A Review on the Deterioration and Long-term Performance of Road Marking Retroreflectivity

With the continuous growth of vehicle ownership and road network density, road markings face challenges such as rapid performance degradation and untimely maintenance during long-term service, severely compromising their continuous safety functionality. This study addresses the core issues of maintaining long-term retroreflective performance and improving prediction accuracy by conducting a systematic analysis of retroreflective performance degradation and enhancement pathways. Comparative analysis reveals that existing standard systems lack sufficient requirements for long-term performance maintenance. Furthermore, traditional degradation prediction models exhibit limitations in characterizing the coupled effects of multiple factors such as traffic volume, climate conditions, and material properties, while their poor scenario adaptability further restricts predictive effectiveness. To overcome these limitations, the development of explainable artificial intelligence technologies based on"mechanism-data fusion"represents a critical pathway. This approach enables accurate capture of the nonlinear degradation patterns of retroreflective luminance (RL) and provides reliable quantitative support for maintenance decision-making. In terms of performance enhancement, the study demonstrates the necessity of shifting from"minimum initial cost"to"whole-life-cycle cost optimization."It verifies the significant potential of combining high-quality glass beads with high-performance marking materials to achieve dual benefits in long-term performance and economic efficiency. Through innovative surface structure designs, the interaction pattern between markings and the environment can be modified, offering possibilities for synchronizing marking service life with pavement life. Future research should strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration to develop systematic solutions in predictive modeling, material system optimization, and management mechanism innovation, thereby providing solid support for enhancing the long-term service performance and safety assurance of road markings.