ASTM E1709-16e2

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Measurements made by this test method are related to the night time brightness of retroreflective traffic signs approximately facing the driver of a mid-sized automobile equipped with tungsten filament headlights at about 200 m distance.  
5.2 Retroreflective material used on traffic signs degrades with time and requires periodic measurement to ensure that the performance of the retroflection provides adequate safety to the driver.  
5.3 The quality of the sign as to material used, age, and wear pattern will have an effect on the coefficient of retroreflection. These conditions need to be observed and noted by the user.  
5.4 This test method is not intended for use for the measurement of signs when the instrument entrance and observation angles differ from those specified herein.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the retroreflective properties of sign materials such as traffic signs and symbols (vertical surfaces) using a portable retroreflectometer that can be used in the field. The portable retroreflectometer is a hand-held instrument with a defined standard geometry that can be placed in contact with sign material to measure the retroreflection in a standard geometry. The measurements can be compared to minimum requirements to determine the need for replacement. Entrance and observation angles specified in this test method are those used currently in the United States and may differ from the angles used elsewhere in the world.  
1.2 This test method is intended to be used for the field measurement of traffic signs but may be used to measure the performance of materials before placing the sign in the field or before placing the sign material on the sign face.  
1.3 This test method covers measurements at a 0.2 degree observation angle. See Test Method E2540 for measurements at a 0.5 degree observation angle.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2016
• ICS: 17.180.20 - Colours and measurement of light
• ICS: 93.080.30 - Road equipment and installations
• Technical Committee: E12 - Color and Appearance
• Drafting Committee: E12.10 - Retroreflection

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
´2
Designation:E1709 −16
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable
1
Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1709; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Paragraph 6.5.2 was editorially corrected in April 2017.
2
ε NOTE—Research report footnote editorially added to Section 12 in April 2020.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the retroreflec-
D4956Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic
tive properties of sign materials such as traffic signs and
Control
symbols (vertical surfaces) using a portable retroreflectometer
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
that can be used in the field. The portable retroreflectometer is
ASTM Test Methods
a hand-held instrument with a defined standard geometry that
E284Terminology of Appearance
can be placed in contact with sign material to measure the
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
retroreflection in a standard geometry. The measurements can
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
be compared to minimum requirements to determine the need
E808Practice for Describing Retroreflection
for replacement. Entrance and observation angles specified in
E809Practice for Measuring Photometric Characteristics of
this test method are those used currently in the United States
Retroreflectors
and may differ from the angles used elsewhere in the world.
E810Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of
1.2 This test method is intended to be used for the field Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry
E2540Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective
measurement of traffic signs but may be used to measure the
Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.5 Degree
performance of materials before placing the sign in the field or
Observation Angle
before placing the sign material on the sign face.
1.3 This test method covers measurements at a 0.2 degree
3. Terminology
observation angle. See Test Method E2540 for measurements
3.1 The terminology used in this test method generally
at a 0.5 degree observation angle.
agrees with that used in Terminology E284.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions—The delimiting phrase “in retroreflection”
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
applies to each of the following definitions when used outside
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the context of this or other retroreflection standards.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 annular geometry, n—the portable instrument retrore-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
flection collection method where an annular area 0.1 degrees
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
wide around the illumination axis collects the retroreflected
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
energyatanangletothecenteroftheannularareacorrespond-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ing to a specific observation angle.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.2 coeffıcient of retroreflection, R ,n—of a plane retrore-
A
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
flecting surface, the ratio of the coefficient of luminous
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
intensity (R) of a plane retroreflecting surface to its area (A),
I
−1 −2
expressedincandelasperluxpersquaremetre(cd·lx ·m ).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color
and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.10 on
2
Retroreflection. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1709–09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1709-16E02. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ϵ2
E1709−16
3.2.3 datum axis, n—adesignatedhalf-linefromtheretrore- 4.6 The reading displayed by the retroreflectometer is re-
flector center perpendicular to the retroreflector axis. corded. The retroreflectometer is then moved to another
position on the sig
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´2 ´2
Designation: E1709 − 16 E1709 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable
1
Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1709; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Paragraph 6.5.2 was editorially corrected in April 2017.
2
ε NOTE—Research report footnote editorially added to Section 12 in April 2020.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the retroreflective properties of sign materials such as traffic signs and symbols
(vertical surfaces) using a portable retroreflectometer that can be used in the field. The portable retroreflectometer is a hand-held
instrument with a defined standard geometry that can be placed in contact with sign material to measure the retroreflection in a
standard geometry. The measurements can be compared to minimum requirements to determine the need for replacement. Entrance
and observation angles specified in this test method are those used currently in the United States and may differ from the angles
used elsewhere in the world.
1.2 This test method is intended to be used for the field measurement of traffic signs but may be used to measure the
performance of materials before placing the sign in the field or before placing the sign material on the sign face.
1.3 This test method covers measurements at a 0.2 degree observation angle. See Test Method E2540 for measurements at a
0.5 degree observation angle.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and to determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4956 Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E284 Terminology of Appearance
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E808 Practice for Describing Retroreflection
E809 Practice for Measuring Photometric Characteristics of Retroreflectors
E810 Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry
E2540 Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.5 Degree Observation
Angle
3. Terminology
3.1 The terminology used in this test method generally agrees with that used in Terminology E284.
3.2 Definitions—The delimiting phrase “in retroreflection” applies to each of the following definitions when used outside the
context of this or other retroreflection standards.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.10 on Retroreflection.
Current edition approved July 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1709 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/E1709-16E01.10.1520/E1709-16E02.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
´2
E1709 − 16
3.2.1 annular geometry, n—the portable instrument retroreflection collection method where an annular area 0.1 degrees wide
around the illumination axis collects the retroreflected energy at an angle to the center of the annular area corresponding to a
specific observation angle.
3.2.2 coeffıcient of retroreflection, R , n—of a plane retroreflecting surface, the ratio of the coefficient of luminous intensity (R )
A I
−1 −2
of a
...