Recommended specifications and a tentative testing procedure for reflective sheeting.

5316735PDFTech ReportVHTRC 77-R41Traffic signsSign sheetingReflectivitySpecificationsVirginiaVirginia Transportation Research CouncilShepard, Frank DVirginia Highway & Transportation Research CouncilUS Transportation CollectionThe Department spends approximately a half million dollars annually on reflective sheeting for highway signs. For years this sheeting has been purchased primarily from one manufacturer, because of the inability of other firms to produce a competitive product. However, during the past two years, a number of other manufacturers have been submitting reflective materials for consideration. As the number of firms capable of producing reflective materials has increased substantially, it has become evident that the Department needs a standard procedure for determining if the reflective materials submitted possess the characteristics desired. A project was initiated to establish specifications, along with an evaluation procedure, for engineering grade reflective sheeting for use in highway signs that would be useful to the Materials Testing Division. The specifications presented here are a compilation of those presently being used by the Department, those recommended in federal specification L-S-300B (July 12, 1974), and those presently being used by other states. Emphasis has been placed on those specifications which will ensure that the Department is getting a reliable product