L-853 Cylindrical Runway and Taxiway Retro-Reflective Markers Study

This report describes the evaluation of L-853 cylindrical retro-reflective markers that are used on airports to increase night identification of runway edges, centerline, and taxiway edges. Approved retro-reflective markers use either retro-reflective sheeting or tape, which are mounted on plastic-molded material that are cylindrical or flat surfaces. The minimum standard size for a cylinder-mounted marker is 96 square inches. This evaluation was performed to determine if increasing the standard size to 200 square inches would improve the markers’ conspicuity to aircraft and ground vehicles and to determine if the location of aircraft-mounted landing lamps have any effect on the visibility of the retro-reflective markers. Based on the results, it was determined that 96-square inch retro-reflective material is adequate. The results of this study also indicated that aircraft landing lamps mounted closer to the observer’s eye gave the best visibility of the retro-reflective markers, whereas the aircraft landing lamps mounted at the wing tips gave the worst visibility of the retro-reflective markers.

Author: Holly Cyrus
DOT/FAA/AR-04/10