In short: the technology. This white “paint” is made from a mixture of thermoplastic resin, titanium dioxide pigment, and tiny reflective glass beads. On major roads, it’s applied by specialized computer-controlled road marking machines. But the problem remains: how to accurately follow the marked route and adjust speed according to road conditions—and that’s precisely what highly trained (and well-paid) “navigators” are responsible for.
On narrow roads, the work becomes more challenging. Paint is applied using a simple metal cart called a “paint cart,” which is equipped with a heater to maintain paint flow. The skill now lies in precisely applying paint along the lines, controlling the speed to ensure the lines are the correct thickness and width, and in controlling the flow of paint to achieve the desired pattern.
Jeff Ridd, chief executive of RT Roadmarkings in Taunton, estimates that only about one in a thousand people are capable of mastering the technology.
Post time: Apr-14-2026