The function of road markings in relation to driver's visual needs.

The study presented here aims at discussing the fundamental aspects of road marking and their application. The objective of this report is to offer a background on which decisions regarding the development and application of road markings can be based. This background is discussed in considerable detail, keeping in mind those persons or road authorities that have to prepare decisions regarding road markings. In many cases these decisions can be summarised as deciding which type of road marking is particularly suited for different types of roads and traffic situations. These decisions require an extensive study of the background as many different aspects must be taken into account. Road safety and travel (traffic volume) are the most important of these aspects, but also driving comfort and environmental aspects should be mentioned. As indicated, the report contains a considerable amount of information regarding the fundamental aspects of road marking. In effect, this amount of information and particularly the degree of detail in which this is discussed, is much more than the decision-makers usually will require for the actual decisions. Authorities that prefer to concentrate on the major issues of this subject, may find them in an extensive summary that contains enough detail in order to come to decisions; the actual report offers all the background and the detail on which the summary is based. The report may offer assistance to those engaged in the realisation of the decisions, and to traffic engineers and researchers engaged in road marking