1. Rick Butner Steve Martin Pierce County Public Works & Utilities Traffic Division July 11, 2011

2. Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 1 Rules During this presentation If you need to get up and stretch; go for it! – Just be quiet If you need to go to the restroom; go! – Just be quiet If youve got a question – At any time please feel free to jump in – Put your hand up – Interaction is encouraged!

3. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 2 Introductions Rick Butner, Pierce County Traffic –T–Traffic Operations Supervisor –67 Camaro Steve Martin, Pierce County Traffic –T–Traffic Sign and Markings Supervisor –80 Celica Introduce to person to Right and left of you Introduce to person in front and behind you

4. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 3 Bellevue, WA IMSA Conference Pierce County, WA Region

5. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 4 Region Pierce County Washington 1,679 Square Miles – land 128 Square Miles – water 795,225 Population 382,115 Population – Unincorporated Major Cities – Tacoma – Lakewood – Puyallup

6. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 5 Region Pierce County Washington Produces 50% of Rhubarb for U.S. Named after President Franklin Pierce Home of Mt. Rainier, tallest in the Cascades Elevation changes from 0 to 14,410 Second most populous county in Washington

7. An important element of your inspection program. Card file to an inventory software program. Foundation of many programs Documentation Inventory July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 6

8. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 7 1- Traffic Operations Supervisor 2- Office Support Staff 1- Sign & Markings Supervisor 1- Seasonal Lead Sign Technician 12- Traffic Sign Technicians 8- Seasonal Temporary Traffic Operations - Sign and Markings Staff

9. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 8 Inventory - Standards System based on Standards – Sign Size – Sign Placement / Exhibits – Sign Sheeting Controlled by Work Order – Approval Structure Help to minimize Liability – Documentation

10. Inventory – Tracking Change July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 9 An effective Inventory must be maintained PC Work Orders document change in Inventory Task codes are used to track change – i.e. 62A – Add – i.e. 62C – Change – i.e 62D - Delete

11. Inventory – In the beginning July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 10

12. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 11 Inventory 24,908 Total traffic signs (county only) 2,947 Stop and Yield signs 6,745 Warning (W-series) signs 3,160 Speed limit signs 8,506 Street name signs (34%) (~1,500 centerline miles of roads)

13. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 12 Home Grown Software Program – Rubble System Divided into Areas and Sub Areas Sign Work is Documented by Function Code Signs are tracked by Route and Position Number Track by Sign Code Track by Serial Number Inventory

14. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 13 Inventory - Rubble Sign Inspection Route Listed by Route and Position Number

15. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 14 Inventory – Standard Inspection Route Sign Inspection Route Map Ensure that all signs are inspected in the most efficient manner

16. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 15 Inventory - Rubble 99100237

17. Inventory - Traffic Sign Serial Numbers July 11, 2011Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 16

18. Inventory - Street Sign Serial Numbers July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 17

19. Inventory – Accurate Dispatch July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 18

20. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 19 Monthly Stop and Yield sign inspections – Each inspection is date and time stamped – Documentation of work performed Quarterly full sign inspection – Each inspection is date and time stamped – Documentation of work performed Data from sign inspections – Used for documentation in legal matters Inspection - Intervals

21. Vandalism – Gun Shot – Graffiti – Stolen Natural Causes – Vegetation – Dirty – Environment Inspection - Intervals July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 20

22. Inspection – Sending the correct message July 11, 2011Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 21

23. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 22 Stop and Yield signs are highest priority – Downed signs are a high safety concern – Downed signs are a high liability – Program is structured to have signs repaired within one hour of notification; 24/7 Other Regulatory and Warning signs are responded to generally the same business day Street name signs are up within a couple of days – It may take a day or two to have a new sign made Traffic Sign Repair – Response priority

24. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 23 Traffic Sign Repair – Response priority Dispatch to Technician to schedule repair Dispatch to Technician for immediate repair All Other Signs Normal Business Hours After Normal Business Hours Stop or Yield Traffic Sign Call Out Stop or Yield All Other Signs Answering Service fax to Traffic Operations

25. Inventory – Foundation of a program July 11, 2011Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 24 INVENTORY Meets

26. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 25 Retroreflectivity - Requirement … shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels ….

27. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 26 Retroreflectivity - Requirement Compliance…is achieved by having a method in place and using the method to maintain the minimum levels established in Table 2A-3…. even if there are some individual signs that do not meet the minimum retroreflectivity levels at a particular point in time.

28. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 27 Retroreflectivity – Assess/Manage methods A.Visual Nighttime Inspection B.Measured Retroreflectivity C.Expected Life D.Blanket Replacement E.Control Signs F.Other Supported Methods

29. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide28 Retroreflectivity - Minimum Levels Sign Color Conditions Retroreflective Sheeting Material (ASTM D4956-01a) (legend//background) IIIIIIVIIVIIIIX White on Red 3:1 W35 // R7 Black on Orange or Yellow 48 or Bold XOY50 < 48 or Fine XOY75 Black on White W50 White on Green Overhead x //G7x //G15 x //G25 W250 // G25 Shoulder x //G7W120 // G15

30. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 29 Retroreflectivity - Contrast Ratio STOP 35 7 5:1 STOP 200 100 2:1 Standard Fails by Contrast Ratio Even though readings are above minimums STOP 300 40 7:1 Typical 1995 Stop Sign in Pierce County

31. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 30 Retroreflectivity – Finding an answer Which assessment or management method is best?? What is the best way to optimize use of our labor, equipment, and materials?? Our Sign Inventory became a powerful tool that helped guide us to the best answer… …. for us.

32. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 31 Retroreflectivity – Pierce County program The approach that Pierce County is using to meet the retroreflectivity requirements is a combination of methods – Measured Retroreflectivity – Control Sample – Expected Life In 2007 Pierce County began the retroreflectivity assessment program

33. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 32 Measure signs with retroreflectometer Compare measured values with minimum values Replace signs when measured values approach minimums Retroreflectivity – Measured Retroreflectivity

34. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 33 Retroreflectivity – Tapping the inventory Control Samples set up using inventory Select signs by age/serial number Sort signs by route and position – Establish efficient route – Select signs from all areas of the Inventory – Sort inventory by sign code Create an inspection route Control sample tested from each sign group – Sample represents group outside of warranty

35. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 34 Retroreflectivity – Tapping the inventory 95052938 95050795 95040173 95040154 95040153 9501231X 95011469 95011465 95011463 95011461 95011421 95011419 95011418 95011417 95011416 95011412

36. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 35 Retroreflectivity – Testing Route/Tracking 97032704 3 March 6, 2007 Yellow Average231

37. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 36 Retroreflectivity – Data & Calculations Serial # # SequenceResult / Date 95020557 1 March 6, 2007 White Average310 Red Average41 Serial # #SequenceResult / Date 95020557 1 March 6, 2007 W000001/1316 W000001/2300 W000001/3313 R000001/441 R000001/541 R000001/640 RATIO7.6 White Average310 Red Average41

38. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 37 Retroreflectivity – Charting the data

39. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 38 Monitor control samples Data determines replacement implementation Some signs are replaced by normal maintenance Group replacements should be able to occur over the period of 2-3 years and not have as much of an impact on budget Retroreflectivity – Program management

40. July 11, 2011Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 39 Retroreflectivity – Program management Signs outside warranty Measured Retroreflectivity Not Tested Monitor age of signs with Inventory Add to Control Sample Group to Measured Retroreflectivity Testing Monitor Control Sample and schedule sign replacement based on data models Signs within warranty

41. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 40 Engineer Grade Street Name Signs 44/5 – 114/24 White/Green Engineer Grade Street Name Signs 44/5 – 114/24 White/Green MUTCD Minimum Engineer Grade NO EG/7 White/Green MUTCD Minimum Engineer Grade NO EG/7 White/Green MUTCD Minimum High Intensity 120/15 White/Green MUTCD Minimum High Intensity 120/15 White/Green Street Name Signs High Intensity Street Name Signs 277/52 – 327/59 White/Green High Intensity Street Name Signs 277/52 – 327/59 White/Green Decision made to replace over 6,000 Engineer Grade street name signs 2007 Test Results 2007 – A look back at the beginning

42. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 41 2007 – A look back at the beginning STOP Signs MUTCD Minimum >3:1 Contrast Ratio MUTCD Minimum >3:1 Contrast Ratio MUTCD Minimum 35/7 White/Red MUTCD Minimum 35/7 White/Red White 258 – 325 Red 20 - 59 White 258 – 325 Red 20 - 59 Contrast Ratio 5:1 – 9:1 Contrast Ratio 5:1 – 9:1 2007 Test Results Blanket change-out to High Intensity STOP signs in 1995 Decision is made to continue monitoring control sample

43. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 42 Retroreflectivity – Street Sign Replacement

44. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 43 Retroreflectivity – Stop Signs Pierce County Stop Sign Inventory All Stop signs were replaced in 1995 with HI

45. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 44 Retroreflectivity – Stop Signs Age of sign in years Retroreflectivity Readings Chart indicates contrast ratio for Stop and Yield signs Control sample will be expanded Testing to begin at 8 years old Minimum 3:1 ratio 1995 stop signs

46. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 45 Retroreflectivity – Black on White Signs

47. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 46 Retroreflectivity – Black on White Results Age of sign in years Retroreflectivity Readings

48. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 47 Retroreflectivity – Warning Signs Age of sign in years Retroreflectivity Readings Chart indicates readings for Black on Yellow Warning Signs, Bold Control sample will be expanded Testing to begin at 8 years old Minimum Yellow reading 50 1995 Warning signs1997 Warning signs

49. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 48 Retroreflectivity – Managing Inventory Signs managed through Retroreflectivity Program

50. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 49 Include a variety of signs in your control sample – Include signs within 2 years of warranty – Look at more than the oldest signs in your system Take sample readings of sign shipments Be consistent with how signs are read – Weather plays a role; we test dry signs – We test our signs clean; that is how we maintain Retroreflectivity – What have we learned

51. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 50 Retroreflectivity program as an asset management tool? Found signs due for replacement, did not need to be replaced Began using the system as a decision making tool for traffic sign replacement Retroreflectivity – Asset management tool?

52. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 51 Asset Management – Retroreflectivity program Conservative Replacement Value @ $100 per sign $540,000

53. July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign InventorySlide 52 Asset Management - Replacement Model Technician determines sign meets requirements Replace Sign Dont Replace Sign Schedule to Replace Signs in Control Group Technician determines sign fails to meet requirements Control sample readings within acceptable range Control sample readings approaching minimum Is sign part of control sample? Is sign within Manufacturer warranty Inspections by Sign Techs Monitor using data Traffic Sign

54. QUESTIONS? Rick Butner (253)798-6836 or email rbutner@co.pierce.wa.usrbutner@co.pierce.wa.us Steve Martin (253)798-6839 or email smartin@co.pierce.wa.us July 11, 2011 Pierce County Traffic Sign Inventory End