10 JULY 2026 SERVICE TRUCK PULSE SERVICE TRUCK PULSE JULY 2026 11 Read: Between the lines From thermoplastic striping to glow‑in‑the‑dark coatings and wildlife‑friendly lighting, modern visibility tools are transforming how roads keep drivers safe at night. ANDREW JOSEPH, EDITOR Every driver relies on them without a second thought: those crisp white and yellow lines that carve order into chaos. They guide us through foggy nights, torrential rain, and endless highways. Yet, these markings are among the most costeffective and life-saving features of modern transportation infrastructure. Without them, nighttime driving would be far more dangerous—and far more expensive if we depended solely on overhead lighting. Road markings are not just paint; they are engineered systems designed to maximize visibility, durability, and safety. This article focuses on visibility technologies—both non‑lighted and low‑impact lighting alternatives—and how the science behind the illumination could shape the future of our roads. A BRIEF HISTORY OF PAINTED LINES The story of road markings begins in Wayne County, Michigan, in 1911, when Edward N. Hines, a local road commissioner, noticed a leaky milk truck leaving a white trail along the pavement. Inspired, Hines proposed and applied the painting of a stripe down the center of roads to separate opposing traffic. The idea was simple but revolutionary: a visual cue to reduce collisions on increasingly busy roads. A few years later, in California, 1917, Dr. June McCarroll took matters into her own hands after a near head-on crash. She personally painted lines on a stretch of highway, sparking statewide adoption. By the 1920s, centerlines were common across the US, and in 1935, the first Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standardized colors, widths, and placement. Initially, markings were simple white paint applied with brushes or rudimentary machines. But as traffic volumes soared and vehicles became faster, durability and visibility became priorities. By the mid-20th century, thermoplastic coatings and reflective glass beads were introduced, transforming road markings from mere paint into engineered safety systems. By the 1960s, reflective markings were widespread, and color coding evolved: white for lane separation; yellow for opposing traffic; and blue for special zones. Today, these standards are enforced across North America, ensuring consistency from rural highways to urban interstates. Interestingly, the MUTCD has undergone more than 10 major revisions since its inception, adapting to new technologies like LED-embedded markings and smart sensors. These updates reflect a century-long commitment to improving safety through innovation. HOW ROAD LINES ILLUMINATE THE NIGHT Paint alone isn’t enough for nighttime safety. Modern markings rely on retro reflectivity, achieved by embedding tiny glass beads into thermoplastic or epoxy-based coatings. When headlights hit these beads, the light bounces back toward the driver, making lines appear bright even in darkness. Retroreflective technology reduces the need for continuous overhead lighting, especially on rural highways where installation and maintenance costs are prohibitive. Standards for reflectivity are enforced by agencies like the Federal Highway Administration, ensuring markings remain visible under wet conditions and after years of wear. Today, most North American roads use thermoplastic striping, which offers superior durability and reflectivity compared to water-based paint. Some states also employ epoxy and methyl methacrylate (MMA) coatings for high-traffic areas, balancing cost and longevity. Application methods have evolved, too: highpressure spray systems and preformed tape allow faster installation and better adhesion. In addition, wet-night visibility has become a major focus. The use of special beads and grooved markings together help maintain reflectivity even when rainwater covers the surface—a critical feature for regions with heavy precipitation. PAINT VS OVERHEAD LIGHTING Although this article is on non-lighted technologies, we should look at the pluses of overhead lighting. In many contexts, vehicle and pedestrian safety roadway lighting significantly improves visibility for all users—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists—and reduces nighttime crash rates. The Federal Highway Administration identifies continuous lighting on highways and targeted lighting at intersections and crosswalks as a proven safety countermeasure, especially where speeds are high or pedestrian activity is present. Nighttime fatality rates are three times higher than daytime, and lighting helps mitigate that risk, per the U.S. Department of Transportation. Overhead lighting provides excellent uniform illumination of the roadway and surrounding environment, allowing drivers to detect hazards beyond the reach of headlights. It also improves vertical illuminance, making pedestrians and objects more visible at greater distances. So why isn’t overhead lighting used everywhere? It's because it's expensive. Retroreflective pavement markings and signs are cost-effective and essential for lane guidance. They do not illuminate pedestrians, cyclists, or unexpected obstacles, but they do primarily help drivers stay in their lane and navigate curves. In adverse conditions—rain, fog, or snow—retro reflectivity can degrade, reducing visibility. Wetreflective technologies help, but they still don’t replace the broad visibility provided by lighting. The FHWA recommends a balanced approach, using overhead lighting where crash risk is high (urban arterials, intersections, pedestrian zones) and relying on high-performance retroreflective markings for rural or low-pedestrian areas to control costs. Painting roads is far cheaper than installing lights— but the numbers tell the full story. • Paint and Thermoplastic: Water-based paint costs roughly $0.15–$0.25 per linear foot but requires frequent reapplication. Thermoplastic, at $0.50–$1.00 per foot, lasts three to five years, making it more cost-effective long-term. • Overhead Lighting: Installing streetlights can cost $2,000–$3,000 per pole, plus wiring, ROADS ROADS PHOTO: Jeremy Poland/iStock/Getty Images Plus Even if you’re one of those drivers who’s a-running down the road trying to loosen your load or have seven women on your mind, take it easy, and don’t, with apologies to The Eagles, let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy. Just keep the rig between the white lines—regardless of what they are made of—and read the article below to learn about the technology of road lines.
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