HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 25-004INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0048
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 1, 2025
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SUBJECT: PAVEMENT MARKINGS UPDATE
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The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an update on the maintenance of the pavement markings
program and material life span in the City of Fort Worth.
The Transportation and Public Works Department, Transportation Management Division (TM), is
responsible for maintaining 8.7 million linear feet of pavement markings throughout the City. The TM
Division's goal is to restripe an average of 2.9 million linear feet of pavement markings annually (a 3-year
life cycle started in FY 2023) using in-house staff and contractors.
Pavement markings are installed when the minimum air and pavement surface temperature is above 55°F.
Markings are not installed when moisture is present because it will have a negative effect on the bond
formed between the pavement marking and the pavement surface. Therefore, the majority of pavement
marking installation occurs in warmer months.
Pavement Markings Program Update:
Year
Linear Feet Installed
Budget
FY 2023
2.00 million linear feet
$8.8 million
FY 2024
2.92 million linear feet
$10.4 million
FY 2025
0.86 million linear feet as of January 2025
$10.8 million
Pavement Marking Material Characteristics:
Thermoplastic: The majority of the City's pavement markings are thermoplastic materials and reflectors.
These materials are durable and have a lifespan of 3 to 4 years, depending on traffic volumes, pavement
conditions, and other environmental factors. Because of the thermal bonding characteristics between
thermoplastic and asphalt, nearly all thermoplastic materials are well suited for application on new Hot Mixed
Asphalt surfaces. Not all thermoplastic materials have been shown to provide suitable durability on concrete
surfaces. The average cost of the thermoplastic material is $0.73/LF. This does not include mobilization,
removal, and installation.
Preformed: Preformed material is used for contrast crosswalks, arrows, and railroad legends. The material
can last up to 4 years. Preformed tapes do not require expensive application equipment or experienced
operators to place, and require no drying or curing times. Preformed tapes are highly durable and abrasion -
resistant in most applications. Because of their high installation costs and slow application procedure, they
are often used only in locations with the most severe traffic conditions that require frequent replacement of
standard pavement markings. Preformed material is used for all crosswalks in the City. The preformed
material cost varies for crosswalks, arrows, and railroad legends. The cost ranges from $250.00 to $885.00
for each item.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0048
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 1, 2025
Page 2 of 2
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SUBJECT: PAVEMENT MARKINGS UPDATE
1875
3M Material: 3M Stamark tape consists of abrasion -resistant zirconia-enriched optical beads bonded in a
highly durable polyurethane topcoat and is known for its durability, lasting retro-reflectivity and long-term
value. The 3M material can last 8 to 10 years but is roughly 10 times the cost of thermoplastic. The 3M
Stamark material was used in a FY23 pilot project on Hulen Street from the Bellaire Drive Bridge to West
Vickery Boulevard. The material has performed well. The average cost for 3M material is $6.43/LF. This
does not include mobilization, removal, and installation.
Multipolymer (Epoxies): Multipolymer is a two -component epoxy with exceptional durability on asphalt and
concrete surfaces and is less sensitive to application factors. Epoxies often take much longer to dry than
other pavement marking materials and have a 3 to 4 years of service life based on traffic volumes.
Multipolymers were primarily used in FY22 and FY23. Special installation equipment requirements have
limited the City's contractor's ability to install Multipolymer. The multipolymer pavement markings were
installed on Basswood Boulevard from Blue Mound Road to IH-35 during FY23 and have performed well.
The average cost for multipolymer material is $1.93/LF. This does not include mobilization, removal, and
installation.
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): MMA pavement marking material does not rely on the addition of heat to cure
and is therefore an option during the colder times of the year but does require specialty application
equipment. The material can last up to 5 years on asphalt, concrete, and surface treatments. MMA is often
used to delineate bike lanes, bus lanes, or other specialty applications requiring durable markings. The cost
of MMA is similar to thermoplastic and epoxy materials. MMA pavement markings were installed in
September 2024 on the South Jones Street Bus Lane. The material has performed well. The average cost
for MMA is $13.80/LF. This does not include mobilization, removal, and installation.
Due to the low material cost and suitable durability, thermoplastic is the primary material used for pavement
markings within the City of Fort Worth.
If you have any questions, please contact Martin Phillips, Transportation and Public Works Assistant
Director, by e-mail to martin.phillips@fortworthtexas.gov.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS