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Suzuki DR650 Reflective Tape Page
Among the things that will make riding safer at night, such as better lighting, bright colors and not riding in traffic, reflective tape can make a huge impact on nighttime rider conspicuity. Even when your bike is parked and the lights are off, your bike will be far easier to see at night as headlights and flashlights will bounce back enough light from reflective tape to make your DR stand out like a spotlight amongst the darkness around it.
Various types of reflection off of oblique surface
To get the terminology correct, you are not just looking for a tape that "reflects" light, you are looking for a tape that reflects light back at it's source - most importantly shining light from vehicle headlights back into the faces of their respective drivers. The ability to reflect light back at its source is know as "retroreflectivity" (AKA reflex reflecting, retroflective). And it's retroreflective tape that you want on your bike or helmet.
Not all tapes are created equal and there are many types and subtypes of retroreflective tape. The difference in quality and brightness varies greatly from product to product and brand to brand and many of the tapes are not suitable for the curves on a motorcycle, unless you want to go for a tiled look.
Early (1940s) drawing of Glass Bead Retroreflective Tape
Dotted lines show incoming and outgoing light
One of the earliest types of retroreflective tapes incorporated glass spheres (beads). These glass spheres are natural retroreflectors that reflect light back at its source irrespective of angle of approach, as a sphere has the same geometry at any angle since it's a ball.
Many versions of glass bead reflective products have been developed over the past many decades. You can find numerous types of glass bead reflective tapes, paints and impregnated fabrics. For reflective paints, glass can be added as drop-on beads or premixed in the paint. For tapes and sheeting, beads can be enclosed in plastic or encapsulated behind a plastic sheet while still suspended in air.
One reflective corner in field of prisms
Another type of retroreflector incorporates a cube corner. With a set of three 90° mirrors or reflectors, light hitting one mirror will bounce off or it to another mirror and back at the light source. This can be seen in a house of mirrors, where, no matter how you look a a corner pair of mirrors, you see yourself looking back at you. If you shined a flashlight one of the mirrors, your reflection would shine that light right back at you.
Early design pattern of Reflective Corners
Microprismatic retroreflective reflectors use patterns of thousands of tiny geometric corners that reflect light back at its source. Because of its design and large reflective surface area, sheets and tapes incorporating this technology tend to be far more retroreflective than glass bead products and appear significantly brighter at night. The prism angles can also be designed to reflect light back at different observation angles, and a single sheet or tape can incorporate multiple patterns that allow light to be reflected back in a tailored cone of light.
The 6 signs below are made from different grades of retroreflective tape. The first row of signs are made from glass bead sheets. The Roman numerals refer to the ASTM D4956 type (see below). ASTM type I is also know as engineering grade reflective sheet and is made from enclosed glass beads. These sheets are easy to find, are affordable, come in many colors, including black, and are commonly used on bikes. Type II is known as super-engineering grade and is composed of larger sized glass beads and is much brighter than regular engineering tape. Type III reflective sheet uses encapsulated glass beads and is much more reflective than type I and II.
The second row of signs in the image above use microprismatic (corner cube retroreflection) reflective sheeting. As the image above suggests, this group of retroreflective sheeting creates a much brighter and more noticeable effect when headlights hit it at night. Unfortunately, many of the microprismatic retroreflective sheets are stiff and will not easily follow the curves on your bike really well.
Arrow Head Lane Change Indicator Tape
Engineer Grade Reflective Vinyl
3M Scotchlite is a popular reflective tape for reflective graphics. This ASTM D4956 Type I is commonly referred to as Engineering Tape. It uses glass beads enclosed on vinyl sheeting for reflectivity, comes in many colors (including black) and easily follows complex curves found on a bike or helmet. Although generally adequate for most riders, the retroreflectivity of enclosed glass bead tapes are unfortunately are a fraction of that of encapsulated glass bead and microprism type reflective tapes.
When shopping of vinyl tape, note that not only does the quality of reflection differ from brand to brand, but the thickness of the vinyl itself also differs. There is a reason that no-name brands are cheaper.
3M Scotchlite Reflective Material 680 Series
245 meters (800 feet)
-4° entrance angle and a 0.2° observation angle
Film and Color |
Typical Coefficient of |
White | 100 |
Orange | 25 |
Gold | 65 |
Yellow | 60 |
Red | 20 |
Blue | 10 |
Light blue | 10 |
Green | 15 |
Lemon Yellow | 40 |
Ruby Red | 20 |
Black | 30 |
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These are used to mark larger trucks and are generally much brighter than the more common reflective vinyl tapes. They generally come in bright white, yellow or alternating white/red, but are also available in other colors and combinations. They are considerably stiffer than vinyl engineering tape and will only wrap in one dimension and won't follow the rounded and complex curves of a helmet or gas tank.
The different grades of conspicuity tape vary in thickness. The thicker a tape, the greater the durability, the lesser the flexibility and lesser the requirement for reflectivity:
Grade DOT-C2 - 50 mm
Grade DOTC3 - 75 mm
Grade DOT-C4 -100 mm
Conspicuity marking tapes must meet ASTM type V sheeting requirements except for the photometric standards. The DOT standards for conspicuity marking tape retroreflectivity are lower than the standards for road signing but some Conspicuity rated tapes also meet or exceed the ASTM type V photometric standards.
3M Diamond Grade Reflective Tape
Tapes such as the 3M Diamond Grade tapes use microprisms instead of glass beads for retroreflectivity. Prism technology is generally far superior to glass bead technology and these tapes throw back considerably more (6 times or so) light than bead tapes. These prismatic lenses are formed in a durable transparent resin and sealed with a white synthetic film that allows for both durability and good reflectivity. These can be durable enough to last many years of rough roads and many even be strong enough for rivets.
Reflexite Daybright Yellow
The Reflexite Daybright Conspicuity Tapes do not reflect as much as the 3M Diamond series, but they do come in many bright colors that can help with daytime conspicuity or fancy color schemes.
3M Diamond Grade Conspicuity Markings Series 983
Typical Coefficient of Retroreflection (RA) for New Sheeting (cd/lux/m2)
Entrance Angle | Observation Angle | |||||
0.2° | 0.5° | |||||
-4° | 30° | 45° | -4° | 30° | 45° | |
White | 800 | 550 | 345 | 460 | 215 | 85 |
Red | 160 | 110 | 60 | 95 | 40 | 16 |
Yellow | 645 | 420 | 235 | 360 | 180 | 65 |
Reflexite Daybright V92 Conspicuity Sheeting
Coefficient of Retroreflection
(Candelas/Lux/Square Meter)
Entrance Angle | Observation Angle | |||
0.2° | 0.5° | |||
-4° | 30° | -4° | 30° | |
White | 460 | 250 | 100 | 65 |
Gold | 425 | 230 | 90 | 60 |
Yellow | 310 | 165 | 70 | 45 |
Orange | 185 | 100 | 40 | 25 |
Red | 75 | 60 | 25 | 15 |
Green | 75 | 60 | 25 | 15 |
Blue | 35 | 20 | 10 | 5 |
SOLAS stands for Safety Of Life At Sea and these tapes are designed to conform to International Maritime Organization regulation, IMO Res. A.658 (16) and meet U.S. Coast Guard specification 46 CFR Part 164, Subpart 164.018 for type I and type II reflective tape. It is significantly brighter than regular vinyl reflective tape, but doesn't have to meet the brightness standards of conspicuity marking tapes. Also of note, one of the special features of SOLAS tape is that it not only reflects back light, it also reflects back RADAR and significantly increases a bikes RADAR signature. This is great to have when stuck on an lifeboat at sea, but may not be entirely desirable when trying to sneak through speed traps.
3M SOLAS
The 3M SOLAS tape uses sealed pockets to encapsulate light reflecting glass beads. On the edges of the tape where pockets are cut open, glass beads will leak out and dirt tends to get caught in these open pockets. This simple design is a bit stretchy and more flexible than many prismatic tapes which allows it to better follow complex curves (helmets) and to be used on clothing (lifejackets) without making it too stiff to wear. It is designed for life jackets, ring buoys, survival suits, and inflatable life rafts in marine environments.
3M's sewable SOLAS tape (6750I) has a 4-mil polyester sewable backing and is about 13-mils thick. Their adhesive backed tape (3150A) will adhere to rubber-coated cloth, vinyl-nylon laminated cloth, cured polyester cloth, PVC, aluminum, nylon and Codura and is about 11 mils thick.
The 3M USCG High Intensity Sheeting (USCGHIS) Series 5870S is a marine grade prismatic reflective tape. This USCG type II tape is approved for use on dayboards and channel markers (nuns, cans, & offshore buoys). It is basically a marine version of conspicuity marking tape.
Reflexite SOLAS Logo
Reflexite has two marine application tapes. The USCG type I FD1404 is designed for flexible and inflatable applications and the USCG type II FD 1403 is 8 mils thick and is designed for life jackets, as well as continuous outdoor exposure applications (ring buoys, life floats, raft and life boats). Both are ASTM D 4956 type V prismatic reflective tapes and claim to reflect at higher angles and be brighter than 3M's encapsulated glass bead SOLAS. Reflexite can be identified by its "Ships Wheel" logo on the tape itself.
3M Scotchlite Reflective Material SOLAS Series 3100
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3M Scotchlite SOLAS Grade 6750I
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Reflexite states that numbers for the white on the Reflexite AP1000 chart apply to the SOLAS products
Entrance Angle | Observation Angle | |
0.2° | 0.5° | |
-4° | 700 | 160 |
30° | 400 | 75 |
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Very High Gain Reflective Sheeting
This is a specialty tape used to enhance the reflected signal of polarized, laser, and infrared controllers and photoelectric sensors. It can be stiff and expensive. 3M 3000X Very High Gain Reflective Sheeting is typically 3,000 times brighter than a perfectly diffusing white surface and 3M High Gain Reflective Sheeting 7610 is typically 900 times brighter.
Unlike the very stiff 3000X Very High Gain Sheeting, the 3M 7610 High Gain Reflective Sheeting is more fabric friendly and has been used on high end Gore-Tex jackets and other clothing.
There are special reflective tapes designed to adhere to tires.
3M Scotchlite 8150 Tire Sheeting
Entrance Angle |
Observation Angle |
Typical RA |
Minimum RA |
-4.0° | 0.2° | 500 | 330 |
5.0° | 0.33° | 330 | 250 |
There are plenty of reflective graphics out there for you bike or helmet. They may not be as bright as other high performance tapes listed above, but they may look a little better on your bike or helmet. Fancy graphics may also command more attention than a strip of brighter reflective tape.
If you can't find the graphic you want, you can always have someone custom make if for you or you can get creative with the scissors and colored tape.
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Alternating Blue/Yellow and Red/Yellow color scheme
Brightness isn't everything. Sometime contrasting colors will grad one's attention more than just a brighter single color. Sometime less is more and stripes or checkers will offer better conspicuity than solid uninterrupted sheeting. Notice how the police bike show above grabs your attention. Even though the blue and red checkers are darker than yellow, the bike as a whole stands out since the contrasting colors create a perceived increase in brightness of the yellow.
Chevron Striping
It can be difficult to apply the ideal pattern of colors for visibility to a DR650 due to the limited amount of panels on this bike. Hard cases certainly help and a chevron striping pattern is ideal if you can make it work. Many of the EMS vehicles in Europe and now in the US are using chevron striping to increase visibility. I increases a vehicles signature so much that many vehicles that use striping in the front will wire their headlights to go off when the parking brake is applied since the reflective striping is more noticeable than headlights. These EMS vehicle also have a much larger surface area to apply a chevron striping pattern than a motorcycle does, but the point stands that chevron striping increases visibility. Also note the universal sloping of stripes down and outwards in the image above.
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Motorcycle and helmets have a lot of multi-dimensional curves which can complicated reflective tape application. For hard luggage cases with simple bends and big flat areas, you can use just about any of the tapes listed above. For gas tanks and helmets, you will need to use a more flexible tape and may have to get creative with relief cuts to allow for very complicated shapes.
The 3M SOLAS and the vinyl tapes are the easiest to use for complicated curves. They can wrap around most of the curves on a DR650 without having to get to complicated with the scissors.
First thoroughly clean the surface where you want to apply your reflective tape. Us rubbing alcohol to remove any waxes or oils that will hinder adhesion of the tape. Avoid using paper towels that may contain unwanted oils and leave paper dust.
Some folks will perform a wet application. To do this, mix a solution of about
7-8 drops of Palmolive dishwashing soap in 1 cup of water. Use a spray
bottle to wet the surface area and carefully apply your tape. The tape
will slide a little and you can carefully squeeze out any air bubbles and
contour the tape over your curved surface. Once you have the tape in
place, allow it to dry before cleaning off water spots and rubbing it down.
Others prefer a dry application, which should in theory allow for better adhesion. This is more difficult as the tape is very sticky and not very forgiving once it sticks. It is also more difficult contour and you may be tempted to over stretch the tape.
The pressure sensitive vinyl tape has a layer of microscopic beads that are ruptured when enough pressure is applied to the film. It is therefore important to apply enough pressure to the tape for it to properly stick to the surface you are covering. So after applying your tape, give it a good rubbing. A plastic credit card will work as a squeegee.
Later, you will notice some trapped air bubbles and if the conditions are just right (sunny hot day after garaged in a cool area) you'll have some horrific bubbling. Not to worry. You can either take a needle to the bubble and squeeze out the trapped air, or just let the air dissipate over time and give the tape an occasional rub.
Some folks will use a hair drier to coax the tape around curves a little.
3M SOLAS Application Instructions:
The coated fabric must be clean, dry, and substantially free of contamination. If necessary, wipe the substrate surface with a mild solvent, such as VM & P Naphtha or mineral spirits (test the solvent first on a small area of the fabric to make sure the surface is not damaged).
The minimum application temperature is 60°F (15°C). Whenever possible, remove flotation material or deflate equipment, and smooth out wrinkles.
Hand cut, die-cut, or guillotine the reflective material to the desired size one layer at a time. Do not cut in multi-layers. Use sharp dies or blades made of steel or magnesium.
Separate approximately 1” of liner paper from reflective material. Bend liner back onto itself.
When everything is properly aligned, press down the exposed adhesive area by using a squeegee starting from the inside and working towards end.
Slowly remove the rest of the liner as the squeegee application is made, keeping material away from fabric until pressure is applied. Squeegee down entire reflective area in this manner.
On all vinyl applications, use talcum powder around edges after material application to prevent tackiness.
It is recommended, to improve adhesion, to allow 48 hours (above 60°F) before handling, inflating, or packaging.
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Micro Glass Bead Impregnated Paint
You can get paint impregnated with glass bead and either spray, brush or role on your new glitter scheme. You can even coat a layer of glow in the dark paint or some obnoxious florescent paint scheme to increase conspicuity during the day.
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Retroreflective Tape Categories
You may on occasion see references to various standards that a manufactures reflective tape meets. The following is not all inclusive, but list some of the more common standards seen.
ASTM D4956 (Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control)
This set of standards are for retroreflectivity of traffic signs and the like in the US. They are currently on version ASTM D4956-07e1. This standard replaces the Federal Standard L-S-200 and MIL-S-83946 for reflective tape and sheeting.
Here are some categories of reflective tapes, as classified by AST D4956-07e1:
ASTM D4956 Table 1 Type I SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue | Brown |
0.2° | -4° | 70 | 50 | 25 | 9.0 | 14 | 4.0 | 1.0 |
0.2° | +30° | 30 | 22 | 7.0 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 |
0.5° | -4° | 30 | 25 | 13 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 0.3 |
0.5° | +30° | 15 | 13 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 |
ASTM D4956 Table 2 Type II SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue | Brown |
0.2° | -4° | 140 | 100 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 10 | 5.0 |
0.2° | +30° | 60 | 36 | 22 | 10 | 12 | 4.0 | 2.0 |
0.5° | -4° | 50 | 33 | 20 | 9.0 | 10 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
0.5° | +30° | 28 | 20 | 12 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
ASTM D4956 Table 3 Type III SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue | Brown |
0.1° | -4° | 300 | 200 | 120 | 54 | 54 | 24 | 14 |
0.1° | +30° | 180 | 120 | 72 | 32 | 32 | 14 | 10 |
0.2° | -4° | 250 | 170 | 100 | 45 | 45 | 20 | 12 |
0.2° | +30° | 150 | 100 | 60 | 25 | 25 | 11 | 8.5 |
0.5° | -4° | 95 | 62 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
0.5° | +30° | 65 | 45 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 5.0 | 3.5 |
ASTM D4956 Table 4 Type IV SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 500 | 380 | 200 | 70 | 90 | 42 | 400 | 300 | 150 |
0.1° | +30° | 240 | 175 | 94 | 32 | 42 | 20 | 185 | 140 | 70 |
0.2° | -4° | 360 | 270 | 145 | 50 | 65 | 30 | 290 | 220 | 105 |
0.2° | +30° | 170 | 135 | 68 | 25 | 30 | 14 | 135 | 100 | 50 |
0.5° | -4° | 150 | 110 | 60 | 21 | 27 | 13 | 120 | 90 | 45 |
0.5° | +30° | 72 | 54 | 28 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 55 | 40 | 22 |
ASTM D4956 Table 5 Type V SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
0.1° | -4° | 2000 | 1300 | 800 | 360 | 360 | 160 |
0.1° | +30° | 1100 | 740 | 440 | 200 | 200 | 88 |
0.2° | -4° | 700 | 470 | 280 | 120 | 120 | 56 |
0.2° | +30° | 400 | 270 | 160 | 72 | 72 | 32 |
0.5° | -4° | 160 | 110 | 64 | 28 | 28 | 13 |
0.5° | +30° | 75 | 51 | 30 | 13 | 13 | 6.0 |
ASTM D4956 Table 6 Type VI SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 750 | 525 | 190 | 90 | 105 | 68 | 600 | 450 | 300 |
0.1° | +30° | 300 | 210 | 75 | 36 | 42 | 27 | 240 | 180 | 120 |
0.2° | -4° | 500 | 350 | 125 | 60 | 70 | 45 | 400 | 300 | 200 |
0.2° | +30° | 200 | 140 | 50 | 24 | 28 | 18 | 160 | 120 | 80 |
0.5° | -4° | 225 | 160 | 56 | 27 | 32 | 20 | 180 | 135 | 90 |
0.5° | +30° | 85 | 60 | 21 | 10 | 12 | 7.7 | 68 | 51 | 34 |
ASTM D4956 Table 7 Type VII SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 1000 | 750 | 375 | 100 | 200 | 45 | 800 | 600 | 300 |
0.1° | +30° | 570 | 420 | 215 | 57 | 115 | 26 | 460 | 340 | 170 |
0.2° | -4° | 750 | 560 | 280 | 75 | 150 | 34 | 600 | 450 | 230 |
0.2° | +30° | 430 | 320 | 160 | 43 | 86 | 20 | 340 | 260 | 130 |
0.5° | -4° | 240 | 180 | 90 | 24 | 48 | 11 | 190 | 145 | 72 |
0.5° | +30° | 135 | 100 | 50 | 14 | 27 | 6.0 | 110 | 81 | 41 |
ASTM D4956 Table 8 Type VIII SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 1000 | 750 | 375 | 100 | 150 | 60 | 800 | 600 | 300 |
0.1° | +30° | 460 | 345 | 175 | 46 | 69 | 28 | 370 | 280 | 135 |
0.2° | -4° | 700 | 525 | 265 | 70 | 105 | 42 | 560 | 420 | 210 |
0.2° | +30° | 325 | 245 | 120 | 33 | 49 | 20 | 260 | 200 | 95 |
0.5° | -4° | 250 | 190 | 94 | 25 | 38 | 15 | 200 | 150 | 75 |
0.5° | +30° | 115 | 86 | 43 | 12 | 17 | 7 | 92 | 69 | 35 |
ASTM D4956 Table 9 Type IX SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 660 | 500 | 250 | 66 | 130 | 30 | 530 | 400 | 200 |
0.1° | +30° | 370 | 280 | 140 | 37 | 74 | 17 | 300 | 220 | 110 |
0.2° | -4° | 380 | 285 | 145 | 38 | 76 | 17 | 300 | 230 | 115 |
0.2° | +30° | 215 | 162 | 82 | 22 | 43 | 10 | 170 | 130 | 65 |
0.5° | -4° | 240 | 180 | 90 | 24 | 48 | 11 | 190 | 145 | 72 |
0.5° | +30° | 135 | 100 | 50 | 14 | 27 | 6.0 | 110 | 81 | 41 |
1.0° | -4° | 80 | 60 | 30 | 8.0 | 16 | 3.6 | 64 | 48 | 24 |
1.0° | +30° | 45 | 34 | 17 | 4.5 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 36 | 27 | 14 |
ASTM D4956 Table 10 Type X SheetingA
Observation Angle | Entrance Angle | White | Yellow | Orange | Green | Red | Blue |
Fluorescent Yellow-Green |
Fluorescent Yellow |
Fluorescent Orange |
0.1° | -4° | 800 | 600 | 300 | 80 | 120 | 40 | 640 | 480 | 240 |
0.1° | +30° | 400 | 300 | 150 | 40 | 60 | 20 | 320 | 240 | 120 |
0.2° | -4° | 560 | 420 | 210 | 56 | 84 | 28 | 450 | 340 | 170 |
0.2° | +30° | 280 | 210 | 105 | 28 | 42 | 14 | 220 | 170 | 84 |
0.5° | -4° | 200 | 150 | 75 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 160 | 120 | 60 |
0.5° | +30° | 100 | 75 | 37 | 10 | 15 | 5.0 | 80 | 60 | 30 |
A Minimum Coefficient of Retroreflection (RA) cd/fc/ft2(cd·lx-1·m-2)
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Federal Specification L–S–300, Sheeting and Tape, Reflective; Nonexposed Lens, Adhesive Backing
On February 6, 1992, L-S-300C, dated March 20, 1979, was superseded by ASTM Standard No. D 4956
Cross Reference Table
L-S-300C Designation | ASTM D 4956 Designation |
Type I | Sheets |
Type II | Rolls |
Class 1 | Class 1 |
Class 2 | Class 2 |
Class 3 | Class 3 |
Class 4 | Class 4 |
Class 5 | Class 5 |
Reflectivity 1 | Type I |
Reflectivity 2 | Type III |
Reflectivity 3 | ------- |
Reflectivity 4 | Type VI |
SAE Standard J594f, Reflex Reflectors, January 1977
This SAE technical report provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for reflex reflectors.
Definitions:
Reflex reflectors are devices that are used on vehicles to give an indication of presence to an approaching driver by reflected light from the headlamps on the approaching vehicle.
The observation angle is the angle between a line from the observation point to the center of the reflector and a second line from the center of the reflector to the source of illumination.
The entrance angle is the angle between the axis of the reflex reflector and a line from the center of the reflector to the source of illumination.
Table 1 - Minimum Millicandelas
per Incident
Lux for a Red Reflex Reflector
Observation Angle |
Entrance Angle (deg) |
||||
0° | 10° | 10° | 20° | 20° | |
0.2° | 420 | 280 | 280 | 140 | 140 |
1.5° | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Table 1A - Minimum Candlepower
per Footcandle -
Red Reflex Reflector
Observation Angle |
Entrance Angle (deg) |
||||
0° | 10° | 10° | 20° | 20° | |
0.2° | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
1.5° | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Coast Guard, DHS 46 CRF § 164.018
This subpart prescribes design requirements, approval tests, and procedures for approving retroreflective material used on lifesaving equipment.
Type I retroreflective material - Material used on flexible surfaces and rigid surfaces, except rigid surfaces that are continuously exposed. It must be capable of being attached to lifesaving equipment either by sewing it to the equipment or by means of an adhesive. For adhesive backed tape, "resistance to accelerated weathering" test method must be performed for 250 hours.
Type II material - Weather resistant material used on continuously exposed rigid surfaces. It must be capable of being attached to lifesaving equipment either by mechanical fasteners or by an adhesive. For adhesive backed tape, "resistance to accelerated weathering" test method must be performed for 1,000 hours.
Divergence angle (Observation angle)1 | Incidence angle (Entrance angle)1 | Reflective intensity (Specific intensity per unit area)1 |
0.2° | -4° | 150 |
0.2° | +30° | 75 |
0.2° | +45° | 50 |
0.5° | -4° | 57 |
0.5° | +30° | 33 |
0.5° | +45° | 25 |
2.0° | -4° | 2.5 |
2.0° | +30° | 2.0 |
2.0° | +45° | 1.0 |
1 These terms are described in Federal Specification L-S-300.
Among other tests, there is a requirement for resistance to water immersion.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) - 49 CFR, FMVSS Part 571.108 Ch. V (10–1–04 Edition) - US
S5.1.1.4 Reflective material conforming to Federal Specification L–S–300, Sheeting and Tape, Reflective; Nonexposed Lens, Adhesive Backing, September 7, 1965, may be used for side reflex reflectors if this material as used on the vehicle, meets the performance standards in either Table I or Table IA of SAE Standard J594f, Reflex Reflectors, January 1977.
S5.1.5 The color in all lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment to which this standard applies shall comply with SAE Standard J578c, Color Specification for Electric Signal Lighting Devices, February 1977.
S5.7 Conspicuity Systems. Each trailer of 80 or more inches overall width, and with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs., manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, except a trailer designed exclusively for living or office use, and each truck tractor manufactured on or after July 1, 1997, shall be equipped with either retroreflective sheeting that meets the requirements of S5.7.1, reflex reflectors that meet the requirements of S5.7.2, or a combination of retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors that meet the requirement of S5.7.3.
S5.7.1 Retroreflective sheeting. Each trailer or truck tractor to which S5.7 applies that does not conform to S5.7.2 or S5.7.3 shall be equipped with retroreflective sheeting that conforms to the requirements specified in S5.7.1.1 through S5.7.1.5.
S5.7.1.1 Construction. Retroreflective sheeting shall consist of a smooth, flat, transparent exterior film with retroreflective elements embedded or suspended beneath the film so as to form a non-exposed retroreflective optical system.
S5.7.1.2 Performance requirements. Retroreflective sheeting shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4956–90, Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control, for Type V Sheeting, except for the photometric requirements, and shall meet the minimum photometric performance requirements specified in Figure 29.
S5.7.1.3 Sheeting pattern, dimensions, and relative coefficients of retroreflection.
(a) Retroreflective sheeting shall be applied in a pattern of alternating white and red color segments to the sides and rear of each trailer, and to the rear of each truck tractor, and in white to the upper rear corners of each trailer and truck tractor, in the locations specified in S5.7.1.4, and Figures 30–1 through 30–4, or Figure 31, as appropriate.
(b) Except for a segment that is trimmed to clear obstructions, or lengthened to provide red sheeting near red lamps, each white or red segment shall have a length of 300 mm ±150 mm.
(c) Neither white nor red sheeting shall represent more than two thirds of the aggregate of any continuous strip marking the width of a trailer, or any continuous or broken strip marking its length.
(d) Retroreflective sheeting shall have a width of not less than 50 mm (Grade DOT-C2), 75 mm (Grade DOTC3), or 100 mm (Grade DOT-C4).
(e) The coefficients for retroreflection of each segment of red or white sheeting shall be not less than the minimum values specified in Figure 29 of this standard for grades DOT– C2, DOT–C3, and DOT–C4.
S5.7.2 Reflex Reflectors. Each trailer or truck tractor to which S5.7 applies that does not conform to S5.7.1 or
S5.7.3 shall be equipped with reflex reflectors in accordance with this section.
S5.7.2.1 (a) Each reflex reflector shall conform to SAE Standard J594f, Reflex Reflectors, January 1977.
(b) Each red reflex reflector shall also provide, at an observation angle of 0.2 degree, not less than 300 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle between 30 degrees left and 30 degrees right, including an entrance angle of 0 degree, and not less than 75 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle between 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right.
(c) Each white reflex reflector shall also provide at an observation angle of 0.2 degree, not less than 1250 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle between 30 degrees left and 30 degrees right, including an entrance angle of 0 degree, and not less than 300 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle between 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right.
(d) A white reflex reflector complying with S5.7.2.1(a) and (c) when tested in a horizontal orientation may be installed in all orientations specified for rear upper locations in S5.7.1.4.1(b) or S5.7.1.4.3(b) if, when tested in a vertical orientation, it provides an observation angle of 0.2 degree not less than 1680 millicandelas/lux at a light entrance angle of 0 degree, not less than 1120 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle from 10 degrees down to 10 degrees up, and not less than 560 millicandelas/lux at any light entrance angle from 20 degrees right to 20 degrees left.
Entrance angle | Observation angle | Grade | |||
0.2° | 0.5° | ||||
White | Red | White | Red | ||
-4° | 250 | 60 | 65 | 15 | DOT–C2 |
30° | 250 | 60 | 65 | 15 | DOT–C2 |
45° | 60 | 15 | 15 | 4 | DOT–C2 |
-4 ° | 165 | 40 | 43 | 10 | DOT–C3 |
30° | 165 | 40 | 43 | 10 | DOT–C3 |
45° | 40 | 10 | 10 | 3 | DOT–C3 |
-4 ° | 125 | 30 | 33 | 8 | DOT–C4 |
30° | 125 | 30 | 33 | 8 | DOT–C4 |
45° | 30 | 8 | 8 | 2 | DOT–C4 |
Reflective material. A material conforming to Federal Specification L-S-300, “Sheeting and Tape, Reflective; Non-exposed Lens, Adhesive Backing,” (September 7, 1965) meeting the performance standard in either Table 1 or Table 1A of SAE Standard J594f, “Reflex Reflectors” (January, 1977).
Reflex reflector. A device which is used on a vehicle to give an indication to an approaching driver by reflected lighted from the lamps on the approaching vehicle.
Required Motor Vehicle Lighting Equipment -- Section S5.1 of TSD 108
(10) Where reflective material referred to in paragraph S5.1.1.4 of TSD 108 is applied to a non-vertical surface, the entrance angle used to demonstrate that the material conforms to the performance standards prescribed by that paragraph shall be the sum of the entrance angle specified in Table 1 or Table 1A of SAE Standard J594f, Reflex Reflectors (January 1977) and the angle by which the material deviates from the vertical, measured on the horizontal centreline of the sheeting.
Conspicuity Systems -- Section S5.7 of TSD 108
(21) Notwithstanding section S5.7 of TSD 108, the colour of retroreflective sheeting applied to a vehicle pursuant to paragraphs S5.7.1.4.1(a) and S5.7.1.4.2 of TSD 108 may be white, yellow, white and yellow, or white and red, in accordance with paragraphs 3.1.3, 3.1.2 and 3.1.1 of SAE Standard J578, Color Specification (May 1988).
(22) Where retroreflective sheeting referred to in paragraph S5.7.1.2 of TSD 108 is applied to a non-vertical surface, the entrance angle used to demonstrate compliance with the photometric requirements prescribed by that paragraph shall be the sum of the value shown in column 1 of Figure 29 of TSD 108 and the angle by which the material deviates from the vertical, measured at the horizontal centreline of the sheeting.
(23) The retroreflective sheeting applied to the rear of a trailer pursuant to paragraph S5.7.1.4.1(c) of TSD 108 shall be located not more than 760 mm above the road surface and extend to within 450 mm of the extreme outer edges of the trailer.
(24) Where a vehicle is equipped with yellow retroreflective sheeting, the sheeting shall meet the photometric requirements of the following table:
Minimum Coefficient of Retroreflection (cd/lx/m2) |
|||
Grade | Entrance Angle | Observation Angle of 0.2° | Observation Angle of 0.5° |
DOT-C2 | -4° | 188 | 49 |
DOT-C2 | 30° | 188 | 49 |
DOT-C2 | 45° | 45 | 11 |
DOT-C3 | -4° | 124 | 32 |
DOT-C3 | 30° | 124 | 32 |
DOT-C3 | 45° | 30 | 8 |
DOT-C4 | -4° | 94 | 25 |
DOT-C4 | 30° | 94 | 25 |
DOT-C4 | 45° | 23 | 6 |
SAE J594, JUL97- Reflex Reflectors
SAE J1967 Retroreflective Material for Vehicle Conspicuity
SAE J2041 Reflex Reflectors for use on Vehicles 2032mm or more in overall width
SAE J774 Emergency Warning Device (Triangular Shape)
FMVSS 125 (49CFR571.125) Warning Devices (Emergency Warning Triangles)
SAE J943 Slow-Moving Vehicle Identification Emblem
ASTM D4280 Standard Specification for Extended Life Type, Nonplowable, Prismatic, Raised, Retroreflective Pavement Markers
ASTM D4383 Standard Specification for Plowable, Raised Retroreflective Pavement Markers
ANSI S276.5 (ANSI/ASAE S276.5) Slow Moving Vehicle Identification Emblem
CPSC 1512 (16CFR1512) Requirements for Bicycle
USPS-S-1087H Sheeting and Printed Markings, Retroreflective
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