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Designation: D 4280 – 00

Standard Specification for

Extended Life Type, Nonplowable, Prismatic, Raised,
Retroreflective Pavement Markers1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4280; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope Capillary Viscometer3

1.1 This specification covers nonplowable, retroreflective, D 2172 Test Methods for Quantitative Extraction of Bitu-
raised pavement markers for lane marking and delineation for men from Bituminous Paving Mixtures3
nighttime visibility. D 2176 Test Method for Folding Endurance of Paper by the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the M.I.T. Tester7
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information D 2669 Test Method for Apparent Viscosity of Petroleum
only. Waxes Compounded with Additives (Hot Melts)8
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the D 3935 Specification for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and
test methods portion, Section 9, of this specification: This Reinforced Material9
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, D 4402 Test Method for Viscosity Determinations of Un-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the userfilled Asphalts Using the Brookfield Thermoset Apparatus4
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health D 5329 Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied,
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- for Joints and Cracks in Asphaltic and Portland Cement

iTeh Standards
tions prior to use. Concrete Pavements3
E 284 Terminology of Appearance10
2. Referenced Documents E 308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by
2.1 ASTM Standards: (https://standards.iteh.ai)
C 184 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
Using the CIE System10
E 808 Practice for Describing Retroreflection10
the 150-µm (No. 100) and 75-µm (No. 200) Sieves2
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C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
E 809 Practice for Measuring Photometric Characteristics
of Retroreflectors10
the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve 2 E 811 Practice for Measuring Colorimetric Characteristics
D 5 Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials3 of Retroreflectors Under Nighttime Conditions10
ASTM
D 36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring- D4280-00
2.2 Federal Specifications:11
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and-Ball Apparatus) 4 FF-W-1825A Wool and Gauze, Metallic
D 70 Test Method for Density of Semi–Solid Bituminous TT-T-291 Thinner, Paint, Mineral Spirits, Regular and
Materials (Pycnometer Method) 3 Odorless
D 92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland 2.3 AASHTO Standards:12
Open Cup5 AASHTO No. M237 Epoxy Resin Adhesive for Bonding
D 788 Classification System for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Traffic Markers to Hardened Concrete
(PMMA) Molding and Extrusion Compounds6 AASHTO No. T237 Testing Epoxy Resin Adhesive
D 1754 Test Method for Effects of Heat and Air on Asphal-
3. Terminology
tic Materials (Thin-Film Oven Test)3
D 1856 Test Method for Recovery of Asphalt from Solution 3.1 Definitions:
by Abson Method 3 3.1.1 coeffıcient of luminous intensity, RI (specific
D 2171 Test Method for Viscosity of Asphalts by Vacuum intensity)—the ratio of the luminous intensity (I) of the
retroreflector in the direction of observation to the illuminance
1
(E) at the retroreflector on a plane perpendicular to the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.38 on
Highway Traffic Materials.
7
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2000. Published April 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
8
published as D 4280 – 83. Last previous edition D 4280 – 96. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
2 9
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
3 10
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
4 11
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.04. Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
5 12
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Officials, 444 N. Capitol, Washington, DC 20001.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 4280
direction of the incident light, expressed in candelas per lux 5. Ordering Information
(cd/lx) (see Practice E 808 and Terminology E 284). 5.1 Orders for material under this specification should
3.1.1.1 Discussion—When values are low the coefficient of include the following information:
(retroreflected) luminous intensity may be given in millican- 5.1.1 Quantity,
delas per lux. In inch-pound units, RI is given in candelas per 5.1.2 Type of marker: retroreflective one way, or retrore-
footcandle (cd/fc). Historically, the term specific intensity and flective two way,
symbol (SI) have been used to designate this term but RI is 5.1.3 Color of marker, and
preferred. 5.1.4 Surface condition, as-molded or abrasion resistant
3.1.2 color—expressed by chromaticity coordinates accord-
ing to the CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage 6. Requirements for Retroreflective Markers
1931) standard colorimetric system. 6.1 Construction:
3.1.3 horizontal entrance angle—the angle in the horizontal 6.1.1 Markers shall be of the prismatic reflector type.
plane between the direction of incident light and the normal to 6.1.2 The retroreflecting area shall be molded of methyl
the leading edge of the marker. methacrylate material (see Classification D 788, Grade 8),
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This angle corresponds to the second impact modified methyl methacrylate (Classification D 788,
component of the entrance angle b2. The direction given in see Note 1) or polycarbonate (Specification D 3935, Grade
Practice E 808 should be used when designating this angle. PC110B34750).
3.1.4 observation angle—the angle at the reflector between
NOTE 1—A grade has not been stipulated because the committee
the illumination axis and the observation axis. (See also
responsible has not yet assigned a number.
Practice E 808.)
3.1.5 retroreflection—reflection in which radiation is re- 6.1.3 Marker height shall not exceed 20.3 mm (0.80 in.).
turned in directions close to the direction from which it came, 6.1.4 Marker width shall not exceed 130 mm (5.1 in.).
this property being maintained over wide variations of the 6.1.5 The angle between the face of the marker and the base
direction of incident radiation. shall be no greater than 45°.
6.1.6 The base of the marker shall be substantially free from
4. Classification
iTeh Standards
4.1 Markers should be classified as to type, color, and
gloss or substances that may reduce its bond to adhesive.
6.1.7 The base of the marker shall be flat within 1.3 mm
surface characteristics.
4.1.1 Types of Markers: (https://standards.iteh.ai)(0.05 in.). If the bottom of the marker is configurated, the
outermost faces of the configurations shall not deviate more
4.1.1.1 Type A—Two-way reflective markers, one color. than 1.3 mm (0.05 in.) from a flat surface.
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4.1.1.2 Type B—One-way reflective markers, one color.
4.1.1.3 Type D—One-way reflective markers, two colors
6.1.8 Other construction meeting the performance require-
ments will be acceptable following a six-month road test
(one-way reflective red with non-reflecting white surface on during the time of the year when weather and traffic conditions
opposite side). ASTM D4280-00
are most critical to determine cleanability and durability.
4.1.1.4 Type E—Two-way reflective markers, two colors. 6.2 Performance Requirements:
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4.1.2 Color of Markers: 6.2.1 For flat bottom markers, adhesive bond strength mea-
4.1.2.1 W—White. sured in accordance with 9.1 shall be not less than 3.4 MPa
4.1.2.2 Y—Yellow. (500 psi). Flat bottom markers passing the 3.4 MPa (500 psi)
4.1.2.3 R—Red. requirement when tested with epoxy will be considered accept-
4.1.2.4 B—Blue. able also for installation using bitumen as the adhesive. No
4.1.2.5 G—Green. suitable laboratory method for evaluating the adherence of
4.1.3 Surface Characteristics: configurated-bottom (“waffle”-bottom) markers to either port-
4.1.3.1 No designation—Marker with plastic lens surface. land cement or asphalt roads has been developed.
4.1.3.2 Designated H—Marker with hard, abrasion-resistant 6.2.2 Coefficient of luminous intensity measured in accor-
lens surface. dance with 9.2 shall be not less than the values in Table 1.
4.2 Show classification in the order detailed in 4.1.1 through 6.2.3 Physical Properties:
4.1.3.2: type, color, and surface condition. For example, 6.2.3.1 Flexural Strength (for markers with length and
ERWH is a two-way red and white marker with abrasion width both equal to or greater than 4 in.)—Tested in accor-
resistant surface. dance with 9.3.1, a marker shall withstand 909 kg (2000 lb)
TABLE 1 Coefficient of Luminous Intensity RI

NOTE 1—Entrance angle component b1 and rotation angle e are 0°.

Minimum Value RI, mcd/lx
Entrance Angle b2 Observation Angle a
White Yellow Red Green Blue
0° 0.2° 279 167 70 93 26
+ 20°/−20° 0.2° 112 67 28 37 10
Minimum Value RI, cd/fc
Entrance Angle b2 Observation Angle a
White Yellow Red Green Blue
0° 0.2° 3.0 1.8 0.75 1.0 0.28
+ 20°/−20° 0.2° 1.2 0.72 0.30 0.4 0.11

2
 D 4280
without breakage or significant deformation. Significant defor- 6.2.4.4 Blue
mation shall be understood to be 3.3 mm (0.13 in.). Point No. x y
1 0.039 0.320
6.2.3.2 Compressive Strength (for markers with length or 2 0.160 0.320
width less than 4 in.)—Tested in accordance with 9.3.2, a 3 0.160 0.240
marker shall support a load of 2727 kg (6000 lb) without 4 0.183 0.218
5 0.088 0.142
breakage or significant deformation of the marker. Significant
deformation shall be understood to be 3.3 mm (0.13 in.). 6.2.4.5 Green
6.2.4 Color—When the retroreflector is illuminated by CIE Point No. x y
1 0.009 0.733
Standard Source A and when measured in accordance with 9.4, 2 0.288 0.520
the color of the retroreflected light shall fall within the color 3 0.209 0.395
4 0.012 0.494
gamuts given by the following corner points and shown in Fig.
1. 6.2.5 Resistance to Lens Cracking—(abrasion resistant
6.2.4.1 White markers only).
Point No. x y 6.2.5.1 Lens Impact Strength—When impacted in accor-
1 0.310 0.348 dance with 9.5.1, the face of the lens shall show no more than
2 0.453 0.440 two radial cracks longer than 6.4 mm (0.25 in.). There shall be
3 0.500 0.440
4 0.500 0.380 no radial cracks extending to the edge of the abrasion resistant
5 0.440 0.380 area. There shall be no delamination.
6 0.310 0.283
6.2.5.2 Temperature Cycling—When subjected to tempera-
6.2.4.2 Yellow ture cycling in accordance with 9.5.2 there shall be no cracking
Point No. x y or delamination.
1 0.545 0.424
2 0.559 0.439 7. Sampling
3 0.609 0.390
4

6.2.4.3 Red
0.597
iTeh Standards
7.1 For markers not resistant to abrasion, sample size shall
0.390
be twenty markers for each lot of 10 000 markers or less and
forty markers for each lot of more than 10 000 markers. For
Point No.
1
2
x
0.650
0.668
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
y
markers with an abrasion resistant surface, ten additional
0.330
samples shall be required. Lot size shall not exceed 25 000
0.330
3
4
0.734
0.721 Document 0.265
0.259Preview
markers.

8. Number of Tests and Retests

8.1 For coefficient of luminous intensity (9.2.1), the entire
ASTM D4280-00
sample of retroreflective pavement markers shall be tested.
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Failure of more than 10 % of the reflective faces shall be cause
for rejection of the entire lot represented by the sample. For
abrasion resistant markers, in addition to the test of 9.2.1, four
reflective faces passing the photometric requirements of 9.2.1
shall be subjected to abrasion (9.2.2) and remeasured; failure of
more than one sample shall be cause for rejection of the entire
lot.
8.2 For adhesive bond strength (9.1), flexural strength
(9.3.1), compressive strength (9.3.2), and color (9.4) three
specimens shall be tested. Specimens previously subjected to
photometry (9.2.1), color (9.4) and the abrasion specified for
9.2.2 may be used for tests of adhesive bond strength (9.1),
flexural strength (9.3.1) and compressive strength (9.3.2).
Failure of more than one specimen shall be cause for rejection
of the entire lot.
8.3 For abrasion resistant markers only, for lens impact
strength (9.5.1) and resistance to temperature cycling (9.5.2),
ten specimens shall be tested for each requirement. Failure of
more than one of the specimens in either test shall be cause for
rejection of the entire lot.
8.4 At the discretion of the engineer, a resample may be
taken consisting of double the number of samples originally
tested. Tolerances for resamples shall be in the same ratio as
FIG. 1 Color Gamut per 6.2.4 specified above.