Safety Solutions for the FHWA Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity

3M Signing Systems

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Safety Solutions for the FHWA Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity

Visibility & Safety for the Life of the Road

Tim GibsonSenior Government Transportation Safety [email protected]

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FHWA Ruling on the Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity


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Congressional Legislation

1993 DOT Appropriations Act –

“The Secretary of Transportation shall revise the MUTCD to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for traffic signs and pavement markings which apply to all roads open to public travel.”

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Why The Ruling?

Night Safety Older Drivers Visual Cues

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0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Fat

al C

rash

es

Daylight

Dark

Dark/Lighted

Dawn & Dusk

Fatal Crashes By Light Condition (FARS)

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Crash Data: Non-Daylight

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent

DistanceTraveled

FatalCrashes

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FHWA Older Driver Recommendations:

Larger Signs

Larger Letters on Signs

Brighter Signs

Incorporate Signs with Larger Observation Angle Performance

Use of Florescent Orange in Work Zone

Use of Fluorescent Yellow for “NO PASSING ZONE” Pennants (and chevrons)

Recommendations (2001)

FHWA-RD-01-051

Older Driver Handbook (2001)

FHWA-RD-01-103

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The Needs of The Older Driver20 Year-Old

40 Year-Old 60 Year-Old

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USA Today October 5th, 2000

But the study suggests that older drivers have trouble navigating the roads, which were not designed with them in mind. For many aging motorists, signs are hard to read, lanes are too narrow and left-hand turns are very difficult. Intersections are a particular problem. According to the study... Half of all fatal accidents involving older drivers occur at intersections, compared with about 25% for other drivers.

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Retroreflectivity Degrades

Over TimeRetroreflectivity

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The Final Ruling

Section 1A.11‘Minimum Level of Retroreflectivity’ guidance document and reflectivity table.

Section 2A.09Assessment or Management Method

Section 2A.22Sign Maintenance

Additional Info. - http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov

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Table: Minimum Reflectivity LevelsTable: Minimum Reflectivity Levels

* This Sheeting Type should NOT be used for this color for this application

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Summary – Major Impacts

Overhead Guide Signs (white) must be Prismaticmust be Prismatic Ground Mounted Street Name Signs (white) can not be EG (Type I)can not be EG (Type I) Warning Signs (Yellow &/or Orange) can not be EG (Type I)can not be EG (Type I) Regulatory Signs (Black on White), white ≥ 50 cd/lx/m2 (EG initial values

are 70 cd/lx/m2, life of EG signs will be shortlife of EG signs will be short) Minimum Sign Contrast Ratio ≥ 3:1 for Stop Signs (white refl. ÷ red refl.)

(A lot of older stop signs will be noncompliant due to ink fadingolder stop signs will be noncompliant due to ink fading – especially if those signs are south facing)

How will you determine which of your signs fail these criteria?

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Ruling Section 2A.09

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.

FHWA uses the verb ‘shall’ in STANDARD statements which means ‘required’ or ‘mandatory’

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Assessment/Management Methods

Assessment Methods: Determine what you have

• Visual Nighttime Inspections• Measured retroreflectivity

Management Methods: Manage what you have

• Expected Life• Blanket Replacement• Control Signs

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ConsiderationsConsiderations

If you have the following……• Significant quantities of Engineer Grade (EG) Signs• Older High Intensity Beaded signs of certain types• Significant Street Name signs that are out of

compliance (Letter Height Sheeting)

.....you may be better off replacing without a costly assessment

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Ruling Section 2A.22

Guidance:

Maintenance activities should consider proper position, cleanliness, legibility and daytime and nighttime visibility (see section 2A.09) Damaged or deteriorated signs should be replaced… a schedule for inspecting (both day and night), cleaning and replacing sign should be established.

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Compliance Date from January 22, 2008

4 years - (1/22/12)Select and begin implementing Assessment/Management Method to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels

7 years - (1/22/15)Replace regulatory, warning, and post mounted guide signs that are identified using the assessment or management method as failing to meet the established minimum levels

10 years - (1/22/18)Replace overhead guide signs and street name signs that are identified using the assessment or management method as failing to meet the established minimum levels.

Exclusions: (1) Parking, Standing and Stopping Signs – R7 & R8 Series, (2) Walking/ Hitchhiking/ Crossing signs - R9 Series, R10-1 through R10-4b,

(3) Adopt-a-Highway Signs, (4) All signs with blue or brown backgrounds, (5) Bikeway signs that are

intended for bicyclists

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Retroreflective Sheeting Comparison


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Proposed Type XIIII, IV, XIASTM Types

12 years10 yearsNoneExpress Warranty

2005

Full Cube Prismatic

2000s

Truncated Prismatic

1940s

Enclosed Glass BeadTechnology

UnsurpassedVery GoodInadequate*Overall

Performance

“Whiter” white, greater color uniformity


Less vivid daytime colorsColor

400 mcd200 mcd30 mcd0.5° Observation Angle Brightness(~350 ft from sign for sedan)

100%65%28%Optical Efficiency

3M DG33M HIPEGAttributes

Proposed Type XIIII, IV, XIASTM Types

12 years10 yearsNoneExpress Warranty

2005

Full Cube Prismatic

2000s

Truncated Prismatic

1940s

Enclosed Glass BeadTechnology

UnsurpassedVery GoodInadequate*Overall

Performance



Less vivid daytime colorsColor

400 mcd200 mcd30 mcd0.5° Observation Angle Brightness(~350 ft from sign for sedan)

100%65%28%Optical Efficiency

3M DG33M HIPEGAttributes

Higher Performance Sheeting

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Luminance Curves

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Total Light Return EfficiencyTruncated Cube

30%

Tot

al R

etro

refl

ecti

ve

Eff

icie

ncy

10% to larger observation angles

20% to smaller observation angles

30%

Tot

al R

etro

refl

ecti

ve

Eff

icie

ncy


Cone of Retroreflection



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Total Light Return EfficiencyFull Cube

60%

Tot

al R

etro

refl

ecti

ve E

ffic

ienc

y




Increasing the overall total retroreflective efficiency ensures serving the greatest segment of nighttime driver population without the need of sign illumination.

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FHWA Report: Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity: Impact on State and Local Agencies


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FHWA –HRT-07-042 Report:

Using durable prismatic sheeting may be the more economic option for agencies in the long run, although initial costs may be higher.

Using higher retroreflectivity materials only increases total sign cost by 3% to 14%

Engineer Grade Sheeting can be more costly than prismatic sheeting with a longer life cycle when sign installation costs are considered (labor, hardware, administrative).

Although older drivers will particularly benefit from higher retroflectivity, all drivers will be better served by the improved nighttime performance.

The study can be accessed online at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07042/07042.pdf

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Life Cycle Cost Comparison

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The Safety Effects of Traffic Sign Upgrades” Ripley, D. A.; H.R. Green and Associates


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Reduced Crash Rates(More visible signs resulted in crash reductions…)

Crash Reduction over

Time periodSavings Cost

Benefit-to-Cost Ratio

Mendocino County, CA

46% over

6 years

$12.5-$23.7 million

$79,300 159:1 – 299:1

Sioux City, IA30% over

3 years$4.92 million $145K 3395:1

Putnam County, NY

25% over

3 years$185K $160K 1.16:1

Source: Quantifying the Safety Benefits of Traffic Control Devices – Benefit-Cost Analysis of Traffic Sign Upgrades, Douglas A. Ripley

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NACE Grant Program


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NACE Grant Program

Partnership Between NACE & 3M NACE Members Only (www.countyengineers.org) Material Upgrade Only (EG to Prismatic) 3M Sheeting Materials Required

• Type IV,X (High Intensity Prismatic)• Type XI (Proposed) (DG3)

Grant Applies To In-house or Fabricator Supplied Signs One Grant Per Agency (Redeem within 6 months) Offered During 2008 NACE Grant Application Site: http://nacegrant.brandspringsolutions.com

The Purpose:

To provide funding that assists local government agencies in upgrading their sign standards

to meet their safety goals.

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Roadway Maintenance Services (RMS)A new approach to supporting agency maintenance needs


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“Traditional Approach” to Sign Inventory & Replacement”

General Payment Requirements Pay for Design/Sign Inventory/GIS Pay for Plans/Specs/Reports Administration Costs to Implement Contracts Pay for Materials (3M) Pay for Fabrication (Fabricator) Pay for Installation (Sign Installer) Pay to Update Final Inventory

Multiple Channels for Payment results in inefficiencies and greater overall cost to the agency

3M “Turnkey” approach = Single Source = $ Savings

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3M RMS Signing Total Solution3M RMS Signing Total Solution

RMS can do the following to support you:

Sign Assessments Develop Replacement Plan Engineering Services Manage the Project to Deliver New Signs

- Materials, Fabrication, & Installation Provide the Agency with a Sign Inventory

- Web-based, no Software Deliver the updated data to the Agency’s existing system (if one exists) Provide ongoing support for future Sign

Upgrade or Replacement Needs

“Extension of your Staff”

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Sign Assessments - The 3M Sign Assessments are broken out into differing levels of service to accommodate a wider variety of needs:

Silver PackageSilver Package

Location Attributes: GPS Location Sign Position Sign Location by Route/Street Sign Orientation

Sign Property Attributes: MUTCD Sign Type Sign Dimensions using Specs Video Still (low resolution) Night Viewing (Pass/Fail)

Other Info: Date of Inspection Name of Inspector

Deliverables: Web based Inventory System (minimal attributes) Complies with Minimum Reflectivity Requirements of visual

nighttime inspection Can generate replacements based on nighttime inspection Provides a track log for agencies

Advantages: Less expensive option ($2 - $4 / Sign) If 3M RMS does replacements, system can be updated w/

attributes that will transition agency to an ‘Expected Life’ Program.

Disadvantages: Does not generate enough

information about the sign for an immediate transition to the ‘Expected Life’ Method

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Sign Assessments - The 3M Sign Assessments are broken out into differing levels of service to accommodate a wider variety of needs:

Deliverables: Web based Inventory System (many attributes) Complies with Minimum Reflectivity Requirements – will

have all of the information to us the ‘Expected Life’ Mgmt Can generate replacements based on Sheeting Life Provides a track log for agencies

Advantages: Easy development of Replacement Plans (have all sign info) Smooth transition to a “Management Method” of minimum

reflectivity maintenance. Eliminates the need for annual assessments.

Disadvantages: More Expensive Option

($4 - $10 / Sign)

Gold PackageGold Package

Location Attributes: GPS Location – ↑ Accuracy Sign Position Sign Location by Route/Street Sign Orientation Sign Offset from Road Edge Mounting Height

Sign Property Attributes: MUTCD Sign Type Sign Dimensions using Specs Digital Photo (high resolution) Sign Legend Sign Substrate Sheeting Type Sign Condition Sign Structure (post type) Post Structure Condition Sign Age (if available)

Other Info: Date of Inspection Name of Inspector

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Development of Replacement Plans – Using the information captured from the 3M Sign Assessment, RMS utilizes the web-based inventory system to develop a comprehensive replacement plan for years to come…

With the information captured, we can utilize the ‘Expected Life’ management method for each sign to know when to replace…

And the inventory information to know what sign goes where for an efficient installation…

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Delivery of New Signs – Typical Contracts

Corridor/Project Sign Contract 3M RMS responsible for all signs or signs defined by series/type/style in specific area/region/corridor Contract defined by upgrade activity

Contract ends when upgrade activity is complete Warranty provisions on materials apply Could be financed or pay up front Typically a “blanket” replacement or new construction installation of signs

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Delivery of New Signs – Typical Contracts

Work Order/Sign Maintenance Contract 3M RMS under contract as extension of Agency staff

• Complete “Turnkey” sign replacement service Work orders issued for individual or groups of sign replacement activity Bid Schedule, with variety of sign types/styles

• Pay “per each” installed Annual contract, with option to renew (similar to supply contract) Typically two phases of each Work Order:

Phase One – Assessment Phase

Phase Two – Delivery Phase

Example Contracts:

Highlighted Work Order Contract

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3M Inventory/Data Management System – a 3M hosted web-based system that allows agencies to track progress of projects, as well as have a final inventory of signs when project completed.

Added Benefit Interactive Web Site

• “real-time” update of project status• Agency Officials will track progress

of sign replacement• Data used to develop final inventory• No special software required• No IT support required, 3M RMS

manages the system• http://www.3mtrafficsafetynow.com/

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City of Gilbert, AZ – Neighborhood Sign Upgrade Residential Sign Upgrade Installation

• Current signs in older neighborhoods were 15+ year old Engineer Grade, past their service life

• City forces kept up with knock-downs & standard maintenance, but completing a large-scale upgradewith limited personnel was a significant challenge

3M RMS provided not only sign fabrication & installation, but sign data for seamless integration with the town’s existing GIS system.

Completed ProjectsHow other agencies are utilizing RMS for signing work

“Using 3M for this work is a great fit for our town. It allows us to concentrate on the day-to-day maintenance of traffic signs while we contract larger-scale sign upgrade efforts through 3M Roadway Maintenance Services. 3M does a fantastic job with the coordination and communication on the project.”

- Larry Farmer, Town of Gilbert

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Coconino County, AZ – Street Sign Upgrade Program County-wide Long-Term Street Sign Upgrade Program

• County addressed issues of new grid for addresses• Volume savings by utilizing a county-wide multi-year contract• Consistency with new signs & layouts• Data management & Inventory System Critical

3M RMS provided “turn-key” solution, including Management, Design/Assessment, Inventory, and Sign Installation

Completed ProjectsHow other agencies are utilizing RMS for signing work

“Throughout this project, 3M consistently met the standards of workmanship to Coconino County’s satisfaction.” “We are very pleased with the work 3M has provided. As a result, Coconino County’s contractual relationship with 3M is ongoing and we expect 3M to continue to perform sign installation projects for Coconino County over the next 5 years”

- Dale Wegner, Coconino County Engineer

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“Brand Name” Reliability Industry Leading Products with

the highest quality installation Commitment to Service and Quality Level Maintenance Costs – Project Financing Extension of Agency Staff – find the right fit for RMS Opportunity for cost reductions/efficiencies

Benefits Customers ValueBenefits Customers Value

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Safety Solutions for the FHWA Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity

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