Visual assessment of nighttime road-marking visibility using comparison standards
The Zehntner ZVR 6000 is a portable visual retroreflectometer designed to evaluate the nighttime visibility (RL) of road markings. Instead of electronically calculating a retroreflection value, the instrument allows the operator to visually compare the marking being tested with two built-in, interchangeable comparison standards of known retroreflection.
Simulates how road markings appear to a driver at night
The ZVR 6000 reproduces, on a reduced scale, the viewing conditions experienced by a vehicle driver using dipped headlights. Its CEN measurement geometry corresponds to an equivalent observation distance of 30 m, providing a practical visual method for assessing the retroreflective performance of pavement markings.
Direct comparison with two reference standards
Two comparison standards with values close to the expected retroreflection of the road marking are installed in the instrument. During the test, the operator simultaneously observes the marking and the reference standards and visually determines its retroreflective performance by comparison.
Interchangeable standards for different applications
Comparison standards are interchangeable and can be selected according to the intended application. Standard references are available for white and yellow markings with different retroreflection values, and additional or special comparison standards can be supplied for particular materials or surface structures.
Simple portable operation in the field
The ZVR 6000 is designed for convenient operation by one person. A multifunctional arm incorporates a carrying handle and steering assembly, while integrated wheels facilitate positioning the instrument over the road marking. Battery operation eliminates the need for an external power supply during field inspections.
Splash-proof construction for wet-condition measurements
The instrument is splash-proof and can be used for measurements under wet conditions. Its robust construction is intended for practical road-marking inspections where equipment must be moved repeatedly between measurement locations.
Measurement geometry for EN 1436 and ASTM E1710
For EN 1436, the ZVR 6000 uses an observation angle of 2.29° and an illumination angle of 1.24°. For ASTM E1710, the observation angle is 1.05° and the illumination angle is 88.76°. The test area measures 50 × 160 mm, while the interchangeable comparison standards measure 50 × 150 mm.
A practical alternative for visual RL assessment
The ZVR 6000 provides a straightforward method for visually assessing road-marking retroreflection without the electronic measurement and data-management functions of more advanced retroreflectometers. Zehntner identifies applications for road authorities, development laboratories, road-marking material manufacturers and contractors.
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