High-Performance Retroreflective Glass Beads

High-Performance glass beads are used with State Specification thermoplastic for traffic stripes and pavement markings with enhanced wet night visibility. These high-performance glass beads are typically applied in conjunction with a second ‘drop’ of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Designation M247, Type 2 beads when placing thermoplastic traffic stripes and pavement markings.

The wet-night traffic stripe visibility advantage provided by high-performance glass beads is affected by the pavement’s texture and drainage efficiency. Best wet-night visibility is afforded when used on well-drained, open-graded asphalt concrete pavement. Retroreflective pavement markers provide much better wet-night visibility than traffic stripes utilizing high-performance glass beads. The use of high-performance glass beads in traffic stripes does not replace the use of retroreflective pavement markers but can augment roadway delineation by providing brighter traffic stripes.

Specification requirements are in 84-2.02E and 84-2.03C(2)(e) of the 2018 Standard Specifications.

Evaluation Criteria: Authorization Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for High-Performance Glass Beads.