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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation
Attachment D
SPECIFICATION FOR NON-PLOWABLE RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS
September 15, 2008
1. DESCRIPTION
This specification identifies the minimum requirements for non-plowable raised pavement markers designed for attachment to the road surface to reflect light from approaching vehicle headlights back to the driver. The markers are primarily used as a supplement to, or in place of, temporary pavement markings on construction, maintenance and utility projects.
2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Materials. All materials shall meet the requirements of these specifications and no material shall be used until the Materials and Testing Division, Bureau of Construction and Materials has tested it, and been approved by the Department.
2.1.1 Markers. Markers shall either be of the high-impact plastic shell type or of a flexible L-shaped polyurethane body. The plastic shell or the flexible L-shaped polyurethane body shall consist of a brightly colored material, which is similar to the color of the paint line to provide daytime target value. The minimum area of the marker shall be 5 square inches (3225 square millimeters), excluding the reflective area.
2.2 Retroreflective Material. The retroreflective material shall be a prismatic reflector or retroreflective sheeting on one or both faces of the vertical section.
2.2.1 Prismatic Reflector. The lens shall be constructed of a series of
integral cells containing a single or dual prismatic cube capable of providing total internal reflection of the light entering the lens face. The prismatic retroreflective lens face(s) should be covered or coated to provide an extremely hard and durable abrasion-resistant surface.
2.2.2 Reflective Sheeting. The retroreflective material shall be a
sheeting material which satisfies the Department’s specifications for ASTM Type III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, or X retroreflective sheeting.
2.3 Reflective Area. Minimum reflective area on each face shall be 0.70
square inch (450 square millimeters).
2.4 Color. The color of the retroreflectors when illuminated by automobile
headlights shall be white, yellow or red as required; off-colors shall constitute grounds for rejection.
2.5 Cover. Chip-seal markers shall have a cover over the reflective area
which can be removed easily.
2.6 Adhesive. Chip-seal markers shall be manufactured with a pressure
sensitive adhesive coating on the base of the marker.
3. OPTICAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Definitions
(a) "Horizontal entrance angle." The angle in the horizontal plane between the direction of incident light and the normal to the leading edge of the reflector.
(b) "Observation angle." The angle at the reflector between the observer's line of sight and the direction of the light incident on the reflector.
(c) "Specific intensity." Candlepower of the returned light at the chosen observation and entrance angles for each foot-candle of illumination at the reflector on a plane perpendicular to the incident light.
3.2 Optical Testing Procedure.
3.2.1 Prismatic Reflector. The specific intensity of each reflector face
at a 0.2 degree observation angle shall not be less than the following when the incident light is parallel to the base of the reflector:
Horizontal Entrance Angle White Yellow Red
0 degree 2.5 1.7 1.00
20 degrees 1.2 0.80 0.35
3.2.2 Reflective Sheeting. The sheeting material shall satisfy the
requirements of the Department's specifications for ASTM Type III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, or X Type V retroreflective sheeting.
4. FIELD TESTING
Non-plowable raised pavement markers submitted for certification will be issued a Provisional Certificate of Approval upon conforming to the requirements of Sections 2 and 3.
4.1 Testing. After receiving provisional approval the markers shall be installed on at least two overlay or chip-seal operations.
Markers shall be placed at 5-foot (1.5 meters) centers for a minimum of 250 feet (75 meters) to simulate a solid white or yellow temporary pavement marking line. Prior to use on any of these experimental projects, the manufacturer shall submit the name and telephone number of the user, the project location, and the anticipated date of use to the Department. In order to be approved, the markers must meet the following:
(a) The markers will be reviewed by Department personnel and at lease 75% of the markers shall be in place at the end of a two-week period.
(b) Department personnel will view the markers during day and night conditions and subjectively determine if the markers provide adequate day and night target values.
5. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
Prior to their use on any public highway within the Commonwealth, all non-plowable raised pavement markers shall be tested in accordance with this specification and for which a Provisional Certificate of Approval has been issued by the Department in conformance with (Section 2 and 3) of this specification. For testing purposes, a minimum of six samples of each color for which approval is requested, along with a Product Evaluation (PEQ) Form, shall be submitted to: Chief, Materials and Testing Division, Bureau of Construction and Materials, 1118 State Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120.
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James P. Tenaglia, P.E., Chief
Risk Management and Administrative Services Division