news

The FHWA's Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity Ruling went into effect on January 22, 2008, adding new provisions regarding sign retroreflectivity. Here's a breakdown of some of the changes;

1. Four years to implement (and continue using) an assessment or managmenet method to maintain traiffic sign retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels (by January 2012).
2. Seven years for replacement of regulatory, warning and ground-mounted signs (except street name signs) that fail to meet the established minimum levels (by January 2015).
3. Ten years for replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs that fail to meet the extablished minimum levels (by January 2018).

FHWA.dot.gov

The National Association of County Engineers (NACE) is launching an education and grant program to aid its members in replacing traffic signs to meet new federal retroreflectivity standards recently released by the FHWA. Each NACE member agency is eligible for one grant to purchase 3M prismatic reflective sign sheeting to replace signs made with engineer grade or super engineer grade beaded sheeting. Grants may be used to purchase both fabricated signs and/or roll goods from TAPCO, an Authorized Distributor of 3M Traffic Safety products. For additional information visit countyengineers.org

information adapted from "Sign-Related Deadlines Are Coming: Will You Be Ready?" Kansas Government Journal, December 2009, pgs. 362-363