TECHNICAL

TECHNICALNOTE
NOTE · · RS104
RS105

Portable retroreflectometers and structured

Road markings:
pavement
Choose themarkings
right type of retroreflectometer
Introduction
It’s well known that the visibility of road markings tolerance needed for the measurement of structured mark-
visibility and the reflection in daylight or under road
ings.
is important
This for thethetraffic
paper addresses flow"can
question: andportable
road safety. The
retroreflec- lighting.
tometers be used to measure the retroreflection
reflection properties giving the visibility of the road of structured
Even when the retroreflectometer has a sufficient height tol-
pavement
marking markings?"
are measured using a retroreflectometer. The characteristic used forright
retroreflectivity
erance, it must be used in the manner and soisthat
the- for
ByRoad marking management
retroreflection programs,
is meant the coefficient securing
of retroreflected coefficient
practical of retroreflected
reasons luminance, RisL.obtained
- the average retroreflection To charac-
minimumRLvalues forassumed
visibility, from a limited number of readings.
luminance and it is thatcanthehelp reduce acci-
retroreflectometers terise the visibility in daylight the luminance coef-
dents,
use save
the 30 money and
m geometry provide
as defined valuable
in ASTM information
E 1710 and EN ficient in diffuse illuminations Qd is used. Both pa-
This is the theme of section 4. The retroreflectometer is
for asset utilisation. Likewise service performance
1436. rameters are defined in ASTM E1710, and in EN1436.
shifted along the structured pavement marking in uniform
and economy can be improved when maintenance Both with
steps standards
the feetare based
of the on a measurement
retroreflectometer geom-
in a reference
By structured marking is meant any marking with a significant
decisions are based on monitoring and not on fixed etry simulating
plane thattopa ofdriver
defined by the is observing
the structure. a marking
Methods are pro-
structure regardless of how it is created - preformed, during
replacement intervals.
application or by a structure in the pavement surface. Section
30 mfor
vided ahead of the vehicle.
determining the number Retroreflectometers
and the length of theused
steps.
1 provides an introduction to the most common types of struc- for measurements on road markings must comply
By reference to the other sections, section 5 summarises the
The markings.
tured type of retroreflectometer needed for measuring with the formal requirements of the standards relat-
planning needed before measuring the retroreflection of
the visibility of road markings is depending on the ing to the 30 m geometry, spectral correction, and
structured markings. In some cases this will be simple and
The reason the
visibility question isand
parameters raised
theistype
probably because
of road 1) the
marking linearity
little or noand haveisaneeded,
planning profile while
heightin capacity sufficient
other cases it will be
measured value may vary with the position of the retroreflec-
you need to measure. for the type
necessary of profiles
to prepare a plantobefore
be measured.
taking the Further to
measurements.
tometer along the marking, and 2) the surface does not form a
this, instruments should have sufficient capability in
plane on which the base of the retroreflectometer can be
This paper describes the different visibility parame- In all cases
view the answer
of practical fieldtoperformance,
the question is adequate
affirmative,calibra-
if the
placed with confidence.
ters and types of road markings and explains how this instrument has sufficient height tolerance and
tion standards, and they should provide additional the measure-
ments are done according to chapter 5.
is related
Section to theatypes
2 provides partialand parameters
answer of theThe
to the question. retro-
es- features securing correct measurements under differ-
sential characteristic
reflectometer is thefor
needed average retroreflection along the
the measurement. ent field conditions.*
marking and therefore a retroreflectometer
Furthermore, easy-to-use and safety aspects should beasused to
obtain this average. In principle this means averaging the 1. Types of structured pavement markings
measurement time and ergonomics, additional The night time visibility, the retroreflectivity RL,
readings for a sufficient number of positions of the retrore- Figure 1 shows some types
monitoring of weather conditions and GPS position
flectometer along the road.
measured in mcd/m 2
lx, isofbasically
structuredmeasured
pavement markings.
in dry
and validity of the calibration standard are features condition. Further to this, the Rill can be measured
Types I, II and III leave gaps of uncovered pavement surface
in
to be considered.
However, there is more to it than that. The driver of a vehicle wet
in condition,
between covered or parts.
duringHowever,
rain. due to the thickness of
at night does benefit from the light from the headlamps, even application, the pavement surface in gaps of a limited length
ifFor
it has to cross over
interfacing gaps
with in the
road structuremanagement
markings either to the bot-
and Fornotmeasuring
is Rill insight
visible at normal wet distances
conditionforboth ENofand
drivers 100 ft.
tom or to ribs or profiles at the end of gaps. A retroreflecto- (30 m) orspecifiy
more. that the test conditions shall be
GIS systems, reporting and data communications are ASTM
meter, on the other hand, depending on its optical arrange-
becoming important features. created using clean water from a bucket at a height
ments and the particular structure, may or may not provide a Type II lines have typical lengths of covered areas and gaps
full reading. of about 0.3 m above the surface. The RL in condi-
of 4 in. (10 cm.) Dimensions of lines of the other types can be
tion ofbywetness
judged means ofshall
figurebe1,measured
which shows after 60 relative
typical seconds.
InRoad marking
fact, the visibilitymust
retroreflectometer parameters
have a sufficient height Wet timers giving an acoustic signal after this period
proportions.
tolerance. This property is introduced in section 3, visibility
The basic parameters used to characterise where it is are integrated in the software of some instruments.
shown how
of road to determine
markings the height
are the tolerance value
retroreflection in a sim-
for night time The material road
On wetted used for type I lines
marking the RisL either
valuecold plastic
is often or
small
ple manner and it is explained how to evaluate the height thermoplastic, while the material used for lines types II and III

DELTA · Venlighedsvej 4 · 2970 Hørsholm

Tel. (+45) 72 19 40 00 · Fax (+45) 72 19 40 01
E-mail:- Venlighedsvej
DELTA [email protected] · Also
4 - 2970 Hørsholm visit www.delta.dk
- Denmark
Tel. +45 72 19 40 00 - [email protected] - www.delta.dk
TECHNICAL
TECHNICALNOTE
NOTE · · RS104
RS105

Portable retroreflectometers and structured

pavement markings
Introduction
while the surface reflection is strong. Retroreflec- tolerance needed for the measurement of structured mark-
observed by night at realistic driver conditions. To
ings.
tometers
This should betheconstructed
paper addresses in aportable
question: "can way that surface
retroreflec- measure the color, a retroreflectometer with three
tometers be used to measure the retroreflection of
reflections do not provoke an offset. A possible offset structured optical filters representing thehas human eye color
Even when the retroreflectometer a sufficient height tol-
pavement markings?"
can be tested using a black acrylic plate whose RL is sensitivities
erance, it mustisbeused.
used in the right manner and so that - for
Byzero. The measured value on such a ofplate should not practical reasons - the average retroreflection is obtained
retroreflection is meant the coefficient retroreflected
exceed 2RLmand cd/m from a limited number of readings.
it is.lx.
2
luminance assumed that the retroreflectometers
use the 30 m geometry as defined in ASTM E 1710 and EN Road markings types – profile height capacity
This is the theme of section 4. The retroreflectometer is
Testing RL in rain conditions requires a test condition
1436. The material type of a road marking like paint based
shifted along the structured pavement marking in uniform
where an artificial rain fall is created without mist or or thermoplastic
steps etc.
with the feet of thedo not affect the measuring
retroreflectometer of
in a reference
By structured marking is meant any marking with a significant
fog at an average intensity of 20 mm/hour. The mea- retroreflection.
plane Thetopimportant
defined by the parameter
of the structure. is the
Methods areinstru-
pro-
structure regardless of how it is created - preformed, during
surement of rain is done after 5 min. of continuous
application or by a structure in the pavement surface. Section
ment’s
vided forability to measure
determining structured
the number and the road
lengthmarkings or
of the steps.
1rain or when
provides stability of
an introduction to the measurement
the most is of struc-
common types non planar markings having texture, curvature humps
By reference to the other sections, section 5 summarises the
achieved.
tured Retroreflectometers for testing contineous
markings. or particles on the surface.
planning needed before measuring the retroreflection of
rain must have an open beam construction having the
structured markings. In some cases this will be simple and
The reason the question
measurement field inisfront
raisedofisthe
probably because 1) the
instrument. When measuring
little or no planning isstructured pavement
needed, while in othermarkings
cases it will be
measured value may vary with the position of the retroreflec-
the instrument
necessary is left
to prepare on before
a plan the toptaking
of the
thestructure,
measurements.
tometer along the marking, and 2) the surface does not form a
The visibility in daylight and street lighting conditions while measurement is done at the sides and bot-
plane on which the base of the retroreflectometer can be
basedwith
on the use of the 30 m geometry is character- In
tomall of
cases
thethe answer toInthe
structure. question
most is affirmative, if the
retroreflectometers the
placed confidence.
ised by the Qd also measured in mcd/m2lx. The Qd is instrument has sufficient height tolerance and
measurement field contains the illumination field. the measure-
ments are done according to chapter 5.
only specified
Section 2 providesfor dry surfaces.
a partial answer toInstruments
the question.capable
The es- of The measured area of the road marking is in these
sential characteristic
measuring Qd must is the average
have retroreflection
a diffuse along
illumination the
system systems the illumination field. Both the ASTM and
marking and therefore a retroreflectometer
with properties specified in the standards. should be used to the CEN standards specify that the minimum size of
obtain this average. In principle this means averaging the 1. Types of structured pavement markings
this shall be minimum 50 cm2, but as road markings
readings for a sufficient number of positions of the retrore- Figure
From the above it is clear that is not possible at the
flectometer along the road.
can be1 very
showsinhomogeneous,
some types of structured
a largerpavement markings.
field is highly
same time to measure RL in rain condition and Qd. preferable in order to average the measurements,
Types I, II and III leave gaps of uncovered pavement surface
The diffuse
However, thereillumination above
is more to it than theThe
that. road marking
driver of a vehicle and
in fewercovered
between readings need
parts. to be taken.
However, due to the thickness of
atprevents
night doesthe
benefit
openfrom
beam theconstruction.
light from the headlamps, even application, the pavement surface in gaps of a limited length
if it has to cross over gaps in the structure either to the bot- The
is notstructured road marking
visible at normal results
sight distances forindrivers
a movement
of 100 ft.
tom or to ribs or profiles at the end of gaps. A retroreflecto- (30 m) ortwo
more.
of the fields determined by the profiled height
meter, on the other hand, depending on its optical arrange-
Measuring of nighttime color or the gap between the profiles. The height capa-
ments and the particular structure, may or may not provide a Type II lines have typical lengths of covered areas and gaps
In reading.
full order to measure the nighttime color of the pave- city of a retroreflectometer is depending on the ratio
of 4 in. (10 cm.) Dimensions of lines of the other types can be
ment markings optional features includes measuring between
judged the length
by means of the
of figure illumination
1, which field relative
shows typical and the
Inoffact,
chromaticity coordinates.
the retroreflectometer This
must has
have major impor-
a sufficient height length of the measurement field. Further information
proportions.
tolerance.
tance in many countries in securing that the yel- it is
This property is introduced in section 3, where on this matter can be located in Technical Note 104.*
shown
low roadhow markings
to determine
aretheyellow
heightand
tolerance value inwhen
not white a sim- The material used for type I lines is either cold plastic or
ple manner and it is explained how to evaluate the height thermoplastic, while the material used for lines types II and III

DELTA · Venlighedsvej 4 · 2970 Hørsholm

Tel. (+45) 72 19 40 00 · Fax (+45) 72 19 40 01
E-mail:- Venlighedsvej
DELTA [email protected] · Also
4 - 2970 Hørsholm visit www.delta.dk
- Denmark
Tel. +45 72 19 40 00 - [email protected] - www.delta.dk
TECHNICAL
TECHNICALNOTE
NOTE · · RS104
RS105

Portable retroreflectometers and structured

pavement markings
Introduction
Three classes of road markings are recommended tolerance needed for the measurement of structured mark-
ings. LTL-X LTL-XL
withpaper
This the addresses
criterion that the reading
the question: "canmeasurements
portable retroreflec- Retroreflectometer Retroreflectometer
tometers be used to measure the
must not deviate more than 10%. retroreflection of structured
Even when the retroreflectometer has a sufficient height tol-
pavement markings?"
erance, it must be used in the right manner and so that - for
ByClass 1: Non-structured
is meant themarkings:
coefficient 2ofmm (specified practical reasons - the average retroreflection is obtained
retroreflection retroreflected
as the minimum fromMeasurement
a limited number of readings.
luminance RL and it in the CENthat
is assumed andthe
ASTstandards).
retroreflectometers time: Less than 0.01 sec RL: 1 sec. / RL and Qd : 3 sec.

Class
use 2:mModerately
the 30 geometry as structured road Emarkings
defined in ASTM 1710 and EN Parameter: RL: dry, wet and rain condition RL: dry, wet and Qd
ThisProfile
is the theme of section 4. The retroreflectometer is
   2-5 mm
1436.
shifted
height

along the structured

capacity: Class 3 : 15 mm
pavement marking
Class 2 : 5 mm
in uniform
Class 3: Heavily structured road markings: More Measurement
stepsarea:with the feet200x50
ofmmthe retroreflectometer
185x50 mmin a reference
By structured marking is meant any marking with a significant
  than 5 mm in profile height. planeWeight:
defined by the9 kg top of the structure.
6.8 kgMethods are pro-
structure regardless of how it is created - preformed, during
vided for determining the number and the
Dimensions: 570x22x540 mm
length
570x22x540 mm of the steps.
application or by a structure in the pavement surface. Section Data storage: More than 1000

1To measure a heavily structured

to the most profile
commonastypes
a rumble
More than 200.000
provides an introduction of struc- measurements measurements
By reference
Additional to the other sections, section 5 summarises the
stripe
tured with a profile depth of 12 mm, you will need
markings. features: Extended ID functions Extended ID functions
planning needed beforeSingle handedmeasuring
operation the Air
retroreflection
temperature and of
a Class 3 retroreflectometer with at least 12 mm in Adjustable handle humidity measurement
structured markings. Wheels
In some cases this will be simple
Single handed operation
and
The reason
profile the question
height is raised
capacity. is probably
It is not possiblebecause 1) the a
to measure
GPS
Printer
Adjustable handle
Wheels
little or no planning is needed, while inGPS other cases it will be
measured value may vary with the position of the retroreflec-
structured marking with an instrument having a lower Printer
necessary to prepare a plan before taking the measurements.
tometer along the marking, and 2) the surface does not form a
profile height capacity than the profile depth. Figure 1.
plane on which the base of the retroreflectometer can be
In all cases the answer to the question is affirmative, if the
placed with confidence.
In figure 1 two types of retroreflectometers are instrument
Additional hasparameters
sufficient height tolerance and the measure-
measured
ments are done according to chapter 5.
shown:2 provides
Section The LTL-X Classanswer
a partial 3 retroreflectometer for es-
to the question. The In order to monitor the geographical position for the
sential characteristic
measuring profilesisup
thetoaverage
15 mmretroreflection
in depth andalong
boththe
RL measurement, GPS is integrated in the retroreflec-
marking
in dry, wet and continuous rain conditions, and the to
and therefore a retroreflectometer should be used tometer. Important features are the updating time
obtain this average. In principle this means averaging the 1. Types of structured pavement markings
new LTL-XL Class 2 retroreflectometer for profiles up which should not be more than a few seconds as
readings for a sufficient number of positions of the retrore- Figure 1 shows some types of structured pavement markings.
to 5 mm for RL in dry and wet conditions and includ-
flectometer along the road.
well as the precision. Rapid and precise retagging
ing daytime visibility Qd measurement. The LTL-XL using GPS is done with 50 channel precision GPS
Types I, II and III leave gaps of uncovered pavement surface
is basedthere
However, on state of to
is more theit than
art LED
that.technology
The driver ofresulting
a vehicle receivers
in between in DELTA’s
covered retroreflectometers.
parts. However, due to the thickness of
atinnight does benefit
extreme reliablefrom the lightand
operation fromlong
the headlamps, even
lifetime. The application, the pavement surface in gaps of a limited length
ifmeasuring
it has to cross over gaps in the structure either to
should not be affected by stray light. Some the bot- Fornotmonitoring
is the ambient
visible at normal weather
sight distances for conditions dur-
drivers of 100 ft.
tom or to ribs or profiles at the end of gaps. A retroreflecto- (30
instruments use different means to prevent ingm)theor measuring
more. time, both air temperature and
meter, on the other hand, depending on its optical arrange-
daylight from entering into the instrument resulting air humidity are monitored. The RL and Qd data with
ments and the particular structure, may or may not provide a Type II lines have typical lengths of covered areas and gaps
in reading.
full an offset. These means are seldom effective when GPS, temperature and humidity measurements can
of 4 in. (10 cm.) Dimensions of lines of the other types can be
the instruments are used on structured markings. It be stored
judged in theofretroreflectometer.
by means figure 1, which showsThe LTL-XL
typical has
relative
Inisfact,
recommended that the must
the retroreflectometer retroreflectometer
have a sufficienthas an
height a storage capacity of more than 200,000 measure-
proportions.
tolerance.
automatic electronic stray light compensation. it is
This property is introduced in section 3, where ments. All instrument settings including calibration
shown how to determine the height tolerance value in a sim- The
are material used for type I lines is either cold plastic or
also stored.
ple manner and it is explained how to evaluate the height thermoplastic, while the material used for lines types II and III

DELTA · Venlighedsvej 4 · 2970 Hørsholm

Tel. (+45) 72 19 40 00 · Fax (+45) 72 19 40 01
E-mail:- Venlighedsvej
DELTA [email protected] · Also
4 - 2970 Hørsholm visit www.delta.dk
- Denmark
Tel. +45 72 19 40 00 - [email protected] - www.delta.dk
TECHNICAL
TECHNICALNOTE
NOTE · · RS104
RS105

Portable retroreflectometers and structured

pavement markings
Introduction
Easy and safe to use – measuring time tolerance needed for the measurement of structured mark-
to national primary laboratories or more frequently to
ings.
An paper
This important feature
addresses is that the"can
the question: instrument is easy
portable retroreflec- reference laboratories. In these laboratories regular
tometers be used to measure the retroreflection
to use and the operation results in reliable measure- of structured audits of the approved calibration
Even when the retroreflectometer has aprocedures andtol-
sufficient height
pavement
ment. It markings?"
is preferable that the operation is single traceability
erance, it musttobethe international
used primaryandlaboratories
in the right manner so that - for
Byhanded and that the measurement
the coefficientisofdone with a ensure the highest
practical reasons - thelevel of accuracy.
average All isstandards
retroreflection obtained
retroreflection is meant retroreflected
single touch. from a limited number of readings.
luminance RL andThe
it ismeasurement
assumed that thetime is an important
retroreflectometers supplied with DELTA retroreflectometers are calibrat-
parameter
use and should
the 30 m geometry be a short
as defined as possible.
in ASTM E 1710 andA EN
meas- ed in DELTA’s accredited laboratory which is direct
This is the theme of section 4. The retroreflectometer is
urement time shorter than one second for a measure-
1436. traceable to PTB and NIST.
shifted along the structured pavement marking in uniform
ment is preferable. steps with the feet of the retroreflectometer in a reference
By structured marking is meant any marking with a significant
plane defined by the top of the structure. Methods are pro-
structure regardless of how it is created - preformed, during
The display
application or by a structure in the pavement surface. Section
Reporting
vided and data
for determining thecommunication
number and the length of the steps.
1should
providesbeaneasy
introduction to the most common types of struc- Built-in printers can be used for instant printing of
By reference to the other sections, section 5 summarises the
to read
tured in full
markings. the measurement results. The instrument should
planning needed before measuring the retroreflection of
daylight. Further, be delivered with software enabling the results to
structured markings. In some cases this will be simple and
The
thereason the question is raised is probably because 1) the
instrument be downloaded
little or no planningfor report generation.
is needed, while in otherGeotagging
cases it will be
measured value may vary with the position of the retroreflec-
should have using GPStomapping
necessary prepare a software
plan beforeallows to you
taking the to link
measurements.
tometer along the marking, and 2) the surface does not form a
features for ID your data to geographical maps and GIS systems as
plane on which the base of the retroreflectometer can be
of thewith
measure- In all cases
shown the answer
in figure to the
4. USB, question is
Bluetooth andaffirmative,
Ethernetifcon-
the
placed confidence.Figure 2.
ments: Road marking type, user name, day and time, instrument has sufficient height tolerance and
nectivity allow easy connection to any PC equipment,the measure-
ments are done according to chapter 5.
road name
Section and for
2 provides averaging
a partial answerfunctions. In figure
to the question. 2
The es- PDAs and Smartphones.
sential characteristic is the average retroreflection
the instrument display is shown for the LTL-XL retro- along the
marking and therefore
reflectometer. a retroreflectometer should be used to
obtain this average. In principle this means averaging the 1. Types of structured pavement markings
Fornumber
readings for a sufficient improved handling
of positions theretrore-
of the retro- Figure 1 shows some types of structured pavement markings.
flectometer along the reflectometer
road. can be fitted with
wheels and adjustable handle as Types I, II and III leave gaps of uncovered pavement surface
However, there is more to it than
shown that. The
in figure 3. driver of a vehicle in between covered parts. However, due to the thickness of
at night does benefit from the light from the headlamps, even application, the pavement surface in gaps of a limited length
if it has to cross over gaps in the structure either to the bot- isFigure
not visible at normal sight distances for drivers of 100 ft.
4.
tom or to ribs or profiles at the end of gaps. A retroreflecto- (30 m) or more.
meter,
Figure 3.on the other hand, depending on its optical arrange-
ments and the particular structure, may or may not provide a Type II lines have typical lengths of covered areas and gaps
full reading. * See www.roadsensors.com/technical information
of 4 in. (10 cm.) Dimensions of lines of the other types can be
– Technical
judged Notes
by means RS100
of figure 1, -104
which shows typical relative
InCalibration standards and
fact, the retroreflectometer musttraceability
have a sufficient height proportions.
tolerance. This property is introduced in section is
A very important aspect in all metrology 3, traceability
where it is
shown
of thehow to determine the
measurement. Theheight tolerance
traceability value
can be in a sim-
directly The material used for type I lines is either cold plastic or
ple manner and it is explained how to evaluate the height thermoplastic, while the material used for lines types II and III

DELTA · Venlighedsvej 4 · 2970 Hørsholm

Tel. (+45) 72 19 40 00 · Fax (+45) 72 19 40 01
E-mail:- Venlighedsvej
DELTA [email protected] · Also
4 - 2970 Hørsholm visit www.delta.dk
- Denmark
Tel. +45 72 19 40 00 - [email protected] - www.delta.dk