In August, 2022, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published a final rule adding provisions for maintaining minimum levels of pavement marking retroreflectivity to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  These minimum retroreflectivity levels high-speed, high volume roadways (35 to 70+ mph, 6,000+ vehicles per day), broadly speaking. While these minimums do no apply to the markings on a majority of local agency roads, Iowa LTAP still wants to provide local agencies with the capability of directly measuring pavement marking retroreflectivity if they want to do so.  The DELTA LTL3500 pavement marking retroreflectometer provides that means.

The device works similar to a sign retroreflectometer.  After turning the device on, it is placed on the pavement marking location that will be measured, and user presses a button to collect the measurement.  Measurements are collected in dry, daylight conditions, as the unit is designed to block out ambient light and mimic vehicle headlights.  Data is stored electronically within the memory of the device for later download and review in the office.  The unit is lightweight and has an extendable handle, allowing the user to collect measurement while walking along a roadway without having to stoop down to pavement level.  Please note, this device does not measure sign retroreflectivity.

To request use of the pavement marking retroreflectometer, please complete the request form below.