Alternative Approaches for State Agencies to Address the Proposed Minimum Retroreflectivity Standards

Abstract

This work aimed to determine, quantify, and present alternative approaches for agencies to meet the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) proposed minimum levels of retroreflectivity for signs. This study based these approaches on current North Carolina Department of Transportation sign maintenance practices and sought to minimize the cost and labor required to meet FHWA standards. This article offers four approaches: Nighttime visual inspection (current method), improved nighttime visual inspection procedures, sign inventory management system (no visual inspection), and combination of alternatives #2 and #3. This study ultimately recommends alternative #4, although it is the most costly. This article also recommends that an evaluation be made periodically to determine what benefits and improvement in sign condition, if any, have resulted from implementation.