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    Everyone has goals, be it the Redskins mission to win the Superbowl (chuckle), or the US Ryder Cup team realizing their goal over the weekend. We challenge ourselves when we work toward a goal. Likewise, setting goals to improve our jobs, our work environment, or the safety of our workplace brings challenge and focus to an entire team of people.

    Set some specific goals for improvement. Don't merely talk about safety and assume the markings are an effective part of your safety plan. Find out. Identify some ambitious yet attainable goals, devise a plan to make them happen, and then start working your plan. How can you expect improvement if you don't know what you want to accomplish or how to do it? Success is rehearsed long before it "suddenly appears," and the rehearsal begins by identifying targets to aim at.

    Always aware of the safety element markings provide, most airports take marking maintenance quite seriously. But even though a lot of money and resources are dedicated to that goal, the reality is that the markings often do not perform the way they should.

    How do you know if markings are effective? How do you know the results are worth the investment? It's difficult to measure. But don't worry - here are a few goals Sightline recommends to answer those questions.

• Conduct a survey of the markings to determine if they are effective both during daylight and during darkness.


• Establish performance criteria so that new markings can be measured. Go beyond what is required.


• Invest in training of both maintenance and operations personnel to improve their understanding of what makes markings effective.


• Provide good inspection methods during marking applications to ensure quality, thus achieving effective markings that last longer.

    Safety isn't an option in this or any industry; it incorporates many aspects of airport management. Markings are a small part; but they are important nonetheless. Make sure you are getting what you pay for, either from contractors or from your own personnel. Sightline can set the stage for achieving your goals to improve safety through longer performing airfield markings.

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