THE PERCEPTIBILITY OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS AT NIGHT; A FIELD STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF A NEW TYPE OF RETROREFLECTIVE MATERIAL

In connection with a study of the effect of a new type of retroreflective material on the perceptibility of traffic control signs at night a field experiment was carried out following a theoretical study. Luminance and recognition distance of signs of different materials both with or without illumination were measured under clear weather as well as fog conditions. The conventional retroreflective material (engineer grade) was compared with the new type (high intensity grade) and with externally illuminated signs. It appears that the magnitude of the positive effect due to the appliance of high intensity grade as predicted in the theoretical study should be considered as a maximum. It is concluded that the new material should primarily be applied in areas where signs are to be detected and recognized under disturbed conditions i.e. against a background with public lighting, under conditions with glare from opposing lights, etc. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Instituut voor Zintuigfysiologie, TNO

  Kampweg 5
  Soesterberg,   Netherlands 
• Authors:
  • Godthelp, J
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fog; Glare; Headlamps; Luminance; Night; Night visibility; Perception; Reflective signs; Reflectivity; Reflectorized materials; Retroreflectors; Street lighting; Test procedures; Traffic control; Traffic signs; Visibility distance
• ITRD Terms: 2547: Fog; 1677: Glare; 1342: Headlamp; 545: Lighting (street); 525: Luminance; 9052: Night; 2229: Perception; 5926: Reflectivity; 4523: Reflectorized material; 6288: Test method; 553: Traffic sign; 6793: Visibility distance
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00316855
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 21 1981 12:00AM