| Title | Updated Minimum Retroreflectivity Levels for Traffic Signs |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 67165 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Carlson, Paul J.; Hawkins, H. Gene |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Federal Highway Administration |
| Publisher | United States. Federal Highway Administration |
| Publication Date | 20030101 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | The development of minimum retroreflectivity (MR) levels for traffic signs has been going on for more than two decades, but it was significantly accelerated in 1984 when the Center for Auto Safety petitioned the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to establish retroreflectivity standards. During the past decade, several sets of recommended MR levels for traffic signs have been proposed. However, these preliminary recommendations have been based on a headlamp-beam pattern that represents vehicle design from the mid-to-late 1980s. Vehicle headlamps have changed significantly since then. Other significant changes also have prompted the need to update the recommended MR levels for traffic signs before FHWA initiates the rule-making process. This report includes an updated set of recommended MR levels for traffic signs based on recent developments in vehicle headlamps, vehicle types/sizes, nighttime driver needs, and newer sheeting materials. The updated MR levels are also based on more robust computer modeling of retroreflective sheeting performance. |
| Rosap ID | dot:41633 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/41633 |
| General Subjects | Traffic signs and signals--United States; Reflectors (Safety devices); Reflectance; nighttime; Highway--Safety--Program--Standards; Signs/--Signals; Sign--Design; Reflectance/--Absorptivity/--Reflectivity |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Contract Number | DTFH61-01-C-00182 |
| Report Number | FHWA-RD-03-081 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/67000/67100/67165/03081.pdf |
| Alternative URL | https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/03081/03081.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |