U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Updated August 2012 with compliance date revisionsDownload Version
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New Retroreflectivity standards were added to the MUTCD in December 2007 and related compliance dates were revised in May 2012.
The standards are a result of many years of research regarding the needs of the drivers – how many have heard about retroreflectivity before?
The intent of the standards are a solution that meets needs of most involved.
Required by MUTCD?
Most are not
Engineering Decision?
YES!
Why?
To help drivers (including older)
While some signs are required, most are not. The Manual describes application of TCDs (1A.09)
Typically the decision to install a sign is based on Engineering Judgment. The standards/guidance/options come into play to promote uniformity in the application in an effort to help drivers safely navigate (regulate, warn, guide)
Once the decision is made that a sign is needed, the MUTCD requires:
Why the big concern?
Only about 25% of travel occurs in dark conditions, but 50% of crashes
The nighttime crash rate is nearly three times that of daytime
Both behavioral (fatigue, alcohol) and engineering contributors to this disparity between nighttime and daytime -- Improving visibility helps everyone
Sources:
Signs are generally adequate when installed.
Signs degrade with sunlight, weather, environmental damage. Daylight and Nighttime degradation varies.
Do you have a method in place to determine when to replace?
Published on Dec 21, 2007
Not all signs have been adequately maintained
Now there are standards and guidance for all agencies to follow
Some agencies may already be in compliance, for other agencies this may raise the visbility of their signs
New Language (standard)
Major change is in Section 2A.08
Centers around a method to maintain retroreflectivity
| Sign Color | Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04) ¹ | Additional Criteria |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaded Sheeting | Prismatic Sheeting | ||||
| I | II | III | III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X | ||
| White on Green |
W* G ≥ 7 |
W* G ≥ 15 |
W* G ≥ 25 |
W ≥ 250; G ≥ 15 | Overhead |
| W* G ≥ 7 |
W ≥ 120; G ≥ 15 | Ground- mounted |
|||
| Black on Yellow or Black on Orange |
Y*; O* | Y ≥ 50; O ≥ 50 | (2) | ||
| Y*; O* | Y ≥ 75; O ≥ 75 | (3) | |||
| White on Red | W ≥ 35; R ≥ 7 | (4) | |||
| Black on White | W ≥ 50 | — | |||
|
°and an entrance angle of -4.0°. (2) For text and fine symbol signs measuring at least 1200 mm (48 in) and for all sizes of bold symbol signs (3) For text and fine symbol signs measuring less than 1200 mm (48 in) (4) Minimum Sign Contrast Ratio ≥ 3:1 (white retroreflectivity ÷ red retroreflectivity) * This sheeting type shall not be used for this color for this application. | |||||
The numbers are also in the MUTCD (this was somewhat controversial)
Methods Intro
So those are the numbers you need to meet, but remember the requirement is to have a method that maintains those minimums.
The rule provided much versatility – many methods are available
Basics are in the brochure (http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/policy_guide/sign_15mins/sign_15mins.pdf),
Research details are in the “Methods Report” on-line at FHWA nighttime visibility site.
Each method has some advantages and disadvantages that should be considered. Combining methods can help minimize the concerns/disadvantages.
Keep in mind the goal is to have visible signs that at least meet the needs of drivers during nighttime.
This support statement helps to limit an agency’s liability: compliance is by implementing a maintenance method, even if some signs do not meet levels at a particular time.
It is not meant as an easy out: the maintenance method must be designed to maintain the minimum requirements fro sign retroreflectivity.
Note: Must still meet other requirements in MUTCD (inspections, retroreflective, etc,)
Several signs are exempted. The research for blue and brown retroreflectivity has been completed since the standards were adopted. Report FHWA-HRT-08-029 provides minimum recommended retroreflectivity levels for blue and brown signs.
May 14, 2012The final rule also adds a new Option statement exempting existing historic street name signs within a locally identified historic district from the Standards and Guidance of Section 2D.43 regarding street sign color, letter size, and other design features, including retroreflectivity.
2009 MUTCD Revision 1 deals with change in Engineering Judgment definition – not part of this presentation
The dates for having a method selected and in use was extended 2.5 years. Guide signs have been removed from the first compliance dates…however, they are to be added to an agency's management or assessment method as resources allow.
The compliance dates for signs below the minimums have been removed …. without these “target” compliance dates, each agency must prioritize and justify their schedule of sign replacement. Signs identified through an agency‘s maintenance method as being below the minimum established retroreflectivity levels have exhausted their useful service life and need to be replaced because they do not meet the needed function of being adequately visible at night.
Agencies are expected to prioritize replacement of wornout signs based on engineering considerations, similar to other traffic control devices.
Agencies are expected to prioritize replacement of these signs based on engineering considerations, similar to other traffic control devices.
It is expected that the use of the assessment or management method would serve to identify and program the replacement of signs that are found to or expected to be below the minimum retroreflectivity levels.
Note: The compliance date of June 13, 2014 applies only to the implementation and continued use of an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain regulatory and warning sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum retroreflectivity levels in Table 2A-3. Agencies are expected to add signs other than regulatory or warning to their method as resources allow, per the footnote to the Compliance Date Table (I-2).
MUTCD Website: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Here are some sources that you can easily access to gain further information on retroreflectivity.
(Recommend handing out copies of the summary brochure:http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/policy_guide/sign_15mins/sign_15mins.pdf at any live presentation.)
