ASTM E2177-20

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance (R<inf >L</inf>) of Pavement Markings using the Bucket Method in a Condition of Wet Recovery

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The nighttime performance of pavement markings is determined by the coefficient of retroreflected luminance, RL, be it dry or wet, and depends on the materials used, age, and wear pattern. These conditions shall be observed and noted by the user.  
4.2 Under the same conditions of headlight illumination and driver’s viewing, larger values of RL correspond to higher levels of visual performance at corresponding geometry.  
4.3 The pavement marking’s measured performance in the condition of wet recovery is used to characterize the performance of the marking on the road when wet.  
4.4 Newly installed pavement markings may have a natural surface tension or release agents that prevent wetting of the product by water. The water will tend to “bead up” on the marking. This “non wetting” condition is usually short lived. Pavement markings that have been on the road for one month prior to testing usually do not exhibit this non-wetting phenomenon. (Warning—This phenomenon produces an interference when assessing the wet characteristics of a pavement marking. Attempts to measure markings with this surface “non-wetting” or “beading” of the water may give higher values.)  
4.5 The retroreflectivity, RL, of pavement (road) markings degrades with traffic wear and requires periodic measurement to ensure that sufficient line visibility is provided to drivers.  
4.6 For a given viewing distance, measurements of RL made with a retroreflectometer having a geometry corresponding to that viewing distance are a good indicator of the visual ranking of the material measured.  
4.7 As specified by Test Method E1710, the measurement geometry of the instrument is based on a viewing distance of 30 m, an eye height of 1.2 m and a headlight mounting height of 0.65 m (see Appendix X1).  
4.8 It shall be the responsibility of the user to employ an instrument having the specified observation and entrance angles.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the wet retroreflective (RL) properties of horizontal pavement marking materials, such as traffic stripes and road surface symbols, using a portable retroreflectometer that can be placed on or before the road marking to measure the retroreflection at the prescribed geometry.  
1.2 This method of measuring the wet retroreflective properties (RL) of pavement markings measures the wet retroreflectivity in a condition of wet recovery (see Fig. 1).
FIG. 1 Illustration of Measurement  
1.2.1 This test condition typically exists (1) after a rainfall has ended and the pavement markings are still wet or (2) as the markings are wet from dew or humidity.  
1.3 Retroreflective performance obtained with this test in condition of wet recovery does not necessarily relate to how markings perform in conditions of rain, that is, as markings are being rained upon. Test Method E2832 defines a method to measure the performance of pavement markings in conditions of simulated rain.  
1.4 This test method specifies the use of portable reflectometers that can measure pavement markings in accordance with Test Method E1710.2 The entrance and observation angles required of the retroreflectometer in this test method are commonly referred to as “30 meter geometry.”2  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: E12 - Color and Appearance
• Drafting Committee: E12.10 - Retroreflection

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation:E2177 −20
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance (R )
L
of Pavement Markings using the Bucket Method in a
1
Condition of Wet Recovery
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2177; 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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the wet
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
retroreflective (R ) properties of horizontal pavement marking
L
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
materials, such as traffic stripes and road surface symbols,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
using a portable retroreflectometer that can be placed on or
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
before the road marking to measure the retroreflection at the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
prescribed geometry.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This method of measuring the wet retroreflective prop-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
erties (R ) of pavement markings measures the wet retroreflec- mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
L
tivity in a condition of wet recovery (see Fig. 1).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2.1 This test condition typically exists (1) after a rainfall
2. Referenced Documents
has ended and the pavement markings are still wet or (2)asthe
3
markings are wet from dew or humidity. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.3 Retroreflective performance obtained with this test in
ASTM Test Methods
condition of wet recovery does not necessarily relate to how
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
markings perform in conditions of rain, that is, as markings are
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
being rained upon. Test Method E2832 defines a method to
E965 Test Method for Measuring Pavement Macrotexture
measure the performance of pavement markings in conditions
Depth Using a Volumetric Technique
of simulated rain.
E1710 Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective
1.4 This test method specifies the use of portable reflecto- Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Ge-
meters that can measure pavement markings in accordance ometry Using a Portable Retroreflectometer
2
withTestMethodE1710. Theentranceandobservationangles E2832 Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Ret-
required of the retroreflectometer in this test method are roreflected Luminance of Pavement Markings in a Stan-
2
commonly referred to as “30 meter geometry.” dard Condition of Continuous Wetting (R )
L-2
2.2 Other Standard:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
CEN–EN 1436 Road Marking Materials—Road Marking
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4
Performance for Road Users and Test Methods
standard.
3. Terminology
3.1 coeffıcient of retroreflected luminance, R ,n—the ratio
L
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color
of the luminance, L, of a projected surface to the normal
and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.10 on
illuminance, E, at the surface on a plane normal to the incident
Retroreflection.
2
light, expressed in candelas per square meter per lux (cd/m /
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as E2177 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/E2177-20.
2 3
Reference ASTM E1710 “Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retrore- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
flective Pavement Markings with CEN-Prescribed Geometry Using a Portable contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Retroreflectometer.” The standard measurement condition is intended to represent Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the angles corresponding to a distance of 30 m for the driver of a passenger car with the ASTM website.
4
an eye height of 1.2 m and a headlight height of 0.65 m above the road. See Available from European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 36 rue de
Appendix X1. Stassart, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium, http://www.cenorm.be.
Copyright ©
...

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: E2177 − 19 E2177 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance (R )
L
of Pavement Markings using the Bucket Method in a
1
Standard Condition of WetnessWet Recovery
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2177; 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 test method covers the measurement of the wet retroreflective (R ) properties of horizontal pavement marking materials,
L
such as traffic stripes and road surface symbols, using a portable or mobile retroreflectometer that can be placed on or before the
road marking to measure the retroreflection at the prescribed geometry.
1.2 This method of measuring the wet retroreflective properties (R ) of pavement markings measures the wet retroreflectivity in
L
a standard condition of wetness wet recovery (see Fig. 1).
1.2.1 Discussion—This test condition typically exists (1) after a rainfall has ended and the pavement markings are still wet or (2)
as the markings are wet from dew or humidity.
1.3 Retroreflective performance obtained with this test in conditionscondition of wetness wet recovery does not necessarily relate
to how markings perform in conditions of rain, that is, as markings are being rained upon. Test Method E2832 defines a method
to measure the performance of pavement markings in conditions of simulated rain.
1.4 This test method specifies the use of portable or mobile reflectometers that can measure pavement markings in accordance with
2
Test Method E1710. The entrance and observation angles required of the retroreflectometer in this test method are commonly
2
referred to as “30 meter geometry.”
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
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 Jan. 1, 2019Oct. 1, 2020. Published February 2019October 2020. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20182019 as
E2177 – 18.E2177 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/E2177-19.10.1520/E2177-20.
2
Reference ASTM E1710 “Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Pavement Markings with CEN-Prescribed Geometry Using a Portable
Retroreflectometer.” The standard measurement condition is intended to represent the angles corresponding to a distance of 30 m for the driver of a passenger car with an
eye height of 1.2 m and a headlight height of 0.65 m above the road. See Appendix X1.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2177 − 20
FIG. 1 Illustration of Measurement
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E965 Test Method for Measuring Pavement Macrotexture Depth Using a Volumetric Technique
E1710 Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Geometry Using a
Portable Retroreflectometer
E2832 Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance of Pavement Markings in a Standard Condition
of Continuous Wetting (R )
L-2
2.2 Other Standard:
4
CEN–EN 1436 Road Marking Materials—Road Marking Performance for Road Users and Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 coeffıcient of retroreflected luminance, R ,n—the ratio of the luminance, L, of a projected surface to the normal illuminance,
L
2 1
E, at the surface on
...