NW Traffic AllianceSharing Experience and IdeasBringing Traffic Professionals Together
Rick ButnerPierce County Public Works & Utilities
November 15, 2012 Washington State Association of County Engineers
• In the Beginning– First meeting held March of 2011
• Name was decided
• In Attendance– Pierce , Kitsap and King County – WSDOT
• Discussed Sign Retro & Asset Management• WASP contacts to initiate first meeting.
NW Traffic Alliance
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
• First Core Group Meeting, April 2011
• Great Turn out• Decision made to
Continue Meetings• Workshops?• Invite Cities?
NW Traffic Alliance
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
NW Traffic Alliance – Workshops
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
• Workshops– Personal Growth– Sharing Ideas– Networking– Fulfilling a need
NW Traffic Alliance - March Workshop
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
NW Traffic Alliance - March Workshop
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
• "This was one of the most beneficial meetings that I have been to. Looking forward to many more“ – Cody Romero with the City of Port Angeles
• "That was a great workshop, both my techs made the same comment - that was the best workshop/conference that they have been to" Thanks again – Jeff Thomas with Whatcom County
• Multi Agency buying power– Vendors receptive to Alliance
buying power• Materials that work for us
– Discuss at Alliance meetings– State Contract?
• Benefits to hosting agency– Rebates?
NW Traffic Alliance - Inter-locals
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
• Pierce County Traffic Bids– Traffic Striping/Markings Paint– Traffic Signs– Wood posts for signs– Steel posts for signs– Pavement Markings
• Benefits– Control of products used– Standardization– Best product at best cost
NW Traffic Alliance - Inter-locals
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
NW Traffic Alliance - Web Site
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
www.nwtrafficalliance.com
• 2009 WSACE meeting in Bremerton• Evolution of Program• Value of Sharing • Interest in Program• National Attention• National Webinar• Asset Management
Sign Retroreflectivity – Update
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
Sign Retroreflectivity – Basically
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
Measured Retroreflectivity Not
Tested
Monitor Control Sample and schedule sign replacement based on
data models
Monitor age of signs with Inventory
Signs withinwarranty
Add to Control Sample Group to Measured Retroreflectivity Testing
Signs outsidewarranty
Expected Life Control Sample
MeasuredRetroreflectivity
Sign Retroreflectivity – Progress
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 160
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
450059
5
1252
1856
1569
1637
952
945 12
81
458
1310
991
650
601
364
1140
151
143337
4
2846 19
54
971
Red indicates signs replaced as part ofstreet name sign replacement program
Signs managed through Retroreflectivity Program
Age of signs in years
Qua
ntity
of s
igns
in in
vent
ory
Sign Retroreflectivity – Black/Yellow
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
6 8 10 12 14 16 180
50
100
150
200
250
Ten Year warrantyExpected LifeBegin testing 2 years prior to end
Expected LifeControl Sample
Minimum Level 50
133 signs testedRepresenting
1,330 signs in field
Age of sign in years
Retr
orefl
ectiv
ity R
eadi
ngs
2,792 signs in fieldUnder warranty
Not testedWithin Expected Life
Sign Retroreflectivity – Stop Signs
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 170
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
275
300
Retr
orefl
ectiv
ity R
eadi
ngs
Age of sign in years
MinimumRequired
Red
MinimumRequired
White
Averages of control sample by year
Sign Retroreflectivity – Stop Signs
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
6 8 10 12 14 16 180.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
Age of sign - Years
Cont
rast
Rati
o - X
:1
Ten Year WarrantyExpected Life
Begin testing 2 years prior to end Expected Life
Control Sample
Minimum 3:1Contrast Ratio
135 signs testedRepresenting
1,350 signs in field
1,580 signs in fieldUnder warranty
Not testedWithin Expected Life
5:1
5:1
5:1
5:1
6:1
5:1
5:1
6:1
8:1Average Contrast Ratio
• Pride in sharing – Sharing a program that makes you proud
• Learning from the experience of colleagues– Why reinvent the wheel
• Employee Moral– Being involved is exciting
• Cost Benefit– Agency hosted meetings and workshops– Inter local purchasing power
NW Traffic Alliance
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
NW Traffic Alliance
Washington State Association of County Engineers11/15/12
QUESTIONS?Rick Butner(253)798-6836 or [email protected]
November 15, 2012 Washington State Association of County Engineers
