Pyrotechnic patty and method for attaching pavement markers

Apparatus for pyrotechnic installation on a roadway surface, comprising:

• a pavement marker having a flat bottom surface and a raised top surface;
• an adhesive pad that melts when heated to a predetermined temperature, the adhesive pad having substantially flat top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface of the adhesive pad is attached to the bottom surface of the pavement marker;
• and
• a flattened pyrotechnic patty having a top surface and a bottom surface, and including at least one oxidizer and at least one fuel, wherein the top surface of the pyrotechnic patty is attached to the bottom surface of the adhesive pad.

A method for attaching a pavement marker to a roadway surface, comprising:

• providing an adhesive pad that melts at a predetermined temperature;
• providing a pyrotechnic patty that, when ignited, rapidly produces heat sufficient to melt the adhesive pad;
• placing a sandwich comprising the pavement marker, the adhesive pad and the pyrotechnic patty over a location on the roadway surface to which the pavement marker is to be attached;
• igniting the pyrotechnic patty to cause it to deflagrate and produce sufficient heat to melt the adhesive pad;
• applying pressure to a top surface of the pavement marker while the adhesive is still melted so that the adhesive contacts both a bottom surface of the pavement marker and the roadway surface;
• allowing the adhesive to cool so that the pavement marker is firmly attached, by the adhesive, to the roadway surface.