Why aren’t the pavement markings reflective when it’s raining?
All pavement marking have reflective qualities. Reflective glass beads are added to the paint as it is applied. Unfortunately, if it is raining, the reflective qualities of the markings are greatly diminished as water coats the glass beads and reduces the reflective qualities. Additionally, markings become less reflective as they age. Normal traffic wears the markings, and sand and salt in the snow belt areas act as an abrasive and further deteriorates the markings. There are new types of marking material with greatly improved life spans. Some are highly effective in terms or visibility at night under wet conditions, however these products are approximately thirty times the cost of paint – therefore this limits their use.
