Donna Speidel, President, Sightline Airport Donna Speidel, President, Sightline Airport Marking Consultants Marking Consultants

Chuck Carneal, President, Safety Coatings, Inc.Chuck Carneal, President, Safety Coatings, Inc.Ron Boeger, V.P. Sales, Potters Industries, Inc.Ron Boeger, V.P. Sales, Potters Industries, Inc.

Chris Brooks, V.P. Specialty Products, Flint Chris Brooks, V.P. Specialty Products, Flint Trading, Inc.Trading, Inc.

Best PracticesBest Practicesforfor

Airfield MarkingsAirfield MarkingsMarch 4, 2010

33rd Annual Airports Conference

Our Our Mission -Mission - Assist airports by improving safety through

longer-lasting, better performing markings.

Train others to use the best methods and most suitable materials unique to each airport.

Realize a more cost-effective, efficient marking system.

- Raise the - Raise the BarBar

Sightline, LC (Airport Marking Consultants)is the author of the

Airfield Marking Handbook.

The project was administered by the Innovative Pavement Research Foundation under a Cooperative Research Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration

Objectives of the handbookObjectives of the handbook

2. What constitutes a “quality” marking?2. What constitutes a “quality” marking?

3. When is a marking functional and when 3. When is a marking functional and when is it “unsafe”?is it “unsafe”?

4. What is a good application v. a poor one?4. What is a good application v. a poor one?

1.1. What can be done to increase the life-cycleWhat can be done to increase the life-cycleof airfield markings?of airfield markings?

So What’s the Problem? Coatings deteriorate gradually.

When to maintain is subjective.

Excessive maintenance leads to paint/bead build-up.

Poorly applied markings lead to more frequent maintenance.

Marking deficiencies decrease situational awareness, compromising safety.

Lack of maintenance compromises safety.

Lack of preparation leads to premature asphalt pavement failure.

Lack of preparation causes paint build up.

FAA Inspections are annual.

Air Operations inspects runway for FOD several times per day.

But who is checking the markings for effectiveness?

Function of airfield markings: Guide the pilot to and from the runway. Provide situational awareness. Provide the only continuous visual aid. Promote safety.

Function of airfield markings: Guide the pilot to and from the runway. Provide situational awareness. Provide the only continuous visual aid. Promote safety.

Runway IncursionsRunway Incursions

Lack of clear, distinct markingsLack of clear, distinct markings

. . . especially under low-visibility conditions. . . . especially under low-visibility conditions.

FAA Call to ActionFAA Call to Action

Quality Application = “enhanced”

All the efforts to increase visibility with black borders, glass beads and new designs are futile if markings are not applied well.

Enhanced airfield markings

MarkingsMarkings

If a sign is unlit or broken, it If a sign is unlit or broken, it gets replaced.gets replaced.

If a taxiway light is malfunctioning, If a taxiway light is malfunctioning, it gets fixed.it gets fixed.

But how do you know when the But how do you know when the markings aremarkings are

“broken”?“broken”?

NAVAIDSNAVAIDSSignsSigns

LightsLights

Need for Performance CriteriaNeed for Performance Criteria

Adopt measures to determine when markings require maintenance.

Specify results to be achieved.

Marking SystemMarking System

Good Inspection

Quality Glass Beads

Quality Application

Quality CoatingSurface Preparation

Surface PreparationSurface Preparation

Surface preparation is the cleaning of anything that would prevent the bond of the new coating to either the pavement or existing coatings.

Definition:

Immediately before application of the paint, the surface shall be

dry and free from dirt, grease, latents, or other foreign material

which would reduce the bond between the paint and the pavement.

The area to be painted shall be cleaned by sweeping and sweeping and

blowingblowing or by other methods as required to remove all dirt,

laitance, and loose materials. [emphasis added]

FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370, Item P-620

Immediately before application of the paint, the surface shall be

dry and free from dirt, grease, latents, or other foreign material

which would reduce the bond between the paint and the pavement.

The area to be painted shall be cleaned by sweeping and sweeping and

blowingblowing or by other methods as required to remove all dirt,

laitance, and loose materials. [emphasis added]

FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370, Item P-620

Standard surface prep definition: Standard surface prep definition:

Recommended: Recommended:The area to be painted shall be cleaned by waterblasting,

shotblasting or other mechanical method to remove all loose

and poorly bonded paint; and shall be followed by sweeping

and blowing or by other methods as required to remove all

dirt, laitance, and loose materials.

The area to be painted shall be cleaned by waterblasting,

shotblasting or other mechanical method to remove all loose

and poorly bonded paint; and shall be followed by sweeping

and blowing or by other methods as required to remove all

dirt, laitance, and loose materials.

Surface PreparationSurface Preparation

Prolong the life of the paint project.Prolong the life of the paint project. Require fewer painting cycles.Require fewer painting cycles. Save the airport unnecessary expenditures.Save the airport unnecessary expenditures. Reduce interruptions for maintenance.Reduce interruptions for maintenance. Save asphalt pavements from premature deterioration.Save asphalt pavements from premature deterioration. Prevent FOD from chunks of paint and beads.Prevent FOD from chunks of paint and beads.

Regular surface preparation will:Regular surface preparation will:

Surface Preparation – Best PracticesSurface Preparation – Best Practices

Waterblasting is best method for surface preparation.

Perform surface preparation before painting to remove:

Curing compound on new concrete. Algae.

Rust discoloration. Oily substances including jet blast residue.

Sweep, blow with air, or rinse with water after preparation.

Specify surface preparation as a separate bid item.

Loose and poorly bonded paint.

Heavy rubber build up.

Paint Removal v. Surface PreparationPaint Removal v. Surface Preparation

Federal Aviation AdministrationAdvisory Circular 150/5340-1J

“Pavement markings that are no longer needed should be physically removed by sand blasting, chemical removal or other means, not painted over. Painting over the old markings merely preserves the old marking, will require additional maintenance, and in certain conditions, can be misleading to pilots.”

Removal of Markings:

Paint Removal

Blacked out lines are:

1. Are misleading, especially

at night.2. Expedient, but

demand more maintenance over time.

3. Add to paint build up.

There are several reasons airports remove

markings, and each situation requires

different degrees (or percentages) of

eradication.

Pavement Marking RemovalDefinition: Pavement marking removal is the mechanical eradication of markings from the pavement to a specified degree.

Pavement Marking RemovalAll marking removal methods will leave a scar.

Scarring is removal of the texture with some exposed aggregate.

Handbook definition:

Handbook definition:

Damage occurs when more than 25 percent of the depth of the nominal-size aggregate diameter is uniformly exposed across the pavement, and aggregate could loosen.

Pavement Marking RemovalPavement damage can be subjective.

Pavement Marking Removal Best Practices

Degree of removal is defined in specifications. Markings are removed, not “blacked” out. Equipment is specified based on conditions. The scar is thoroughly cleaned before painting. Test strips demonstrate capability of equipment and operator. Waste water and debris are contained and properly disposed of.

Chuck Carneal – Coatings

Ron Boeger – Glass Beads

Chris Brooks – Preformed Thermoplastic

Donna Speidel – Application Best Practices

Application ProceduresApplication ProceduresFAA AC 150-5370, Item P-620

Key Elements:Key Elements: Surface Preparation requirementsSurface Preparation requirements Materials and coverage ratesMaterials and coverage rates EquipmentEquipment Dimension tolerancesDimension tolerances Straightness tolerancesStraightness tolerances

Application Procedures Application Procedures – Best Practices– Best Practices

Layout establishes guidelines for applicators.

Adequate surface preparation is performed.

Glass beads are dispensed automatically with the coating for both truck-mounted and hand-operated machines.

Pressurized bead systems provide best distribution.

Two or more colors are applied simultaneously.

Markings are applied from 6 to 36 inches in a uniform film thickness in a single pass.

Pointer systems are used for accurate placement of markings.

Application Procedures Application Procedures – Best Practices– Best Practices

Calibration of material guns is performed. Close attention is paid to application rates.

Uniform, specified film thickness across marking.

Test lines are applied in appropriate areas or on tar paper.

Documentation of marking operations is maintained to record location, quantity, weather conditions, etc.

A primer coat is applied to uncoated asphalt.

Equipment is well maintained.

Windscreens are used to prevent material displacement.

$-

$200,000

$400,000

$600,000

$800,000

$1,000,000

$1,200,000

$1,400,000

Cost Over 12 Years

1

Work Procedure

Marking Maintenance Costs

Surface Prep, Type I

No Prep, Type I

Surface Prep, Type III

No Prep, Type III

Achieving a Higher Standard

Proper surface preparation is first step toward quality markings.

Paint removal should be specified at a degree of removal relative to the purpose for removal. Materials should be selected based on the airport needs and environment. Higher performance standards must be implemented.

Be an Advocate

Certification of personnel applying airfield markings must become a standard.

Maintenance criteria must be established.

Markings must be recognized for the measure of safety they can provide.

Attention to the details of application must be enforced.

Achieving a Higher StandardBe an Advocate

Questions . . .Questions . . .