Add lane striping operations to the list of unexpected activities you may encounter when driving at night.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will begin striping operations on Interstate 70 in Mid-Missouri on Sunday night - the first of four consecutive nights, weather permitting. A second four-night operation will begin July 19.
We have called attention to work zone safety issues in this forum during National Work Zone Awareness Week in the spring and again last month following a collision involving a striping operation.
The announcement of the night operations raised two questions. Why switch to nights? What are the safety considerations?
The unseasonably wet weather is a factor.
Randy Aulbur, MoDOT Central District's maintenance engineer, explained that MoDOT traditionally aims to complete striping operations by Memorial Day, but has been stalled this year by persistent rains.
The night operations are not without precedent, and experience indicates safety is not compromised.
Aulbur said traffic volumes drop significantly at night, and visibility has not been a problem because the striping fleets are well lit.
The main drawback, he said, is paint dries more slowly in cooler evenings than it will during the heat of the day.
MoDOT continues to caution motorists to watch for striping operations. The striping fleets travel between 8 and 12 mph, which means motorists can come upon them quickly, particularly on interstate highways.
Officials also advised motorists not to cross the fresh paint because it will damage the stripe and possibly splatter on your vehicle. If you drive through wet paint, which is water-based, MoDOT suggests cleaning the vehicle as quickly as possible with a high-powered water hose such as those used in car washes.
Lane striping during the night time is another reason attentive, alert driving is necessary around the clock.