3M recently hosted its latest key Technology & Demonstration Evening for the traffic safety community in Launceston, designed to showcase the latest, cost-effective solutions being developed to improve road safety.

A 3M technology presentation was held at the Country Club, Launceston Tasmania, which was followed by a lap around Symmons Plains race track that showed 3M solutions in traffic safety signs, line marking, roadwork zone safety, workplace safety and vehicle reflective tapes.

While Symmons Plains race track is one of the longest serving circuits of the combined history of the Australian Touring Car Championship and the V8 Supercar Championship Series, it was also the perfect track to showcase 3M Traffic Safety Products in real life situations. To make the demonstration as life like as possible, mock up sites where put together including construction sites, residential sites, freeway sites, pedestrian sites, railway zone and give way areas.

The event was very well received, with a total of 53 attendees from a diverse range of industries including Tasmania police, rail, STK logistics, Launceston council, BHP Temco, Trans Trains, education Tasmania and Caltes.

Thanks to Performance Automotive out of Hobart for donating a CS60 Volvo all wheel drive of which was marked up with 3M™ Diamond Grade™ Vehicle Reflective tapes to demonstrate advances in vehicle technology. The participants got to see this product in a practical setting and how this contributes to improved productivity and safety outcomes. 3M Diamond Grade Reflective Tapes provide excellent product performance in terms of wide-angle visibility and durability in tough, all weather conditions.

Another highlight of the night demo was showcasing 3M™ Stamark™ all weather pavement marking tapes and symbols. The 3M Team applied the Stamark on the day of the night trial, without the need for big trucks and crews associated with laying thermo-plastic or paint. This is one of the major advantages of 3M Stamark as it makes line marking easier and faster while providing better retro reflectivity.

Well designed and maintained road markings play a critical role in road safety, particularly when the road itself is hardest to see in night and wet conditions. In fact, drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident during rainy or wet pavement conditions1, when road or lane visibility can be largely reduced.

Using nanotechnology, 3M recently developed the world’s first wet-reflective element that can actually retro reflect light in all weather conditions, day or night, and especially when the road line is completely underwater, providing continuous road line visibility, when drivers need it most. This unique, wet reflective technology is available in a full range of permanent and temporary road marking tapes that are quick and easy to apply to the road, which can be opened to traffic immediately after application.

The participants also got to see mock up sites including construction sites, residential sites, freeway sites, pedestrian sites, railway zone and give way areas. A big thank you to STR Logistics Managing Director, Jim Miller for donating two of his prime movers for this event.

3M’s next Technology & Demonstration Evenings will be held in Canberra and Christchurch in early September 2013. For more information or to register your interest in attending, contact Mark Gorman at 3M in Sydney on +61412 216 585 or Email: mpgorman@mmm.com, or Storm Robertson in New Zealand on 09 477 6532 or Email: srobertson@mmm.com