Implementation Options
Implementation is the process of setting into motion efforts on multiple fronts to meet the requirements of the Federal rules (national standards). State, county and local agencies need to implement processes to address the new rules when they become law. They need to determine the extent at the outset that they are in compliance with the requirements and determine the steps that need to be taken to alter their current practices to fully meet the requirements. Needless to say, not all state, county, and local agencies are on the same plane relative to their sign management processes. There are many options that may be considered including:
- Forge interagency agreements or strategic alliances
- Establish mass purchase arrangements
- Transfer responsibilities to state
- Reduce sign inventory during upgrade process ("sign thinning")
- Contract management
- Just-in-time replacements
- Define agency policy on thresholds
- Train staff
- Establish legal bass.
- Resource pooling
- Revise procurement specifications
- sign status assessment
- implement process audits
- resource inventory
- phasing plan
- Corridor/area sign renewal
- Materials testing
- Sign management plan
- Investigate opportunities for privatization
- Implement or coordinate interface with location referencing systems
- Analyze feasibility of off-the-shelf solutions (hardware & software)
- Determine the eligibility for funding under existing programs
- Consider special provisions (e.g., sign visibility requirements geared to trucker needs on designated routes).
- Define sign inventory data elements and coding schemes (e.g., sign or sign assembly basis)
