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The Effectiveness of Retro-Reflective Tape at the Rear of Heavy Trucks: Enhancing Visibility and Reducing Rear-End Collisions

Introduction This information in this article is derived in part from a study conducted by the IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety Studies). The studies goal was to determine how varying reflective tape patterns and colors, as well as tape widths affect vehicle visibility for approaching drivers. While the primary focus was on rear-end …

Definition of Chromaticity of Retro Reflective Sheeting / Tape

The Science of Color as it Pertains to Retro Reflective Signs Color is a universal language. At traffic lights across the country and around the world, drivers understand to stop on red and to go on green. For signs, drivers recognize yellow as caution, red as stop, white as the speed limit, and green as …

Definition of Entrance and Observation Angles for Retro Reflective Tape (sheeting)

Technical data sheets on retro reflective tape often reference the terms “Entrance Angle” and “Observation Angle”.  Normally something to the effect of – (Observation Angle : .20 / Entrance Angle : -4) or (Observation Angle – .50 / Entrance Angle : 30), where the observation metric is normally very small, and the entrance metric being …

history road signs

History (Invention) of Reflective Traffic Signs

The Beginning of Reflective Signs – (www.tapedealer.com) The history of reflective elements on signage began with the creation of the Cataphote or glass cats eye by an inventor named Percy Shaw. The little glass cataphotes were used in the center of roadways, and also on signs themselves. Up until this time, signs were painted in …

Who Invented Retro Reflective Paints & Coatings?

History of Reflective Paint – (www.tapedealer.com) Who actually invented reflective paint? The following outlines the invention and advancement of ready mixed Retro Reflective Coatings (also known as Reflective Paints) from their inception until now.   Ready mixed simply means that the reflective glass spheres are already in the paint mix, making the application a one …

brightest reflective tape

Which Retro Reflective Tape Is The Brightest?

Brightest Reflective Tape – (www.tapedealer.com) I have people contact me all the time asking the question “Which reflective tape is the brightest?”. The quick and easy answer to this question would be a white or silver colored micro prismatic retro-reflective tape. Oralite SOLAS would be an example of this grade and color of tape. It …

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Reflective Tape Overview

Reflective Tape Overview – (www.tapedealer.com) Retro reflective tape is defined as a film that through the use of glass spheres or man made prisms, reflects light or radiation back to its source. Glass bead tapes reflect using microscopic glass beads that act as parabolas and direct light back to where it came from. Prismatic tapes …

how reflective tape is made

How is Reflective Tape Made? Glass Bead and Micro-Prismatic

How Glass Bead and Micro-Prismatic Reflective Tapes Are Made – www.tapedealer.com Reflective tape is made using machines that bond together multiple layers of material into one film. There are two main types of reflective tape, glass bead and micro-prismatic. They reflect in two different ways but are made in similar fashion with glass bead tape …

reflective versus retro reflective tape

Reflective Versus Retro Reflective Tape – What is the Difference?

The Difference Between Retro Reflective and Reflective – (www.tapedealer.com) The word “retro” is the key to understanding the difference between a reflective surface like a mirror, and a retro reflective surface like a bike or automobile reflector. Retro means to go back or backward. In the reflective tape industry it means to return light back …

History of Reflective Tape – Who Invented Retro Reflective Tape?

Retro Reflective Tape History -(www.tapedealer.com) (Summary – 3m invented glass bead reflective tape in the 1930’s and Reflexite invented micro-prismatic reflective in the 1960’s.) Lets start with the basics. Reflectivity was not invented. It has always been present in nature. Light bouncing off of objects is why we are able to see those objects. Retro-Reflectivity …