![]() These glass beads bend the light that enters the sign. Some materials consist of glass beads in front of a mirrored surface. The way a retroreflective material works depends on its construction. These materials are retroreflective that is, they send the majority of the light that hits them back to the source. Consequently, most of the light that hits the material is diffused rather than returned.įor applications that require high conspicuity like emergency service vehicle markings and traffic signs, it is necessary to use materials that are more efficient at returning light. ![]() Often, the light that hits a surface does so at an angle, meaning it bounces off the surface in multiple other directions too. ![]() All surfaces are reflective to some degree – that’s how we are able to see them – but many do so inefficiently. Retroreflectivity is distinguished from reflectivity by the amount of light returned to its source. What is the difference between reflective & retroreflective? There are several different grades of retroreflective materials available according to your specifications: engineering grade, high intensity, and micro prismatic. A factor which is increasingly important in countries, such as the UK, where the driving population is getting older. Sign retroreflectivity is critical to road safety, enabling users to see and understand the information presented by traffic signs even during poor weather or at night. The prefix ‘retro’ means ‘backwards’, and this is precisely what differentiates it from standard reflectivity – more on that below!Ī high quality retroreflective material will return around 60% of a directed light beam back to its source, which is why they are often utilised in traffic sign construction. What is retroreflectivity?Ī retroreflective material reflects a significant proportion of the light that hits it back to the source. ![]() In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about retroreflectivity, the physics behind it, and why it’s critical to road safety. We know the power of these materials to improve safety for all road users, and are dedicated to providing local authorities and private landowners alike with the best technology on the market. Lakeside Group is a leading supplier of quality retroreflective products for permanent and temporary traffic signs. With the power to enhance the visibility of all signs even in dark and inclement conditions, retroreflective materials are integral elements of road safety. Describing the ability of a material to reflect the majority of light that hits it back to its source, retroreflectivity is critical for traffic sign construction. Sometimes in the traffic and road safety industry, you might come across the term ‘retroreflective’. ![]()
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