The RetroTek-M mobile traffic speed retroreflectometer measures up to six reflective road asset types in one pass. It measures the night visibility of road markings, markers (studs) and barrier reflectors on both sides and in the middle of a traffic lane simultaneously. It conforms to CEN 30 Meter Geometry, ASTM E 1710 and CEN EN 1436 standards.
It is the first mobile retroreflectometer capable of measuring across the full width of a traffic lane (right, left and centre) to be independently certified to EN 1436 with the accuracy of hand-held retroreflectometers.
The RetroTek-M is fitted to the front of a vehicle and, with normal driving behaviour, will survey at all traffic speeds up to 120km/h (75mph). Calibration is quick and easy and the system can survey in minutes. It can be removed or quickly refitted in the field.
The RetroTek instrument operates with an typical accuracy of +/-5% and a typical repeatability of less than +/-3%, which is in line with both handheld and mobile systems currently on the market. Measurement accuracy is independent of vehicle movement and speed.
RetroTek-M is the next generation in mobile traffic high-speed retroreflectometers. It is built for reliability and tough working environments and prolonged use over many continuous hours and thousands of km / miles. It uses machine vision with area cameras and a stereo video system with white light (no lasers).
RetroTek-M records and stores video images of the survey with GPS references for post-survey reviews using the OnLine-View software. Typically, 80 measurements and 20 video frames are taken per second.
It uses the latest digital cameras and components and a customised illumination LED light module. It is well-suited for all infrastructure engineers and professionals in the maintenance of road assets. Measurements are processed in real-time.
The RetroTek-M system consists of:
- The front-mounted sensor enclosure unit fitted to the front of the vehicle contains cameras, an illumination LED system, a real-time data processor, GPS, Wi-Fi, 4G, humidity and temperature sensors. A power cable connects the unit to vehicle battery
- The tablet PC / laptop inside the vehicle contains the graphical user interface (GUI) to assist the driver to calibrate and then monitor the data collection while driving
RetroTek-M measures night-time visibility (RL) under dry conditions and records line and lane width and the absence and presence of road markers (studs) and barrier reflectors. It collects data of white and yellow lines and markings, including broken and continuous and single and double lines. It records date, start and finish times, distance surveyed, survey speeds, road name / number, measurement results, temperature and humidity.
The Quick-View software provides instant reports at end of survey, showing all results with results averaged in 100m or 1,000m segments with colour-coded thresholds (set by the client) in Excel, and csv. formats on Google Earth maps.
The OnLine-View Software platform provides an online database of all surveys. It is an interactive multiple survey reporting and management tool to simultaneously review the results of all assets combining maps and the survey video stills of every meter of road surveyed.
