Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

MMA vs. Thermoplastic

  • By Karen Dinitz
  • 06/01/17

Schools and colleges have been looking for a long-term solution to pavement markings. MMA pavement marking is the most durable color marking material available. It has been used in the U.S. and around the world for decades as line striping. MMA (methyl methacrylate) is now getting a lot of attention as color pavement marking and is becoming increasingly common for bike lanes, bus lanes, crosswalks, pedestrian areas and other markings.

Unlike thermoplastic, MMA does not require special equipment for installation, it is less expensive and can last 5 to 10 years or more depending on the vehicular usage and markings do not need to be redone every season. This makes it an ideal material for campuses that can use their own personnel to apply it. MMA bonds to both asphalt and concrete surfaces; concrete is a challenge for other marking materials.

Known for high durability, increased wet-night visibility, skid resistance and optimal color stability, MMA-based area markings are commonly being used to apply bright red crosswalks. The contrasting colors of these crosswalks alert drivers and can significantly reduce the number of pedestrian injuries. MMA green bike lanes serve as a continuous reminder to drivers of the possibility of the presence of bicyclists. Wayfinding and unique designs are also great uses for this durable material that can be made in custom colors.

Pavement markings are primarily a safety feature and can only be effective if they are visible. MMA is UV stable, so the colors stay brighter longer than thermoplastic, and it bonds to itself so it can be refreshed without full removal. MMA can also be applied in temperatures ranging from 40-100°F, extending the marking season.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Karen Dinitz is with Color-Safe/Transpo Industries, Inc. She can be contacted at [email protected] and 800/321-7870.

Featured

  • Vanderbilt to Partner with ABM for Campus Preservation and Modernization

    Vanderbilt University recently announced that it has selected ABM Performance Solutions for a preservation and modernization project at its New York City campus, according to a news release. ABM will deliver its end-to-end ABM Performance Solutions (APS) model to manage critical operations during renovation and maintenance.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • New Arizona Fine Arts School Reaches Construction Milestone

    Construction of the new Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater in Litchfield Park, Ariz., recently hit a significant milestone, according to a news release. The Agua Fria High School District held a beam-signing ceremony to celebrate the building’s topping out, or the placement of its last structural beam.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.