In an effort to reduce accidents involving large commercial trucks and other vehicles, the application of DOT C2 red and white (silver) reflective tape to trucks was mandated by federal law in 1992. This was a very important step forward in preventing accidents, injuries, and fatalities from collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles. Although…
In the realm of reflective sheeting, the term metallize means to apply a mirror backing. Specifically, to the bottom of a glass bead or to the back of a prism. This is done to increase its return of light and the overall retro reflectivity of a tape. When you look in a mirror every morning,…
Specification sheets on reflective material often reference the terms “Observation Angle” and “Entrance Angle”. You often see metrics like the following – (Observation Angle : .20 / Entrance Angle : -4) or (Observation Angle – .50 / Entrance Angle : 30), where the observation metric is normally very small, and the entrance metric is much…
An explanation of chromaticity and its value in relation to reflective tapes. Chromaticity is defined as an objective, numerical indicator of the quality of a color that stays consistent without regard to the light that is illuminating it. It is the quality of color of an object, independent of brightness. A universal language is something…
Most objects in the universe are capable of reflecting light in some way, which is why we can see them. Light that is reflected is also why we see colors. Objects absorb some colors or wavelengths of light, and reflect others. Even a black surface that is glossy reflects. To reflect simply means that light…
Accidents from collisions often result in property damage, personal injury, and fatalities, and whether an accident from a collision is minor or severe, the fact is, they are almost always avoidable. The key is visibility, conspicuity, and driver alertness. Conspicuity is defined as the property of being clearly discernible. The state or quality of being clear…
The difference between light reflection, light refraction, and light diffraction is simple. With reflection, the light rays striking a surface return towards the originating source of light as the waves spring or bounce off the surface. In refraction, the waves go through a clear medium, and as they travel through it, their speed and direction are altered. In other words, refraction…
Types of Luminescence Luminescence manifests itself in various forms, each defined by distinct mechanisms and characteristics. The key types of luminescence include fluorescence, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, phosphorescence, crystalloluminescence, photoluminescence, electroluminescence, mechanoluminescence, radioluminescence, and thermoluminescence. Chemiluminescence Chemiluminescence involves the emission of light resulting from a chemical reaction. This phenomenon is observable by bending and shaking a light…
Fluorescent reflective tape is a type of retroreflective sheeting designed to enhance visibility in both standard and low-light conditions by combining fluorescent colors with reflective properties. This type of reflective tape typically features a fluorescent base layer created using special inks that emit a specific kind of light. The fluorescent effect is akin to glow-in-the-dark…
The chart pictured below represents the minimum requirements for retro reflective sheeting and tape for signs and applications that are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). These changes were implemented in 2009. Although the MUTCD guide was most recently updated in 2022, for…
