3M Traffic Safety Systems Division won a first place award for its contribution to environmental protection and mitigation May 20 during the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation’s (ARTBA-TDF) ninth annual “Globe Awards” event held in Washington. The division’s Brownwood, TX facility was specifically recognized for developing a new manufacturing process for retro reflective sheeting that significantly reduces waste and energy consumption while also producing a higher performing product. The International Road Federation’s Annual Meeting was held in conjunction with the American Road & Transportation Builders Annual Convention and the Intertraffic North America International Trade Fair, bringing together transportation and traffic safety leaders from around the globe. The award, presented to Division Vice-President Larry Lair, noted that 3M’s reflective prismatic sheeting is produced with a 97 percent reduction in volatile organic compound (VOC) solvent waste, an 80 percent reduction in paper liner waste and a 77 percent reduction in natural gas consumption compared to older versions. These improvements have significantly reduced the plant’s environmental footprint and are an example of cutting-edge technology developed in a responsible fashion.

Established by the ARTBA Board of Directors in 1998, the “Globe Awards” recognize:

• Private-sector firms and public-sector transportation agencies that do an outstanding job in protecting and/or enhancing the natural environment in the planning, design and construction of U.S. transportation infrastructure projects

• Transportation construction-related product manufacturers and material suppliers that utilize exemplary environmental processes to protect and enhance the natural environment

An independent panel of federal agency environmental specialists reviewed all of the nominations and selected the 2008 “Globe Award” winners.

3M’s new wet reflective pavement marking system – 3M All Weather Paint – has been recognized for its contribution toward improving roadway efficiency and increasing safety. The product was honoured with a Global Road Achievement Award from the International Road Federation at the organization’s recent annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

3M All Weather Paint combines high-build resin with a unique dual-optics system that enhances both dry and wet reflectivity. Most pavement markings are visible in dry conditions, but become difficult to see when it rains. Special optics in 3M All Weather Paint are designed to work with water, providing highly visibly markings when drivers need them most—at night, in the rain.

The International Road Federation’s Annual Meeting was held in conjunction with the American Road & Transportation Builders Annual Convention and the Intertraffic North America International Trade Fair, bringing together transportation and traffic safety leaders from around the globe.

The Global Road Achievement Awards were presented on October 10. Accepting the award on behalf of 3M were Larry Lair, division vice president, and John Tobin, global sales & government affairs director, 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division.

Since inventing reflective materials nearly 70 years ago, 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division has been the worldwide leader in developing products, services and systems that help improve traffic safety and management.
Information on 3M All Weather Paint or any part of the 3M transportation safety line of products and services can be obtained by calling 1-800-553-1380 or logging on to www.3M.com/tss.

Based in St. Paul, Minn., 3M is a $24 billion diversified manufacturing and technology company with more than 50,000 products and subsidiaries in more than 60 countries. In addition to transportation safety, the company has leading positions in display and graphics; automotive; electro and communications; health care; consumer; industrial; safety, security and protection services; and other businesses.

About 3M 3M is a $20 billion diversified technology company with leading positions in consumer and office; display and graphics; electronic and telecommunications; health care; industrial; safety, security and protection services; transportation and other businesses. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., the company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries.

Brighter signs better serve motorists in changing driving environment

Traffic signs soon will be more visible to drivers. For the first time since reflective sign sheeting was introduced more than 60 years ago, new technology from 3M is creating material based on 100% efficient optics. The result is signing material that returns nearly twice as much reflected light as the brightest material currently available.

Signage has become a more challenging aspect of traffic management as road congestion intensifies due to a more diversified mix of vehicles being driven by an aging population. New trends in headlight design also reduce the amount of illumination traditionally directed at signs.

Now, new technology has led to 3M Diamond Grade DG³ reflective sheeting, the optimal signing material for today’s changing driving environment. DG³’s unique design means that the entire cube surface is reflective. Previously, the most efficient optics for signing material were about 65% efficient, although many signs commonly used on today’s roadways still incorporate optics that are as little as 28% efficient.

Delivers where needed most

3M DG³ performs better where drivers need it most: at short and medium sight distances and where signs are positioned in disadvantaged locations such as overhead or in extreme roadside positions like the left shoulder. Since 3M DG³ is a more efficient reflector, signs get brighter with the same level of headlight illumination.

3M DG³ returns more light to motorists whose vehicles are equipped with common VOA (visually/optically aimable) headlights that abruptly cut off illumination at a certain level above the road. VOA headlights, which have become standard on many new vehicles, send even less initial light toward traffic sign faces. One recent scientific study(1) found that VOA lights reduce the visibility of signs by as much as 53% in certain common sign configurations. The high efficiency of 3M DG³ sheeting returns the maximum amount of light back to this weaker light source. Drivers of oversized vehicles such as large trucks, who sit farther from the plane of their headlights, also will benefit from more reflected light.

3M DG³ reflective sheeting is designed as a replacement for nearly all types of reflective sign sheetings in use today. As a proposed ASTM Type XI sheeting, it meets or exceeds ASTM standards for Type III, IV and IX sheetings, the most common types in use today.

Changing demographics also play into the need for improved signage. Statistics show that the fastest growing demographic group is those over age 65, and those people also are driving longer. However, beginning at about that same age, older drivers also are involved in a disproportionate share of accidents compared to the number of miles they drive. That is one reason the Federal Highway Administration(2) has suggested improved signing and pavement markings as key safety enhancements for older drivers, who have slower response times and decreased visual acuity at night.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – February 2003 – It’s a fact: traffic accidents are three times more likely in wet, rainy conditions.* In such an environment it doesn’t take long for pavement markings to lose their brightness as surface water negates their reflectivity, making already difficult driving all the more challenging. The problem is particularly acute at night.

Now 3M has developed a revolutionary technology that keeps pavement markings bright, even on rain-sodden roadways. 3M™ Stamark™ Wet Reflective Tapes provide superior reflective performance, under wet or dry conditions, compared to traditional pavement markings. 3M wet reflective pavement marking tapes feature innovative optics for superior reflectivity, so the tapes are as bright in the rain as they are when dry.

Traditional “exposed lens” marking systems have reflective beads on top of the marking. Many of these may perform fine in dry weather, but when they get wet the water “drowns out” the optics, causing headlight illumination to scatter rather than reflect. The result is these pavement markings virtually disappear until the water drains or evaporates.

The reflective lenses in 3M wet reflective pavement marking tapes are encapsulated to ensure a high level of continuous reflective performance – wet or dry. 3M wet reflective tapes are designed for temporary applications in construction work zones, as well as durable applications.

3M™ Stamark™ High Performance Tape Series 380I ES is designed for lane and edge lines, channelizing lines, gore markings, transverse markings, and symbols and legends.

Extend Your Season! Now you can extend your striping season with Series 380I ES tape. It offers “extended season” application—outside the typical tape season—with the use of 3M™ Stamark™ Surface Preparation Adhesive P-50 down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Easy to Apply Series 380I ES tape can be applied quickly due to the elimination of surface preparation adhesive during the defined application season, meaning labor savings and increased productivity.

Marking your highways and streets with Series 380I ES tape provides unique advantages and benefits such as:

• Superior initial and retained reflectivity (500 mcd/100 mcd)

• Durable, patterned surface to maximize retroreflectance

• Ease of application without the need for surface preparation adhesive

• Early and late season tape application opportunities

• Superior color day and night

Now you can have a high intensity sheeting that meets both ASTM Type III and ASTM Type IV specifications!

3M™ High Intensity Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series 3930 with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is designed for durable traffic control signs, work zone devices and delineators.

A tougher topcoat provides improved scuff, scratch and gouge resistance and increased durability for the demanding needs of the work zone. Vivid daytime colors provide 24-hour performance, increasing visibility in all light and weather conditions.

Series 983 will replace Series 981 conspicuity markings currently used for all vehicle conspicuity applications on trucks, trailers, public works vehicles, school buses, specialty vehicles, and aftermarket applications.

Diamond Grade conspicuity markings series 983 offers:

• Enhanced reflectivity at wide entrance angles

• Aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive

• Vivid color for day and night visibility

• Meets and exceeds all DOT specifications

• Available in all standard configurations and colors, including solid white, sold red, red/white, and yellow