Reflective Beads - The Secret Visibility Ingredient

Written by Kim Poppke Wednesday, 06 June 2012 09:58

Sporting the slogan "Leaving Our Mark on America's Runways", Hi-Lite Markings recently spent a few days cleaning and striping our runways and taxiways. Now pilots enjoy the heightened visibility the newly cleaned and striped runways provide. Thanks to a 2010 Florida Department of Transportation initiative, the vendor selection process was streamlined.  Following a state bid process, FDOT selected Hi-Lite Markings as the approved airport painting and striping service provider for Florida. Saving time by skipping the RFP process, Hernando County Purchasing utilized a Cooperative Purchase (Piggyback) Agreement to directly schedule the work. An FDOT Airport Improvement grant funded 80% of the project.

BEFORE

AFTER

Although airport runway painting and striping typically occurs every five years or so, this was the first time for those areas to be subjected to a cleaning.  Over $223K of the $324K total cost was devoted to "Surface Prep/Mildew Removal". Results of the first powerwash in 67 years are evident! Now, in addition to clean and newly-lightened surfaces, center markings and numbers are highly visible due to reflective beads in the paint. The white skipped runway and yellow taxiway center lines as well as threshold markings all feature the reflective media. And new to this airport, due to the soon-to-open Control Tower, are "Hold Short" lines on the ramps, indicating point of access to the Runway Movement Areas. A clear reflection of our safety focus - clean, freshly striped runways and taxiways are just the Right Fit.