Retroreflectivity-Based Service Life and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Airfield Pavement Markings

Abstract

Airfield pavement marking plays a critical role in the efficient and safe operation of airport. Glass beads are embedded in the paints to refract and reflect light and enhance brightness and contrast for improving the visibility of markings. This study aims to investigate service life and cost-effectiveness of airfield pavement markings using Type I and Type III glass beads based on measured retroreflectivity data. The study employs a three-step approach: descriptive statistical analysis, survival analysis of service life, and life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA). The results show that the painting material is the most influential factor affecting marking performance, followed by the type of glass bead. Among markings with Type I glass beads, those using waterborne Type III and waterborne Type II painting materials show substantial survival time, followed by structural methyl methacrylate (SMMA), while methyl methacrylate (MMA) and waterborne Type I show shortest survival time. For markings with Type III glass beads, SMMA shows the longest lifetime, followed by waterborne Type III, MMA waterborne Type II, and waterborne Type I. With respect to LCCA, waterborne Type III and SMMA with Type III glass beads is found to be the most cost-effective option, while waterborne Type I and MMA with Type I glass beads is identified as the least cost-effective choice.