ASTM E1709-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.2 Degree Observation Angle
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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.
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.
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 and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:E1709 −09
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. Scope E810Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of
Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry
1.1 This test method covers measurement of the retroreflec-
E2540Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective
tive properties of sign materials such as traffic signs and
Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer at a 0.5 Degree
symbols (vertical surfaces) using a portable retroreflectometer
Observation Angle
that can be used in the field. The portable retroreflectometer is
a hand-held instrument with a defined standard geometry that
3. Terminology
can be placed in contact with sign material to measure the
retroreflection in a standard geometry. The measurements can
3.1 The terminology used in this test method generally
be compared to minimum requirements to determine the need
agrees with that used in Terminology E284.
for replacement. Entrance and observation angles specified in
3.2 Definitions—The delimiting phrase “in retroreflection”
this test method are those used currently in the United States
applies to each of the following definitions when used outside
and may differ from the angles used elsewhere in the world.
the context of this or other retroreflection standards.
1.2 This test method is intended to be used for the field
3.2.1 annular geometry, n—the portable instrument retrore-
measurement of traffic signs but may be used to measure the
flection collection method where an annular area 0.1 degrees
performance of materials before placing the sign in the field or
wide around the illumination axis collects the retroreflected
before placing the sign material on the sign face.
energyatanangletothecenteroftheannularareacorrespond-
ing to a specific observation angle.
1.3 This test method covers measurements at a 0.2 degree
observation angle. See Test Method E2540 for measurements
3.2.2 coeffıcient of retroreflection, R ,n—of a plane retrore-
A
at a 0.5 degree observation angle.
flecting surface, the ratio of the coefficient of luminous
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the intensity (R) of a plane retroreflecting surface to its area (A),
I
−1 −2
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
expressedincandelasperluxpersquaremetre(cd·lx ·m ).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 datum axis, n—adesignatedhalf-linefromtheretrore-
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
flector center perpendicular to the retroreflector axis.
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.4 entrance angle, β,n—the angle between the illumina-
tion axis and the retroreflector axis.
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.2.5 entrance half-plane, n—the half plane that originates
2.1 ASTM Standards:
on the line of the illumination axis and contains the retrore-
E284Terminology of Appearance
flector axis.
E808Practice for Describing Retroreflection
E809Practice for Measuring Photometric Characteristics of
3.2.6 instrument standard, n—working standard used to
Retroreflectors
calibrate the portable retroreflectometer.
3.2.7 observation angle, α,n—the angle between the illu-
mination axis and the observation axis.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E12 on Color
3.2.8 observation half-plane, n—the half plane that origi-
and Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.10 on
Retroreflection.
nates on the line of the illumination axis and contains the
Current edition approved July 1, 2009. Published February 2010. Originally
observation axis.
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1709–08. DOI:
10.1520/E1709-09.
3.2.9 orientation angle, ω,n—the angle in a plane perpen-
s
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
diculartotheretroreflectoraxisfromtheentrancehalf-planeto
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
the datum axis, measured counter-clockwise from the view-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. point of the source.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1709−09
3.2.10 portable retroreflectometer, n—a hand-held instru- 5.4 This test method is not intended for use for the m
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1709–08 Designation: E1709 – 09
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. 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
standardgeometry.Themeasurementscanbecomparedtominimumrequirementstodeterminetheneedforreplacement.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
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 and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E284 Terminology of Appearance
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 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.
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—ofaplaneretroreflectingsurface,theratioofthecoefficientofluminousintensity(R)
A I
−1 −2
of a plane retroreflecting surface to its area (A), expressed in candelas per lux per square metre (cd · lx ·m ).
3.2.3 datum axis, n—a designated half-line from the retroreflector center perpendicular to the retroreflector axis.
3.2.4 entrance angle, b, n—the angle between the illumination axis and the retroreflector axis.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE12onColorandAppearanceandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE12.10onRetroreflection.
´1
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E1709–00 . DOI:
10.1520/E1709-08.
Current edition approved July 1, 2009. Published February 2010. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1709–08. DOI:
10.1520/E1709-09.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book ofASTM 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 ----------------------
E1709 – 09
3.2.5 entrance half-plane, n—the half plane that originates on the line of the illumination axis and contains the retroreflector
axis.
3.2.6 instrument standard, n—working standard used to standardizecalibrate the portable retroreflectometer.
3.
...
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