New road markings under study

The Traffic Management Directorate of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is currently in the process of evaluating different types of road markings and materials that could eventually be used on Maltese roads.

The main criteria for analyses were durability, performance, reflectivity and practicality besides other technicalities, ADT said.

It has been observed that the paint that has been used so far for road markings tends to become obscured or fade in a relatively short period of time compared to other countries, the authority said.

In addition to various types of paints, a new elastoplastic material is being tested for its suitability in Malta. The material contains minute gloss beads embedded in it to reflect vehicle headlights at night-time. The material is self-cleaning.

Traffic calming measures - Rumble strips of this same elastoplastic material - are also being tested on the road network. Rumble strips are traffic management measures aimed at controlling speeds and, thus, improving road safety and reducing the accident risk factor of roads, the authority said.