BOLE Supports Kalimantan, Indonesia Road Upgrade with Thermoplastic Markings

Project Background: Strategic Road Upgrades in Kalimantan

In 2023–2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation (Ditjen Hubdat) advanced a program to refurbish strategic provincial roads across Kalimantan—arteries that connect ports, industrial zones, and logistics hubs. Notable segments include the Sungai Cuka–Sebamban road (47.4 km) and the Stagen–Tanjung Serdang road (30.2 km). The scope specified new centerlines and edge lines applied with thermoplastic road marking paint at a nominal 3 mm thickness, embedded with reflective glass beads for reliable nighttime visibility. Markings follow Indonesia’s standard color scheme—yellow for opposing-flow separation and white for same-direction guidance. Procurement required compliance with SNI/Bina Marga specifications aligned to AASHTO M249 and adherence to Indonesia’s TKDN local-content policy.

Standards and References

The marking works reference Indonesia’s road marking requirements (SNI/Bina Marga) and adopt performance criteria consistent with AASHTO M249 for thermoplastic materials. For further reading of Indonesian tender excerpts and specifications, see the official compilation hosted at id.scribd.com.

Why Thermoplastic Was Chosen

Thermoplastic is the national mainstay for strategic road markings because it offers:

• Durability: A thick-wear layer (≈3 mm) that withstands high axle loads and tropical weather.
• Retroreflectivity: Glass beads embedded within and broadcast on the surface deliver consistent night visibility, including in wet conditions.
• Rapid Return to Service: Hot-applied material fuses to asphalt and cools within minutes, minimizing traffic disruption.

Compared with cold-applied paints, thermoplastic achieves stronger adhesion, longer service life, and lower whole-of-life cost—key reasons it has become the default choice across Indonesia’s national and provincial networks.

Key Marking Layout and Design

The Kalimantan segments follow Indonesia’s color and geometry conventions that closely parallel international practice:

• Color Coding: Yellow centerlines for two-way separation; white edge lines and lane dividers for same-direction guidance.
• Line Geometry: Typical longitudinal line width of 15 cm on primary roads; nominal 3 mm thickness for durability and visibility.
• Material Composition (typical): Binder content ≥ 18%; glass beads totaling about 30–40% by mass across intermixed and surface-applied systems; balance pigments and fillers for stability.
• Bead Application: Premix beads for internal reflectivity plus on-the-fly surface broadcasting for immediate brightness.

Layouts prioritize industrial corridors and port-access approaches, with enhanced guidance at conflict points (intersections, U-turns, and taper zones) and continuity through long rural sections.

Alignment with AASHTO and Indonesian Specs

Material and performance targets track AASHTO M249 while conforming to SNI/Bina Marga. This ensures consistent thickness control, daytime luminance, nighttime retroreflectivity, skid resistance, and environmental durability—benchmarks verified in Indonesian tenders and technical annexes (additional references available via id.scribd.com).

Execution Details and Outcome

Local contractors delivered the works through Indonesia’s e-catalog procurement framework, with BOLE supplying white and yellow thermoplastic materials. Surfaces were cleaned and laid out, kettles brought to target melt temperature, and markings applied using professional line-marking machines to achieve controlled width, bead distribution, and uniform 3 mm build. No application was conducted during rainfall; traffic management remained in place until full cool-down.

Post-installation checks confirmed:

• Excellent night retroreflectivity (consistent bead embedment and surface bead retention), including under wet conditions.
• Strong adhesion to asphalt with no early peeling or cracking observed along long-haul freight sections.
• Improved lane discipline and clearer guidance at intersections, with fewer unsafe overtakes reported by field supervisors.

Why BOLE Was the Winning Choice

• Proven Compliance: BOLE’s thermoplastic paint meets SNI/Bina Marga requirements and aligns with AASHTO M249, simplifying technical acceptance and site verification.
• Capacity and Reliability: Large-scale production and strict QC enable consistent batches and on-time delivery for multi-corridor programs.
• Tailored Formulations: Resin content, bead ratios, and flow can be tuned for Indonesian climates and application methods; TKDN-compliant options are available to support local-content goals.
• End-to-End Support: From material selection and logistics to on-site start-up guidance, BOLE supports contractors through every execution phase.

Conclusion: Raising the Standard for Road Safety

The Kalimantan upgrades underscore Indonesia’s commitment to safer, more legible roads through standard-driven thermoplastic markings. By pairing rigorous SNI/Bina Marga specifications (with reference to AASHTO M249) and dependable materials, project teams achieved long-lasting visibility and lower life-cycle cost. BOLE’s role as the thermoplastic supplier helped ensure consistent performance across extended corridors, benefiting port access, industrial logistics, and everyday road users alike.