10/23/08. Sign reflectivity rule & the Private sector. Illinois Traffic Engineering & Safety Conference

Transcription

1 Sign reflectivity rule & the Private sector Illinois Traffic Engineering & Safety Conference 10/23/08 Michael Conoscenti President 1740 Internationale Pkwy Woodridge, IL x1011

2 Who we are WRI is a privately owned company out of the Chicagoland area with over 35 years of experience in the highway signing market helping government agencies with their signing needs. Focusing on; Design Manufacturing Installation of all types of MUTCD signs.

3 Types of signs

4 Types of signs

5 ATSSA Speaking on behalf of IL ATSSA Local chapter of the; American Traffic Safety Service Association An association of manufactures and installers of all products that make the roadway safe Temporary traffic control Pavement markings / delineators Guardrail / crash cushions Signs

6 1. Reflective sheeting in the IL market place 2. Minimum Reflectivity Rule (MUTCD) 3. Market trends resulting from this rule

7 1. Reflective sheeting trends Prismatic vs. glass bead (Prismatic) Brighter for nighttime visibility Daytime colors IL types for prismatic sheeting AP High Intensity Prismatic AZ - Prismatic sheeting brighter than AP Used in Warning & School Zone signs ZZ Latest technology in prismatic sheeting. Provides optimal viewing at both short and long distances (used for guide signs)

8 2. Minimum reflectivity rule

9 Minimum reflectivity rule Mutcd final rule was effective Jan. 22, years to implement a sign management/assessment method 7 years from date of final rule for Ground mounted signs 10 years from date of final rule for Overhead signs and street signs. Exempt signs Parking, blue/brown background highway signs, signs on Off-highway multi use paths, adopt-a-highway

10 New MUTCD Language Section 2A.09 Maintaining Minimum Retroreflectivity 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

11 New MUTCD Language Section 2A.09 Maintaining Minimum Retroreflectivity Support: Compliance is achieved by having a method in place and using the method to maintain the minimum levels established in Table 2A-3. Provided that a method is being used, an agency would be in compliance even if there are some individual signs that do not meet the levels at a particular point in time.

12 New MUTCD Table with Specifications for New Sheeting Sheeting Type (ASTM D ) Sign Color Beaded Sheeting Prismatic Sheeting I II III III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X White on Green W* G 7 (9) W* G 7 (9) W* G 15 (30) W* G 25 (45) W 120 ( ); G 15 (30 75) W 250 ( ); G 25 (38 75) Black on Yellow or Black on Orange Y*; O* Y*; O* Y 50 ( ); O 50 (60 265) Y 75 ( ); O 75 (60 265) White on Red W 35 (70 700); R 7 (14 105) Black on White W 50 (70 700)

13 Minimum reflectivity rule Create a sign inventory Adopt a sign management program

14 Assessment / Management Methods Assessment Methods: Determine what you have Visual Nighttime Inspections Measured retroreflectivity Management Methods: Manage what you have Expected Life Blanket Replacement Control Signs

15 Visual Night Assessment Retroreflectivity of an existing sign is assessed by a trained sign inspector conducting a visual inspection from a moving vehicle during nighttime conditions. General Guidance: - Agencies develop guidelines and procedures for the inspector to follow - Inspection is conducted at normal roadway operating speeds - Inspection is conducted using the low-beam headlights - Signs are evaluated at a normal viewing distance In addition to the preceding guidance, one or more of the following procedures can be used to support the connection between visual inspections and reflectivity

16 Visual Night Assessment Calibration Signs Procedure Calibration signs are viewed prior to inspection Needed for each color of sign Viewed using same vehicle that will be used Critical that signs are stored properly between inspection Comparison Panels Procedure Small comparison panels are used to assess When a sign is questionable, panel is attached Replaced if sign panel brighter than sign Consistent Parameters Procedure Use same factors used to determine minimum levels - Full-size SUV or pick-up - Model year 2000 or newer vehicle - Inspector that is at least 60 years old - View at typical viewing distance

17 Visual Night Assessment Pros Replace Signs that are obviously below the minimum Signs are viewed annually "Good" Signs are not replaced Cons Have to perform on an annual bases Many signs not viewed Head On Costs and Resources to drive ALL roads every year. Ongoing annual cost. Detailed Record keeping still needed to insure all signs and all roads are viewed Very subjective based on observer and observers "condition"

18 Measured Sign Retroreflectivity The retroreflectivity is measured and directly compared to the proposed minimum level appropriate for that sign. ASTM E1709, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Signs Using a Portable Retroreflectometer, provides a standard method.

19 Examples of Sign Retroreflectometers Contact Devices: Model 922 (Road Vista) Model GR3 (Delta) Non-Contact Devices: Experimental concept, but NOT yet available. SMARTS Van

20 Measured Sign Retroreflectivity Pros Only Replace Signs that do not meet the minimums "Good" Signs are not replaced Very exact readings, no subjectivity Cons Very time consuming especially if done for maintenance Instrumentation issues, Costs ($10,000), maintenance,etc. Safety issues, outside the vehicles, on ladders, etc. Time and expense of equipment needed to reach the sign

21 Blanket Replacement You may want to skip the assessment phase. If you have no sign inventory If you re sign inventory does not include, Age of signs, Type of sheeting, and location of signs...you may be better off replacing without a costly assessment

22 Blanket Replacement Pros Significant cost and time savings by eliminating the Assessment Phase Can establish a complete inventory as signs are replaced No annual assessment of signs is needed Can be done in phases over 7 year period Fulfills 4 year plan requirement Allows for Budgetary planning Cons Replacing good signs Adjustments need to be made for signs replaced (knock-down and vandalized) All signs will need to be replaced over the period Need to create an inventory system to maximize

23 Management Phase Expected Sign Life Record or label the installation date of the sign Know the sheeting type used Helpful to know the direction Compare the age of the sign to the expected service life of the sign material. The expected service life can be determined on several factors, - Sign sheeting warranties, - Weathering deck results (AASHTO-NTPEP data) - Measurements of actual signs.

24 Expected Life Mgmt Methods: Pros Easy to use and plan for replacements No need for annual assessment Easy to implement Can implement into current management system Cons Weathering differences for sign direction are not accounted for It may be time consuming to inspect date stickers if the stickers are not easily viewable or identifiable on the sign.

25 Control Signs Control Environment (Maintenance Yard) Exactly the Same Conditions as Field Signs - Each Facing Direction - Each Sign type or Color - Each Sheeting type - Etc. Correct number in order to have Statistical Significance STOP HIP (South) STOP HIP (North) Field

26 Control Signs Pros Less costly and time consuming than monitoring all signs Can take into account sign direction Maximum sign life can be obtained Can implement into current management system Cons Creating and setting up appropriate control environment Based on sample which may create inaccuracies Need to protect control sign environment

27 Method 6: Future Methods Flexibility is provided for future advancements in technology and methods that have not been fully developed Must be based on an engineering study

28 3. Market trends Assessment / Management / Production Assessment Portable reflectometer guns ($9K-$10K) Surveying contracts Comparison Panels Management Maintenance contracts Inventory Software Life cycle cost (warranty has become king) How much is the sign going to cost per year Other than the sheeting all other cost remain the same

29 Market trends Assessment / Management / Production Production Match the sheeting to your needs Performance Expected duration of the sign Inventory of signs Move to a just in time manufacturing Date stamping / Bar Coding of product is going to become very important

30 Your complete sign solution provider Michael Conoscenti President 1740 Internationale Pkwy Woodridge, IL x1011