Abstract: A vehicle-mountable apparatus, for detecting the reflective characteristics of a surface, includes means for directing pulsed radiation at a predetermined wavelength and at a predetermined pulse frequency towards the surface; means for sensing radiation reflected from the surface; means, associated with the sensing means, for providing a predetermined output indication to a vehicle controller in response to sensed radiation of at least a predetermined intensity; and means for mounting at least the directing means and the sensing means onto a vehicle.