As the world's vehicle population continues to increase, there is an even greater increase in the number of long and heavy vehicles. Coupled with increased speeds, and an ageing population resulting in more and more older drivers, the need for better visibility of trucks becomes evident, especially at night. Recently the united nations commission for Europe has approved a regulation for the mandatory rear marking of trucks, which provides for a bright retroreflective and/or fluorescent panel to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle. In the united states, the national highway traffic safety administration has recently evaluated and field tested vehicle reflectorisation effectiveness and has issued a preliminary report "improved commercial vehicle conspicuity and signalling systems." the report indicates that vehicle-into-large-truck accidents produce a disproportionately large number of fatalities. It is presumed that increasing a truck's visibility will reduce the number of vehicle collisions with trucks. An analysis was made of specific accidents involving approximately 2000 trucks fitted with retroreflective panels and matched with 2000 trucks without reflectorisation. Over a 23 month period and 170 million kilometres of exposure it was found that there was a statistically significant reduction in the vehicle collisions into reflective truck trailer units of 16.3% and 21.2%, respectively daytime and night-time. Measures have already been taken in several countries to require retroreflective devices on trucks. In other countries fleet operators/owners are taking it upon themselves to use retroreflective material, graphically creating a positive image displaying their company logo, improving at the same time night-time visibility warning approaching motorists of a potential hazard. (A) For the covering abstract of the proceedings see IRRD 817883.
Abstract