So, every time you drive on a road that is newly paved, but not painted. I see these white tabs sticking up. I know they’ll eventually make the lane markings. But, they are never straight.
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How on earth do these tabs create lane markings and are decided upon?
In: Engineering
As someone who has put a few of those down, it is sometimes measured, but mostly you walk 30 or 40 paces, put them down, and continue. Generally done while traffic is going by you in at least one lane. Its quite difficult to make them straight, even when you are trying.
On top of what everyone else said, the tabs (called flex tabs) are placed by hand. They’re removed before the permanent stripe is placed.
(Some folks will use an old modified push mower to remove them. It’s kinda fun to watch.)
The tabs are just placeholders. Typically, fresh pavement will be painted either later the same day or next day. Asphalt is placed at 245 to 330 degrees Fahrenheit. So finish paint can’t be done right away.
Where lines go on roads is determined by Department of Transportation guidelines. Lane width, what type of lines, what color all listed in a standard publication that is usually referenced in the contract the painting company agreed to.
The tabs are just a placeholder, so people can still drive before lines are painted. The actual painting is done by a paint truck later, it may not follow the tabs. If you look closely, you may see some faint chalk stripes where they want the paint to go, that’s laid down using chalk lines. Basically a string thats covered in chalk. They stretch it between two points, pull it back and let it snap against the ground. The painters will follow those markings.
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