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

Driving FoRRRwD to Reduce Curve Crashes with Signing and Marking

Created: Wednesday October 13th, 2021
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Low Cost Countermeasures, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Road Departure, Safety Countermeasures, Systemic Safety

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 fatal ... [ Read More » ]

FoRRRwD Countermeasures: Signing, Striping and Maintenance Treatments

Created: Tuesday September 15th, 2020
Source: Lapeer County (Michigan) Road Commission
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Low Cost Countermeasures, Pavement Safety, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Road Departure

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

New Guidelines for Lighting Overhead Signs

Created: Friday June 30th, 2017
Source: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Low Cost Countermeasures, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Safety Countermeasures

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 » ]

Safety Compass Newsletter

Published: Friday June 24th, 2016
Source: Federal Highway Administration
Topic: Education, EMS, Enforcement, Engineering, Road, Road User, Safety Culture
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

Breakthroughs in Vision and Visibility for Highway Safety Workshop Summary Report

Created: Thursday June 23rd, 2016
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center
Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Pavement Safety, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Safety Countermeasures

“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

2015 National Roadway Safety Awards Noteworthy Practices Guide

Created: Monday December 7th, 2015
Source: Roadway Safety Foundation
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP), Low Cost Countermeasures, Pavement Safety, Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility, Road Departure, Road Surface Conditions, Safety Countermeasures

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

FHWA's Nighttime Visibility Webpage

Posted: Tuesday September 15th, 2015
Source: Federal Highway Administration
Topic: Engineering, Road
Sub-Topic: Retro-reflectivity and Nighttime Visibility

This website provides resources on common nighttime visibility topics including sign retroreflectivity, pavement markings, and roadway lighting. ... [ Read More » ]

Safety Compass Newsletter

Published: Tuesday September 1st, 2015
Source: USDOT FHWA Office of Safety
Topic: Education, Engineering, Road, Road User
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 » ]