ASTM E809-02

1.1 This practice describes the general procedures for instrumental measurement of the photometric characteristics of retroreflective materials and retroreflective devices.

1.2 This practice is a comprehensive guide to the photometry of retroreflectors but does not include geometric terms that are described in Practice E 808.

1.3 This practice describes the parameters that are required when stating photometric measurements in specific tests and specifications for retroreflectors.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

This practice describes procedures used to measure photometric quantities that relate to the visual perception of retroreflected light. The most significant usage is in the relation to the nighttime vehicle headlamp, retroreflector, and driver’eye geometry. For this reason the CIE Standard Source A is used to represent a tungsten vehicle headlamp and the receptor has the photopic, V (λ), spectral responsivity corresponding to the light adapted human eye. Although the geometry must be specified by the user, it will, in general, correspond to the relation between the vehicle headlamp, the retroreflector, and the vehicle driver’eye position.