Pavement Marking Automation

Draft Page

Transportation Research Board • Presentation Resource

A New Pavement Marking Automation Scale

A practical framework to align industry, agencies, and researchers on capability and operator responsibility as pavement marking automation accelerates.

Automation Levels 0–5

Layout + Application

Function-Based View

Barriers + Approaches

Download Presentation (PDF) View the Scale Contact + QR Codes

Note: This scale is intended to compare capability, not brands — clarity, not classification.

What this page is

A simple landing page for sharing the TRB presentation, the latest version of the scale, and a consistent way for attendees to follow up afterward.

Why a shared scale matters

Technology is moving faster than our common language.
Automation claims are increasing — definitions help keep conversations productive.
Clear levels support responsible deployment and realistic expectations.

How to use the scale

Compare systems by what they automate (not what they’re called).
Clarify what the operator still controls at each level.
Map barriers and “workarounds” to the level(s) they enable.

Key threads in the presentation

Layout is a major exposure — often the largest labor component.
Automation can be broken into primary functions:

Four primary functions

Vehicle Operation (navigation / driving)
Material Management (loading / monitoring)
Gun & Carriage Control (selection / positioning / activation)
Layout (positioning + pattern / color coding)

Plus: Data Collection

Some systems can record the marking location, color, and pattern — supporting as-built datasets and future automation.

Barriers discussed

Precision data limitations (centimeter-level needs vs typical datasets)
Work zone variability (dynamic environment + human interaction)
GNSS / connectivity dependence (outages, interference, correction gaps)

The Scale (Latest)

Open the Scale (PDF)

Contact + Resources (QR Codes)

Contact Greg

GregDriskell@LimnTech.com

Pwww.linkedin.com/in/gregory-driskell-road-safety

Downloads

Presentation (PDF) Scale (PDF) One-Page Summary