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Transcript of FHWA_SignRetroreflectivityGuidebook
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FHWA-CFL/TD-09-005
September 2009
FOR SMALL AGENCIES,
FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES, ANDTRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
U.S. Departmentof Transportation
Federal HighwayAdministration
RETROREFLECTIVITYRETROREFLECTIVITYGUIDEBOOKGUIDEBOOK
SIGNSIGN
HOW TO MEET THE NEW NATIONAL STANDARD
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Frwrd
The Federal Lands Highway (FLH) promotes development and
deployment o applied research and technology applicable tosolving transportation-related issues on Federal lands. The FLH
provides technology delivery, innovative solutions, recommended
best practices, and related inormation and knowledge sharing to
Federal agencies, Tribal governments, and other oces within the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
This document was developed to assist small-sized agencies
without trac engineering sta in meeting the new Federal
requirements or maintaining trac sign retroreectivity on roads
open to public travel. By considering the needs and capabilities
o small agencies, this document provides the necessary
inormation needed to be in compliance with the new trac sign
retroreectivity requirements.
Two products were produced. One is a stand-alone computer-
based package (known as the Trac Sign Retroreectivity Toolkit)
that includes the new retroreectivity requirements as well as
the necessary inormation needed to implement a program that
will be in compliance with the new requirements. The second
product is a hard copy o the computer-based package, without
many o the eatures included in the computer-based package.
These documents will help small agencies meet the new trac
sign retroreectivity requirements while considering their limited
resources.
F. David Zanetell, P.E., Director o Project Delivery
Federal Highway Administration
Central Federal Lands Highway Division
Spnsred by:
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Authors:
Paul Carlson
Dale Picha
Program Coordinators:
Greg Schertz
Matt Lupes
Advisory Panel:
Roger Surdahl
Mark Coppock
Debbie Murillo
Chris Pourteau
FHWA Contract Number:
FHWA-CFL/TD-09-005 July 2009
Title:
Sign Retroreectivity Manual: How to Meet
the New National Standard or Small Agencies,
Federal Land Management Agencies, and
Tribal Governments
Sponsoring Agencies:
•Federal Highway Administration—Federal
Lands Highway CTIP Council
•Federal Highway Administration—Oce o
Saety
Tab Cntnts
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Chapter 2: The Sign Retroreectivity Toolkit on CD-ROM 11
Chapter 3: Local Maintenance 17
Chapter 4: Budgeting 23
Appendices 37
Appendix A: Other Considerations orSign Retroreectivity Maintenance 39
Appendix B: Other Inspection Methods toConsider or Retroreectivity Maintenance 42
Appendix C: New MUTCD MinimumRetroreectivity Maintenance Requirements 46
Appendix D: Sample Forms and Letters 48
Appendix E: Frequently Asked Questions 52
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Wat Is Rtrrctivity?
“Retroreectivity” reers to the property o a trac sign to
reect light back to the driver. Retroreective trac signs are
used to increase sign visibility at night. Maintaining trac
sign retroreectivity is important since nighttime atal crashes
occur approximately three times as oten as daytime atal
crashes.
Wy D I Nd t Wrry abut It?
This toolkit will teach you about retroreectivity and your
responsibilities under new Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) requirements to maintain signs in your area. To
promote saety and eciency, FHWA maintains basic
standards or trac signs as ound in the Manual on Uniorm
Trafc Control Devices (MUTCD). All agencies that maintain
roadways open to public travel must comply with these new
requirements.
Retroreectivity degrades over time. Upgrading poorly
maintained trac signs may reduce trac injuries and
atalities. Maintaining the retroreectivity o your local tracsigns might save a neighbor’s lie—or your child’s.
Wat D I Nd t D?
Use this toolkit to learn about the new requirements and how
to be in compliance. The MUTCD standards were recently
updated, and bringing your local signs up to code is your
responsibility. In act, your job is the most important part
o making the new standards successul—and your ellow
citizens are depending on you.
The toolkit is intended or small cities, counties, townships,
ederal land management agencies, and tribal governmentsthat don’t have a trac engineer on sta. In short,
retroreectivity maintenance procedures are explained in
la man’s terms
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Chapter 1: Introduction
11INTRODUCTION
I N T R O D
U C T I O N
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Wat Is Rtrrctivity?
“Retroreectivity” describes how light is reected
rom a surace and returned to its original source
(“retro”-reector). Trac signs are made with
retroreective sheeting materials to increase their
visibility at night. Maintaining trac sign retroreectivity
is important to promoting nighttime trac saety.
Trac signs use technology with small glass beads
or prismatic reectors that reect light rom vehicleheadlamps back to the vehicle and the driver’s eyes,
thus making the sign appear more bright and visible to
the driver.
The fgure below shows how retroreectivity works
to assist nighttime driving. There needs to be a light
source (vehicle headlamps), a target (trac sign), and areceptor (driver’s eyes).
1Intrductin
Denes retroreectivity and its
importance to trac saety
Introduces the MUTCD
Identies new MUTCD
retroreectivity requirements orsign maintenance
Outlines your agency’s
responsibilities under the new
requirements
Discusses how proper sign
maintenance can help protect
your agency legally
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U .S . D e p a r t me nt o f T r a ns p o r ta t i o nF e d e r a l H i g hw a y �Ad mi ni s t r a t io n
M a n u a l o n U n i f o r m T r a f f i c C o n t r o l D e v i c e s f o r S t r e e t s a n d H i g h w a y s
M a n u a l o n U n i f o r m T r a f f i c C o n t r o l D e v i c e s f o r S t r e e t s a n d H i g h w a y s
I n c l u d i n g R e v i s i o n 1 d a t e d N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 4 a n d R e v i s i o n 2 d a t e d D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7
T Manual on Uniorm Trafc Control Devices
The Manual on Uniorm Trafc Control Devices, published by
the U.S. Department o Transportation—Federal Highway
Administration, sets orth basic principles o trac signs:
namely to promote saety and eciency on our public
roads. Trac signs inorm motorists o regulations, warn o
potential hazards on or near the roadway, and help ensure
that motorists reach their destinations as saely and eciently
as possible.
The MUTCD establishes uniorm
standards or trac signs. Recentlyadopted language in the MUTCD
now requires all agencies that
maintain roadways open to
public travel to adopt a sign
maintenance program designed
to maintain trac signretroreectivity at or above
specifc levels.
Recently adopted
language in the
MUTCD now requires
all agencies that
maintain roadways
open to public
travel to adopt a
sign maintenance
program designed to
maintain trac sign
retroreectivity at
specic levels.
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Once an agency implements one o the methods described
in this guidebook, it will be in compliance with the MUTCD
requirements even i some individual signs do not meet
the minimum retroreectivity levels at a given point in time
(within the restrictions o the compliance dates outlined
earlier). For example, a sign might be covered with gratithe week ater the inspection. I that sign was compliant at
the time o the inspection, the responsible agency would
still be considered in compliance with MUTCD requirements.
The minimum levels o retroreectivity (see Appendix C on
page 46) do not imply that an agency needs to measure
the retroreectivity o every sign in its jurisdiction. Instead,agencies must implement one o the methods designed
to maintain the minimum retroreectivity levels, using the
criteria in Table 1 on page 47.
IN TheNexT ChApTeR
The next chapter describes
the toolkit on CD-ROM that is
included with this guidebook.
The CD-ROM is an interactive
version o the guidebook
that includes an electronic
worksheet or budgeting
retrorefectivity maintenance
costs or signs in your area.
It also contains electronic
resources (such as sample
documents, website links, and
PowerPoint® presentations)
or your use. I you have a
computer, we strongly advise
working with the CD-ROM
rom this point orward.
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Wat Is t Sin Rtrrctivity Tit n CDRom?
The Sign Retroreectivity Toolkit on CD-ROM is an
interactive version o this guidebook. I you have a
computer that meets the minimum required specifcations
or running this program (see page 14), we recommend
you use the CD-ROM rather than the paper guidebook.
Not only does the CD-ROM have eatures not available in
this guidebook, but it also describes other maintenance
methods not presented in detail here. The advantage o using the CD-ROM over the guidebook
is that interactive eatures—such as the interactive budget
estimation tool—can save you time and eort as you
plan your maintenance activities. In addition, the CD-ROM
contains letter and memo templates you can adapt to your
needs.
2T Sin RtrrctivityTit n CDRom
Describes the Sign
Retroreectivity Toolkiton CD-ROM
Species system requirements
or using the Toolkit on CD-ROM
Provides an overview o the
Toolkit on CD-ROM’s sections
Describes the Interactive Budget
Estimation Tool
Describes the alternative to the
Toolkit on CD-ROM
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Sctins t Tit n CDRom
The Toolkit on CD-ROM contains the ollowing sections.
New Trafc Sign Maintenance Requirements. This
section provides the context or why retroreectivity
is important and details the purpose or the Manual
on Uniorm Trafc Control Devices. It also provides the
precise language o the new MUTCD retroreectivity
requirements (see Appendix C on page 46).
Steps t Implementatin. This section includes a
series o questions that will help you decide which
maintenance method best fts your agency’s needs
and resources. While the guidebook includes detailed
inormation on only one recommended maintenance
method, the CD-ROM draws rom our dierentmaintenance methods to provide guidance best suited
or your agency. Perhaps most importantly, you can use
the Interactive Budget Estimation Tool rom this section
to determine the best maintenance method given your
expertise and resources, as well as create and print a
sample budget or maintenance.
WhAT Do I NeeD To
Be ABle To USeThe CD-Rom?
All you need is a personal computer
with a CD-ROM drive and a web
browser. Your browser should be
at least comparable with Internet
Explorer version 6 (2001 or later). To
use the interactive walkthrough, you’ll
needversion7oftheFlashPlayeror
later. Support sites to acquire these
applications ollow:
Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsot.com
Flash Player:
http://www.adobe.com/products/
ashplayer/
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The next chapter explains
in detail the Consistent
Parameters Procedure o theVisual Inspection Method,
which is the most practical
maintenance method or
the vast majority o small
agencies.
IN TheNexT ChApTeR
I Yu Cannt Us t CDRom
I you do not have a computer or your computer
doesn’t match the required specifcations, much o thecontent rom the Toolkit on CD-ROM is replicated in this
guidebook. This guidebook contains detailed inormation
on one o the approved maintenance methods,
specifcally the Consistent Parameters Procedure o the
Visual Inspection Method. Like the Interactive Budget
Estimation Tool, Chapter 4 o this guidebook shows you
how to create a preliminary budget or bringing the
retroreectivity level o your signs into compliance.
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Chapter 3: Maintaining Sign Retroreectivity in Your Community
33 LOCAL MAINTENANCE
L O C A L
M A I N T E N A N C E
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This guidebook presents in detail what may be the most
practical inspection method or smaller agencies: the
Consistent Parameters Procedure o the Visual InspectionMethod. Other methods are described in Appendix B
beginning on page 42. For more inormation on these
alternative methods, please reerence the accompanying Sign
Retroreectivity Toolkit on CD-ROM.
Dscritin t Visua Insctin mtd—
Cnsistnt paratrs prcdur
As implied by its name, the Visual Inspection Method
relies on a visual inspection o signs at night to assess their
compliance with the MUTCD’s retroreectivity requirements.
O all the maintenance methods listed in the MUTCD, the
Visual Inspection Method is probably the most practical or
a small agency with limited resources because it requires
practically no additional equipment and no sign inventories.
The Visual Inspection Method includes
three dierent procedures. Your agency
must select one o the three procedures.
The most practical procedure or small
agencies is the Consistent ParametersProcedure. The other two procedures
included in the Visual Inspection Method
are the Calibrated Signs Procedure and
the Comparison Panel Procedure. Both
o these procedures require special
signs or panels that must be purchasedor abricated. The signs and panels also
require special handling and storing. For these reasons,
3lca maintnanc
Describes the Consistent
Parameters Procedure or theVisual Inspection Method
Lists the Consistent Parameter
procedure requirements
Suggests guidelines or
establishing your inspection
program
T Visua Insctin
mtd is stractica r sar
ancis tat av
iitd rsurcs.
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the Consistent Parameters Procedure o the Visual Inspection
Method is probably the most practical way or small agencies to
meet the MUTCD minimum sign retroreectivity requirements.
Simply stated, inspectors using this procedure assess the
visibility and retroreectivity o trac signs as they approach
the signs on the roadway during nighttime conditions. I the
signs are bright enough to be detected and read, then they
are ok as is. I the signs are deemed marginal, they should
be scheduled or replacement. I some signs are not bright
enough, they should be replaced as soon as possible.
Cnsistnt paratr prcdur Rquirnts
The ollowing conditions must be met to properly assess
the retroreectivity o signs using the Consistent Parameters
Procedure option o the Visual Inspection Method:
Inspections must be conducted at night.
Inspectors must be 60 years or older.
Inspectors must conduct inspections rom a sports utility
vehicle (SUV) or pickup truck, model year 2000 or later.
Inspectors must go through training. Training courses are
available at many Local Technology Assistance Program(LTAP) centers. http://www.ltapt2.org.
guidins r estabisin an Insctin prtc
Your agency should develop specifc guidelines or
conducting nighttime inspections. The content o these
guidelines is up to you and your agency. However, in general,the ollowing considerations should be taken into account.
Cnsistency testing cnditins. Conduct inspections
during consistent nighttime conditions whenever possible
(e.g., always conduct inspections on clear nights, when
there is no rain or og). Keep the interior light o the
inspection vehicle o. Use a pen light or recording
the results o the inspection. Use at least three ratings:
adequate marginal and ail
CheCklIST FoR
eSTABlIShINg ANINSpeCTIoN pRoCeDURe
■Consistency o testing conditions
■Vehicle speed
■Vehicle position
■Headlamp type
■Procedural saety issues
■Recordkeeping
■Replacement
■Frequency
■Compliance Dates
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BY JANUARY
2018
BY JANUARY
2012
BY JANUARY
2015
All agencies mustestablish andimplement a sign
maintenanceprogram addressingthe minimum signretroreectivityrequirements.
All agencies mustcomply with thenew retroreectivity
requirements oroverhead guide signsand all street namesigns.
All agencies mustcomply with thenew retroreectivity
requirements or mosto their trac signsthey have installed,including all red or white“regulatory” signs (suchas STOP and Speed Limitsigns), yellow “warning”
signs, and green/white“guide” signs.
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Speed vehicle apprpriate t the radway. Conduct
inspections at normal roadway operating speeds. I you
have to slow or stop the vehicle to read the sign, this
usually means the sign should be replaced.
Vehicle psitin. Signs should be inspected rom the
travel lane. Also, evaluate signs at a typical viewing
distance (i.e., at a distance that provides the driver
adequate time or an appropriate response).
Type headlamp and alignment. Use low-beamheadlamps to conduct inspections. Take your inspection
vehicle to your local mechanic to veriy that the head
lamps are aimed properly.
Saety issues related t cnducting the inspectins
while in a mving vehicle. I possible, designate a driver
or the vehicle. This serves the dual purpose o ocusing
the inspector on sign evaluation, which promotes
consistency and accuracy o results, as well as improving
saety or all on the roadway.
Recrdkeeping. Use a standardized orm or tracking
inspection results and, i possible, keep these results in afle cabinet or computer database or ease o reerence
and comparison purposes later. Sample orms are
provided in Appendix D (see page 48).
Replacement. Any sign not legible to the inspector at
a typical viewing distance and typical speed should be
replaced as soon as possible. Signs rated as marginalshould be scheduled or replacement.
Frequency. There is no specifc requirement or how
oten you should conduct the inspections. Generally,
most agencies perorm inspections on an annual basis.
Other considerations or sign retroreectivity maintenanceare provided in Appendix A on page 39.
IN The
NexT ChApTeRThe next chapter explains in
detail how to create a basic
budget or maintaining
signs in your area.
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Chapter 4: Preparing a Budget
44 BUDGETING
B U D G E T I N G
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Chapter 2 recommends you use the Sign
Retroreectivity Toolkit on CD-ROM rather than this
paper guidebook, especially or constructing a sample
budget. The interactive eatures o that CD-ROM make
constructing a sample budget easier. However, i you
don’t have access to a computer or your computer
doesn’t meet the specifcations required to run the
CD-ROM, we’ll walk you through constructing a sample
budget here.
gatrin Basic Inratin
Beore you can implement a sign maintenance
program or your area, the frst step is to see how much
it will cost to bring the retroreectivity o your signs up
to MUTCD standards. To that end, this chapter will help
you gather the basic inormation you need to prepare a
sample budget.
This guidebook presents two methods or estimating
sign replacement costs. The frst method requires you
to know the total number o signs you have in your
community. I you don’t know this number, the second
method can help you calculate costs i you know thetotal number o centerline miles o roadway in your
community.
4Budtin
Describes the budgeting process
Presents a budgeting method
based on knowing the total
number o signs in your
community
Presents a budgeting method
based on knowing the total
number o centerline miles in
your community
Suggests the next step beyond
budgeting
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meThoD 1
estiatin Csts Basd n Tta Nubr Sins
I you know the total number o signs in your community,
estimate their replacement costs with the ollowing
ormulas. In Step 1, you must estimate the number o
each type o sign in your community. Step 2 helps you
calculate the cost (by sign type) o updating the signs inyour community.
T use this methd, llw this prcedure:
1. Pick the kind o community you represent (town, city,
county, Federal land, or tribal government).
2. Plug in the total number o signs to determine howmany o each sign type you have.
3. Plug in the total number o each sign type into Step 2
to calculate maintenance costs.
4. I you know the sign replacement cost or your area,
use it rather than the deault value o $150.
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ToWNS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your Town
In all the calculations below, T = the total number o signs in your town. The percentage
shown in the calculations (e.g., 75% in the case o regulatory signs) represents the
estimated number o signs o that type in an average town. This percentage comes rom
previous research.
Regulatory Signs: T × 0.75 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: T × 0.20 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: T × 0.05 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costs
or updating the signs in your town. The percentage shown in the calculations below
(e.g., 10% in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably
needing maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This
percentage comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.83 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.50 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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CITIeS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your City
In all the calculations below, T = the total number o signs in your city. The percentage
shown in the calculations (e.g., 80% in the case o regulatory signs) represents the
estimated number o signs o that type in an average city. This percentage comes rom
previous research.
Regulatory Signs: T × 0.80 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: T × 0.15 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: T × 0.05 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costs or
updating the signs in your city. The percentage shown in the calculations below (e.g., 10%
in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably needing
maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This percentage
comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.66 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.50 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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CoUNTIeS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your County
In all the calculations below, T = the total number o signs in your county. The percentage
shown in the calculations (e.g., 65% in the case o regulatory signs) represents the
estimated number o signs o that type in an average county. This percentage comes
rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: T × 0.65 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: T × 0.25 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: T × 0.10 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costs
or updating the signs in your county. The percentage shown in the calculations below
(e.g., 10% in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably
needing maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This
percentage comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.42 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.75 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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FeDeRAl lANDS AND TRIBAl goVeRNmeNTS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your Area
In all the calculations below, T = the total number o signs in your area. The percentage
shown in the calculations (e.g., 60% in the case o regulatory signs) represents the
estimated number o signs o that type in an average Federal land area. This percentage
comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: T × 0.60 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: T × 0.35 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: T × 0.05 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costs
or updating the signs in your area. The percentage shown in the calculations below
(e.g., 25% in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably
needing maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This
percentage comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.25 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.42 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.75 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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meThoD 2
estiatin Csts Basd n Cntrin mis
I you know the total number o centerline miles in your
community, estimate your sign replacement costs with
the ollowing ormulas. First, you must estimate the
number o each type o sign in your community in Step 1.
Step 2 helps you calculate the cost (by sign type) o
updating the signs in your community.
T use this methd, llw this prcedure:
1. Pick the kind o community you represent (town, city,
county, Federal land, or tribal government).
2. Plug in the total number o centerline miles todetermine how many o each sign type you have.
3. Plug in the total number o each sign type into Step 2
to calculate maintenance costs.
4. I you know the sign replacement cost or your area,
use it rather than the deault value o $150.
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ToWNS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your Town
In all the calculations below,
•C = total number o centerline miles in your town,
•the number “24” represents the number o signs per centerline mile in an average
town (based on previous research), and
•
the percentage shown in the calculations (e.g., 75% in the case o regulatory signs)represents the estimated number o signs o that type in an average town (based on
previous research).
Total Signs: C × 24 = (T, or the estimated total # of signs)
Regulatory Signs: C × 0.75 × 24 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: C × 0.20 × 24 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: C × 0.05 × 24 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costsor updating the signs in your town. The percentage shown in the calculations below
(e.g., 10% in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably
needing maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This
percentage comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.83 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.50 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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CITIeS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your City
In all the calculations below,
•C = total number o centerline miles in your city,
•the number “28” represents the number o signs per centerline mile in an average
city (based on previous research), and
•the percentage shown in the calculations (e.g., 80% in the case o regulatory signs)
represents the estimated number o signs o that type in an average city (based on
previous research).
Total Signs: C × 28 = (T, or the estimated total # of signs)
Regulatory Signs: C × 0.80 × 28 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: C × 0.15 × 28 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: C × 0.05 × 28 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costs orupdating the signs in your city. The percentage shown in the calculations below (e.g., 10%
in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably needing
maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This percentage
comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.66 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.50 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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CoUNTIeS
Step 1. Calculating the Number o Each Sign Type in Your County
In all the calculations below,
•C = total number o centerline miles in your county,
•the number “4” represents the number o signs per centerline mile in an average
county (based on previous research), and
•the percentage shown in the calculations (e.g., 65% in the case o regulatory signs)
represents the estimated number o signs o that type in an average county (based
on previous research).
Total Signs: C × 4 = (T, or the estimated total # of signs)
Regulatory Signs: C × 0.65 × 4 = (R, or the estimated # of regulatory signs)
Warning Signs: C × 0.25 × 4 = (W, or the estimated # of warning signs)
Guide Signs: C × 0.10 × 4 = (g, or the estimated # of guide signs)
Step 2. Calculating Sign Replacement Costs (by Sign Type)
Using the total or each sign type estimated in Step 1, you can approximate the costsor updating the signs in your county. The percentage shown in the calculations below
(e.g., 10% in the case o regulatory signs) is the estimated number o signs probably
needing maintenance. The $150 estimated cost includes materials and labor. This
percentage comes rom previous research.
Regulatory Signs: R × 0.10 × $150 =
Warning Signs: W × 0.42 × $150 =
Guide Signs: g × 0.75 × $150 =
Sum o Total Sign Replacement Costs:
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SWhAT’S NexT?
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Suary
Now that you have gone through this Guidebook, you
might want to use the ollowing list o action items to help
implement a sign retroreectivity maintenance program.
Decide on a MUTCD Method and Procedure or1.
evaluating your signs (Recommendation: Visual Nighttime
Inspection—Consistent Parameters)
Beore January 2012, document your agencies’ adoption o 2.
an approved method and procedure by fling an internalmemo that includes language such as: “In accordance with
the Second Edition o the 2003 MUTCD—Section 2A.09,
our agency adopts the Visual Nighttime Inspection Method
and the Consistent Parameters Procedure as our technique
or maintaining sign retroreectivity levels. Our guidelines
or inspection are attached (see pages 20 and 22 o thisGuidebook). The ______ oce is responsible or carrying
out this method and procedure.”
Request appropriate unding rom your management or3.
inspection and replacement o signs.
Begin inspecting your signs on an interval appropriate4.
or your agency (usually once per year or once every two
years).
By January 2015, have regulatory signs, warning signs, and5.
ground mounted guide signs ailing the sign inspections
replaced.
By January 2018, have street name signs and overhead6.guide signs ailing the sign inspections replaced.
WhAT’S NexT?
Now that you know the approximatecosts or bringing sign retroreectivity
up to code in your community, you can
begin to plan a maintenance schedule.
You might consider taking the total
sign replacement costs and dividing
that by the number o years you want
to spread out the costs. Remember
the sign replacement deadlines
provided on page 21. Ater you decide
how much unding you will need per
year, you can ll out a budget request
to your management. See
the budget
request
templates
included as
part o the Sign
Retroreectivity Toolkit
on CD-ROM.
R E T R O R E F L E C T I V I T Y
R E T R O R E F L E C T I V I T Y T O O L K I T T O O L K I T
S I G N S I G N
H O W T O M E E T T H E N E W N AT I O N AL S T AN D AR D F O R S M ALL AG E N C I E S ,F E D E R AL LAN D M AN AG E M E N T AG E N C I E S ,AN D T R I B AL G O V E R N M E N T S
F H W A
- C F L / T D
- 0 9 -
0 0 5 •
J u l y
2 0 0 9
U .S .D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n F e d e r a l H i g h w a y Ad m i n i s t r a t i o n
Appendicies
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APPENDICES
A P P E N D I C E S
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Appendix A: Other Considerations or Sign Retroreectivity Maintenance
APPENDIX A
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otr Cnsidratins r SinRtrrctivity maintnanc
Dnin Cnranc wit t mUTCD
Agencies can achieve substantial conormance with the
MUTCD Section 2A.09 (see Appendix C on page 46) by simplyhaving a method in place and using that method to maintain
minimum sign retroreectivity levels. Conormance does
not require that every individual sign meet or exceed the
minimum retroreectivity levels at all times.
For example, once signs are rated as marginal or ailing, it is
expected that there will be a reasonable time period where
those signs are in noncompliance until they are upgraded.
Having a method in place to assess minimum retroreectivity
levels helps agencies prioritize how
to spend limited resources on sign
maintenance, ultimately contributing to
improved saety or the motoring public.
Furthermore, the more complete youragency’s inspection records and the
greater eort you have made to comply
with the MUTCD, the better prepared you
are to deend your maintenance practices
against potential lawsuits.
Signs do not last
forever and should be periodically
inspected.
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muntin Rquirnts
In general, trac signs should be mounted on the right
side o the road and not be obscured by such things as trees,parked vehicles, or other physical objects.
Mount signs need to meet the ollowing requirements.
Craswrtinss Rquirnts
Section 2A-19 o the MUTCD states that “ground-mounted
sign supports shall be breakaway, yielding, or shielded with alongitudinal barrier or crash cushion i within the clear zone.”
Rigid objects close to a roadway can be deadly when struck
by a vehicle that strays o the pavement. Supports or road
signs, requently placed close to the roadway, are hazards i
they do not break away upon impact.
BUSINESS OR
RESIDENCE DISTRICT
N o t l e s s t h a n
2 . 1
m
( 7 f t )
Not
less
than0.6 m
(2 ft)
RURAL DISTRICT
(6 ft) N o t l e s s
t h a n
1 . 5
m
( 5 f t )
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“Breakaway signs” include supports that, when struck by a
vehicle, separate rom the base and are knocked ahead o or up
and over the errant vehicle, as well as supports that “yield” or
allow the vehicle to run over them. Note that compliance with
this standard is required by January 2013 or all nonbreakaway
sign supports within the clear zone o roads posted at 50 mph
or greater.
otr Cnditins t Cnsidr
While research has shown that the Visual Inspection Method
is a reasonable method or identiying signs that need
replacement, the Visual Inspection Method is not 100 percent
reliable.
There are conditions where signs might be rated as being
satisactory while temporarily alling below the minimum
retroreectivity levels. For example, dew and rost on signs have
been shown to signifcantly reduce retroreectivity.
When sign inventories are not available or use during visual
inspections, it is possible to miss a small percentage o signs
along a densely signed corridor, especially i a sign was knocked
down or missing during the inspection. Or, signs might meet
retroreectivity minimums or a time, but due to actors suchas manuacturing deects or inadvertent mishandling during
installation, a certain percentage might all below the minimum
retroreectivity levels sooner than expected.
These photos show
a breakaway sign in
action. Breakaway signs
make collisions with
signs safe for the vehicle
occupants.
CleAR ZoNeoF RoADS
A driver o a vehicle that leaves
the roadway might be able to
regain control o the vehicle
and return to the roadway
i the open space adjacent
to the roadway is clear,
unobstructed, and relatively
fat. This area is known as
the “clear zone.” The width
o the clear zone is a unction
o the speed o trac, trac
volume, steepness o the side
slopes, and curvature o the
road. State highway agencies
have accepted procedures or
determining the required clear
zones or roadways.
APPENDIX B
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Appendix B: Other Inspection Methods to Consider or Retroreectivity Maintenance
otr Insctin mtds t Cnsidrr Rtrrctivity maintnanc
MUTCD sign retroreectivity maintenance methods
other than the Consistent Parameters Procedure o the
Visual Inspection Method are described on the ollowing
pages. Agencies can adapt these methods or maintainingsign retroreectivity into their existing sign management
processes.
Note that the Calibration Signs and Comparison Panels
Procedures or the Visual Inspection Method both require the
agency to have signs or panels or implementation. There are
currently no turnkey operations oering these signs or panels.While they could be made by an agency’s sign shop, it would
require retroreectivity measurements with equipment
costing over $10,000 and not likely owned by small agencies.
The Expected Sign Lie, Blanket Replacement, and
Control Sign maintenance methods require some level
o management in order to be implemented. The
Retroreectivity Measurement Method requires equipment
purchases over $10,000.
For each o the last
25 years, approximately
50 percent o the atal
crashes have occurred
at night despite the
lower volumes o trac
at night.
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T Visua Insctin mtd—Atrnativ prcdurs The Consistent Parameters Procedure or this method
has already been described in detail in Chapter 3 o this
guidebook. Here are two alternative procedures or this
method:
Calibratin Signs Prcedure. In this procedure, an
inspector views a “calibration sign” prior to conducting
the nighttime inspection described above. Calibration
signs have known retroreectivity levels at or above
minimum levels. These signs are set up where the
inspector can view the calibration signs in a manner
similar to nighttime feld inspections. The inspector uses
the visual appearance o the calibration sign to establish
the evaluation threshold or that night’s inspection
activities. It is unlikely that small agencies will have theunds or equipment to make the calibration signs required
or this procedure.
Cmparisn Panels Prcedure. Comparison
panels are used to assess signs that have marginal
retroreectivity. The comparison panels are abricated
at retroreectivity levels at or above the minimumlevels. When the visual inspection identifes the
retroreectivity o a sign as marginal, a comparison
panel is attached to the sign, and the sign/panel
combination is viewed
and compared by the
inspector. It is unlikelythat small agencies
will have the unds
or equipment to
make the comparison
panels required or
this procedure.
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Rtrrctivity masurntsRetroreectivity is measured using a retroreectometer.
Signs with retroreectivity below the minimum levels should
be replaced. The Retroreectivity Measurement Method
requires equipment purchases over $10,000.
ectd Sin liWhen signs are installed, the installation date is labeled or
recorded so that the age o a sign is known. The age o the
sign is compared to the expected sign lie. The expected
sign lie is based on the experience o sign retroreectivity
degradation in a geographic area compared to the minimum
levels. Signs older than the expected lie should be replaced.
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Bant RacntAll signs in an area/corridor or o a given type should be
replaced at specifed intervals. This eliminates the need to
assess retroreectivity or track the lie o individual signs.
The replacement interval is based on the expected sign lie,
compared to the minimum levels, or the shortest-lie material
used on the aected signs.
Cntr SinsReplacement o signs in the feld is based on the
perormance o a sample o control signs. The control signs
might be a small sample located in a maintenance yard or a
sample o signs in the feld. The control signs are monitored
to determine the end o their retroreective lie. All feld signs
represented by the control sample should be replaced beore
the retroreectivity levels o the control sample reach the
minimum levels.
Appendix C: New MUTCD Section 2A.09 Maintaining Minimum Retroreectivity
APPENDIX C
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The specifc language or the new minimum requirements is as ollows.
Nw mUTCD miniu Rtrrctivity maintnanc Rquirntsexperience o sign retroreectivity degradation in a geographic
area compared to the minimum levels. Signs older than the
expected lie should be replaced.
Bant RacntD. – All signs in an area/corridor, or o
a given type, should be replaced at specied intervals. This
eliminates the need to assess retroreectivity or track the lie
o individual signs. The replacement interval is based on the
expected sign lie, compared to the minimum levels, or the
shortest-lie material used on the afected signs.
Cntr SinsE. – Replacement o signs in the eld is based on the
perormance o a sample o control signs. The control signs might
be a small sample located in a maintenance yard or a sample o
signs in the eld. The control signs are monitored to determinethe end o retroreective lie or the associated signs. All eld
signs represented by the control sample should be replaced
beore the retroreectivity levels o the control sample reach the
minimum levels.
otr mtdsF. – Other methods developed based on
engineering studies can be used.
SUppoRT:
Additional inormation about these methods is contained in the
2007EditionofFHWA’s“MaintainingTracSignRetroreectivity”
(see Sec tion 1A.11) at http://mutcd.hwa.dot.gov/htm/2003r1r2/
part2/part2a.htm.
opTIoN:
Highway agencies may exclude the ollowing signs rom the
retroreectivity maintenance guidelines described in this Section:
Parking, Standing, and Stopping signs (R7 and R8 series)A.
Walking/Hitchhiking/Crossingsigns(R9series,R10-1throughB.
R10-4b)
Adopt-A-Highway signsC.
All signs with blue or brown backgroundsD.
Bikeway signs that are intended or exclusive use by bicyclists orE.
pedestrians
SUppoRT:
Retroreectivity is one o several actors associated with
maintaining nighttime sign visibility (see Section 2A.22).
STANDARD:
Public agencies or ocials having jurisdiction shall use anassessment or management method that is designed to maintain
sign retroreectivity at or above the minimum levels in Table 1.
SUppoRT:
Compliance with the above Standard is achieved by having a
method in place and using the method to maintain the minimum
levels established in Table 1. Provided that an assessment or
management method is being used, an agency or ocial having jurisdiction would be in compliance with the above Standard even
i there are some individual signs that do not meet the minimum
retroreectivity levels at a particular point in time.
gUIDANCe:
Except or those signs specically identied in the Option
portion o this Section, one or more o the ollowing assessment
or management methods should be used to maintain signretroreectivity:
Visua Nitti InsctinA. – The retroreectivity
o an existing sign is assessed by a trained sign inspector
conducting a visual inspection rom a moving vehicle during
nighttime conditions. Signs that are visually identied by the
inspector to have retroreectivity below the minimum levels
should be replaced.masurd Sin RtrrctivityB. – Retroreectivity
is measured using a retroreectometer. Signs with
retroreectivity below the minimum levels should be
replaced.
ectd Sin liC. –Whensignsareinstalled,the
installation date is labeled or recorded so that the age o
a sign is known. The age o the sign is compared to the
expected sign lie. The expected sign lie is based on the
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Table 1. Minimum Maintained Retroreectivity Levels
Sin Cr
Stin Ty (ASTm D495604)
Additina CritriaBadd Stin prisatic Stin
I II III III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, Ix, x
WhiteonGreenW*;G≥7 W*;G≥15 W*;G≥25 W≥250;G≥25 Overhead
W*;G≥7 W≥120;G≥15 Groundmounted
Black on Yellow
or
Black on Orange
Y*;O* Y≥50;O≥50
Y*;O* Y≥75;O≥75
WhiteonRed W≥35;R≥7
BlackonWhite W≥50
The minimum Minimum Retroreectivity levels shown in this table are in units o cd/lx/m2 measured at an observation angle o 0.2° and anentrance angle o –4.0°.
Fortextandnesymbolsignsmeasuringatleast1,200mm(48inches)andforal lsizesofboldsymbolsigns.
Fortextandnesymbolsignsmeasuringlessthan1,200mm(48inches). Minimumsigncontrastratio≥3:1(whiteretroreectivity÷redretroreectivity).
* Thissheetingtypeshouldnotbeusedforthiscolorforthisapplication.
Bd Syb Sins
W1-1,-2—TurnandCurve•
W1-3,-4—ReverseTurnandCurve•
W1-5—WindingRoad•
W1-6,-7—LargeArrow•
W1-8—Chevron•
W1-10—IntersectioninCurve•
W1-11—HairpinCurve•
W1-15—270DegreeLoop•
W2-1—CrossRoad•
W2-2,-3—SideRoad•
W2-4,-5—TandYIntersection•
W2-6—CircularIntersection•
W3-1—StopAhead•
W3-2—YieldAhead•
W3-3—SignalAhead•
W4-1—Merge•
W4-2—LaneEnds•
W4-3—AddedLane•
W4-5—EnteringRoadwayMerge•
W4-6—EnteringRoadwayAddedLane•
W6-1,-2—DividedHighwayBeginsandEnds•
W6-3—Two-WayTrac•
W10-1,-2,-3,-4,-11,-12—Highway-Railroad•
AdvanceWarning
W11-2—PedestrianCrossing•
W11-3—DeerCrossing•
W11-4—CattleCrossing•
W11-5—FarmEquipment•
W11-6—SnowmobileCrossing•
W11-7—EquestrianCrossing•
W11-8—FireStation•
W11-10—TruckCrossing•
W12-1—DoubleArrow•
W16-5p,-6p,-7p—PointingArrowPlaques•
W20-7a—Flagger•
W21-1a—Worker•
Fin Syb Sins—Symbol Signs Not Listed as Bold Symbol Signs
Scia Cass
W3-1—StopAhead:redretroreectivity≥7•
W3-2—YieldAhead:redretroreectivity≥7;whiteretroreectivity≥35•
W3-3—SignalAhead:redretroreectivity≥7;greenretroreectivity≥7•
W3-5—SpeedReduction:whiteretroreectivity≥50•
Fornon–diamond-shapedsignssuchasW14-3(NoPassingZone),W4-4p(CrossTracDoesNotStop),orW13-1,-2,-3,or-5(SpeedAdvisory• Plaques), use largest sign dimension to determine proper minimum retroreectivity level.
Appendix D: Sample
Forms and Letters
APPENDIX DSa lttrs and Frs
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M
i l e p o i n t
D
i r e c t i o n
S
i g n T y p e
M
U T C D N u m b e r
S
i g n S i z e
Sign Message R
e t r o r e f e c t i v i t y O K
R
e m o v e S i g n
R
e p l a c e S i g n
A
d j u s t H e i g h t
S
t e e l P o s t
W
o o d P o s t
N
e w P o s t
L
e v e l P o s t
Remarks
INSPECToR
✓= okay
Agency __________________________________ Sheet ________ o ________
Trafc Sign Inspection Sheet
Date Surveyed ________________
Zone ______________ Roadway ______________________________Location/Direction _____________
From _____________________________________To __________________________________________
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Odometer
Reading
Side o
Road
Sign
No. Sign I.D. Sign Type
Sign Inspection
Date Action Taken Date Action Taken
Approved ______________________________________
Title Page o
Trafc Control Device Inspection SheetAgency _________________Road Identifcation ________________________Direction _________________
Beginning Point ________________________________Ending Point ________________________________
Date _______________________________ Inspector _____________________________________________
S F di R t l tt t St t D t t T t ti (DoT)
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Date
State DOT Contact
Title
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear (State Contact Person)
Te (Your Agency ) hereby requests urther inormation on nancial assistance that may beavailable rom the (Your State Department of Transportation) regarding the State’s Suraceransportation and Highway Saety programs. (Your Agency ) is interested in continuing toimprove saety on our local roads by reducing the severity and number o highway crashes.
New Federal rule making related to trac sign retroreectivity now published in the Manual on Uniorm Trafc Control Devices (MUCD) requires all government agencies to implementa trac sign maintenance program and to begin meeting new minimum sign retroreectivity requirements. (Your Agency ) is interested in learning more about this program but, moreimportantly, applying or any unding opportunities that may be available or local agencies.
(Your Agency ) anticipates needing an additional ($ XX,XXX ) in annual operating expenses to
implement a sign management program and to begin the purchase and installation o new tracsigns. Te requested improvements include the ollowing:
1. (Itemize)2.3.
(Your Agency ) will budget available necessary unds or a local share o any unding opportunities
and can provide additional inormation related to this request.
Please let me know i you have any questions or need additional inormation.
Sincerely,
Mayor, County Executive, City Administrator, or Tribal Government Representative
Sa Fundin Rqust lttr t Stat Dartnt Transrtatin (DoT)
Sa Fundin Rqust m t ectd ofcias
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MEMORANDUM
O: Board, Council, Commission
FROM: City or County Administrator
DAE:
SUBJEC: FY 20 XX Budget Service Level Increase
New Federal trac sign standards require (Your Agency ) to implement a trac signmaintenance program and to begin meeting new minimum sign retroreectivity requirements or many o our trac signs. Tis will require (Your Agency ) to:
1. establish a sign maintenance program by January 2012,2. meet new minimum retroreectivity requirements or most o our trac signs by
January 2015 (regulatory, warning, and guide signs), and3. meet new minimum retroreectivity requirements or our street name signs by January 2018.
o meet these new Federal requirements, the (Your Agency ) will need an additional($ XX,XXX ) in annual operating expenses to implement this sign maintenance programand to begin the purchase and installation o new trac signs. Te requested improvementsinclude the ollowing:
1. (Itemize)2.3.
Tere may be opportunities to apply or and receive State or Federal grant unds to helpofset our anticipated increase in annual expenses, and our staf is investigating theseopportunities.
Please let me know i you have any questions or need additional inormation.
Sa Fundin Rqust m t ectd ofcias
Appendix E: Frequently Asked Questions
APPENDIX E
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Frqunty Asd Qustins
Wat is rtrrctivity?
“Retroreectivity” describes how light is reected rom a
surace and returned to its original source (“retro”-reector).
Trac signs are covered by retroreective sheeting materials
to increase their visibility at night. Since nighttime crashes
occur approximately three times as oten as daytime crashes,maintaining trac sign retroreectivity is important to
promoting trac saety.
Wat as t trafc sins visib at nit?
Trac signs use technology with small glass beads or
prismatic reectors that reect light rom vehicle headlampsback to the vehicle and the driver’s eyes, thus making the sign
appear more bright and visible to the driver. For retroreectivity
to work properly, there needs to be a light source (vehicle
headlamps), a target (trac sign), and a receptor (driver’s eyes).
Wat is t mUTCD?Published by the Federal Highway Administration, the
Manual on Uniorm Trafc Control Devices defnes the standards
used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain
trac control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD
is available at http://mutcd.hwa.dot.gov.
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Can I us any ty sin stin as n as its
rtrrctivity ts t iniu scid vs? The new Table 1 (seeon page 47) indicates that any type o
sheeting including the Type I (commonly called Engineering
Grade), Type II (commonly called Super Engineering Grade), or
Type III beaded (commonly called High Intensity Beaded) sheeting
and the Type III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, or X prismatic sheeting may be
used on any sign with the ollowing exceptions: Types I, II, and III beaded sheeting cannot be used or the
white legends on overhead guide signs,
Type I beaded sheeting cannot be used or the white legends
on ground-mounted guide signs, and
Type I beaded sheeting cannot be used or the yellow or
orange backgrounds on warning and temporary trac controlsigns.
Can I sti us Ty I eninrin grad sin stin?
Type I Engineering Grade sign sheeting may still be used or
white, green, and red backgrounds. Type I Engineering Grade
sign sheeting also may still be used or the white legend on asign with a red background. Thus, STOP signs and black-on-white
regulatory signs may still be made rom Type I Engineering Grade
sign sheeting.
However, when agencies review their signing practices and
choice o sign materials, consider the annualized costs o the signs
using actors like expected sign lie. Even though a particular type
o sheeting might initially meet the minimum retroreectivity
levels when it is new, it might quickly degrade below minimum
levels, thus losing its eectiveness at night and requiring
replacement the next time its retroreectivity is assessed. The use
o higher-perormance sheeting, although more expensive initially,
might provide a better lie-cycle cost or the agency.
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RETROREFLECTIVITYRETROREFLECTIVITYTOOLKITTOOLKIT
SIGNSIGN
HOW TO MEET THE
NEW NATIONAL
STANDARD
FOR SMALL AGENCIES,
FEDERAL LAND
MANAGEMENT AGENCIES,
AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
F H W A - C F L / T D
- 0 9 -
0 0 5
• J u l y
2 0 0 9
U.S. Departmentof Transportation
Federal HighwayAdministration
SYSTem ReQUIRemeNTS
Internet Explorer® version 6 (2001 or later) or comparable
Fortheinteractivewalkthrough:
FlashPlayerversion7orlater
Support sites to acquire these applications:Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsot.com
FlashPlayer:
http://www.adobe.com/products/ashplayer/
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TTI.FHWA0901.0709.XXM