Temporary Rumble Strip Tape

[bridgebuster]

I have a project under construction - viaduct carrying an urban expressway. The field staff told me that the temporary rumble strip tape is not adhering to the asphalt pavement. I don't know what brand of tape was placed but it's 1/2" thick. The striping contractor says he never puts down more that 1/4" thick and only for speeds less than 30 mph. The spec description is as follows:

"Raised, Removable-Tape Rumble Strips. Removable-tape rumble strips shall be formed from non-reflectorized, removable pavement-marking tape. Raised, removable-tape rumble strips shall have a minimum width of 6 inches, measured in the direction of traffic, with sufficient layers of tape such that each finished rumble strip has a thickness of 3/8 inches ± 1/8 inch."

The plans call for replacing the tape every 6 weeks. Is a 1/2" too thick? Is 1/4" better? The traffic engineer here isn't sure. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Ron]

Not sure what your strips are made of, but likely either a polymer or modified asphalt. The thicker they are the more differential shear they will exhibit from top to bottom. This would likely contribute to adhesion failure on the trailing edge. Most specs call for 1/4" for low speed and 3/8" for higher speed. Your spec is in line with what several of the manufacturers claim.

Also check to see if the contractor used appropriate cleaning and priming techniques.

 

[bridgebuster]

Thanks Ron. It's a polymer tape. In talking with the resident engineer late last week, they were going to try 1/4" tape.