NEW MUTCD SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY · PDF fileNEW MUTCD SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY TS REQUIREMENTS...
Transcript of NEW MUTCD SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY · PDF fileNEW MUTCD SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY TS REQUIREMENTS...
NEW MUTCD SIGN RETROREFLECTIVITY
TSREQUIREMENTS
TS
Tim Walker, BIARegional Road Maintenance EngineerRegional Road Maintenance Engineer
September 15, 2009
RetroreflectivityIt’s Required
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices• Section 2A.06 – Design of Signs
– The basic requirements of a highway sign are that it be legible to those for whom it is intended and that it be understandable in time to permit a proper response Desirable attributes include:permit a proper response. Desirable attributes include:
• High visibility by day and night; and • High legibility (adequately sized letters or symbols, and a short legend for quick comprehension by a road user approaching a sign).
• Section 2A.08 – Retroreflectivity or Illumination– …signs shall be retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape
and similar color by both day and night, unless specifically stated otherwiseotherwise...
– The requirements for sign illumination shall not be considered to be satisfied by street or highway lighting.
• The responsibility for the design, placement, operation, p y g , p , p ,maintenance, and uniformity of traffic control devices shall rest with the public agency or the official having jurisdiction.
Compliance TimesCompliance Times
• The FHWA final ruling on Retroreflectivity , e a u g o et o e ect ty ,Section 2A.09 of the MUTCD, went into effect January, 2008
• Agencies have until January, 2012 to establish and implement one of the methods laid out by th FHWAthe FHWA
• The compliance date on all regulatory, warning, and ground mounted guide signs is January 2015and ground mounted guide signs is January, 2015
• Overhead guide signs and street ID signs have until January 2018until January 2018
Methods of MaintainingMethods of Maintaining or Managingor Managing
RetroreflectivityRetroreflectivity6 Ways
The MethodsThe Methods
• I Visual Night Time Inspectionsua g t e spect o• II Measured by Sign Retroreflectivity• III Expected Sign LifeIII Expected Sign Life• IV Blanket Replacement• V Control SignsV Control Signs• VI Other Method – Engineering Study
• Combined methods• All methods must meet or exceed the levels• All methods must meet or exceed the levels defined by the chart 2A‐3
Chart 2A‐3Chart 2A 3
I Visual Night Time InspectionI Visual Night Time Inspection
• The retroreflectivity of an existing sign isThe retroreflectivity of an existing sign is assessed by a trained sign inspector conducting a visual inspection from a movingconducting a visual inspection from a moving vehicle during nighttime conditions. Signs that are visually identified by the inspector to haveare visually identified by the inspector to have retroreflectivity below the minimum levels should be replacedshould be replaced.
II Measured by Sign RetroreflectivityII Measured by Sign Retroreflectivity
• Retroreflectivity is measured using aRetroreflectivity is measured using a retroreflectometer. Signs with retroreflectivity below the minimum levels should be replacedbelow the minimum levels should be replaced.
III Expected Sign LifeIII Expected Sign Life
• When signs are installed the installation dateWhen signs are installed, the installation date is labeled or recorded so that the age of a sign is known The age of the sign is compared tois known. The age of the sign is compared to the expected sign life. The expected sign life is based on the experience of sign retro‐based on the experience of sign retroreflectivity degradation in a geographic area compared to the minimum levels Signs oldercompared to the minimum levels. Signs older than the expected life should be replaced.
IV Blanket ReplacementIV Blanket Replacement
• All signs in an area/corridor or of a given typeAll signs in an area/corridor, or of a given type, should be replaced at specified intervals. This eliminates the need to assess retroreflectivityeliminates the need to assess retroreflectivity or track the life of individual signs. The replacement interval is based on the expected
the affected signs. the affected signs.
replacement interval is based on the expected sign life, compared to the minimum levels, for the shortest‐life material used on the affectedthe shortest life material used on the affected signs.
V Control SignsV Control Signs
• Replacement of signs in the field is based onReplacement of signs in the field is based on the performance of a sample of control signs. The control signs might be a small sample located in a maintenance yard or a sample of signs in the field. The control signs are
i d d i h d f
the affected signs. the affected signs.
monitored to determine the end of retro‐reflective life for the associated signs. All field signs represented by the control samplesigns represented by the control sample should be replaced before the retroreflectivity levels of the control sample reach thelevels of the control sample reach the minimum levels.
VI Other MethodVI Other Method
• Other methods developed based onOther methods developed based on engineering studies can be used.
the affected signs. the affected signs.
RETROREFLECTOMETERSRETROREFLECTOMETERSAvailable
• Chehalis, Spokane, Yakama, and Siletz Tribes are in process of purchasing fourare in process of purchasing four Retroreflectometers (with GPS), sign management programs and sign bar code readers that will be available to all Tribes
• The Regional Office currently owns one Retroreflectometer
• All five are the same manufacture ‐ Delta
RETROREFLECTOMETERRETROREFLECTOMETER
DELTADELTA
Retrosign GR3
flRetroreflectometer
DELTA RetroSign GR3DELTA RetroSign GR3
‐ Retroreflectometer
‐ GPS
‐ RFID Tag Reader
Extension Pole
The GR3 has an extension pole option to assist with taking readings on signs thatassist with taking readings on signs that are too high to reach easily from the ground.ground.
The extension pole comes equipped with a larger flange to assist in selectinga larger flange to assist in selecting reading locations and stability while the GR3 is on top of the poleGR3 is on top of the pole.
ASTM GeometryASTM Geometry
This display confirms that p ythe ASTM Geometry is the setting in use on the device
ASTM GeometryC FHWA i f h dh ld Current FHWA requirements for handheld Retroreflectometer readings as defined by the ASTM standard E1709 require an entrance angle ASTM standard E1709 require an entrance angle of -4° with an observation angle of .2°.
What Does a Reading RepresentWhat Does a Reading Represent
This sample reading fors sa p e ead g othe GR3 indicates thebrightness of a sign atbrightness of a sign atdifferent ObservationAnglesAngles. Only the .2° Reading iscurrently requiredcurrently required.
This value is referred to as the RA which is defined by the yformula
cd / lx / m2
cd / lx / m2cd / lx / m
How does this translate?How does this translate?cd : candela – The intensity of the light source
(how much light is sent to the sign surface)
lx : lux – Illumination, or light falling on a unit area
(how much light is reflecting from the sign surface)
m2 : Distance in meters squaredsta ce ete s squa ed
CalibrationIt is essential to calibrate the devicecalibrate the device before the days useuse.
Calibration is doneCalibration is done by comparing the values printed onvalues printed on the calibration plate to the readingplate to the reading of the same plate.
Taking Readings –Mean Calculation
The ASTM standard accepted by the FHWAThe ASTM standard accepted by the FHWA requires that no less then four readings need to be taken for each retroreflective color.to be taken for each retroreflective color.To accomplish this the GR3’s Mean Calculation feature should be turned on through the menu or via the software connection.The Mean Calculation symbol will display on the LCD whenever it is active.
Taking Readings Proper Technique
Improper use of a handheldhandheld retroreflectometercould allow it to pass.
No one would pass a sign in this condition.
Taking Readings Proper Technique
Proper handling will In any eventhandling will resolve this.
In any event,this sign would be failed by thebe failed by the operator regardless of the results of the readings.
Evaluation
Signs are evaluatedSigns are evaluated
against the published
l h t 2A 3values on chart 2A‐3.
Contrast RatioContrast Ratio for White on Red Signs
3 13:1
Sample ReadingsSample Readings
White RA = 100 Red RA = 50
Sample Readings
50 x 3 = 150 150>100 FAILED
Sample Readings
White RA = 265 Red RA = 35
35 x 3 = 105 105<265 PASSED
Electronic EvaluationThe Retroreflectometers currently on the market are simply recording devicesare simply recording devices.
Th t l t th RA l t tThey cannot evaluate the RA values or contrast Ratios by themselves.
This task is typically handled either by manually evaluating the data or by the use of softwareevaluating the data, or by the use of software.
TAPCOSignIT and Datalink
SignIT and DatalinkSignIT and Datalink
are designed to assist in that process.
Datalink
Datalink is used to gather information onDatalink is used to gather information on Retroreflectivity, GPS Location and Sign ID on site
Datalink
Datalink is used to gather information onDatalink is used to gather information on Retroreflectivity, GPS Location and Sign ID on site
Readings
• FHWA Signs are selectable and sorted by code or• FHWA Signs are selectable and sorted by code or color and are available for selection
Readings
R l f l i R l l d• Rules for evaluating RA values are already attached to the sign images.
Send Datalink to SignIT
Readings are stored in Datalink until connected to SignItand are then transmitted to SignIt to be sorted andand are then transmitted to SignIt to be sorted and stored with the proper record.
SignIt
SignIT is the main database maintains the records on signs, assemblies, inventory and work
assignments
SignIt
SignIt ‐ Alert ScreenSignIt Alert Screen
Alert Screen ‐MaintenanceAlert Screen Maintenance
Show a list of all signs and assemblies that are due, close to due, or over due for scheduled maintenance.
Alert Screen ‐ InventoryAlert Screen Inventory
Show a list of all Inventory Items that are at or below their assigned reorder levelbelow their assigned reorder level.
Alert Screen – Work OrdersAlert Screen Work Orders
Show a list of all Work Orders that are open and pending.p g
Alert Screen ‐ RequisitionsAlert Screen Requisitions
Show a list of all requisitions for qinventory items that are pending.p g
SignIt ‐ InventorySignIt Inventory
Signit will maintain a list of all related hardwareSignit will maintain a list of all related hardware and equipment maintained or stored by the shopshop.
Thi b li i d i dThis can be as limited as signs and post, or as detailed as individual nuts and bolts, as is
d dneeded.
Inventory ListInventory List
Inventory DetailsInventory Details
Sign Library ReferenceSign Library Reference
Samples of the FHWASamples of the FHWAStandard Highway Signs Manual signsSigns Manual signsare accessible from the th h l llthe help menu as wellas several other locations within both applications.
SignIt – Barcode InventorySignIt Barcode Inventory
Signit supports barcode g ppbased inventory control as an optional add onadd on.
Barcode labels can be produced in type 39 format from within the software or from other sourcesother sources.
Barcode scanning is supported with the Unitech HT580with the Unitech HT580 barcode scanner
SignIt ‐ AssembliesSignIt Assemblies
The assembly ysection of the software tracks all of the signs attached to any ygiven assembly tracked in the system.
Assembly ComponentsAssembly Components
Additionally, individual components and the estimated replacement costs of each assembly tracked to eachreplacement costs of each assembly tracked to each individual piece of hardware.
SignIt ‐ SignsSignIt Signs
Individual signs alongIndividual signs, along with their maintenance and retroreflectivity yhistories are maintained separately. These histories stay with the sign even if it is recycled to a new location .
Sign Inspection HistorySign Inspection History
Shows a history of theShows a history of the signs previous RetroreflectivityRetroreflectivity readings ‐ both electronic and visualelectronic and visual inspection.
SignIt ‐ StreetsSignIt StreetsStreets and other landmark locations can be easily added individually or imported through text files to rapidly populate the software's lists of searchable locations.
SignIt ‐ EmployeesSignIt EmployeesEmployees can be
i i d i h limaintained in the list to allow log in and diff l l fdifferent levels of access to the f dsoftware, and to
maintain a history of h k d bthe work done by different individuals.
Levels of AccessLevels of Access
Different levels of access are assigned to different users to control and secure the data in the ftsoftware
SignIt ‐ RetroreflectivitySignIt Retroreflectivity
Work Order EntryWork Order Entry
Work Order entry and o O de e y a dtracking, includes:
listing of all parts at the location
Permits that were i d f thacquired for the
work if needed.
Information related toInformation related to the job and crew assignments.
SignIt ‐ RequisitionsSignIt Requisitions
• Requisition area tracks all requests for purchases on all inventory items and assists in maintainingon all inventory items and assists in maintaining the current costs on all materials in inventory.
Printing RequisitionsPrinting Requisitions
• Requisitions can beRequisitions can be configured with the organizational logos andorganizational logos, and formatted to be consistent with existingconsistent with existing purchase order or requisition numberrequisition number sequences.
SignIt ‐ ReportsSignIt Reports
• Reports can be configuredReports can be configured with various parameters to limit or expand thelimit or expand the information to be displayed either on screen in aeither on screen in a preview format, to export for use in a spreadsheet orfor use in a spreadsheet or other document, or for output to any printeroutput to any printer.
SignIt ‐MappingSignIt Mapping
• Mapping functions are a separate add on toMapping functions are a separate add on to the software. Requires the use of Microsoft MapPoint softwareMapPoint software.
• Shows the location and lists of related hardware on the map based on GPShardware on the map based on GPS positioning.
All f i f i• Allows for access to mapping functions without an internet connection.
MappingMapping
Thank You
C i it tCome visit us at www.tapconet.com