Whereas the premature deterioration of low-durability road marking paint, particularly as it affects highway centre-line and shoulder marker lines, places the safety of British Columbia drivers and passengers at significant risk; And whereas the annual program to re-paint highway markings must be significantly accelerated to make our roads and highways safer sooner: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia be requested to improve the durability and reflectivity standards of road marking paint so it will endure effectively through the entire winter driving season to improve road safety, particularly for BCs northern and interior drivers and passengers; And be it further resolved that the Province of British Columbia accelerate the annual road and highway marking re-painting program, with improved durable and reflective paint to make BCs roads and highways safer sooner.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure The Government recognises that the need for clear visible road markings is a high priority. Every year the Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure invests more than 11M painting over 34,000 kilometres of centre and lane lines. Since 201415 the Ministry has invested an additional 2M per year in durable plastic pavement markings for high traffic areas primarily in the Lower Mainland. Pavement Marking Contractors are required to meet the Ministrys standards for painted line visibility, including reflectivity, both during initial application and by the end of the season. These standards are consistent with other jurisdictions. Our contractors begin painting highways as soon as weather permits and winter abrasives have been swept, typically in April. In the south, primary highways are completed by early to mid-May while primary highways in the north and on high mountain passes are painted by June. All of the remaining numbered highways across the province are completed by July. Our contractors continue painting side roads and completed construction projects into mid-October. Durability of road line markings are a challenge for all jurisdictions that experience significant winter conditions, such as snow plowing and winter abrasive applications, which cause significant seasonal wear and tear. We are working diligently to find the best solution to this problem of paint wear. In July of 2015, we launched a one-year paint testing project to evaluate the durability of 18 versions of road marking paint including the best paints available from other jurisdictions. Two paint types showed promise and the Ministry has initialed a second phase of testing to see how well these paints last in actual centerline applications.