Airport pavement marking is extremely challenging due to unique maintenance and safety requirements. As traffic increases, operators and road marking equipment are expected to work quickly in demanding settings, and an effective line marking solution is fundamental. Lighten Traffic provides self-propelled airport marking solutions and a wide range of best-performing airfield marking systems, including road marking materials, reflective glass beads, and road marking machines.
Airport Signs And Markings
Airfield markings feature distinctive lines and signs. They play a vital role in guiding airplane takeoff, landing, taxiing, and parking, ensuring orderly and safe on-field traffic, and guaranteeing the regular operation of the flight area. Airport markings are mainly divided into airport runway markings, taxiway markings, and other airfield markings.
Airport Runway Marking
Different lines and symbols are used for the marking of runways, including overrun areas marked with yellow chevrons, thresholds marked by a number of long and thin, white bars, numbers or letters for the compass heading of runways, etc.
Taxiway Markings
Taxiway markings are yellow surface markings on the asphalt taxiway that connect the runway to another airport area, like the terminal or hangar. There are various types of taxiway markings, Including double yellow lines, single solid yellow lines, directional lines, and geographic position ground markings.
Other Airfield Markings
Hazardous areas are indicated by alternating white and orange markings, which must not be crossed by any part of an aircraft.
Reference can be made to the current standard GB 5768.3-2009 “Road Traffic Signs and Markings – Part 3: Road Markings,” which specifies the classification, colors, shapes, characters, graphics, and dimensions of road markings.
4 Key Factors For High Quality Airport Pavement Marking
Adhere to the following tips and choose materials and solutions that meet the highest performance standards to contribute to the precision, long-lasting, and durability of airport pavement markings.
Superior Reflective Marking Lines
Lighten Traffic offers premium glass beads that meet international standards, such as BS6088A, BS6088B, AASHTOM247, EN1423, EN1424, Australian AS2009 B3.2, Korean KS standards, and Chinese standards. These reflective glass beads deliver superior retro-reflection and night visibility on dry and wet road surfaces.
Excellent Wear Resistance
By choosing the right road marking solution from our extensive product range, complemented by various glass beads, it can achieve superior functionality and durability of marking systems on airports, airport runways, airfield taxiways, and aprons.
Strong Surface Adhesion
Besides the specified product-specific characteristics, airport markings need to adhere firmly to the pavement to ensure long-term durability. Premarking the road line, including removing existing pavement markings and applying a primer, is necessary to ensure the road marking paint bonds effectively with the surface before the markings are applied. Choosing the right and most economical road marking system for different areas depends on airport specifications and other prerequisites.
International Certification
We are a certified road marking manufacturer with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CE Certification, ASTM Compliance, and certifications for traffic paints and line painting machines. Lighten Traffic prioritizes quality, innovation, and safety and manufactures exceptional road line marking solutions.
Which Paint To Use for Airfield Marking?
Cold solvent road marking paint and two-component road marking paint are the two common types of road marking paint used for airport pavement markings. Airports typically feature cement surfaces, and while cold solvent-based paints may lack the wear resistance of thermoplastic paints, they can still maintain vibrant, clear markings with regular upkeep. Dual-component road marking paints provide superior weather resistance, do not require heating, and are free from issues like low-temperature cracking and high-temperature softening, making them especially suitable for the demanding conditions of airport environments.
Learn more about different road marking paint for airport marking pros & cons!
What to Consider When Choosing an Airport Marking Machine?
Airports often require marking large areas, making the machine’s capacity and efficiency crucial. When selecting road marking equipment for airport marking, consider the following requirements:
- Different Types of Markings: The entire airport may require various markings.
- Multiple Colors: Different colors might be needed for different markings.
- Various Line Sizes: Different line widths and extra-wide lines may be necessary depending on their function.
We will help you find the most suitable machine for the project if you outline your specific needs. You can also learn more about our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Road Marking Equipment!
Which Type Of Road Marking Machine Is Recommended For Airport Pavement Marking?
Engine-powered line marking equipment is highly recommended for large airport marking projects. These road marking machines reduce operator fatigue, enhance work efficiency, and improve comfort, making them ideal for extensive tasks like airport runway marking and taxiway markings. In addition, their powerful engines provide the durability and precision required for consistent, long-lasting results on airport surfaces.
Ambient Temperature Markings Solution
For most applications, a single ambient temperature striping machine, available in high-pressure airless or low-pressure air-assisted models, is sufficient. These machines offer flexibility depending on project requirements and environmental conditions.
Two-component Markings Solution
A range of equipment types is available, including two-component paint line striping machine, combination oscillating line scrapers, electric dual-component throw-on striping machines, dual-component throw-on striping machines, electric dual-component scrape and throw-on striping machines, dual-component scrape and throw-on striping machines, and oscillating raised line striping machines.
Airport Marking FAQS
Q: How often should the airport markings be re-marked?
A: It’s recommended to repaint reflective thermoplastic road markings every 1-2 years. If using cold paint road marking paint, the repair interval is typically every 6-12 months to ensure the markings remain clear and visible.
Q: How thick are airfield pavement markings?
A: The thickness of airport pavement markings varies according to the specific needs of different airport areas. Typically, airport line marking widths range from 15 to 30 cm, with pedestrian walkways at 45 cm. Specialized runways may require widths of up to 90 cm.
Thickness: The thickness of single-component marking lines is generally around 0.6 to 0.8 mm, while that of two-component marking lines typically ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 mm.
Q: How much paint is required for the airport marking?
A: For Cold Solvent Road Marking Paint:
Theoretical consumption of ambient temperature solvent-based markings: One barrel of paint (25kg) can cover approximately 40 square meters with a roller or about 60 square meters with a cold spraying machine. The typical application thickness ranges from 0.4mm to 0.5mm, resulting in a film thickness of 0.3mm to 0.9mm. Therefore, one ton of paint can cover approximately 2,400 square meters. However, the actual consumption may vary depending on specific construction conditions.
Theoretical Consumption of Two-Component Markings:
The theoretical consumption is calculated based on density, area, and thickness.
Two-Component Spray-Type Markings: Thickness: 0.6–0.8 mm, with a theoretical consumption of approximately 1 kg/m².
Two-Component Scrape-Type Markings: Thickness: 1.2–1.5 mm, with a theoretical consumption of approximately 4 kg/m² (including 1 kg for gap filling).
Two-Component Structure-Type Markings: Thickness: 4 mm (±1 mm), with a theoretical consumption of approximately 3.5 kg/m².
Two-Component Raised Markings: Base thickness: 1–2 mm, protrusions: 5 mm (±1 mm), with a theoretical consumption of approximately 4.5 kg/m².
Additionally, around 0.5 kg/m² of glass beads are required.
Q: How long does airport pavement marking take to dry?
A: The drying time for cold solvent road marking paint and dual component road line marking paint is about 30 minutes.
In Conclusion
Achieving high-quality airport pavement markings requires attention to various factors, from selecting the right materials to using advanced road marking equipment. As airports continue to face increased traffic, the importance of efficient and durable markings grows. With the proper combination of cold solvent and two-component road marking paints, with reflective glass beads and advanced line marking machines, you can ensure clear, long-lasting, and obvious markings for runways, taxiways, and other airport areas.
