Development of Runway Marking Machine and Cold-Water Paint for Airport Surface Marking

A low-cost mobile spray unit was developed at NAFEC for applying experimental marking patterns on runway and taxiway. surfaces. Speed of application and drying were essential since runway availability was critical; therefore, a cold-water paint was developed for use with the spray unit.

The prototype paint spraying device was assembled from readily available stock components and tested at NAFEC and Dulles International Airport. The cold-water airport paint, developed concurrently, proved compatible with the spray unit and possessed the required ease of handling and application qualities.

Results of this prototype unit testing indicate that a mobile paint spraying device, similar to the type developed, would be well-suited to the task of marking runway and taxiway surfaces, particularly where frequent repainting of touchdown areas is necessary.