ASTM E1710 Retroreflective Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Geometry

ASTM E1710 Introduction

The well-known ASTM E1710 test procedure uses CEN-specified geometry to assess the retroreflective qualities of pavement marking materials. The geometry in E1710, which refers to the precise angles and geometry utilized for the retroreflectometer measurements, is prescribed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). To improve road safety and guide drivers, particularly in low-light situations, retroreflective pavement markings are crucial. To increase overall road safety and make pavement markings highly visible, retroreflective pavement markings are made to bounce light from vehicle headlights back towards the driver’s eyes.

The coefficient of retroreflected luminance (RL), which is influenced by the materials used, age, and wear pattern, determines the pavement stripe’s quality. Higher levels of ocular ability under comparable observational conditions are correlated with larger values of RL. MaTestLab in the USA is one of the best testing service providers, with an extensive network of well-equipped testing laboratories in the USA.

ASTM E1710 Test Method

To perform the ASTM E1710 test, the retroreflectometer is positioned at the prescribed angles, and the retroreflection coefficient of the pavement marking material is recorded. The test is conducted in the following steps:

ASTM E1710 Equipment and Sample Preparation

ASTM E1710 Results and Interpretation

The retroreflection coefficient obtained from the ASTM E1710 test provides valuable information about the pavement marking material’s performance. This information is critical for road authorities and engineers as they select pavement marking materials that meet specific visibility requirements for different road types and traffic conditions. 

Tests Related to E1710

ASTM E1710 is related to tests including ASTM D4061, which tests the retroreflection of horizontal coatings, ASTM E177, which uses bias and precision, and ASTM E809, which tests a retroreflector’s photometric properties. ASTM E1710 is also related to ASTM E2177, Standard Test Method for Measuring the Coefficient of Retroreflected Luminance of Pavement Markings in a Standard Condition of Wetness, which is a related standard.

Use of ASTM E1710 in Various Industries

It measures the retroreflective characteristics of pavement markings that transportation and civil engineering industries along with road safety carry out to ensure the visibility on the road side by drivers besides quality check of retroreflective materials used in pavement marking tapes and paints.

Materials Commonly Tested with ASTM E1710

This standard tests materials including thermoplastic road markings, waterborne paints, and retroreflective tapes to ensure that they are capable of returning vehicle headlight light back, improving road visibility at night, and meeting regulatory standards for reflectivity, durability, and performance in all road settings.

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting in ASTM E1710 Testing

This test presents challenges, including accuracy in measurement under various environmental conditions such as moisture, road texture, and dirt, as well as equipment calibration, which gives erroneous results, thus necessitating frequent measurements and strict environmental controls.

Safety and Best Practices in ASTM E1710 Testing

Testing requires strict safety measures including low-traffic times, warning signs, high-visibility clothing, calibration, and regular maintenance of retroreflectometers to ensure the operator is safe while ensuring accuracy and reliability in measurements.

Importance of ASTM E1710

This helps to improve road safety as the retroreflective pavement markings will be verified to guide the drivers in poor visibility, and there is a standard method for a reliable evaluation with the reduction of risk to accidents and improvement in night driving visibility.