1. MUTCD Website: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.govhttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Nighttime Visibility Website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/retrohttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro Regulations/Standards Technical Guidance Implementation Tools Frequently Asked Questions Research Public Works Marketing & Leasing, Inc. Anthony Accetta Email: sales@publicworksmarketing.net sales@publicworksmarketing.net http://www.publicworksmarketing.net Ph: 888-502-8379 Welcome TCSA Members! January 30, 2013

2. New MUTCD Sign Retro Compliance Date - HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU? Presenters: Greg Schertz – FHWA Retroreflectivity Team Leader Anthony J. Accetta- President, Public Works Marketing & Leasing, Inc.

3. Overview of Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements What Changed and What Did Not? The Methods Questions and Answers Standards Compliance/Funding Methods Inspection/Training Sheeting Materials Open Question and Answer Period Agenda

4. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is published by the FHWA, is recognized as the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, bikeway, or private road open to public travel. The MUTCD is available at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Current Edition: 2009 MUTCD With Revisions 1 and 2, May 2012 MUTCD Requirements

5. What’s New? MUTCD Introduction (Compliance Dates): MUTCD Requirements ProvisionCompliance Date Implementation and continued use of an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain traffic January 22, 2012 Replace identified regulatory, warning, ground-mounted guide signs (except street-name) January 22, 2015 Replace identified street name & overhead guide signs January 22, 2018 June 13, 2014 retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels regulatory and warning sign

6. MUTCD Section 2A.08 Standard: Public agencies or officials having jurisdiction shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels in Table 2A-3. Table 2A-3 Minimum Maintained Retroreflectivity Levels¹ MUTCD Requirements

7. What’s New? MUTCD Introduction (Compliance Dates): MUTCD Requirements ProvisionCompliance Date Implementation and continued use of an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain traffic January 22, 2012 Replace identified regulatory, warning, ground-mounted guide signs (except street-name) January 22, 2015 Replace identified street name & overhead guide signs January 22, 2018 June 13, 2014 retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels regulatory and warning sign

8. MUTCD Section 2A.08 Standard: Public agencies or officials having jurisdiction shall use an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels in Table 2A-3. MUTCD Section 2A.08 Guidance: Except for those signs specifically identified in Paragraph 6, one or more of the following assessment or management methods should be used to maintain sign retroreflectivity. Sign Retro Requirements

9. Visual Nighttime Inspection Comparison Panel Procedure Calibration Signs Procedure Consistent Parameters Procedure Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

10. Visual Nighttime Inspection Uses trained personnel to observe traffic signs during the nighttime Key to this method is using an approved procedure to tie the inspection to the minimum values in Table 2A-3 Comparison Panel Procedure Calibration Signs Procedure Consistent Parameters Procedure Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

11. Visual Nighttime Inspection Comparison Panel Procedure Comparison panels are near values in Table 2A-3 Trained inspector views roadway signs at night Comparison panels are clipped to marginal signs Trained inspector views panel/sign with flashlight If sign appears less bright than panel, sign is replaced. Calibration Signs Procedure Consistent Parameters Procedure Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

12. Visual Nighttime Inspection Comparison Panel Procedure Calibration Signs Procedure Calibration Signs are near values in Table 2A-3 Inspection conducted at night Trained inspector views calibration signs just prior to inspection to “calibrate” eyes as to appearance of signs at minimum values Inspector drives roads, noting signs that appear less bright than calibration signs appeared If sign appears less bright than calibration sign, replace sign Consistent Parameters Procedure Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

13. Visual Nighttime Inspection Comparison Panel Procedure Calibration Signs Procedure Consistent Parameters Procedure Duplicate “parameters” used in retroreflectivity research Design vehicle (SUV or pickup inspection vehicle) Design driver (60+ years old inspector) Trained inspector views signs at night If sign does not appear to have adequate retroreflectivity to meet their driving needs, replace sign Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

14. Visual Nighttime Inspection Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Measure each sign with a retroreflectometer Replace signs that don’t meet values in Table 2A-3 Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

15. Visual Nighttime Inspection Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Expected Sign Life Determine sign life for type of sheeting used Track age and type of sheeting for each sign Replace each sign before expected end of service life Blanket Replacement Control Signs Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

16. Visual Nighttime Inspection Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Replace all signs in a group (area, corridor, etc) before they are below minimum values in Table 2A-3 Replace that same group again prior to expected end of service life Control Signs Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

17. Visual Nighttime Inspection Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Expected Sign Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs When a group of signs are replaced, designate a subset of those signs to be the “control” signs Track retroreflectivity of the control signs When retroreflectivity of control signs reaches values in Table 2A-3, replace all signs in the group. Sign Retro Requirements Methods and Procedures

18. Frequently Asked Questions

19. Does the MUTCD still require replacing signs based on retroreflectivity? Yes. Even though we recently issued a final rule eliminating most specific compliance dates, signs identified through an agency‘s method as 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. Schedules for replacing the signs should be based on resources and relative priorities.

20. How do I decide when to replace worn out signs? 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.

21. What about guide signs, including street name signs? Do they have to meet minimum retro requirements? Yes. The standards for minimum retroreflectivity requirements still apply to guide signs. The compliance date for guide signs (including street name signs) have been eliminated. However, agencies are expected to add these signs to their method as resources allow.

22. What if my street name signs have all capital letters? Do they have to be replaced? Yes. However, the compliance date for replacing street name signs with all capital letters has been eliminated. When the street name signs are replaced, new street name signs are to comply with the 2009 MUTCD, which requires that the letters be composed of a combination of lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters.

23. Do I have to develop an inventory of my signs to be in compliance with the MUTCD? No. Although a documented inventory (computer or other form) is very useful, particularly for the management methods, there is no specific requirement in the MUTCD for an inventory. Each agency will need to determine whether a sign inventory is appropriate to help manage their signs.

24. I heard a rumor that I have to turn in my retroreflectivity documentation annually to my FHWA Division office for approval. Is that true? No. FHWA does not require that you submit documentation – annually or under any other timeframe. It is, however, advisable for an agency to document their method and activities in managing sign retroreflectivity, and maintain this documentation.

25. My agency has a very limited budget to meet these regulations. Do you have any suggestions for cost-effective means of complying? This will vary significantly from agency to agency. Selecting the most appropriate method for your agency is a key factor in the overall cost. One cost-saving measure that applies to many agencies is to review their inventory for signs that should be removed from the system.

26. What money is available to help with this effort? Maintenance of traffic control devices such as signs is primarily the responsibility of the agency that has jurisdiction for the device. There are some federal program funds that may be available as well, but with new legislation taking effect in October, we cannot give specific answers on funding issues at this time.

27. Can the warranty of a sign be used to determine its service life? Service life is affected by numerous factors such as the direction the sign faces. It also varies significantly in different regions of the country. The warranty period for specific sheeting is a good starting point if you have no other information of how long the sheeting will meet the minimum retro levels. In many cases, this is much less than the service life.

28. Does the blanket replacement method relieve me of the need for sign maintenance in between cycles? Not completely. In comparison to the other methods, it may be less intensive, but there are many other maintenance requirement for signs, such as repairing or replacing signs that are knocked down or vandalized or trimming vegetation that blocks signs.

29. Can we inspect signs during the day to avoid overtime costs associated with nighttime inspection? Not if your agency is using the nighttime visual inspection method listed in the MUTCD. The measurement method can be performed in daylight. The MUTCD does allow development of other methods, as long as they are based on an engineering study that tie the method to the minimum retroreflectivity levels.

30. If I use the Nighttime Visual Inspection Method, what are the requirements for the inspector? The MUTCD requires a trained inspector for nighttime visual inspection, but does not specify training requirements. It is important that your inspector understand how to perform the specific procedure in order to identify signs falling below or near the minimum level.

31. Where can I go to get my inspectors trained? Local and Tribal Technical Assistance Program (LTAP & TTAP) Centers are a primary source of training. http://www.ltap.org/centers/

32. I’ve heard that I am not supposed to use Engineer Grade sheeting. Is that true? Engineering grade sheeting (ASTM Type I) is no longer to be used for warning signs (yellow or orange backgrounds) or the white legend on guide signs. It can be used for other sign applications, although it may not be the most cost-effective choice. Type I Type VIII Type IIIB Type XI Type IX

33. What is the most cost-effective sheeting material? While there is not a definitive answer to this, life-cycle cost analyses show that the cheapest and most expensive sheeting materials are seldom the most cost- effective. Agencies must weigh the initial costs for materials and installation against the expected lifetime of the material.

34. I understand blue and brown signs do not have to meet the minimum retroreflectivity requirements. When will they have to meet minimums? FHWA does not have a schedule for requiring blue and brown signs to meet minimum retroreflectivity requirements. However, FHWA-HRT- 08-029 provides minimum recommended retroreflectivity levels for blue and brown signs.

35. Open Question Time

36. MUTCD Website: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.govhttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Nighttime Visibility Website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/retrohttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/retro Regulations/Standards Technical Guidance Implementation Tools Frequently Asked Questions Research Public Works Marketing & Leasing, Inc. Anthony Accetta Email: sales@publicworksmarketing.netsales@publicworksmarketing.net http://www.publicworksmarketing.net Phone: 888-502-8379 TCSA Members- Thank You For Attending