Determining the influence of factors on retroreflective properties of traffic signs
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CULS), Faculty of Engineering, Department of Vehicles and Ground Transport, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Correspondence: khrapova@tf.czu.cz
Abstract:
One of the distinguishing features of future autonomous cars is the ability to take into account and communicate with traffic infrastructure. Thereby detection and recognition of vertical traffic signing is an obvious requirement. Automatic recognition of traffic signs allows to check driver’s reaction time, if it is necessary to react, and in that way to contribute to and increase the road safety. It is especially important in the darkness when the retroreflective sheeting materials on the traffic signs help to increase visibility. Unfortunately, environmental conditions around the traffic signs exert considerable influence on the sign’s surface and alter their retroreflective properties. Many scientists explored different impacts on retroreflective properties of signs. Some impacts attracted more attention (such as detection distances and deterioration with age), some impacts were studied by several scientists only (such as dew and frost) and some factors were even omitted at all (e.g. the temperature during measurements of in-service signs). The paper is focused on the impact analysis of insufficiently explored factors influencing retroreflective properties of traffic sings. The findings of this research can support the development of further experimental research and could become a basis of reliable traffic signs usage on modern and smart roads.
Key words:
autonomous cars, meteorological conditions, quality of signing, traffic safety