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Quantifying Retroreflective DOT-C2 Tape Performance using a Retroreflectometer
Technical Paper
2015-01-1429
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 has minimum performance requirements for retroreflective tape at different entrance and observation angles. In the author's preliminary research, all DOT-C2 retroreflective tape on the market is advertised as meeting and exceeding FMVSS No. 108 requirements. The authors' literature review revealed that there have been no publications quantifying the performance of commercially available DOT-C2 retroreflective tape across a wide range of entrance and observation angles. Therefore, without additional study, an accident reconstruction expert cannot know exactly how a specific type of compliant tape may perform, beyond the minimum federal requirements. In an attempt to solve this issue, the authors have quantified the performance of different types of retroreflective tape with a retroreflectometer. The authors attempted to study a range of popular, commercially available, DOT-C2 retroreflective tape. 3M 963, 3M 983, Grote, and Trucklite DOT-C2 retroreflective tape was studied. A RoadVista 932 handheld retroreflectometer was used to measure entrance angles of 0, 4, 10, 20, 30, and 45 degrees with observation angles from 0.2 to 2.0 degrees at 0.1 degree increments and an additional measurement at 0.33 degrees. As discussed in ASTM E810, each piece of tape was measured at rotation angles of 0 and 90 degrees by rotating the tape about its own retroreflector axis. It was determined that the entrance angle and the observation angle affected the performance of all of the retroreflective tapes, with less performance at higher entrance angles and/or observation angles. It was also determined that the white retroreflective tape had a higher performance than the red retroreflective tape for the tape types tested. Finally, it was determined that the performance of the tape was not symmetric across the tape's retroreflector axis and there was no pattern to the performance determined, for the tape types tested.
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Citation
Suway, J. and Welcher, J., "Quantifying Retroreflective DOT-C2 Tape Performance using a Retroreflectometer," SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-1429, 2015, https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-1429.Also In
References
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 571, Subpart B, Section 571.108, Standard No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment 2013
- ASTM Standard D4956-90 1990 Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 1990 www.astm.org
- ASTM Standard E810, 03 2013 Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 2013 10.1520/E0810-03R13 www.astm.org
- Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lighting and Retroreflective Devices
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 224, Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock 2013
- ASTM Standard D4956-04 2004 Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 2004 www.astm.org
- 3M Product Bulletin 983 3M Diamond Gradeā¢ Conspicuity Markings June 2009 www.3M.com/tss
- 932 Handheld Retroreflectometer 29 December 2014 http://www.roadvista.com/932-handheld-retroreflectometer/
- 3M Product Bulletin 963 3M Flexible Prismatic Conspicuity Markings Series 963 June 2009 www.3M.com/tss
- Grote Product Sheet Conspicuity Tape www.grote.com
- Trucklite Catalog Economy Tape www.truck-lite.com
- ASTM Standard E1709, 09 2009 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 2013 10.1520/E1709-09 www.astm.org
- ASTM Standard E808-01 2009 Standard Practice to Describing Retroreflection ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 2009 10.1520/E0808-01R09 www.astm.org
- ASTM Standard D4956, 13 2013 Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA 2013 10.1520/D4956 www.astm.org