Transportation Future Roadway Safety Technologies

1
Transportation Future - Roadway Safety
Technologies

• Larry Lair Vice President3M Traffic Safety
  Systems Division

2
3M and Traffic Safety

• Invented retroreflective sign sheeting in 1930s
• Evolved into primary warning and guidance device
  for drivers
• Hundreds of millionsof dollars in RD
  andcapital investment
• Leading innovator in optics, transparent inks,
  durable fluorescence,wet reflectivity

3
Sign Performance
Retroreflection Returning of light directly
back to its source

• Freight hauling truck drivers are disadvantaged
  because of significantly greater sign
  observation angles
• New 3M technology has reduced that disparity

4
Amount of light required to see during hours of
darkness doubles every 13 years
3Innovation
5
Sign Sheeting Evolution
Diamond Grade DG3
6
Because what you see during the day ...
Is not always what you get at night !
7
How Pavement Markings Make Our Roadways Safer
Visual Guidance
Warning
Pedestrian Safety
Lane Delineation
8
Problems Today with Pavement Markings

• Frequent re-striping
• Loss of Reflectivity
• Difficult to see during the rain
• Exposure to crews during application
• Traffic disruptions for re-striping
• Difficult to see at night for older drivers

9
Wet-Reflective Markings
10
States Are Deploying Safety Innovations
3Innovation
11
Government Regulation Impedes Innovation

• 23 CFR 635.411 Proprietary Products Rule
• Prevents deployment of emerging highway safety
  technologies
• Makes source of supply higher priority than
  safety and innovation
• Deters future technology development
• Deprives motorists of advanced safety solutions

12
(No Transcript)
13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
Conclusions

• Technology is not a limitation to safety
  improvements
• Regulatory regime must encourage, not impede,
  innovation
• Roadway safety technologies will play an
  important role in meeting AASHTOs new highway
  safety goal

17
Thank You