ONTARIO
PROVINCIAL METRIC
STANDARD OPSS 710
SPECIFICATION NOVEMBER 2010
(Formerly OPSS 532, June 1991)
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION FOR
PAVEMENT MARKING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
710.01 SCOPE
710.02 REFERENCES
710.03 DEFINITIONS
710.04 DESIGN AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
710.05 MATERIALS
710.06 EQUIPMENT
710.07 CONSTRUCTION
710.07.09 Application
710.08 QUALITY ASSURANCE
710.09 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT
710.10 BASIS OF PAYMENT
APPENDICES
710-A Commentary
710.01 SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for the application of pavement markings onto bituminous or
concrete pavement.
710.01.01 Specification Significance and Use
This specification has been developed for use in provincial- and municipal-oriented Contracts. The
administration, testing, and payment policies, procedures, and practices reflected in this specification
correspond to those used by many municipalities and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Use of this specification or any other specification shall be according to the Contract Documents.
Page 1 Rev. Date: 11/2010 OPSS 710
(Formerly OPSS 532, June 1991)
710.01.02 Appendices Significance and Use
Appendices are not for use in provincial contracts as they are developed for municipal use, and then, only
when invoked by the Owner.
Appendices are developed for the Owner’s use only.
Inclusion of an appendix as part of the Contract Documents is solely at the discretion of the Owner.
Appendices are not a mandatory part of this specification and only become part of the Contract Documents as
the Owner invokes them.
Invoking a particular appendix does not obligate an Owner to use all available appendices. Only invoked
appendices form part of the Contract Documents.
The decision to use any appendix is determined by an Owner after considering their contract requirements and
their administrative, payment, and testing procedures, policies, and practices. Depending on these
considerations, an Owner may not wish to invoke some or any of the available appendices.
710.02 REFERENCES
When the Contract Documents indicate that provincial-oriented specifications are to be used and there is a
provincial-oriented specification of the same number as those listed below, references within this specification
to an OPSS shall be deemed to mean OPSS.PROV, unless use of a municipal-oriented specification is
specified in the Contract Documents. When there is not a corresponding provincial-oriented specification, the
references below shall be considered to be to the OPSS listed, unless use of a municipal-oriented
specification is specified in the Contract Documents.
When the Contract Documents indicate that municipal-oriented specifications are to be used and there is a
municipal-oriented specification of the same number as those listed below, references within this specification
to an OPSS shall be deemed to mean OPSS.MUNI, unless use of a provincial-oriented specification is
specified in the Contract Documents. When there is not a corresponding municipal-oriented specification, the
references below shall be considered to be the OPSS listed, unless use of a provincial-oriented specification is
specified in the Contract Documents.
This specification refers to the following standards, specifications or publications:
Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications, Material
OPSS 1712 Organic Solvent Based Traffic Paint
OPSS 1713 Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Materials
OPSS 1714 Field Reacted, Polymeric Pavement Marking Materials
OPSS 1715 Preformed Plastic Pavement Marking Tape
OPSS 1716 Water-Borne Traffic Paint
OPSS 1750 Traffic Paint Reflectorizing Glass Beads
Ontario Ministry of Transportation Publications
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Ontario, MUTCD
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(Formerly OPSS 532, June 1991)
710.03 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this specification, the following definitions shall apply:
Durable Pavement Markings: refer to pavement markings produced by either thermoplastics, field reacted
polymer or a preformed plastic tape of durable type.
Field Reacted Polymeric Pavement Marking Material: refers to a pavement marking material consisting of
two separate components; a polymerizable component and a curing agent or a polymerization catalyst. These
two components are designed to be mixed at the site at recommended proportions and applied during the pot
life of the mixture.
Hot Applied Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Material: refers to a thermoplastic material that is
specifically formulated for hot spray or screed application.
Organic Solvent Based Traffic Paint: refers to a traffic paint whose components are carried in an organic
solvent system and will form a solid paint film on evaporation of the solvent after application.
Pavement Markings: refer to markings on pavements, used to delineate vehicle operating limits on highways
and streets, conforming to the size and shape, as specified in the MUTCD.
Permanent Pavement Markings: refer to pavement markings placed other than Temporary Pavement
Markings or short term pavement markings.
Preformed Plastic Pavement Marking Tape: refers to plastic material specifically designed and preformed
into pliable rolls or ribbons of various lengths and widths or into symbols.
Premarking: refers to the indicating marks, required to identify the position of pavement markings.
Reflectorization: refers to a material, treatment or process to enable incident light to be returned in high
proportions in the general direction of the light source.
Short Term Pavement Markings: refer to the markings placed prior to the placement of permanent
pavement markings, on any milled, levelling, binder or top course pavements where existing lane widths,
arrangements and alignments are maintained.
Temporary Pavement Markings: refer to pavement markings placed on temporary roadway surfaces or
alignments during construction.
Temporary Pavement Marking Material: refers to pavement marking materials designed to maintain a
service life of a minimum of three months.
Temporary Pavement Markings - Removable: refer to pavement markings using materials designed to be
removed after use.
Temporary Raised Pavement Markers: refer to raised reflective devices.
Traffic Paint: refers to a paint specifically formulated for use as a pavement marking.
Water-Borne Traffic Paint: refers to a traffic paint whose components are carried in water either as an
emulsion or a dispersion and will form a solid paint film on deposition and evaporation of water and volatiles
after application.
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(Formerly OPSS 532, June 1991)
710.04 DESIGN AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
710.04.01 General
One-litre samples of solvent based and/or water- borne paint; 500 g samples of thermoplastics; 500 g sample
of field reacted polymeric materials, with an adequate amount of catalyst or curing agent; one metre section of
preformed pavement marking tape and a 200 g sample of reflectorizing glass beads to be used on the contract
shall be supplied to the Authority one month prior to use, prepaid, by the Contractor.
If any sample fails to conform to the specification requirements, none of the batch from which the sample was
taken shall be used. New batches shall be obtained at no additional cost to the Authority and the new batches
shall be tested until an acceptable batch is obtained.
710.05 MATERIALS
710.05.01 Classification
Pavement markings are classified into the following types based on performance requirements:
a. Traffic Paint
b. Pavement Marking - Durable
c. Pavement Marking - Temporary
d. Pavement Marking - Temporary - Removable
710.05.02 Organic Solvent Based Traffic
Organic solvent based traffic paint shall conform to OPSS 1712.
710.05.03 Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Materials
Thermoplastic pavement marking materials shall conform to OPSS 1713.
710.05.04 Field Reacted Polymeric Pavement Marking Materials
Field reacted polymeric pavement marking materials shall conform to OPSS 1714.
710.05.05 Preformed Plastic Pavement Marking Tape
Preformed plastic pavement marking tape shall conform to OPSS 1715.
710.05.06 Water-Borne Traffic Paint
Water-borne traffic paint shall conform to OPSS 1716.
710.05.07 Special Considerations
Materials not conforming to the no-tracking time requirements of the applicable specification, may be used
when approved by the Authority.
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710.06 EQUIPMENT
710.06.01 General
The equipment to be used for application or installation of pavement markings shall be as recommended by
the manufacturer of the respective pavement marking material.
710.06.02 Spray Equipment
710.06.02.01 General
Spray equipment shall be used for application of solvent based traffic paint, water-borne traffic paint,
thermoplastics and field reacted polymeric material recommended for spray application.
Spray equipment shall be fabricated from materials that will not contaminate the traffic paint and other
pavement marking materials.
The spray equipment shall provide a uniform stripe to the required width and thickness, with sharp edges
without excessive splatter or overspray. The equipment shall have the capability to provide pavement
markings conforming to the MUTCD. The equipment shall be provided with glass bead dispenser to apply
overlay glass beads at the recommended rate.
710.06.02.02 Thermoplastic Pavement Markings
Equipment to be used for the application of thermoplastic material shall be capable mixing, maintaining and
applying the material at the recommended temperature.
710.06.03 Other Methods of Application
Field reacted polymeric materials and thermoplastics shall be applied using a screed applicator.
Preformed plastic tape shall be installed conforming to the manufacturer's recommendations.
710.07 CONSTRUCTION
710.07.01 General
As part of the work, the Contractor shall supply pavement marking and symbols conforming to the applicable
shapes and sizes as outlined in the MUTCD.
The Contractor shall apply the pavement marking and symbols conforming to the contract drawings, when
provided, MUTCD and the manufacturer's recommendations.
The work of pavement marking includes: providing samples of materials for testing for conformity to the
appropriate material specification, surface preparation, pavement marking obliterating, premarking, application
of temporary, short term and permanent pavement markings.
Where the pavement marking scheme is not shown in the contract drawings, it shall conform to the MUTCD or
be provided by the Authority.
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710.07.02 Surface Preparation
The pavement surface must be clean and dry. Contaminants such as dirt, loose asphalt particles and oily
residue shall be removed prior to application of pavement marking.
710.07.03 Pavement Marking Obliterating
Durable markings and traffic paint shall be obliterated or removed using the method indicated in the contract at
the location(s) specified.
710.07.04 Premarking
The Contractor shall provide the necessary measurements required to establish the position of all pavement
markings.
710.07.05 Temporary Pavement Marking
Temporary markings shall include surface preparation, premarking and placement of temporary markings.
Temporary pavement marking shall be placed on temporary road surfaces prior to the opening to the general
public, conforming to MUTCD or as specified in the contract.
710.07.06 Short Term Pavement Marking
Short term pavement marking is required when a paved roadway is to be opened to the general public prior to
the application of permanent pavement markings.
As part of the work of pavement marking, the Contractor shall apply short term pavement markings for the
centreline and lane lines.
Short term pavement markings shall be applied conforming to MUTCD and as amended by Table 1.
Short term pavement markings shall not conflict with permanent pavement markings.
Short term pavement markings placed on final surface course shall be of the removable type.
A temporary raised pavement marker may be used in place of one 0.3 m line.
710.07.07 Permanent Pavement Marking
Permanent pavement marking includes surface preparation, premarking, short term pavement marking,
removal of short term pavement markings and placement of permanent pavement markings.
When permanent pavement markings cannot be placed prior to the opening to traffic, Freeways, Major and
Minor Roadways must have short term pavement markings conforming to Division C of the MUTCD and as
amended by Table 1.
Permanent pavement markings must be in place and maintained prior to any winter shut down.
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TABLE 1
Short Term Pavement Markings
TYPE OF TYPE OF ROADWAY LENGTH OF LENGTH OF GAPS LENGTH OF TIME
MARKING LINES MAX. BEFORE PERMANENT
NOTE 1 MIN. MARKINGS ARE PLACED
MAX.
Freeway - six Lanes or
3m 9m
A Greater, Three Lanes 15 Working Days
Note 2 Note 2
per Direction
Freeway - Four Lanes,
B 0.3 m 15 m 15 Working Days
Two Lanes per Direction
Major Roadways- Six
3m 6m
C Lanes or Greater, Three 15 Working Days
Note 2 Note 2
Lanes per Direction
Major Roadways - Four
D 0.3 m 15 m 15 Working Days
Lanes, or Less
E Minor Roadways 0.3 m 15 m 20 Working Days
Notes: 1. Type of marking as specified elsewhere in the contract.
2. Same as MUTCD.
710.07.08 Selection of Materials
When the item Pavement Marking, or Pavement Marking Symbols, is called for, the Contractor is restricted to
traffic paint.
When the item Pavement Marking, Durable or Pavement Marking Symbols, Durable is called for, the
Contractor's choice of material is restricted to:
- durable preformed plastic tape
- field reacted polymeric pavement marking material
- thermoplastic pavement marking material
When the item Pavement Marking, Temporary, or Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary, is called for the
Contractor may choose from all marking materials.
When the item Pavement Marking, Temporary Removable, or Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary -
Removable is called for, the Contractor's choice of material is restricted to temporary preformed, removable
pavement marking tape.
Selection of pavement marking material for use on a particular type of pavement surface shall conform to the
manufacturer's recommendations.
710.07.09 Application
710.07.09.01 General
All pavement markings shall be accurately spaced and present a clean-cut, uniform appearance during either
the day or night.
The application of pavement marking materials shall conform to the following requirements and the
manufacturer's recommendations.
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710.07.09.02 Organic Solvent Based Traffic Paint
Paint shall be applied when the pavement surface temperature is 5°C and above, unless otherwise approved
in writing by the Authority.
Paint shall be applied at a rate which results in a uniform thickness of 230 ± 25 microns dry film. Reflectorizing
glass beads, conforming to OPSS 1750, shall be applied uniformly at a rate as shown below, immediately after
paint application, to ensure embedment of the glass beads.
Overlay glass beads shall not be applied on to black paint which is used for obliterating previous markings.
Rate of Application for Overlay Glass Beads per litre of Traffic Paint
% Volume Solids of Glass Beads
Traffic Paint Required in kg
40-56 0.7
57-70 0.8
The paint temperature shall be between 40°C and 70°C when applied to the pavement.
710.07.09.03 Water-Borne Traffic Paint
Paint shall be applied as specified in clause 710.07.09.02 except that the pavement surface temperature shall
be 10°C and above.
710.07.09.04 Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Material
The material shall be applied when the pavement surface temperature is 5°C and above. The maximum
relative humidity shall be 70%. At pavement surface temperatures below 5°C, the pavement shall be
preheated immediately prior to material application.
Thermoplastics shall be applied at a rate which results in a uniform thickness of 1.90 mm ± 0.40 mm,
measured dry. Markings shall not be applied over pavement joints.
Reflectorizing glass beads conforming to OPSS 1750 with the exception of the requirements for silicone
coating shall be applied uniformly at a rate of 1.5 kg ± 0.10 kg per 10 m2 of marking immediately after marking
material applications and before the material hardens.
710.07.09.05 Field Reacted Polymeric Pavement Marking Materials
Field reacted polymeric pavement marking materials which are recommended for screed application shall be
applied at a rate which results in a uniform thickness of 1.90 mm ± .40 mm, measured dry. Markings shall not
be applied over pavement joints.
The materials shall be applied when the pavement surface temperature is 5°C and above. The maximum
surface temperature shall be 35°C. The maximum relative humidity shall be 70%.
Reflectorizing glass beads conforming to OPSS 1750 with the exception of the requirement for silicone
coating, shall be applied uniformly at a rate of 1.5 kg ± 0.10 kg per 10 m2 of marking, immediately before the
material hardens.
Field reacted polymeric pavement marking materials recommended for spray application shall be applied at a
uniform thickness of .30 mm ± .15 mm, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Authority.
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710.07.09.06 Preformed Plastic Tape
The tape shall be applied when the pavement surface temperature is 21°C and above. The maximum relative
humidity shall be 70%.
Joints of marking tape shall be butt joints without overlaps. Preformed markings shall not be applied over
pavement joints.
710.07.09.07 Pavement Marking, Temporary Removable
Temporary removable pavement markings shall be applied conforming to the manufacturer's recommendation
and shall be removed as indicated. Removed material shall be disposed of outside the right-of-way.
710.07.09.08 Raised Pavement Markers, Temporary
The Contractor shall supply and install temporary raised pavement markers conforming to the Authority's
requirements and the manufacturer's recommendations. Markers used shall be capable of remaining in place
for a period of one to six months as specified in the contract. Temporary raised pavement markers shall be
removed as specified in the contract. Removed material shall be disposed of outside the right-of-way.
710.08 QUALITY ASSURANCE
710.08.01 General
Random sampling may be carried out by the Authority during material application to assess line quality.
710.08.02 Line Quality
Line width, thickness, the nature of the edges and uniformity in appearance will be assessed by the Authority.
The dry film thickness will be measured by a paint inspection gauge or a coating thickness gauge.
Glass bead distribution will be inspected for evenness in distribution, degree of embedment and
retroreflectance.
710.08.03 Measurement of Temperature and Humidity
The testing of ambient and surface temperature will be by thermometer, and surface thermometer,
respectively. Humidity will be measured using recording hygrometer.
710.09 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT
710.09.01 Actual Measurement
710.09.01.01 Pavement Marking
Pavement Marking, Durable
Pavement Marking, Temporary
Pavement Marking, Temporary - Removable
Pavement Marking Obliterating
Measurement for pavement marking is by the horizontal length in metres of 10 cm wide line excluding gaps.
Wider lines are measured in 10 cm equivalents.
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Each symbol to be obliterated will be approximately equated in area to a 10 cm wide line.
710.09.01.02 Pavement Marking Symbols
Pavement Marking Symbols, Durable
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary - Removable
Raised Pavement Markers, Temporary
The unit of measurement is each.
710.09.02 Plan Quantity Measurement
710.09.02.01 Pavement Marking
Pavement Marking, Durable
Pavement Marking, Temporary
Pavement Marking, Temporary - Removable
Pavement Marking Obliterating
Measurement for Pavement Markings is by Plan Quantity, as may be revised by Adjusted Plan Quantity, of the
horizontal length in metres of 10 cm wide line, excluding gaps. Wider lines are measured in 10 cm
equivalents.
Each symbol to be obliterated will be approximately equated in area to a 10 cm wide line.
710.09.02.02 Pavement Marking Symbols
Pavement Marking Symbols, Durable
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary - Removable
Raised Pavement Markers, Temporary
Measurement is by Plan Quantity, as may be revised by Adjusted Plan Quantity. The unit is each.
710.10 BASIS OF PAYMENT
710.10.01 Pavement Marking - Item
Pavement Marking Symbols - Item
Pavement Marking, Durable - Item
Pavement Marking Symbols, Durable - Item
Pavement Marking, Temporary - Item
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary - Item
Pavement Marking, Temporary Removable - Item
Pavement Marking Symbols, Temporary - Removable - Item
Raised Pavement Markers, Temporary - Item
Pavement Marking Obliterating - Item
Payment at the contract price for the above item(s) shall be full compensation for all labour, equipment
and material required to do the work.
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Appendix 710-A, November 2010
FOR USE WHILE DESIGNING MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS
Note: This is a non-mandatory Commentary Appendix intended to provide information to a designer, during
the design stage of a contract, on the use of the OPS specification in a municipal contract. This
appendix does not form part of the standard specification. Actions and considerations discussed in this
appendix are for information purposes only and do not supersede an Owner’s design decisions and
methodology.
Designer Action/Considerations
The designer should specify the following in the Contract Documents:
- Method and locations of markings and paint obliteration and removal. (710.07.03)
- Temporary pavement marking requirements. (710.07.05)
- Type of markings. (710.07.07)
The designer should ensure that the General Conditions of Contract and the 100 Series General
Specifications are included in the Contract Documents.
Related Ontario Provincial Standard Drawings
No information provided here.
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