Five FHWA Acceptable Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Programs

Five FHWA Acceptable Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Programs

Sample Policy StatementsAre Attached

– Please Choose Oneor a Combination Thereof –

(Each agency must maintain aretroreflectivity maintenance policy statement as requiredby the FHWA in order to meet the January, 2012 deadline for compliance.)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in their most recent edition of the Manual on Uniform Control Devices (MUTCD, 2009) describes five methods which they deem acceptable for local agencies to maintainminimum highway sign retroreflectivity.

Two of these methods are Field Assessment based and are therefore more labor intensive. Three of these methods are Management based and therefore run the risk of sometimes replacing signs that would otherwise be acceptable.

FIELD ASSESSMENT METHODS:

#1. VISUAL ASSESSMENT: Done at night, there are actually three different alternatives within this one method. Details and variations of these alternatives will be discussed later on in this document. With all three alternatives the field inspections are to be done on a regular andrecurring basis.

#2. MEASURED SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY: Done during the daytime. In this method the retroreflectivity of a sign is measured directly using a portable retroreflectometer. The results are directly compared to the minimum level of reflectivity appropriate for that sign as set out in ASTM E1709, Standard Test Method. Inspections to be done on a regular andrecurring basis.

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT METHODS:

#3. EXPECTED SIGN LIFE: In this method signs are replaced before they reach the end of their expected service life. Expected service life can be based on manufacturer’s warranties, weathering deck results, measurement of select signs in the field, etc. This method requires a system for tracking sign installation and age. This can consist of marking each sign with a “manufactured on” date or tracking the sign age using a computer or paper based sign management inventory system.

#4. BLANKET REPLACEMENT: With this method an agency replaces all signs in a given area (or of a given type) at regular intervals based on the relevant expected sign life. This method typically requires that all the designated signs within a replacement area (or of a specific type) be replaced at the start even if the sign is relatively new and was only recently installed.

#5. CONTROL SIGNS: In this method, a control sample of signs is used to represent all of an agency’s signs. The retroreflectivity of the control signs (installed at the same time as the signs in the field,) is monitored and field sign replacement is based on the performance of the control signs.

This data excerpted from FHWA Publication #SA-07-020

All the sign maintenance methods that follow start out, first and foremost, with a good inventory of what you have out there. The FHWA has been recommending for more than 40 years that all municipalities have a sign inventory as an efficient way for local road officials to manage signs and meet MUTCD requirements. An up-to-date inventory is also useful for planning, budgeting and reducing liability exposure. Here is a partial list of software programs you might be interested in:

Computer tools now on the market for highway sign management include:

-SignView by Iowa-based Cartegraph - 800-688-2656

-SignMaster by Master-Mind Systems of Elmore, Ohio - 419-862-3888

-Simple Signs by Minnesota-based Rowekamp Associates - 952-882-4776

-SignProx a Lexington, Kentucky based company - 859-327-1446

-SignCLICK developed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet -

Contact Chad Shive, Frankfort Office, KYTC - 502-564-4890

-Visual Comparison Panels and Calibration Signs can be purchased from

Osburn Signs - (800) 523-8917

From nothing to something

Besides the January 2012 deadline for having a sign management method, the MUTCDcurrently requires the management program be in place and all sub-standard regulatory road signs replaced by January 2015. Finally all street name and overhead guide signs are to be compliant by January 2018. **

Having a full sign inventory that is current and updatable will make it easier to meet these deadlines and manage your limited resources wisely.

** There is a proposal before Congressto extend the two latter dates by three years; however, in this proposal the deadline for having a management plan in place will remain unchanged, i.e.; January22, 2012.

Five FHWA Approved

Sign Maintenance Policies

Use these forms to quickly meet the new requirement

to have a sign maintenance program in place.

(The FHWA Allows You to Revise or Combine As You See Fit.)

Policy Sample #1 -VISUAL ASSESSMENT:(Revise or combine as you see fit.)

Sign Maintenance Policy - [Insert Agency Name]

For Maintaining Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Compliance as Required by the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition

This policy statement describes the evaluation and assessment method employed by the [Insert Agency Name] for the general maintenance of traffic signage and adequate sign retroreflectivity. The method described herein consists of routine daytime reviews for post or sign misalignment, damage, theft or deterioration and a nighttime (biannual, annual, every two years – select one) visual assessment of all signs in a specified area to assure adequate retroreflectivity.

Individual operators and maintenance crews travel the [Insert Agency Name] streets to and from specific work assignments each work day in all parts of our service area. These staffers have been instructed to report any apparent problems (i.e. vision obstruction, vandalism, collision damage or substandard appearing traffic control devices) immediately to the office staff, where a maintenance work order for any needed repairs will be initiated. Local police officers who patrol the streets have also been requested to report any traffic control device deficiencies that are observed, including any collision damage. Other public service staff, including meter readers, zoning and parks personnel have also been advised to report observed traffic control device deficiencies that might be observed during work travels throughout the community.

OPTION A: VISUAL ASSESSMENT - CONSISTENT PARAMETERS METHOD:

To ensure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted a "visual assessment-consistent parameters" method of nighttime inspections with each sign being inspected once in every (six month, 12 month, 24 month -select one) time period. We employ an SUV style vehicle, model year 2000 or newer, to maintain adequate headlight to driver separation. We utilize an older inspector (60 years of age or older) as per FHWA guidelines. We operate the vehicle at normal road speeds, under average weather conditions, using only low-beam headlight intensity. Once out on the intended route the inspector gives each road sign a pass/fail mark on either a printed or electronic inventory for the particular route being inspected at that time. Determination is based on the inspector’s judgment. A repair work order is then generated from this inventory and the sub-standard signs will be replaced in a timely manner.

OPTION B: VISUAL ASSESSMENT– CALIBRATION SIGNS METHOD:

To ensure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted a "visual assessment – calibration signs" method of nighttime inspections with each sign being inspected once in every (six month, 12 month, 24 month -select one) time period. We employ an SUV style vehicle, model year 2000 or newer, to maintain adequate headlight to driver separation. We operate the vehicle at normal road speeds, under average weather conditions, using only low-beam headlight intensity. As part of this process we keep a set of calibration signs in storage, out of the sunlight to be used solely by the inspectors. These test signs have been documented to be at or near minimum acceptable retroreflectivity levels. These test signs are then temporarily mounted where the inspector may view then under normal nighttime road conditions for visual calibration prior to going out on his/her evening inspections. Once out on the intended route the inspector gives each road sign a pass/fail mark on either a printed or electronic inventory for the particular route being inspected at that time. A repair work order is then generated from this inventory and the sub-standard signs will be replaced in a timely manner.

OPTION C: VISUAL ASSESSMENT – COMPARISON PANELS METHOD:

To ensure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted a "visual assessment – comparison panels" method of inspections with each sign being inspected once in every (six month, 12 month, 24 month -select one) time period. Questionable signs are compared to sample panels,carried in the vehicle, which are known to have minimum acceptable reflective values. This is done by pulling over and attaching the comparison panels to the sign being inspected. Once out on the intended route the inspector gives each road sign a pass/fail mark on either a printed or electronic inventory for the particular route being inspected at that time. A comparison panel is carried in the vehicle for each color being inspected, matching the minimum levels indicated in the MUTCD. A repair work order is then generated from this inventory and the sub-standard signs will be replaced in a timely manner.

An on-going log of these recurring inspections is kept for record keeping purposes.

______Date [Insert Locality Name] Mayor or Judge

______

[Insert Agency Name] Public Works Director

Policy Sample #2 - MEASURED SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY METHOD:(Revise or combine as you see fit.)

Sign Maintenance Policy - [Insert Agency Name]

For Maintaining Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Compliance as Required by the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition

To assure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted a“measured sign retroreflectivity”assessment method. This method consists ofregular inspections with each sign being measured once in every (six month, 12 month, 24 month -select one) time period. These inspections are done in daylight with the retroreflectivity being measured using a hand-held, portable, contactreflectometer. This device provides a standardized methodology for measuring retroreflectivity as per ASTM E1709. In the course of these inspections the [Insert Agency Name] may employee department personnel or outside contractors to secure these measurements. Once out on the intended route the inspector gives each road sign a pass/fail mark on either a printed or electronic inventory for the particular route being inspected at that time. A repair work order is then generated from this inventory and all signs found to be sub-standardwill be replaced in a timely manner.

An on-going log of these inspections is kept both for record keeping purposes and to allow us to re-inspect signs on a more frequent basis that are found be approaching their retroreflective limit.

______Date [Insert Locality Name] Mayor or Judge

______

[Insert Agency Name] Public Works Director

Policy Sample #3 - EXPECTED SIGN LIFE METHOD:(Revise or combine as you see fit.)

Sign Maintenance Policy - [Insert Agency Name]

For Maintaining Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Compliance as Required by the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition

To assure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted an “expected sign life” retroreflectivity assessment method. In this method, signs are replaced before they reach the end of their expected service life, which is the time anticipated for the retroreflective material to degrade below the appropriate minimum level. This minimum level is determined based on the manufacturer’s warranties, date of manufacture and the manufacture’s projections of usable service life.

A sign inventory is maintained in this office in either a paper or electronic form that records initial install dates and the date of sign replacements. Based on the install and manufacture dates recorded in this inventory a repair work order is automaticallygenerated when a sign ages past its’ useful life and the signs in question will then be replaced in a timely manner.

______Date [Insert Locality Name] Mayor or Judge

______

[Insert Agency Name] Public Works Director

Policy Sample #4 - BLANKET REPLACEMENT METHOD:(Revise or combine as you see fit.)

Sign Maintenance Policy - [Insert Agency Name]

For Maintaining Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Compliance as Required by the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition

To assure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the [Insert Agency Name] has adopted a “blanket replacement” method for all required traffic control signs. Based on this approach, all signs within a pre-determined area or of a certain sign type are replaced every 9 to12 years, based on sign type, regulatory nature and manufacture’s guidelines for expected sign life. After the initial investment in replacement signs is made adequate funding is then budgeted annually to replace approximately 10% of all signs in the [Insert Agency Name] service area. Our service area may be roughly divided into x number of zones or x number of sign types and therefore signs are completely replaced in one of these ten zones or one of these sign types each and every year.