A summary of the new rule and methods to be in compliance
Sign Reflectivity Maintenance Standards
Final Rule
2003 MUTCD Revision #2
Effective Jan 22, 2008
MUTCD
National standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
New MUTCD LanguageSection 2A.09 Maintaining Minimum Retroreflectivity
“Standard:
Public agencies or officials having jurisdiction shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels in Table 2A-3”
Sign Color
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Additional
Criteria
Beaded SheetingPrismatic Sheeting
I II IIIIII, IV, VI, VII,
VIII, IX, X
White on Green
W*G ≥ 7
W* G ≥ 15
W*G ≥ 25
W ≥ 250; G ≥ 25Overhea
d
W*G ≥ 7
W ≥ 120; G ≥ 15Ground-mounted
Black on Yellow orBlack on Orange
Y*; O*
Y ≥ 50; O ≥ 50
Y*; O*
Y ≥ 75; O ≥ 75
White on Red
W ≥ 35; R ≥ 7
Black on White
W ≥ 50
* This sheeting type should not be used for this color for this application.
New MUTCD Table 2A.3Minimum Maintained Retroreflectivity Levels
Sign Color
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Beaded Sheeting Prismatic Sheeting
I II IIIIII, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX,
X
White on Green
W*G ≥ 7
(9)
W* G ≥ 15
(30)
W*G ≥ 25
(45)
W ≥ 250 (250 – 700); G ≥ 25 (38 – 75)
W*G ≥ 7
(9)
W ≥ 120 (140 – 700); G ≥ 15 (30 – 75)
Black on Yellow orBlack on Orange
Y*; O*Y ≥ 50 (100 – 525); O ≥ 50 (60 – 265)
Y*; O*Y ≥ 75 (100 – 525); O ≥ 75 (60 – 265)
White on Red
W ≥ 35 (70 – 700); R ≥ 7 (14 – 105)
Black on White
W ≥ 50 (70 – 700)
New MUTCD Table with Specifications for New Sheeting
New MUTCD LanguageSection 2A.09 Maintaining Minimum Retroreflectivity
“Support:
Compliance… is achieved by having a method in place and using the method to maintain the minimum levels established in Table 2A-3. Provided that… a method is being used, an agency would be in compliance… even if there are some individual signs that do not meet the… levels at a particular point in time.
New MUTCD Language
“…One or more of the following assessment or management methods should be used…”
Visual Nighttime Inspection/AssessmentCalibration SignsComparison PanelsConsistent
Parameters Measured Sign Retro
Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs Future Method Based
On Engr. Study Combination Of Any
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 1: Visual Assessment
Trained inspectorVisual inspection at nightNeed to tie to minimum values
by usingCalibration signs procedure, orComparison panels procedure, orConsistent parameters procedure
Method 1: Visual Assessment
Common elements of all visual assessment proceduresAim inspection vehicle headlampsTwo-person crew works bestUse low-beam headlampsHave evaluation form and criteriaConduct evaluations at roadway speed
“Calibrate” eyes with calibration signs
Calibration signs are near minimum retro
Evaluate signs compared to calibration signs
Method 1: Visual AssessmentCalibration Procedure
Method 1: Visual AssessmentComparison Panels Procedure
Tie to minimum values with comparison panelsPanels are near desired retroClipped to sign - viewed from distanceEvaluate signs compared to panels
Method 1: Visual AssessmentConsistent Parameters Procedure
Tie to minimum values by using consistent parameters as used to develop the minimum levels Inspector – older driver (60+)SUV type vehicleCutoff headlamps
(properly aimed)
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 1: Visual Assessments
Advantages: Signs are viewed in their natural surroundings Low level of sign replacement and sign waste.
Disadvantages: Subjective: but research has shown that trained
observers can detect signs with marginal retroreflectivity.
Exposure of conducting nighttime inspections Paying overtime
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 2: Measure Sign Retro
TrainingPortable instrumentCompare readings to minimum values
Information on Hand-Held Devices
Delta Retrosign GR3 http://www.tapcostore.com/
RoadVista 922 http://www.roadvista.com
Zehntner ZRS (Available in Europe) http://www.zehntner.com/html/download/prospekt_zrs5060_d_e.pdf
Mechatronic RC200 (Available in Europe) http://www.mechatronic.de/04traffic/en/01/rc2000.html
As of May 2008
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 2: Measured Retro
Advantages:Most direct means of monitoring
retroreflectivity levels Removes subjectivity
Disadvantages:Cost of instruments (approx $12,000)Time consuming / resource intensiveMay neglect other attributes of the sign's
overall appearance.
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 2: Measured Retro
Advantages:Most direct means of monitoring
retroreflectivity levels Removes subjectivity
Disadvantages:Cost of instruments (approx $12,000)Time consuming / resource intensiveMay neglect other attributes of the sign's
overall appearance.
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 3: Expected Sign Life
Find the life of the sheeting type in your area Replacement based on expected life for
individual signs
Determining Sign Life
• Use a weathering rack • Use AASHTO-NTPEP
data• Use warranty information
from sheeting company• Measure existing signs
with known install date• Use nearby jurisdiction’s
weathering data
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 3, Expected Sign Life
Advantages: Can use a date sticker, bar code, or computerized
sign management system Agencies can develop or copy local service life
levels
Disadvantages: Requires tracking installation date of all signs. May be time consuming to inspect date stickers if
the stickers are not easily viewable or computer inventory is not used
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 4: Blanket Replacement
All signs in an area/corridor are replaced at the same time at specified intervals
Specified intervals could be set based on expected sign life
Blanket Replacement
Divide agency into areas/corridors or zones
Relate number of areas to replacement cycle
Replace all signs in an area/ corridor each replacement cycle 10 yr life, 10 areas Annual replacement in each
area
Replace Replace all signs all signs in this in this area area
during during 1st year1st year3rd 3rd
yearyear
5th5thyearyear
7th7thyearyear
Example
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 4, Blanket Replacement
Advantages: Low likelihood of a given sign being skipped over or
not being replaced. This ensures that all replaced signs are visible and meet minimum retroreflectivity levels.
Disadvantages: Waste if signs that are relatively new are removed
during a normal replacement cycle.
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 5: Control Signs
Sign life is estimated using a subset of signs representing an agency’s inventory. Subset of signs is the “control signs”
Control signs can be in-service signs or signs in a maintenance yard.
Agency monitors control
signs to estimate condition
of all their signs. Periodically measure
retroreflectivity of control
signs.
Example of Control Signs
Advantages / DisadvantagesMethod 5, Control Signs
Advantages:Not very labor intensive Low cost option
Disadvantages:Need an adequate sampling of signs
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Method 6: Future Methods
Flexibility is provided for
future advancements in
technology and methods
that have not been fully
developedMust be based on an
engineering study
MUTCD Methods
Visual assessmentMeasured retroreflectivity Expected sign lifeBlanket replacementControl signsFuture methodsCombination of methods
www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro
Summary: Methods Allowed
Visual Nighttime Inspection Calibration Signs Comparison Panels Consistent Parameters
Measured Sign Retro Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs Future Method Based On
Engr. Study Combination
Public agencies or officials having jurisdiction shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels in Table 2A-3”
Compliance… is achieved by having a method in place and using the method to maintain the minimum levels established in Table 2A-3. Provided that… a method is being used, an agency would be in compliance… even if there are some individual signs that do not meet the… levels at a particular point in time.
Summary of New Language
Compliance Periods
From “Effective” Date of Final Rule (January 22, 2008):
Establish and implement method(s) 4 yrs (January, 2012)
Replace identified regulatory, warning, ground-mounted guide signs (except street-name) 7 yrs (January, 2015)
Replace identified street name & overhead guide signs 10 yrs (January, 2018)
Exempt Signs
Parking/Standing/Stopping Walking/Hitchhiking Adopt-A-Highway Blue or Brown
Backgrounds Exclusive Use of Bikes
or PedsNote: Must still meet other
requirements in MUTCD(inspections, retroreflective,etc,)
More Information
ATSSA www.retroreflectivity.netPrimer on retroreflectivityCommon questions
FHWA fhwa.dot.gov/retroSummary BrochureFinal RulePower Point PresentationsNewsletter ArticlesFrequently Asked Questions
Funding
December 2008 Letter from FHWA Locals:
Do some homework Talk to your state DOT
Consider life/cycle costs Stimulus package – get ready
? Simple PS&E package