How long does pavement marking tape last?

Road marking tape is a prefabricated road marking material, usually composed of multiple layers of structure, fixed on the road surface by adhesive or hot melt methods, used to divide lanes, indicate driving directions, or provide safety warnings. Compared with traditional on-site applied marking coatings, marking tape has advantages such as convenient construction, stable performance, and strong reflective effect. The following is a detailed analysis of its definition, types, and service life:

1、 Definition and classification of road marking strips
Basic composition and materials
Pre formed pavement marking strips are usually composed of multiple layers of functional materials, such as:
◉ Wear resistant resin reflective layer: made of high polymer materials such as polyurethane, containing glass microspheres or reflective gravel, providing high brightness and wear resistance.
◉ Barrier layer: such as aluminum foil or ion polymer film, to prevent moisture and air from penetrating and extend the service life.
◉ Adhesive layer and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer: Ensure a strong bond between the marking tape and the road surface, reducing the risk of displacement.
Types and application scenarios
◉ Long lasting type: used for regular roads or high traffic areas, with a service life of more than 2 years, and in some scenarios (such as indoors and parking lots), it can even exceed 5 years.
◉ Temporary type: used for construction diversion or short-term warning, usually with a lifespan of 1-3 months.

2、 The service life of pre formed marking tape
The service life of prefabricated marking tape is greatly affected by materials, construction quality, and environmental factors, as follows:
Conventional road environment
◉ Ordinary pre formed marking tape: In areas with high traffic flow such as highways or urban main roads, the lifespan is generally 2-4 years, and some high-performance products (such as Jerrytape marking tape from China) can reach 4-6 years.
◉ Compared to hot-melt markings: Traditional hot-melt markings typically have a lifespan of 2-3 years, but their reflectivity deteriorates rapidly and requires frequent maintenance; And the pre formed marking tape can still maintain high reflective performance within the same time.

Differences in lifespan in special scenarios
◉ Low traffic areas： such as parking lots, squares, etc., can extend their service life to more than 5 years.
◉ Road sections with harsh environments： such as tunnels and flooded areas, may have their lifespan shortened to 3-5 years due to anti slip and drainage design, but they are still superior to traditional road markings.
key factors
◉ Traffic load: Frequent crushing by heavy vehicles will accelerate wear and tear, for example, the distance confirmation line will wear out faster on old road surfaces.
◉ Climate conditions: Rain, ice and snow erosion may cause the adhesive layer to fail, but the design of the barrier layer can alleviate such problems.
◉ Construction process: The primer treatment, compaction degree, and temperature control directly affect the bonding strength.