Enhanced paint for microwave/millimeter wave radiometric detection applications and method of road marker detection

This invention relates to new roadway marking systems, and, more particularly, to an enhancement to roadway marker paints that renders the road markers more distinguishable from the adjacent and/or underlying pavement when viewed at microwave/millimeter wave radiometric frequencies. The invention also relates to a method for ascertaining the presence of roadway markers and information coded in such markers by application of passive radiometric energy sensitive inspection apparatus within an electronic control and/or warning system. Adding a quantity of metallic shot or particles of other materials having a high dielectric constant to the thermoplastic paint in the mixing pot of ordinary roadway marker fixation equipment, which extrudes the paint and applies same to the roadway surface, enhances the MMW radiometric visibility of the marker without adverse effect to the affixation equipment. Vehicles containing MMW radiometers directed down toward the roadway surface moves along the roadway surface is able to automatically sense microwave/millimeter wave energy from a marker in the vehicles path. In one system, the sensed energy is used in conjunction with other apparatus to assist to guide the vehicle within a traffic lane. In another system, the sensed energy is decoded and displayed as pertinent information for the vehicle's driver.