Evaluation of Retroreflective Pavement Markers for Precision and Nonprecision Runways

Details

• Creators:
  Brown, Guy S.
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Technical Center
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Systems Research and Development
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Airport Runways Lighting Reflectorized Road Markings Retroreflectivity Road Marking Materials Visual Aids
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FAA/CT-82/164
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center
• Abstract:
  This project involved the evaluation of retroreflective pavement markers installed to duplicate the patterns of runway centerline and touchdown zone lighting systems used for Category II runways. The purpose was to ( 1) determine whether the markers could enhance nighttime visual guidance and reduce minimums for Category I precision or non-precision approaches and (2) determine if such guidance could provide increased safety of operations, particularly under wet runway conditions. Flight tests were conducted at two airports, one with a 150- by 6,144-foot runway and the other 100 by 2,950 feet. The shorter runway required a scaled down or abbreviated touchdown zone and color coded runway centerline. Visual contact height with the retroreflective pavement marker systems was not enhanced prior to reaching Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) or Decision Height (DH) for non-precision or Category I approaches, respectively; therefore, this system will not permit the reduction in approach minimums for Category I precision or non-precision approaches. However, the test program demonstrated that, in the opinion of a widely diversified sample of user pilots, the system is effective in improving the safety of operation for final approach, flare, touchdown, landing, 4 rollout, and for takeoffs. Under rainy, wet nighttime conditions, the subject pilots felt that the pavement retroreflectors significantly enhanced visual guidance; supplementing that which is provided by the standard runway edge lights and paint ~ markings. The abbreviated touchdown zone and centerline markers were effective, acceptable to the pilots, and offer an improvement in the safety of operations for critically short runways.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  081-502-520
• Collection(s):
  Autonomous Vehicles University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6092326bc30468859fdab600cb3a4150605b6df9e0107a692c0431369b92b021019227f69b66f5899fc9cbe6917cd9811839e99571d724fad43bb60691af6e4a
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92432/dot_92432_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.43 MB ]