Pippa Batchelor

transcript

3M Signing Systems

How has history improved the ‘green-ness’ of road signage?

How has the ‘green-ness’ of signage improved over time?

Why are retroreflective materials needed?

Because, tragically, people are dying…

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?

DaytimeMany cues available

Driver task relatively easy

NighttimeFew cues remainTask more difficult

In 2013 38% of all accidents in Australia occurred at night.

And, there’s a need to protect people and improve SAFETY...

And we can help keep people safer through BETTER VISIBILITY

Where it all started:

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).

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

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

02000000400000060000008000000

1000000012000000140000001600000018000000

Total vehicles registered in Australia

Need for improvement Brighter better

Consequences of wider roads

Increasing the number of lanes increases entrance angle for the driver....

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350

Constant observation angle, varying entrance angle.

Consequence of higher truck volume

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.10

Constant entrance angle, varying observation angle

Technology Improvements

Microprismatic

Benefits: Moved from 14% to 32% minimum return of light Returned beam can be ‘focused’ to where it is needed

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

Traditional Screenprint method

Electrocut Film sign preparation method

Digital printing

Bespoke inks to meet standard Faster overall sign manufacture Multiple colours in one sign Low solvent - workplace safety

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

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

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

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

Pippa Batchelor

Business