题名: |
EVALUATION OF FLUORESCENT ORANGE SIGNS |
作者: |
H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., Paul J. Carlson, and Michael Elmquist |
关键词: |
Traffic Control Devices, Signs, Fluorescent Signs, Work
Zones |
摘要: |
In recent years, fluorescent orange signs have become a viable option for increasing the visibility of traffic control devices in
temporary traffic control zones due to the fact that the fluorescent properties of these signs are more stable now than when they
were initially developed. This report describes research on the durability and color recognition of fluorescent orange signs. The
evaluation focused on two primary activities: a comparison of the durability of fluorescent and non-fluorescent orange signs; and a
comparison of the color recognition of fluorescent orange, non-fluorescent orange, and other sign colors. In the durability
evaluation, damaged and undamaged products were exposed for 24 months on a weathering rack. The evaluation of the
fluorescent products included measurements with a new instrument that accurately measures the fluorescent properties of
fluorescent materials. Other measurements included retroreflectivity and color. In the color recognition evaluation, drivers were
asked to identify the color of various stimuli as they drove on a closed course. The accuracy of color identification and the
identification distance were recorded.
The results of the durability evaluations found some significant changes in material properties over the 24-month period.
Several products were outside of ASTM specifications at the beginning or end of the exposure period. The fluorescence
measurements found that two of the four products evaluated retained a reasonable amount of fluorescence at the end of 24 months.
The results of the color recognition evaluation found that many of the older drivers had difficulty distinguishing between some
colors. Several stimuli had color perception accuracies below 80 percent The fluorescent orange products had greater recognition
distances and color perception accuracy than those of non-fluorescent orange products.
The research results indicate that fluorescent orange signs may offer color recognition benefits and that some of the
fluorescent products possess adequate durability characteristics to justify their use.
Note; This research was conducted using ATSM specification D4956-95. As such, it does
not include numerous revisions to the D4956 specification that have been made since 1 995.
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报告类型: |
科技报告 |