ASTM E1896-97a

Designation: E 1896 – 97a
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Specification for
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Daytime Pedestrian Visibility Enhancement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1896; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The use of appropriate fluorescent marking materials can significantly enhance the daytime
visibility and safety of the user. As one in a series addressing overall visibility for individual safety,
this specification establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for fluorescent and
fluorescent-retroreflective marking materials (hereafter referred to as “material(s)”) used to enhance
daytime pedestrian visibility.
1. Scope position of markings that have been determined to be effec-
2,3.4
tive.
1.1 This specification covers the daytime performance of
1.5 This specification describes the minimum colorimetric
fluorescent and fluorescent-retroreflective marking materials to
performance of fluorescent and fluorescent-retroreflective ma-
be used on garments worn by pedestrians for the purpose of
terials intended to make an object conspicuous. It also ad-
making them conspicuous to motorists. Garments include, but
dresses diminished performance of materials due to extended
are not limited to, jackets, shirts, vests, coats, and coveralls. It
exposure to daylight. This is accomplished via laboratory
allows for freedom of design of the materials so long as the
accelerated weathering using a xenon-arc lamp fitted with
minimum colorimetric and area requirements are met. This
borosilicate glass inner and outer filters to stimulate natural
specification covers two fluorescent color regions for which
daylight.
high visibility materials have been widely studied and are
1.6 SI (metric) units shall be used in referee decisions under
widely available and used. It is anticipated that additional
this specification. The values given in parentheses are for
fluorescent color regions will be added to this specification as
information only.
more information is developed on current and new materials.
1.7 Although materials described in this specification are
For a related standard covering visibility enhancement of
intended to enhance safety significantly through enhanced
pedestrians under nighttime conditions, see Specification E
visibility under most conditions of illumination and viewing of
1501.
the type described in 1.2, they do not guarantee that the user
1.2 This specification applies only to daytime illuminating
shall be conspicuous. Thus, this standard does not purport to
and viewing conditions. The most common example is that of
address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its
a motor vehicle operator viewing a pedestrian wearing the
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
marked garment, illuminated by light from the sun and sky.
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
1.3 Conspicuity is a function of the contrast between an
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
object and its immediate surroundings. The conspicuity of
The effectiveness of this standard in reducing death and injury
materials is related to the following:
has not been established.
1.3.1 High brightness, as measured by luminance factor.
1.3.2 High saturation, as measured by chromaticity coordi-
2. Referenced Documents
nates.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 High contrast between the marked object and its sur-
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E 284 Terminology of Appearance
round may be achieved by selecting size, shape, color, and
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Alferdinck, J.W.A.M. and Padmos, P., “Conspicuity of Fuorescent Colors for
Safety Garments; a Literature Review,” Report No. IZF 1990 c-21/E, TNO Institute
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-12 on
for Perception, Soesterberg, The Netherlands, 1990.
Appearance and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E12.08 on High
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Lesley, Gary, “Enhancing the Daytime Conspicuity of Pedestrians Through the
Visibility Materials for Individual Safety.
Usage of Fluorescent Materials,” Color Research and Application, Vol 20, No. 2,
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1997. Published May 1998. Originally
April 1995, p 117.
published as E 1896–97. Last previous edition E 1896–97.
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Burns, D.M. and Pavelka, L.A., “Visibility of Durable Fluorescent Materials for
Signing Applications,” Color Research and Application, Vol 20, No. 2, April 1995,
p. 108.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 6.01.
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E 1896
E 308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by 3.3.4 object, n—the garment worn by a pedestrian, with
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using the
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