ASTM D7585/D7585M-10(2015)

Standard Practice for Evaluating Retroreflective Pavement Markings Using Portable Hand-Operated Instruments

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice provides procedures for the determination of the retroreflective performance of pavement markings. This practice does not set the minimum retroreflectance values for pavement markings, it describes sampling criteria for determining the retroreflective properties of pavement markings, which then can be used to determine compliance with a specification. It is the responsibility of the agency having jurisdiction to set the acceptable retroreflectivity values within their own specifications.  
5.2 This practice does not purport to address all the concerns regarding contamination of the markings, but the following may be helpful. It is very important that the markings being evaluated are clean and dry. If the evaluation is being used relative to a measure of the performance of a contractor, it is imperative that the parties agree beforehand on the definition of clean and dry. There are many forms of contamination on a roadway that will lower the retroreflectivity readings of a marking, but not all of them can be removed. Asphalt oil and rubber skid marks are examples. Loose dirt can be removed by pressure washing, perhaps using soap, brushing or high-pressure air, however, these techniques are usually insufficient to remove dirt that is packed into the marking surface. Care should be taken to select areas that are typical of the marking section, avoiding areas of paint tracking or contamination, for example. It may be useful to take photographs using a digital camera and a good macro lens to be able to see the contamination on or between the glass beads.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes several field techniques to evaluate the retroreflective properties of pavement markings containing retroreflecting optics (for example, centerlines and edgelines) and applied to the road surface. The techniques described in this practice contain sampling criteria such as the length of test sections and the number of measurements needed. The practice is based on retroreflective measurements made with portable hand-operated instruments in compliance with Test Method E1710.  
1.2 The data obtained from this practice can be used to determine the acceptance or rejection of a project based on specified levels of retroreflectivity established by the agency having jurisdiction.  
1.3 This practice can be used for the evaluation of newly installed or existing pavement markings. When testing newly applied pavement markings, it is recommended that the evaluation be done no sooner than 48 hours after application but before 30 days after application so that excess retroreflective optics, such as glass spheres, are no longer present.  
1.4 The assessment techniques in this practice are based on best practices and designed to provide three levels of confidence in terms of quantifying the retroreflective performance of markings. Each technique represents a tradeoff between the number of measurements and the confidence of the retroreflective performance of the markings under study.  
1.5 This practice can be used by agencies as is or may be customized to meet an agency’s specific needs. Where applicable, the practice describes areas where different assumptions could be made, which would impact the sampling needs and the confidence levels of the results. When deviations from this practice are made, they shall be documented in the test report.  
Note 1: When measuring newly installed pavement markings, there are several factors that contribute to erroneous values for measurements made within a short time after application, such as excess retroreflective optics, top-coatings on tape, incomplete curing of the binder, and coatings on the retroreflective optics. Retroreflective measurements taken within 48 h after application may be useful to quickly gauge the application quality but are not intended to be used with this practice.
Note 2: When measuring existing or in-service pavement markings, care should be...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2015
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.38 - Highway Traffic Control Materials

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
Designation: D7585/D7585M −10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Retroreflective Pavement Markings Using
1
Portable Hand-Operated Instruments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7585/D7585M; 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.
are several factors that contribute to erroneous values for measurements
1. Scope
made within a short time after application, such as excess retroreflective
1.1 This practice describes several field techniques to evalu-
optics, top-coatings on tape, incomplete curing of the binder, and coatings
ate the retroreflective properties of pavement markings con- ontheretroreflectiveoptics.Retroreflectivemeasurementstakenwithin48
h after application may be useful to quickly gauge the application quality
taining retroreflecting optics (for example, centerlines and
but are not intended to be used with this practice.
edgelines) and applied to the road surface. The techniques
NOTE 2—When measuring existing or in-service pavement markings,
described in this practice contain sampling criteria such as the
care should be taken so that representative sections of pavement markings
length of test sections and the number of measurements
are measured. There are particular conditions where excessive pavement
needed. The practice is based on retroreflective measurements marking wear can be associated with a specific cause such as vehicle
tracking along horizontal curves, access points to gravel pits, and high
made with portable hand-operated instruments in compliance
weave areas. Pavement markings can also collect dirt, grime, and debris.
with Test Method E1710.
1.6 This practice replaces Test Method D6359 with a
1.2 The data obtained from this practice can be used to
multi-level strategy for evaluating the retroreflectance of pave-
determine the acceptance or rejection of a project based on
ment marking materials. This change was desired to provide
specified levels of retroreflectivity established by the agency
agencies with options for project acceptance and monitoring of
having jurisdiction.
pavement markings during service.
1.3 This practice can be used for the evaluation of newly
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
installed or existing pavement markings. When testing newly
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
applied pavement markings, it is recommended that the evalu-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
ation be done no sooner than 48 hours after application but
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
before 30 days after application so that excess retroreflective
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
optics, such as glass spheres, are no longer present.
with the standard.
1.4 The assessment techniques in this practice are based on
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
best practices and designed to provide three levels of confi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
dence in terms of quantifying the retroreflective performance
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of markings. Each technique represents a tradeoff between the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
number of measurements and the confidence of the retroreflec-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tive performance of the markings under study.
1.5 This practice can be used by agencies as is or may be
2. Referenced Documents
customized to meet an agency’s specific needs. Where 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
applicable, the practice describes areas where different as-
D4061 Test Method for Retroreflectance of Horizontal Coat-
sumptions could be made, which would impact the sampling
ings
needs and the confidence levels of the results.When deviations
D6359 Specification for Minimum Retroreflectance of
from this practice are made, they shall be documented in the
Newly Applied Pavement Marking Using Portable Hand-
test report.
3
Operated Instruments (Withdrawn 2006)
NOTE 1—When measuring newly installed pavement markings, there E284 Terminology of Appearance
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.38 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Highway Traffic Control Materials. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published
...

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.
Designation: D7585/D7585M − 10 D7585/D7585M − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Retroreflective Pavement Markings Using
1
Portable Hand-Operated Instruments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7585/D7585M; 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. Scope
1.1 This practice describes several field techniques to evaluate the retroreflective properties of pavement markings containing
retroreflecting optics (for example, centerlines and edgelines) and applied to the road surface. The techniques described in this
practice contain sampling criteria such as the length of test sections and the number of measurements needed. The practice is based
on retroreflective measurements made with portable hand-operated instruments in compliance with Test Method E1710.
1.2 The data obtained from this practice can be used to determine the acceptance or rejection of a project based on specified
levels of retroreflectivity established by the agency having jurisdiction.
1.3 This practice can be used for the evaluation of newly installed or existing pavement markings. When testing newly applied
pavement markings, it is recommended that the evaluation be done no sooner than 48 hours after application but before 30 days
after application so that excess retroreflective optics, such as glass spheres, are no longer present.
1.4 The assessment techniques in this practice are based on best practices and designed to provide three levels of confidence
in terms of quantifying the retroreflective performance of markings. Each technique represents a tradeoff between the number of
measurements and the confidence of the retroreflective performance of the markings under study.
1.5 This practice can be used by agencies as is or may be customized to meet an agency’s specific needs. Where applicable,
the practice describes areas where different assumptions could be made, which would impact the sampling needs and the
confidence levels of the results. When deviations from this practice are made, they shall be documented in the test report.
NOTE 1—When measuring newly installed pavement markings, there are several factors that contribute to erroneous values for measurements made
within a short time after application, such as excess retroreflective optics, top-coatings on tape, incomplete curing of the binder, and coatings on the
retroreflective optics. Retroreflective measurements taken within 48 h after application may be useful to quickly gauge the application quality but are not
intended to be used with this practice.
NOTE 2—When measuring existing or in-service pavement markings, care should be taken so that representative sections of pavement markings are
measured. There are particular conditions where excessive pavement marking wear can be associated with a specific cause such as vehicle tracking along
horizontal curves, access points to gravel pits, and high weave areas. Pavement markings can also collect dirt, grime, and debris.
1.6 This practice replaces Test Method D6359 with a multi-level strategy for evaluating the retroreflectance of pavement
marking materials. This change was desired to provide agencies with options for project acceptance and monitoring of pavement
markings during service.
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4061 Test Method for Retroreflectance of Horizontal Coatings
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.38 on Highway
Traffic Control Materials.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010Dec. 1, 2015. Published August 2010February 2016. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as
D758
...