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Measuring & lab

Laboratory

The laboratory has established a management system standards: CSN EN ISO 17025 - "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.", which is required for laboratories providing control for the Directorate of Roads and Highways of the Czech Republic. In this system includes test methods to measure the performance parameters of road signs, namely:

Vertical traffic signs:

  • Measurement of the coefficient of retroreflection (RA)
  • Measurement of brightness and color

Road markings:

  • Measurement of the diffusion coefficient of brightness illumination Qd
  • Measurement of the specific factors of intensity RL
  • Measurement of trichromatic coordinates and luminance factor

Specialized laboratory staff has great devices verified by the Czech Metrological Institute, whose data are processed by appropriate computer technology, equipped with special software.

 

ZRM 6014 Determining the value of RL and QD for road markings in one compact unit. It is suitable for all types of road markings - flat, shaped, colored, wet or dry.

 

 

 

 

 

ZRS 6060Retroreflectometer determines the coefficient of retroreflection RA in night vision for all types of retroreflective traffic signs with automatic indication of the color code. Reliable measurement results within seconds.

 

 

 

 

MiniScan EZ The spectrophotometer is a compact versatile instrument for measuring color with geometry 45 ° / 0 °. They can be used in various industrial sectors.

 

 

 

 

 

Control of road sings

According to the category of infrastructure is required road signs of relevant functional parameters. Requirements for individual parameters are listed in the relevant standards with which the measured values are compared, and then evaluated on the measurement. These can be the basis for Communication Manager, Suppliers of traffic signs and other institutions and organizations. Part of our company is accredited laboratory that checks the functional parameters (especially retroreflectivity and color) both road markings and vertical traffic signs. The actual measurements are carried out with the latest devices that are currently available on the market (ZRS 6060, ZRM 6014, MiniScanEZ). Of course there is a valid calibration and professionally trained staff. Along with the measurement of the functional parameters are collected additional data and data describing the state of road signs, which are important for the passport of road signs.

Examples of materials and their functional properties

Vertical traffic signs

Road markings

Road markings

Functional (satisfactory) road markings means that 90% of measured points of road markings section corresponds to the Qd, RL, b, x, y. Requirements for the values of functional parameters of road markings specifies standard: EN 1436 + A1-road markings and technical conditions of the Ministry of Transport: TP 70 - Principles for implementing and testing of road markings.

 

Qd - Brightness diffusion coefficient that represents the lighting visibility of road markings as marking seen by drivers of motor vehicles for a typical or average daylight or in artificial light the road at a distance of 30 m.

RL - luminous intensity factor determines the visibility of road markings as marking seen by drivers of motor vehicles in light headlights of their vehicles of their vehicles, also at a distance of 30 m.

 

 

The color scheme reflects the color properties of road markings and the identification of the factors brightness and color.

b - luminance factor - the ratio of brightness to the brightness of the sample ideally matt white surface realized freshly steamed flat magnesium oxide.

x,y - chromaticity is color quality of light defined by trichromatic coordinates x, y in colorimetric triangle CIE.

Inside track

Source: Intertraffic World/Annual Showcase 2015/Peter Speer, Pexco, USA

Protected bicycle lanes increase the safety of all road users and reduce traffic congestion by encouraging more people to use their bikes.

 

If you spend time in Chicago, New York or Washington DC, you can’t help but notice the bright green pavements, the flexible white bollards and the increasing number of cyclists riding in newly created, protected bike lanes. By using devices such as bollards, curbs and planters to separate bicycles and automobile traffic, these protected lanes create safer routes for cyclists. A landmark report by the New York Department of City Planning in May 1999 entitled Making Streets Safe for Cycling: Strategies for Improved Bicycle Safety, analyzed theoretical and existing on-street cycling facilities designed to minimize conflicts between cyclists and other road users. One of their key recommendations was to develop techniques to improve conventional lane definition, in conjunction with improved cycle crossings; flexible bollards or other physical separators are recommended for center-median and contraflow bicycle lanes. 

 

 

 

Subsequent to this report, New York began to build miles of bike lanes, separated from vehicle traffic lanes, many with flexible bollards, as recommended in the 1999 report. Eventually New York City achieved more than 250 miles of bike lanes and has seen notable improvements in ridership and safety. According to the local DOT, streets with bike lanes see 40% fewer cyclist crashes ending in death or serious injury than those without. When a protected bike lane was installed on Manhattan’s Ninth Avenue, traffic-related injuries to cyclists dropped by 50%. Protected bike lanes can benefit pedestrians as well as cyclists if refuge islands, which shorten the crossing distance of wide avenues for people on foot, are included.         


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