This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D4280 − 18

Standard Specification for

Extended Life Type, Nonplowable, Raised Retroreflective
Pavement Markers1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4280; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
1.1 This specification covers nonplowable, retroreflective Open Cup Tester
raised pavement markers for nighttime lane marking and D113 Test Method for Ductility of Asphalt Materials
delineation. D1785 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic
Pipe, Schedules 40, 80, and 120
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded D3111 Test Method for Flexibility Determination of Hot-
as the standard, except where noted in the document. The Melt Adhesives by Mandrel Bend Test Method
values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI D4402/D4402M Test Method for Viscosity Determination of
units that are provided for information only and are not Asphalt at Elevated Temperatures Using a Rotational
considered standard. Viscometer
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the D5329 Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied,
test methods portion, Section 9, of this specification: This for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, Cement Concrete Pavements
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and ASTM Test Methods
environmental practices and determine the applicability of E284 Terminology of Appearance
regulatory limitations prior to use. E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- Determine the Precision of a Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- E808 Practice for Describing Retroreflection
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the E809 Practice for Measuring Photometric Characteristics of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Retroreflectors
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical E811 Practice for Measuring Colorimetric Characteristics of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. Retroreflectors Under Nighttime Conditions
2.2 Federal Specification:3
2. Referenced Documents
TT-T-291 Thinner, Paint, Mineral Spirits, Regular and Odor-
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 less
C778 Specification for Standard Sand 2.3 AASHTO Standard:4
D5/D5M Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Mate- AASHTO M 237 Epoxy Resin Adhesive for Bonding Traffic
rials Markers to Hardened Concrete
D36/D36M Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen
(Ring-and-Ball Apparatus) 3. Terminology
D71 Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch and
Asphalt (Displacement Method) 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 cleanability—the ability of a raised retroreflective
marker to keep its optical surfaces clean under traffic and
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road environmental conditions.
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.38 on
Highway Traffic Control Materials.
Current edition approved July 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally approved
3
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4280 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents,
D4280-18. 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.access.gpo.gov.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
the ASTM website. http://www.transportation.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D4280 − 18
3.1.2 coeffıcient of luminous intensity, RI—the ratio of the without abrasion-resistant surface and with sufficient flexural
luminous intensity (I) of the retroreflector in the direction of strength for application to flexible pavement.
observation to the illuminance (E) at the retroreflector on a
plane perpendicular to the direction of the incident light, 5. Ordering Information
expressed in candelas per lux (cd/lx) (see Practice E808 and 5.1 Orders for material under this specification should
Terminology E284). include the following information:
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The values presented for the coefficient 5.1.1 Quantity,
of luminous intensity are presented in SI units, which are the 5.1.2 Type of marker: retroreflective one way, or retrore-
accepted worldwide norm for expressing this value, rather than flective two way,
in inch-pounds. When values are low, the coefficient of 5.1.3 Color of marker,
(retroreflected) luminous intensity may be given in millican- 5.1.4 Abrasion resistance, if needed, and
delas per lux. In inch-pound units, RI is given in candelas per 5.1.5 Flexural strength, if needed.
footcandle (cd/fc). Historically, the term “specific intensity”
and symbol (“SI”) have been used to designate this term, but NOTE 1—Flexural strength is not critical when application is to portland
“RI” is preferred. cement concrete pavement, but is critical when application is to some soft
asphaltic concrete pavements.
3.1.3 color—chromaticity, according to the CIE (Commis-
sion Internationale de l’Eclairage) 1931 colorimetric system. 6. Requirements for Retroreflective Markers
3.1.4 horizontal entrance angle—the angle in the horizontal 6.1 Construction:
plane between the direction of incident light and the normal to 6.1.1 The marker shall be comprised of materials with
the leading edge of the marker. adequate chemical, water, and UV resistance for the intended
3.1.4.1 Discussion—This angle corresponds to the entrance use.
angle β2 when the marker is positioned for photometry. The 6.1.2 Marker height shall not exceed 0.80 in. (20.3 mm).
direction given in Practice E808 should be used when desig- 6.1.3 Marker width shall not exceed 5.1 in. (130 mm).
nating this angle. 6.1.4 The angle between the face of the marker and the base
3.1.5 observation angle—the angle between the illumina- shall be no greater than 45°, except as provided in 6.1.4.1.
tion axis and the observation axis. (See also Practice E808.) 6.1.4.1 If the angle between the face of the marker and the
3.1.6 retroreflection—reflection in which radiation is re- base is greater than 45°, or if the marker front has protuber-
turned in directions close to the direction from which it came, ances of more than 0.04 in. (1 mm), then as part of type
this property being maintained over wide variations of the acceptance, the marker shall be subjected to a six-month road
direction of incident radiation. test during the time of the year when weather and traffic
conditions are most critical to cleanability. Cleanability is
3.1.7 retroreflective element—a minimal optical unit that
determined by measuring coefficient of luminous intensity
produces retroreflection, for example, a cube corner or a
before and after washing the marker lens.
biconvex structure.
6.1.5 The base of the marker shall be substantially free from
4. Classification gloss or substances that may reduce its bond to adhesive.
6.1.6 The base of the marker shall be flat within 0.05 in.
4.1 Markers should be classified as to type, color, and (1.3 mm). If the bottom of the marker is configurated, the
abrasion resistance. protruding faces of the configurations shall not deviate more
4.1.1 Types of Markers: than 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) from a plane.
4.1.1.1 Type A—Two-way reflective markers, one color. 6.1.7 Construction not meeting the requirements of 6.1.2,
4.1.1.2 Type B—One-way reflective markers, one color. 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.1.6, or 6.1.7, but meeting the performance
4.1.1.3 Type E—Two-way reflective markers, two colors. requirements of 6.2, will be acceptable following a twelve-
4.1.2 Retroreflected Color of Markers: month road test to determine cleanability, durability, and
4.1.2.1 W—White. adhesion to the road.
4.1.2.2 Y—Yellow.
4.1.2.3 R—Red. 6.2 Performance Requirements:
4.1.2.4 B—Blue. 6.2.1 Retroreflectivity:
4.1.2.5 G—Green. 6.2.1.1 For new markers, coefficient of luminous intensity
4.1.3 Abrasion Resistance: (RI) measured in accordance with 9.1 shall be not less than the
4.1.3.1 Designated H—Marker with hard, abrasion-resistant values in Table 1.
lens surface. 6.2.1.2 For abrasion-resistant markers, after abrading the
4.1.4 Flexural Strength: marker in accordance with 9.5, coefficient of luminous inten-
4.1.4.1 Designated F—Marker with sufficient longitudinal sity at 0° entrance angle measured in accordance with 9.1 shall
strength for application to flexible, asphaltic concrete pave- be not less than the values in Table 1 multiplied by 0.5.
ment. NOTE 2—No abrasion resistance test has been established for markers
having biconvex optical elements.
4.2 Show classification in the order detailed in 4.1.1 – NOTE 3—Some two-color markers may intentionally have only one of
4.1.3.1: type, color, abrasion resistance, and flexural strength. the retroreflective faces abrasion resistant, in which case, the second face
For example, ERWF is a two-way, red and white marker should not be abraded.

2
 D4280 − 18
TABLE 1 Coefficient of Luminous Intensity RI
NOTE 1—The retroreflector axis and datum axis of the marker are as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
NOTE 2—Entrance angle component β1 and rotation angle ε are 0°.
NOTE 3—The values presented for the coefficient of luminous intensity in the table are given in SI units, which are the accepted worldwide norm for
expressing this value, rather than in inch-pounds. The values in cd/fc are provided for information.
Minimum Value RI, mcd/lx
Entrance Angle Component β2 Observation Angle α
White Yellow Red Green Blue
0° 0.2° 279 167 70 93 26
+20°/−20° 0.2° 112 67 28 37 10
Minimum Value RI, cd/fc
Entrance Angle Component β2 Observation Angle α
White Yellow Red Green Blue
0° 0.2° 3.0 1.8 0.75 1.0 0.28
+20°/−20° 0.2° 1.2 0.72 0.30 0.4 0.11

NOTE 4—No laboratory abrasion test can be expected to model the full
range of surface wear of pavement markers in use.
6.2.2 Because no practical laboratory procedures have been
determined to provide complete, reliable, and predictive infor-
mation on adhesive bond strength, the user is encouraged to
seek information from alternative sources such as field tests. A
field test duration of twelve months is recommended. A control
marker is chosen with known satisfactory adhesion. The test
markers may be required to experience no more than 1.5 times
as great an adhesion failure rate as the controls. The test
severity should be such that between 3 % and 20 % of the
controls fail during the field test. There must be adequate
numbers of test markers and controls for statistical validity.
6.2.3 Physical Properties:
6.2.3.1 Flexural Strength (designation F markers only)—
When tested in accordance with 9.2.1, a marker shall withstand
2000 lbf (8914 N) without breakage.
NOTE 5—Method 9.2.1 tests longitudinal flexural strength, distinct from
the flexural strength tested in previous editions of this specification.
6.2.3.2 Compressive Strength—When tested in accordance
with 9.2.2, a marker shall support a load of 6000 lb (2727 kg) FIG. 1 Color Gamut in Accordance with 6.2.4
without breakage or significant deformation of the marker.
Significant deformation shall be understood to be 0.13 in.
Point No. x y
(3.3 mm). 1 0.650 0.330
6.2.4 Color—When the retroreflector is illuminated by CIE 2 0.668 0.330
Standard Source A and when measured in accordance with 9.3, 3 0.734 0.265
4 0.721 0.259
the color of the retroreflected light shall fall within the color
gamuts given by the following corner points and shown in Fig. 6.2.4.4 Blue:
1. Point No. x y
1 0.039 0.320
6.2.4.1 White: 2 0.160 0.320
Point No. x y 3 0.160 0.240
1 0.310 0.348 4 0.183 0.218
2 0.453 0.440 5 0.088 0.142
3 0.500 0.440
4 0.500 0.380 6.2.4.5 Green:
5 0.440 0.380 Point No. x y
6 0.310 0.283 1 0.009 0.733
2 0.288 0.520
6.2.4.2 Yellow: 3 0.209 0.395
Point No. x y 4 0.012 0.494
1 0.545 0.424
2 0.559 0.439
6.2.5 Resistance to Lens Cracking:
3 0.609 0.390 6.2.5.1 Lens Impact Strength—When impacted in accor-
4 0.597 0.390 dance with 9.4.1, the face of the lens shall show no more than
6.2.4.3 Red: two radial cracks longer than 0.25 in. (6.4 mm). There shall be