Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility
Reduced nighttime visibility drastically increases the risk of traffic fatalities. About half of traffic fatalities occur at night (http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/). On rural roadways there tend to be fewer streetlights, so visibility is typically provided by vehicle headlights. Retro-reflectivity materials and coatings that are used for both signs and pavement lane markings can increase nighttime visibility.
This section provides resources and trainings on the use of retro-reflectivity to increase nighttime visibility.
Training
An FHWA EDC-5 Webinar in collaboration with NLTAPA and the National Center for Rural Road Safety
Rural roadway departures make up a third of U.S. traffic fatali ... [ Read More » ]
Fact Sheet
This NCHRP Ready Results Brief was published to discuss the results of NCHRP Report 828. The brief explores lighting for overhead signs in suburban and urban a ... [ Read More » ]
Newsletter
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Published: Friday June 24th, 2016
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Source: Federal Highway Administration
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Topic: Education, EMS, Enforcement, Engineering, Road, Road User, Safety Culture
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Sub-Topic: Cross Jurisdictional Safety Planning, Geometric Design, Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP), Low Cost Countermeasures, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Safety Countermeasures, Safety Performance Measures and Monitoring, Safety Plans, Speed Management Systems
Articles in this issue of the Safety Compass include:
Introducing the HSIP Final Rule
Safety PM Regs Now in Effect
Rumble Strip Virtual Peer Exchanges Glean In ... [ Read More » ]
General Report
“On August 13-14, 2014, at the Turner-Fairbanks Highway Research Center in McLean, VA, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Office of ... [ Read More » ]
Technical Guide/Manual
It is an honor to formally recognize the extraordinary achievements of those selected for the 2015 National Roadway Safety Awards. The individuals, groups, and ... [ Read More » ]
Website
This website provides resources on common nighttime visibility topics including sign retroreflectivity, pavement markings, and roadway lighting.
... [ Read More » ]
Newsletter
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Published: Tuesday September 1st, 2015
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Source: USDOT FHWA Office of Safety
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Topic: Education, Engineering, Road, Road User
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Sub-Topic: Bicycle Safety, Child Passenger Safety, Cross Jurisdictional Safety Planning, Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP), Pavement Safety, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Roles and Responsibilities for Elected Officials, Speed Management Systems
Fall 2015 issue of the Safety Compass Newsletter.
This issue contains the following articles:
The Focused Approach to Safety Helps Us “Practice What [W ... [ Read More » ]