U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Adequately maintained retroreflective pavement markings improve nighttime highway visibility and reduce the risk of crashes by bouncing light from vehicle headlights off of the traffic control device and back toward the vehicle and the driver's eyes. This makes markings appear brighter and easier to see and read at night. Because the retroreflective properties of traffic control devicespavement markings deteriorate over timerelatively quickly, highway agencies need to actively manage the maintenance of signs and pavement markings, remarking as needed in order to ensure that they areremain clearly visible at night.
Use the links below to obtain pertinent information related to pavement markings. The subject areas are grouped as follows:
