Abstract: Retroreflective materials have played a part in traffic signing for over fifty years. The earliest materials did not perform adequately in poor weather conditions when the sign was needed most. Modern day reflective materials are a key element in a traffic signing system - without them the system would simply not perform as required. Traffic signs do not have an indefinite service life, even though there are many in service that belie that truth. The apparent ineffectiveness of signs in some locations are more likely caused by inadequate understanding of the site requirements than by the performance of the signing materials employed. The Terminal Value - the minimum photometric performance that a sign should provide in order that it can function as a traffic control device has been the subject of a study recently completed by the Australian Road Research Board. As the older age groups in the community have increased significantly in numbers, there are now a greater number of older persons still driving. It is well documented that visual acuity significantly decreases with age and so the needs of these increasing numbers of older drivers need to be addressed. Sign inventory by location can be initiated from current procedures with the next step of extrapolating future sign replacement budgets to meet the real needs of the community. A signing system to meet the community's expectations of safety must be tailored to match the current and future profiles of the community. To provide less than that level of service is to abandon the pursuit of excellence.
Publication Year: 1991
Publication Date: 1991-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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