Proceedings of the 2005 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium, Ames, Iowa, August 2005. © 2005 by Iowa State University. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the author(s), who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the information presented herein. Iowa Pavement Marking Management System: Initial Phases Neal R. Hawkins Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University 2900 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3100 Ames, IA 50010 hawkins@iastate.edu Omar G. Smadi Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University 2900 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3100 Ames, IA 50010 smadi@iastate.edu Zachary Hans Center for Transportation Research and Education Iowa State University 2900 S. Loop Drive, Suite 3100 Ames, IA 50010 zhans@iastate.edu ABSTRACT The importance of roadway pavement markings to motorists and pedestrians needs no reinforcement among the staff at the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). With an annual pavement marking program of approximately $2 million dollars and another $750,000 invested in maintenance of durable markings each year, the Iowa DOT is seeking every opportunity to provide all year markings in acceptable condition under all weather conditions. The goal of this study was to analyze existing pavement marking practices and to develop a prototype Pavement Marking Management System (PMMS). A practical and integrated PMMS would allow for more accurate development of annual marking needs, as well as provide guidance on durable pavement marking applications and overall marking strategies on a statewide basis. Key words: beads—durable marking—operations—paint—pavement marking