3M's Commitment to Road Safety
3M has a long history of using science to improve lives. Its Transportation Safety Division is a global leader in developing products, systems and services for the traffic safety and vehicle registration segments, with the mission to help bring families home safely. 3M technologies are used to produce high performance reflective materials for traffic signs, road markings, work zone applications and more.
In addition, 3M is working today on the connected roads of tomorrow. Many of the automated technologies found in cars today use the same infrastructure drivers have relied on for years to help them safely navigate. 3M’s goal is to continue to help improve safety through enhanced infrastructure for both human drivers and automated vehicles.
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UN Road Safety Trust FundThe newly established United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund aims to accelerate progress in improving global road safety by bridging the gaps in the mobilization of resources for effective action at all levels. The United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund will focus on strengthening the capacity of government agencies, local governments and city authorities to develop and implement road safety programs, prioritizing projects in low and middle-income countries.
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3M InnovationFrom improving brightness of our pavement markings for better visibility in wet conditions to envisioning a future of Connected Roads, 3M is dedicated to improving traffic safety and mobility on a global level—for Every driver. Every vehicle. Every road. Our mission is to make sure families, commuters, pedestrians and road workers all get home safely. That’s why we’re pursuing a future of zero deaths on the road. To reach this goal, we continually work to provide high visibility products for roadway projects.
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US Road Safety Initiatives & Funding
At 3M we understand how important road safety is, and motorist have come to expect constant improvements in traffic safety. Yet, government agencies across the U.S. are under increasing pressure to cut costs and do more with less. Following are some recommended (and in some cases mandated) programs for safety improvements, along with potential avenues to funding.
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Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity
Changes to the Federal Highway Administration's Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity Ruling for traffic signs became effective in June of 2012. Learn more about the ruling and how 3M can help you ensure compliance.
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High Risk Rural Roads
Rural roads are the most dangerous roads in America. NHTSA reports that—nationwide, for the years 2000 through 2007—rural traffic fatality rates were more than twice that of urban areas. Learn more about the issues and 3M solutions for High Risk Rural Roads.
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Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety
Deaths and injuries at highway-rail crossings are a major safety concern. Vehicle/train collisions are more severe than other highway crashes; a motorist is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision with another motor vehicle. Highly visible signs and markings at crossings and approaches are among the recommended safety improvements.
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Guide Sign Replacement
State departments of transportation across the U.S. are looking for ways to improve guide sign visibility and save taxpayer dollars. Many are finding one solution that helps achieve both goals by upgrading to guide signs made with high performance reflective sheeting, while at the same time cutting maintenance and energy costs by turning off guide sign lighting.
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