Idaho Durable Pavement Marking Tape Program

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) awarded 3M a contract to deliver a new and innovative approach to assured pavement marking visibility on roads where traffic volumes are high and abrasives, like sand, gravel, and snowplow blades, are particularly tough on pavement markings. Through a single statewide contract, 3M™ Roadway Maintenance Services has installed and will maintain over 1.6 million feet of durable pavement markings on 22 different roadway corridors throughout the State of Idaho.

3M™ Stamark™ High Performance Pavement Marking Tape Series 380 has long been recognized as the material of choice for brightness and durability in high-wear areas, but transportation departments in some states have struggled to find contractors capable of properly installing the tape at a cost-effective price and who will then stand behind the application over a period of several years. 3M is solving this problem in Idaho with a "Pay for Performance" contract with ITD in which the state pays a single price per foot in incremental payments over the four-year life of the contract. In this contract, 3M maintains markings to required performance levels, or payment is withheld. 3M is the prime contractor and is fully responsible for all project management, construction administration, installation, scheduling, Internetbased data management, and service on the contract. The annual payment amount is the same regardless of the amount of any needed repair and maintenance work that 3M provides.

If repairs to installed pavement marking tape are necessary during the term of the contract, 3M must pay lane closure fees to the state to set up a work zone and complete the repairs. This clause provided a significant incentive to 3M to ensure high quality installation on the original application, completed in 2007. 3M is also responsible for collecting reflectivity and durability data, and reporting annually on pavement marking tape performance. Data is collected by an independent contractor under 3M’s direction and retroreflectivity is tested using a mobile van-mounted retroreflectometer. The subsequent reports are the basis for identifying any areas of non-compliant markings requiring replacement prior to issuance of the annual payment for that year.

The program has been very successful for ITD as well as 3M and, as a testimony to its success, ITD authorized the extension of a change order in early 2008 for additional work to be completed in ITD District 6 under the same "Pay for Performance" provisions of the contract.