A survey into the quality of road safety markings on the UK’s road network

This survey is the tenth national investigation conducted by the RSMA into the quality of road safety markings. The findings in this report relate to site surveys carried out between July and September 2012. The survey covers a total of 7,250km of roads, nearly three times the distance covered by the 2010 survey and the largest the RSMA or any body has carried out.

Road markings are measured on their retro-reflectivity. A rating of 150mcd (millicandelas) is the level recommended by the industry, with road markings materials available that ensure markings remain clearly visible even at night in wet conditions. Under Highways Agency standard TD26, if the quality of markings falls below 100mcd, they should be scheduled for replacement, and if the quality rates below 80mcd, they must be replaced immediately. A revision of HA’s TD26 is due next year.

Summary of findings and conclusions
• 40% markings on Scotland’s motorway and dual carriageways need immediate replacement.

• 40% markings on dual carriageways in Wales need immediate replacement.

• 38% of markings on motorways and 36% on dual carriageways maintained by the Highways Agency in England need immediate or scheduled repairs.

• 25% of markings on HA single carriageways need replacing now; 19% scheduled.

• Markings on 7250km of UK roads measured.

The quality of road markings on the UK’s roads is in rapid decline, with the standard of markings on Scotland’s roads almost in free-fall.

As the percentage of motorway markings classified as needing immediate replacement by the Highways Agency’s own standard doubled from eight to 17% in the past two years, the industry believes the Department for Transport and the Highways Agency are failing to grasp the urgency of the problem.