how reflective is your reflectivity? When your headlights hit the stop sign what happens? Does the stop sign shine bright? if so then your sign meets the standard and is a safe and reflective stop sign. If not, then you need to replace it right away.

What good is a stop sign if no one can see it? During these winter months the majority of the driving occurs at night which makes visibility difficult. There are several distraction including lights, house lights, snow, other headlights, ice on the windshield, the list is endless. With all of that to account for a dark stop sign is almost useless.

Sign reflectivity doesn’t last forever..so if you bought your traffic sign years ago you will probably need to replace it. There is no set time table, or life span because weather conditions are the main cause of reflectivity deterioration and weather conditions vary.

There are 3 types of reflectivity to choose…

1) Engineer Grade Reflectivity: Meets DOT and MUTCD requirements for traffic safety. 3M Scotchlite reflective sheeting makes sign extra visible when light hits the surface.

2) High-Intensity Reflectivity: 3x brighter than engineer-grade. Meets MUTCD and FHWA requirements for traffic safety. Thousands of honeycomb shapes make signs easy to read in the darkest conditions. Guaranteed to retain 80% brightness for over 10 years.

3) Maximum-Intensity: 10x brighter than engineer grade for highest visibility available. Exceeds all MUTCD requirements. Retro-reflective diamond grade surface is intensely visible in bright light or total darkness. Ideal for areas where accidents occur often.

For more information on traffic sign reflectivity regulations check this out…

FHWA Finalizes Minimum Retroreflectivity Standards

New MUTCD retroreflectivity standards require agencies to replace non-compliant signs within seven to ten years.

Agency action will soon be required
Federally-mandated minimum sign retroreflectivity standards became final on January 22, 2008. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) are designed to improve the night visibility of traffic signs. This mandate requires state and local agencies to:

• Assess the signs on their roads and develop a replacement plan within four years of the final ruling.
• Replace non-compliant warning and regulatory signs within seven years of the final ruling.
• Replace guidance and street name signs within ten years of the final ruling.

This Web site assembles and publishes background information, best practices and current literature from the transportation community. Agency action will soon be required
Federally-mandated minimum sign retroreflectivity standards became final on January 22, 2008. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) are designed to improve the night visibility of traffic signs. This mandate requires state and local agencies to:

• Assess the signs on their roads and develop a replacement plan within four years of the final ruling.
• Replace non-compliant warning and regulatory signs within seven years of the final ruling.
• Replace guidance and street name signs within ten years of the final ruling.

 Rick Mariano -www.Trafficandparkingsigns.com

www.emedco.com