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3M Signing Systems
How has history improved the ‘green-ness’ of road signage?
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Why are retroreflective materials needed?
Because, tragically, people are dying…
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Topics for discussion:
Why is traffic signage needed? How has the situation changed over the years? What Innovations have these needs driven? What are the secondary benefits of improving signage?
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
DaytimeMany cues available
Driver task relatively easy
NighttimeFew cues remainTask more difficult
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In 2013 38% of all accidents in Australia occurred at night.
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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And, there’s a need to protect people and improve SAFETY...
And we can help keep people safer through BETTER VISIBILITY
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Where it all started:
© 3M 20011. All Rights Reserved.
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
How does Retroreflectivity work?
Retroreflection (def): The return of a large portion of an incoming light beam to its
source.
This is why retroreflective materials appear brightest to observers located near the level of the light source (e.g. a driver and the vehicle headlights).
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Retroreflector
Light Source Direction
Most retroreflectors also have diffuse reflection (“wasted” light). Higher efficiency sheetings divert more light towards the driver.
Divergence Cone / Cone of Retroreflection
A vehicle’s headlights return light to the driver in a cone shaped distribution, known as the divergence cone or cone of retroreflection.
Retroreflection Overview
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Need for improvement
Traffic volumes 75% of traffic travelling on 16% of road network Number of vehicles doubled since 1979 Multi-lane highways
Speeds Improved road surfaces and engines Improved speeds
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1955
1962
1971
1976
1979
1982
1985
1988
1991
1993
1995
2002
2008
02000000400000060000008000000
1000000012000000140000001600000018000000
Total vehicles registered in Australia
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Need for improvement Brighter better
58%
32%
8%
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Consequences of wider roads
Increasing the number of lanes increases entrance angle for the driver....
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0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350
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Constant observation angle, varying entrance angle.
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Consequence of higher truck volume
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0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.10
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Constant entrance angle, varying observation angle
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Technology Improvements
Microprismatic
Benefits: Moved from 14% to 32% minimum return of light Returned beam can be ‘focused’ to where it is needed
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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How is a traffic sign made?
Reflective screen printed
Reflective digitally printed
Electrocut film
Over-laminate applied
Sign face laminated to blank substrate
Sign finished and packed
Applied onto reflective
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Traditional Screenprint method
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Electrocut Film sign preparation method
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Digital printing
Bespoke inks to meet standard Faster overall sign manufacture Multiple colours in one sign Low solvent - workplace safety
© 3M 2013.
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Secondary benefits
Environmental burden: Introduction of transparent electrocut film for imparting the colour,
led to reduced exposure to solvent based screen printing inks
Microprismatic manufacturing much more environmentally friendly• 77% less energy• 46% less solid waste• 97% less volatile
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Benefits
Energy consumption Brighter signs reduce the need for external lighting
• Illinois DoT, installed higher specification sheeting, at $74k USD, but had savings of $1MM USD per year in maintenance.
x 10,000Every year
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Benefits
Durability Prismatic signs are a full polymer construction so not at risk of
rusting Similarly prismatics are able to offer significantly longer warranties
leading to lower turnover and waste of traffic signs
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How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?
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Summary
Higher performance More easily seen Lower energy / maintenance costs
Ability to see road markings even when submerged Ability to meet the needs to today's roads:
Multi-lane Larger vehicles Faster speeds
© 3M 2013.