ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR STATE AGENCIES TO ADDRESS THE PROPOSED MINIMUM RETROREFLECTIVITY STANDARDS

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is expected to soon release minimum levels of retroreflectivity for signs. This study seeks to determine, quantify and present alternative approaches for agencies to meet the new standards. These approaches are based on current North Carolina Department of Transportation sign maintenance practices and seek to minimize the cost and labor required to meet FHWA standards. A methodology and framework for evaluating four approaches is developed. The four approaches are: (1) nighttime visual inspection (current method); (2) improved nighttime visual inspection procedures; (3) sign inventory management system with no visual inspection; and (4) a combination of alternatives 2 and 3. This study ultimately recommends alternative 4. Although this approach would be the most costly alternative, it would achieve most of the desired objectives. It is also recommended that the progress and accuracy of the implementation be monitored to help the state determine if the approach is evaluating signs as expected.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/34383369
• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Works Association

  2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 500
  Kansas City, MO  United States  64108-2625
• Authors:
  • Vereen, S C
  • Hummer, J E
  • Rasdorf, W
• Publication Date: 2004-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 235-248
• Serial:
  • Public Works Management & Policy
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 1087-724X
  • EISSN: 1552-7549
  • Serial URL: http://pwm.sagepub.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Cost effectiveness; Inspection; Maintenance practices; Methodology; Retroreflectivity; Signs; Standards; State departments of transportation
• Identifier Terms: North Carolina Department of Transportation; U.S. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I35: Miscellaneous Materials; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00972614
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 2004 12:00AM