Assessment of Benefits
The FHWA's impact analyses have determined the costs associated with this rule in detail. However, we have not been successful in determining the benefits in the same quantitative sense . The impacts report cites some evidence that there are strong positive benefits, but there is no known research that can provide a sound quantitative measure of how great the safety and mobility benefits would be. This is because it is difficult to isolate the influence of a single roadway element to the driver. For example, the driver obtains guidance and warning information from the road environment, alignment, prevailing traffic, other traffic control devices and other roadway features as well as from signing . Instead, the benefits are qualitative.
Traffic signs need to be visible at night to be effective. Signs that have adequate retroreflectivity help provide critical information at night to drivers navigating the roadway, enhance traffic flow and older driver mobility, and in general promote safe driving. Maintaining minimum levels of sign retroreflectivity on the nation's roads is becoming increasingly important as the driving population ages. Older drivers have diminished visual capabilities that are most apparent under dark conditions. Currently, 26.2 million drivers are 65 or older and by 2010 an estimated 33.7 million drivers will be 65 or older. Traffic signs that are easier to see and read can help this growing segment of drivers as well as provide benefits to all drivers (not just the elderly) at night. The FHWA believes that the benefits associated with this rulemaking will far outweigh the costs.
