Road Marking Services
Our road marking services ensure that roads and other trafficked areas receive clear, consistent and long-lasting markings. By combining the right application machines with materials such as thermoplastics, cold plastics, paint and tapes, we deliver lines and symbols that support safe and predictable movement for all road users. Our focus is on reliable execution and steady quality, helping road owners keep their networks organised and easy to navigate.
What Are Road Marking Services?
Road marking services cover the application of lines, symbols and markings on roads, runways and public spaces across Europe. They are designed to guide road users, organise traffic and improve safety in all weather and light conditions. Their working principle is based on durable, high-visibility markings with good reflectivity and skid resistance.
Types of Road Markings
Different roads, traffic volumes and surfaces require different marking solutions:
Paint – a solution for roads with lower traffic volumes and for parkinglots and airports
Thermoplastic – a durable, hot-applied material suited for roads with high traffic loads
Cold plastic – a hard-wearing material for symbols, crossings and areas exposed to heavy wear
Profiled markings – structured markings that improve visibility in wet and dark conditions and give an audible warning when crossed
Preformed markings – prefabricated symbols and lines that are quick to apply and easy to place precisely
Temporary markings – markings used to guide traffic through roadworks
Printed symbols – arrows, speed limits and other pictograms applied directly to the road with a traffic printer for precise, consistent results
Why road markings matter
How Road Markings work
Road markings are designed to guide road users and organise traffic in a clear and consistent way. By combining durable materials with reflective glass beads, they remain visible day and night and help drivers stay in the right position on the road.
guide vehicles and define lanes
reflect light from vehicle headlights
improve visibility in wet and dark conditions
organise junctions, crossings and parking areas
provide skid resistance for safer road surfaces
Standards and testing for Road Markings
What Is Evaluated During Road Marking Testing?
Road markings are assessed on how well road users can see them and how safe they are to drive on. Testing covers retroreflection under dry and wet conditions, luminance in daylight, friction and colour, as well as how well the marking maintains these properties over time
EN 1436
EN 1436 is the main European standard for road marking performance. It specifies the performance for road users of white and yellow road markings, covering reflection in daylight or under road lighting, retroreflection in vehicle headlamp illumination, colour and skid resistance. Performance is expressed in classes, allowing road authorities to set the right requirements for each type of road
Night-Time Visibility
Visibility in darkness is measured as the coefficient of retroreflected luminance (RL). Markings can be classified for dry conditions only or for both dry and wet conditions, where profiled markings with special properties improve visibility in rain.
Daytime Visibility and Colour
In daylight and under road lighting, visibility is measured as the luminance coefficient under diffuse illumination (Qd). Colour is also verified to ensure that white and yellow markings are clearly recognisable and consistent across the road network.
Skid Resistance
Road markings cover part of the road surface and must provide sufficient grip for vehicles, motorcycles and cyclists. Skid resistance is measured with a pendulum test and classified according to minimum friction values.
Durability and Road Trials
To show that performance lasts over time, marking materials are tested under real traffic conditions. Performance requirements for permanent road marking materials are established through road trials in accordance with EN 1824, while wear simulator testing according to EN 13197 can be used to replicate traffic loads in a controlled environment..
Nordic Certification
The Nordic certification system for road marking materials was introduced in 2015 and is based on documented performance measurements of material samples applied on test fields on public roads. From 2016, it includes both flat (type I) and structured or profiled (type II) markings.
Why Saferoad?
Road markings are often only one part of a comprehensive traffic safety solution. With expertise across road marking, milling and waterblasting, Saferoad supports infrastructure projects with integrated solutions for highways, urban roads, cycle lanes and airports.
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Road Marking FAQ
What are road markings?
Road markings are lines, symbols and markings applied to roads, runways and public spaces to guide road users and organise traffic. They show lanes, crossings, junctions, parking areas and other important information on the road surface.
Where are road markings typically applied?
Road markings are used on motorways, rural roads, city streets, cycle paths, parking areas, industrial sites and airports, wherever traffic needs clear and consistent guidance.
How do road markings work at night?
Glass beads are added to the marking material to reflect light from vehicle headlights back towards the driver. This keeps markings visible in darkness, when guidance is especially important.
What is the difference between flat and profiled markings?
Flat markings have an even surface, while profiled markings have a raised structure. The profile improves visibility in wet conditions, when water would otherwise cover a flat marking, and can give an audible warning when crossed.
Are all road markings the same?
No. Paint, thermoplastic, cold plastic and preformed markings differ in durability, application method and cost. The right material depends on traffic volume, road surface, climate and how long the marking needs to last.
How long do road markings last?
Service life depends on the material, traffic load, winter maintenance and the condition of the road surface. Paint may need renewal every year on busy roads, while thermoplastic and cold plastic markings generally last considerably longer.
Which requirements apply to road markings in Europe?
Road marking performance in Europe is defined in common standards that cover night-time and daytime visibility, colour and skid resistance. Each road authority then sets the performance classes required for its own road network.
Are road markings slippery?
Road markings must meet requirements for skid resistance to provide sufficient grip for vehicles, motorcycles and cyclists. Anti-skid aggregates can be added to the material to improve friction where needed.
How do I choose the right road marking solution?
The choice depends on road type, traffic volume, speed, climate and performance requirements. An assessment of the site helps determine the most suitable material and marking type for long-lasting performance.