Getting Started


 

    Sign Management Methods Predict Sign Change-outs

    Management methods do not involve evaluating every sign in place on the roadways but require basic knowledge of the age and performance characteristics of each sign on the roadway. (16)

    Expected sign life method(16,28)

    This method calculates sign life from known sign retroreflectivity deterioration rates for combinations of sign sheeting color and sheeting type. Individual signs are replaced before they reach the end of their expected service life which:
    • Requires tracking the age of signs either by using a sign installation date label or sticker on the back of each sign or maintaining a sign asset management system to identify the age of each sign in the jurisdiction
    • Alerts specific signs for replacement based on deterioration rates/sign life
    The expected sign life method is useful for the agency that seeks nearly a 100% compliance with FHWA minimum standards. The cost of this method is similar to the cost of annual visual nighttime inspections (with a rejection threshold at the FWHA standard retroreflectivity [RA] limit of 50 for white and yellow and 7 for red and green).(16)

    Blanket replacement method(16, 28)

    This strategy replaces all signs along a corridor, within an area, or of the same sign and sheeting type. The agency selects the replacement interval based on previous deterioration experience or the sign sheeting manufacturer's warranty period. Once the time interval has elapsed, all signs in the designated area or corridor are replaced.

    Control sign method(16, 18)

    In this method, a sample of signs or controlled study yard determines sign life. The samples represent all the signs in the jurisdiction in their diversity. Control sign retroreflectivity is monitored using one of the assessment methods. When a control sign's measured retroreflectivity reaches the minimum level, all similar signs in the field are replaced.

    Costs associated with the control sign method are better estimated with a "sign farm" or other system of sign sampling in place.(16)

    Develop costs and funding approach

    Estimate traffic sign costs including:(30)
    • Materials
    • Fabrication
    • Inventory control
    • Maintenance
    • Illumination
    • Crew wages and benefits
    • Training
    Develop funding sources:(31)
    • Federal and state highway-related safety projects
    • Hazard Elimination Program federal funding for highway improvements including signing
    • Potential insurance premium savings for improved sign inventory and maintenance
    • Army Corps of Engineers support on county roads



    28 Maintaining traffic sign retroreflectivity, FHWA-SA-03-027
    16 Harris, E.A., et al, Analysis of traffic sign asset management scenarios, TRB 2007 Annual Meeting CD-ROM
    30 Maintaining traffic sign retroreflectivity: Impacts on State and local agencies, FHWA-HRT-07-042
    31 Low volume road safety, Road Management & Engineering Journal, Feb 1, 1997, TranSafety, Inc.
     Back To Top