ANULAB Presentation - Coefficient of Retroreflection-Thermoplastic Road Marking Material MORTH VTH Rev.

ANULAB ®
ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory
Performance-Acceptance
Test at Site for Pavement
Markings
Coefficient of Retroreflected
Luminance-RL Value
ANULAB
(Pavement Safety Test Division)
For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 1

ANULAB ®
Measuring Visibility of Pavement Markings

ANULAB ®
Agenda
1. International Standard Requirements

2. Night time Driving Problems
3. Retroreflectivity by Road Markings
4. Measuring Retroreflectivity
5. Indian Specification- RL Value
6. About the Retroreflectometer used by ANULAB
7. Other test facilities at ANULAB

ANULAB ®
International Standards Requirements-EU

European Standard:
EN 1436 (06): “Road Marking Materials – Road Marking Performance for road
Users”.
EN 1436 provide, among others, minimum values on the Coefficient of
Retroreflected Luminance (RL) and the Luminance Coefficient under Diffuse
Illumination (Qd) for asphaltic and cement concrete roads and for white and
yellow markings.
RL is the night time visibility and Qd the daytime visibility, actual RL and Qd
values are stated.
EN 1436 simulate a 30 m geometry with an entrance angle of 1.24o and an
observation angle of 2.29o.

ANULAB ®
30-meter Geometry as Seen by EN 1436
Observation Angle
2.29°
Entrance Angle
1.24° 30-meter

ANULAB ®
International Standards Requirements-US

US Standard:
ASTM E 1710 - 05: “Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective
Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Geometry Using a Portable
Retroreflectometer”
ASTM E 1710 - 05 only require measurement of the Coefficient of Retroreflected
Luminance (RL). ASTM E 1710 – 05 does not provide minimum retroreflection
values, such are found in for example “Publication FHWA-HRT-07-059, October
2007”.
ASTM E 1710 simulate a 30 m geometry with an entrance angle of 88.76o and an
observation angle of 1.05o.
The CEN and ASTM standards are similar just expressing the angles differently

ANULAB ®
30-meter Geometry as Seen by ASTM E 1710
Observation Angle
1.05° Entrance Angle
88.76°
30-meter

ANULAB ®
Fatalities Related to Nighttime vs Daytime Driving
National Safety Council, USA

ANULAB ®
Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem
National Safety Council, USA

ANULAB ®
Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem
http://www.atssa.com/galleries/default-file/HowRetroIsYourReflectivity.pdf

ANULAB ®
Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem Especially

For Older Drivers

ANULAB ®
Nighttime Visibility
“Inadequate and poorly maintained signs and

markings are often sited as the contributing factor to
accidents.
While only 25 percent of travel occurs at night, about

55 percent of the fatal accidents occur then.”
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration, USA)
Retroreflectivity: Raising the Nighttime Brightness of Traffic Signs and Markings

ANULAB ®
Performance / Visibility
Daytime
We depend on diffuse reflection and color
contrast to see pavement markings during
the day.
Nighttime
We depend on retroreflection to see
pavement markings at night.

ANULAB ®
Three Types of Reflection
Diffuse reflection = daylight

Qd measurement
Mirror reflection
Retroreflection = conditions at night

Light returns towards the source
RL measurement
ANULAB ®
Retroreflection in a Glass Bead

ANULAB ®
Retroreflectivity on Markings
How does it work?
16
ANULAB ®
Glass Bead Embedment
High Embedment, Poor
Low Embedment, Poor
60% Embedment, Good

60%
For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093

ANULAB ®
Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity:

What Affects Performance?
■ Quality of material and application
■ Embedment of glass beads
■ Water on roadway (a key focus at the moment)
■ Driver’s eyesight
■ Position and quality of headlamps
■ Design of marking (e.g. profiled markings)
■ Colour of marking
■ Road surface and debris

ANULAB ®
Measuring Retroreflectivity
LTL-XL measures the Coefficient of Retroreflection RA in milli-

candelas (mcd) per lux (lx) per square meter (m2) or mcd . lx-1 . m-2
mcd = milli candela, the luminous intensity
lx = lux, the luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area
m2 = square meter, the surface area counted
NB: Road sign retroreflection is measured in cd (candelas) while pavement markings are
measured in mcd (milli candelas), a unit 1000 times less.

ANULAB ®
Specification for India in MORTH

Specifications for Road & Bridge Works- Clause 800
- Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance-RL Value

with 30-meter geometry retroreflectometer

20
ANULAB ®
EN 1436 Minimum RL Values for Dry Road Markings

Recommended minimum RL values in mcd/lux/m2 within EU
Road Marking Type Color Class of Minimum luminance of retroreflected

road luminance RL in mcd/lx/m2
Permanent White R0 No performance determined

R2 RL > 100
R3 RL > 150
R4 RL > 200
R5 RL > 300
Permanent Yellow R0 No performance determined
R1 RL > 80
R3 RL > 150
R4 RL > 200
Temporary White & Yellow R0 No performance determined
R3 RL > 150
R5 RL > 300
R0 are situations where performance of some reasons is not needed

R1 – R5 tell the class of the road

ANULAB ®
EN 1436 Minimum Qd Values for Dry Road Markings

Recommended minimum Qd values for dry roads in mcd/lux/m2 in Europe
Road Marking colour Road Surface Class of Minimum luminance coefficient under diffuse
Type road illumination Qd in mcd/lx/m2
White Asphaltic Q0 No performance determined

Q2 Qd > 100
Q3 Qd > 130
Q4 Qd > 160
White Cement Concrete Q0 No performance determined

Q3 Qd > 130
Q4 Qd > 160
Q5 Qd > 200
Yellow Q0 No performance determined
Q1 Qd > 80
Q2 Qd > 100
Q3 Qd > 130
Q0 are situations where performance of some reasons is not needed
Q1-Q5 tell the class of the road

ANULAB ®
EN 1436 Minimum RL Values for Pavement Markings During Wetness
Recommended minimum RL values for wet roads in mcd/lux/m2 in Europe
Conditions of wetness Class of Minimum luminance of retroreflected

road luminance RL in mcd/lx/m2
As obtained one minute after flooding the RW0 No performance determined

surface in accordance with annex B6* RW1 RL > 25
RW2 RL > 35
RW3 RL > 50
RW4 RL > 75
• one bucket of water poured from a height of 0.3 m above the surface. The retroreflection is measured after 60
sec.
• RW0 are situations where performance of some reasons is not needed
• RW 1 – RW 4 tell the class of the road

ANULAB ®
Measuring Retroreflectivity, USA
Government agencies recognize the problems

with subjectivity trying to evaluate pavement
markings for nighttime visibility and color.
As a result, many agencies have set numerical
standards for retroreflectivity.

ANULAB ®
Measuring Retroreflectivity, Europe

Despite common EU standards each EU member
country has its own level of implementation.
In most of EU measuring retroreflection is focused on:
• motorways and main roads
• at time of delivery and to a lesser degree during and
at the end of a maintenance contract period.
Generally in EU we see low to no measurement of
secondary roads and in cities
All above is expected to improve the coming years
where increased focus on road safety is expected

ANULAB ®
Measuring Retroreflectivity, India

The Retroreflectometer can be used to objectively
measure retroreflection from pavement markings

ANULAB ®
Key Features of ANULAB’s

Retroreflectometer
■ Portable self-contained instrument
■ Measures RL (nighttime visibility) and
Qd (daytime visibility)
■ Small dimensions / low weight
■ All India Test Facility
■ Fast measurement (1 - 3 seconds)
■ Fastest Team Mobilization to Site
■ Easy calibration procedure
■ Traceable and accredited calibrated
reflection standards (NIST and PTB)
Continues…

ANULAB ®
Key Features of ANULAB’s

Retroreflectometer
■ GPS for Site Identification
■ Print out after each reading at Site
■ Extendable handle
■ Wheels
Nuts for fasten the wheels

ANULAB ®
Key Features of ANULAB’s Retroreflectometer
■ Simple and fast calibration process ensures

accuracy when taking measurements
■ Measures white and yellow markings with no
adjustments
■ Automatic stray light compensation ensures correct readings
under all measurement conditions even strong sunlight
■ A quick press of the green button and

measurements are taken within 3 seconds
■ All data are automatically stored
■ Data are easily and fast transferred to PC (USB)

ANULAB ®
Key Features of ANULAB’s Retroreflectometer

Error and warning signal GPS status
Battery status
Series ID Date and time

Relative humidity and
temperature
User ID
Average
Road Marking Icon
Easy to read, at-a-glance display RL and Qd values

ANULAB ®
Calibration of Retroreflectometer
• Check the RL and Qd values stamped on the calibration unit

• Mount the calibration unit below the instrument
•Turn on the instrument
• Push the calibration button, choose Calibrate RL or Calibrate Qd
• Check the value displayed correspond with the value on the calibration block
• Pres the OK button to finish calibration
• Repeat the calibration process for the other measure (RL or Qd)
• When calibrated check the result by doing a normal measurement of the
calibration unit – the figures should correspond with those on the unit

ANULAB ®
Calibration – in Pictures
Mounting of calibration unit

The calibration unit
RL and Qd values on the calibration unit
Correctly mounted calibration unit

ANULAB ®
Measurement in Pictures
Measuring, place
LTL-XL on the
marking and push
the green button

ANULAB ®
Measurement – Environmental Considerations
Do
• Make sure that operating temperature is between 0oC and 50oC
•The humidity should be between 0 and 90% and non-condensing, i.e. no dew on the
mirror underneath the instrument
•Transport the instrument in a non-air-conditioned or non-heated area of your vehicle
Don’t
• Don’t use the LTL-XL when moisture is condensing out of the air such as morning dew
• Don’t use the instrument too soon after moving it from place to place where tempe-
rature and humidity are very different – let the instrument acclimate for 15 min. out of
the case

ANULAB ®
Measurement – Markings Considerations
Do
• Make sure markings are dry from the application
• Make sure markings are dry from moisture
• Make sure the instrument I place evenly on a marking
Don’t
• Don’t make measurements on wet and damp markings
• Don’t make measurements on markings with loose glass beads or debris in them
• Don’t make measurements too close to road studs /”cateyes”

ANULAB ®
Computer Program for Data Acquisition
Data is downloaded and managed for easy reference

ANULAB ®
Test Spots Identified on Map for Client’s Reference
The test report includes the satellite photographs of test location on the road.

ANULAB ®

ANULAB ®

ANULAB ®
For further test details contact:
®
ANULAB
INDUSTRIAL TESTING & ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES
212 km Milestone, NH-2, Agra Kanpur Road, Nagla Rambaksh
Post: Dhaurra, Tehsil: Etmadpur, Agra-283202, Uttar Pradesh, India
Cell: +91-9837052093, Ph.: +91-562-2852093, Fax: +91-562-2852826
Email: research@anulab.org, Website: www.anulab.org

ANULAB Presentation - Coefficient of Retroreflection-Thermoplastic Road Marking Material MORTH VTH Rev.

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ANULAB Presentation - Coefficient of Retroreflection-Thermoplastic Road Marking Material MORTH VTH Rev.

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ANULAB ®

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 1

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Measuring Visibility of Pavement Markings

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 2

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

1. International Standard Requirements

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 3

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

International Standards Requirements-EU

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 4

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

30-meter Geometry as Seen by EN 1436

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 5

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

International Standards Requirements-US

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 6

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

30-meter Geometry as Seen by ASTM E 1710

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 7

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Fatalities Related to Nighttime vs Daytime Driving

National Safety Council, USA

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem

National Safety Council, USA

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 10

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Nighttime Visibility: The Real Problem Especially

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 11

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

“Inadequate and poorly maintained signs and

While only 25 percent of travel occurs at night, about

FHWA (Federal Highway Administration, USA)

Retroreflectivity: Raising the Nighttime Brightness of Traffic Signs and Markings

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 12

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 13

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Three Types of Reflection

Diffuse reflection = daylight

Retroreflection = conditions at night

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Retroreflection in a Glass Bead

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 15

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

How does it work?

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Glass Bead Embedment

High Embedment, Poor

Low Embedment, Poor

60% Embedment, Good

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity:

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 18

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory

LTL-XL measures the Coefficient of Retroreflection RA in milli-

For site test contact research@ anulab.org or call us +91-9837052093 19

ISO/IEC 17025 NABL Accredited Laboratory