice communications to at least 4 miles.
641.10 Removal of Pavement Markings. If specified as a pay item, remove pavement markings
as described in 614.11.G. Take care during marking removal not to scar, discolor, or otherwise damage the pavement surface. Do not overpaint or use other methods of covering markings instead of removal.
641.11 Unsatisfactory Materials and Deduction for Deficiency. For traffic paint, polyester and
epoxy, the Engineer will compute each day the amount of marking material (including all components) and glass beads applied for each route section on the DLS report for determining unsatisfactory sections. The Department will reduce the contract price for each route section in direct proportion to the percent of deficiency of marking material or glass beads as specified in 642.04, 643.04 and 646.05, up to 20 percent for each material deficiency. The Department will only use the greater deficiency of marking material or glass beads to compute the deduction. The Department will consider materials unsatisfactory if at least one of the following conditions is met:
A.Deficiency of marking material or glass beads is 20 percent or more.
C.Markings not meeting the performance parameters contained in Supplement 1047, Appendices C, D, E, G, or a combination of the Appendices.
1.Numerical rating of 8 or lower for Daytime Color (Appendix C)
2.Composite rating of 8 or lower for Night Visibility (Appendix D)
3.Numerical rating of 9 or lower for Durability (Appendix E)
641.12 Method of Measurement. The Department will measure pavement markings complete
in place in the units designated. The Department will measure line quantities as the length of completed marking, including the gaps, intersections, and other sections of pavement not normally marked. The Department will measure Crosswalk Line as the total length of all individual transverse or longitudinal crosswalk lines. The Department will measure Two Way Left Turn Arrow as one pair of two opposing left turn arrows. The Department will measure Speed Measurement Marking as a 24 -inch-wide by 4 feet long marking including the surveying work. The Department will measure Speed Reduction Markings as a pair of 12 -inch-wide by 18 -inch-long markings. The Department will measure the removal of pavement markings using the same method of measurement as completed markings in the units designated.
641.13 Basis of Payment. The Department will pay for accepted quantities of work performed
under Items 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647 and 648. The Department will not pay for costs associated with correcting improperly located lines, replacing reflectors coated with pavement marking material, or replacing unsatisfactory pavement markings. The Department will not pay for lines placed using non-specification materials. The Department will not pay for non-specification lines determined through field measurement. The Department will pay for Two-Way Radio Equipment at the lump sum bid price.
Referenced in this section
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Source: Construction and Material Specifications, 2023 (rev. 7/17/2026) Edition. Pages 593–599 of 892. View official source ↗