ROADMARK

Novel Mineral Material for road marking

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Road accidents imply dramatic personal and social consequences. In 2011 it is estimated more than 30,000 people died on the roads of the European Union, and for every death on Europe's roads there are an estimated 4 permanently disabling injuries such as damage to the brain or spinal cord, 8 serious injuries and 50 minor injuries. These figures also bring about huge economic cost estimated on about 1,5-2% of gross domestic product in Europe. Different combined factors are normally behind each road accident. However, recent in-depth studies reveal that poor road marking affecting visibility and adherence are among the important factors of traffic deaths. Until now, the road marker most common is road paint. These paints have been developed from different plastic materials such as thermoplastics, epoxy resins and the like. These paints present a lack of mechanical resistance to traffic load, in addition, and due to the chemical composition of the paints, the road marks are easily get dirty when raining, compromising its visibility and the safety of drivers. ROADMARK is focused on the development of a novel inexpensive cementitious material for long-lasting and anti-sliding road marking. The final film will have improved features such as anti-skid, more durable, waterproofing and self-cleaning properties. The mineral compositions will allow getting an improved adhesion between the asphalt and the paint that improved the durability of the paint. Since market penetration for ROADMARK is forecasted to be about 14% after 5 years, the estimated saved cost could be calculated on €24Bn resulting calculated from forecasted penetration rate by year. These savings could be easily view by saved lives, about 10,100 lives and 200,000 people will be saved from being seriously damaged on traffic accidents.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU team is developing a new material for road markings. The sprayable cement and polymer-latex compound has numerous superior properties, especially durability, meaning improved visibility and road safety.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Current road marking materials quickly break down and lose visibility, impacting road safety. An improved material would improve safety.

The EU-funded http://www.roadmark.eu (ROADMARK) (Novel mineral material for road marking) project aims to develop such a material. The eight-member consortium proposes an inexpensive, cement and polymer-latex material with superior properties. The substance is to be sprayed onto roads in a water medium, yielding road markings that are durable, self-cleaning, waterproof and anti-skid. After running for two years, the project will conclude in October 2015.

Team members first studied the composition of the road marking material to enhance understanding of cement polymers and suitable additives. The work also determined the setting times of various road coatings. The study compiled a list of candidate latexes and other polymers, including their respective properties and benefits. The consortium also investigated the effects of certain mineral and polymer additives on the properties of cement aggregates. Thus, suitable cements and polymer-latexes were selected, and the optimum cement-to-water ratio was determined.

The group selected the best binder composition. This stage included characterisation and selection of various latex formulations, and study of the effects on setting and curing time of particular mineral additives. The study has also examined the adhesion and cohesion behaviour of binder films on road pavement.

Complete characterisation of the final mixture was conducted during the second reporting period, in October 2014.

By its conclusion, the ROADMARK project will have developed a new road marking material having superior properties to current options. Road safety is consequently expected to improve.