Retroreflectivity: An Essential Tool for Improving Visibility

The risk of dying in a crash at night is nearly three times the risk of dying in daylight hours. Lack of visibility is identified as a key factor for nighttime crashes. This article exams a variety of means for improving visibility and suggests that retroreflectivity is a critical ingredient in creating a much safer road environment. The efforts of FHWA and state agencies in regard to retroreflectivity are summarized. It is expected that the cooperation among federal, state, and organizations such as the National Association of County Engineers, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, Institute of Transportation Engineers, State DOTs, the American Traffic Safety Services Association and others will lead to minimum levels of retroreflectivity that will be maintainable, increase nighttime safety on the roads and ultimately result in fewer crashes, injuries and fatalities on our roads at night.