When a highway’s lanes need to be reconfigured, many state transportation agencies use hydroblasting or sandblasting techniques to remove the old markings. However, these methods can damage the pavement surface and leave residual or “ghost” marks that can cause driver confusion.
To assess how drivers behave when they encounter ghost lines caused by different removal techniques, the Oregon Department of Transportation conducted field and laboratory experiments and developed recommendations for improving driver response in a variety of conditions.
Read the report: Removing Residual Lane Markings to Reduce Driver Confusion, April 2024.
Image source: Oregon Department of Transportation