The effectiveness of retroreflective tape on heavy trailers.

Author(s)
Morgan, C.
Year
Abstract

This report evaluates the effectiveness of retroreflective tape in enhancing the visibility of heavy trailers and reducing side and rear impacts by other vehicles into these trailers during dark conditions. It is based on a statistical analysis of 10,959 crash cases investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Pennsylvania State Police in 1997 - 1999. The tape is quite effective. It reduced side and rear impacts into trailers, in dark conditions (including "dark-not-lighted," "dark-lighted," "dawn," and "dusk") by 29 percent. In "dark-not-lighted" conditions, the tape reduced side and rear impact crashes by 41 percent. Tape is especially effective in reducing injury crashes. In dark conditions, it reduced side and rear impacts that resulted in fatalities or injuries to drivers of any vehicle by 44 percent. (A)

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Publication

Library number
20010676 ST [electronic version only]
Source

Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of Transportation DOT, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, 2001, VIII + 55 p., 9 ref.; NHTSA Technical Report ; DOT HS 809 222

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