3M eyes bright future for safety

The 3M truck is packed with interactive demonstrations and experiences from 3M’s Transportation Safety Division. Demonstrations include Anti-Graffiti, to show how signs can be kept clear and legible; Fluorescent Technology, to understand how fluorescent signs enhance the visibility of signs in dawn, dusk and inclement weather conditions; Virtual Reality, to experience the possibilities of how autonomous vehicles interact with traffic signs, work zones, and lane markings; and Innovation Theater, to watch demonstrations on 3M technology from the driver’s seat.

Two major breakthroughs

Meanwhile, on the 3M booth in the exhibition hall, while many companies talk about the future, often in aspirational terms, 3M will feature two major pavement marking breakthrough products, specifically designed for machine vision, as well as human vision – today’s needs as well as tomorrow’s.

Automated vehicle cameras depend on visible markings to support a variety of functions, including ADAS, especially at night or in the rain. 3M’s Connected Roads All Weather Elements, which will launch in August, takes pavement markings to new levels of performance for drivers and ADAS systems in virtually any conditions. Importantly, 3M Elements are compatible with most liquid pavement marking binders and installs with double-drop systems. Moreover, it requires 20% less elements than previous generation 3M Reflective Elements and is the company’s most efficient optics for liquid pavement markings yet.

The other major breakthrough - the next evolution in pavement marking tapes, optimised for both human and machine vision - that visitors can see now, here in Detroit, is the 3M Connected Roads Contrast Tape Series 380ADAS. Currently in market tests prior to a full launch early next year, 380ADAS provides a 60% increase in visibility distance versus beaded paint products in night time rainy conditions; and increased contrast of white and yellow lane markings with black edges on both sides – the wider black edges provide a larger contrast target for camera detection at longer distances.

Booth 329