The New York State Thruway Authority is implementing a new pavement striping program. The new pavement marking system, known as Recess Triple Drop, is more visible and durable in all lighting and weather conditions.


Steve Velicky, an engineer in the Authority's Highway Design Bureau, who has designed pavement striping contracts for the past 15 years, developed the Recess Triple Drop system. The system uses ceramic elements that are mixed with various sized glass beads and applied onto a recessed epoxy base, providing high reflectivity.

During winter months, the Authority institutes a policy of clearing snow and ice down to bare pavement. Plow blades ride on the pavement and damage markings applied to the road surface, reducing their effectiveness. In the Recess Triple Drop system, the reflective stripes are applied in grooves ground into the pavement, protecting the markings from plow damage.

"The Thruway is the only roadway on the state system, and the only super highway in the country, using this new technology," said Ted Nadratowski, chief engineer. "We've already installed the system in the Buffalo and Fultonville areas, and are now including this striping system in all our 2011 highway resurfacing and rehabilitation contracts. By the end of 2011, the Authority will have treated nearly 350 lane miles of Thruway pavement."