Webinar on compliance of minimum Retroreflectivity levels on road safety signs and pavement markings. How and why this effects agencies and their MUTCD Management Methods.

1. Sign and Pavement Marking
Retroreflectivity for the Future
Exclusive RoadVista 922 and
SM2T USA Distributor
Presented by:
Steve Norkus
Professional Pavement Products, Inc

2. Steve Norkus
Experience:
Over 14 years in Pavement Maintenance and Marking Industry
 Product and specification development, training and sales
 Active Industry Association Participation
 ATSSA – Committee Member Government Relations
 APWA – Conduct Educational Seminars
 ITE – Institute of Transportation Engineers
 TRB – Transportation Research Board
 ASTM –D04 Road and Paving Materials Committee
Member and the E12 Color and Appearance Committee
Member
 Speaker and Presenter
 Teaches Industry Courses and conducts related Webinars
 Conducts Educational Workshops
 LTAP Trainings

3. Retro-what!?!?!?!
RETROREFLECTIVITY
• Ability of an object (ex. Stop sign) to redirect
light back to its source (ex. A car’s headlights)

4. Why is Retroreflectivity Important?
DAYTIME
• Many cues available
• Driver task relatively easy
NIGHTTIME
• Few cues visible
• Task more difficult
• Retroreflectivity is
NECESSARY!!

5. What Sources Provide Retroreflectivity?
Light on microprismatic surfaces reflects on 3 mirrored surfaces
Light on embedded glass beads bends, reflects, and then bends again
Microprismatic Sheeting, RRPMs

6. Examples of Regulatory Signs

7. Examples of Warning Signs

8. May 2012 MUTCD Revision –
Changes to Compliance Dates
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/compliance_dates/index.htm
A.K.A.
May 2014

9. What the Changes Mean

10. KTC Roadway Related Tort Liability &
Risk Management Study
Analysis of roadway related lawsuits
against agencies
Pg 36- “The largest total number of
claim amounts were related to inadequate
signs or markings, lack of a stop sign, or
inadequate warning on a stop approach.
The total dollar amount claimed in this
category was substantially higher than any
other with approximately 23% of the amount
for all claims involving this reason.”
Category # Claims Amount of Claim Avg Claim $ Claims > $50K Amount Paid % Paid
Inadequate/improper signs/ markings 357 $21,554,666 $60,377 188 $2,110,969 10.8
Inadequate signing at stop approach 46 2,643,312 54,463 28 218,672 8.3
Lack of stop sign 43 3,633,941 84,508 37 489,875 14.9
Traffic Control Devices 698 34,256,454 $49,148 314 $3,350,207 10.6
Tables 3-11 and 3-10

11. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Inadequate/Improper signs/markings
Inadequate/Improper drainage
Lack of guardrail
Traffic control devise - Work Zone
Shoulder Drop Off
Crash due to pavement defect
Traffic signal malfunction - inadequate
Substandard guardrail
Crash involving DOT vehicle
Hit object on right of way (clear zone)
Shoulder related defect
View obstructed
Lack of Stop sign
Crash due to debris in road
Falling rock/rock slide
Inadequate signing at Stop approach
Improper drainage property
Contruction zone/other
Pedestrian fall
Improperly designed curve
Hit tree/falling tree
Work zone/flagger related
37
188
KTC Study: # of Claims over $50,000

12. Audience Poll
What is the current status of your agency’s
retroreflectivity monitoring program?
• Still deciding on what method/s.
• Have made a decision, but haven’t implemented yet.
• Currently implementing a method/s.
• Way ahead of you – we are up & running!
• Not with an agency.
12

13. Audience Poll –Follow up
Are you using (or plan on using) more than 1
method?
• Yes
• No
• Not with an agency
13

14. $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000
Contruction zone/other
Hit tree/falling tree
Crash due to pavement defect
Inadequate/Improper signs/markings
Crash due to debris in road
Lack of guardrail
Pedestrian fall
View obstructed
Falling rock/rock slide
Improperly designed curve
Crash involving DOT vehicle
Hit object on right of way (clear zone)
Work zone/flagger related
Traffic signal malfunction - inadequate
Inadequate/Improper drainage
Shoulder Drop Off
Lack of Stop sign
Substandard guardrail
Shoulder related defect
Inadequate signing at Stop approach
Traffic control devise - Work Zone
Improper drainage property
$111,131
$97,297
KTC: Average Claim $ Amount

15. Type 3 Sheeting & above
NEW = 90 to 180 vs.
MIN = 7
Type 3 Sheeting & above
NEW = 500 to 900 vs.
MIN = 35
Minimums for Retroreflectivity
Readings

16. Sign Color Additional Criteria
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Beaded Sheeting
Prismatic
Sheeting
I II III
III, IV, VI, VII, VIII,
IX, X
White on Green
Overhead
white not
approved; green> 7
white not
approved;
green> 15
white not
approved;
green> 25
white > 250;
green > 25
Ground-mounted
white not
approved; green> 7
white > 120; green > 15
Black on Yellow
or Black on
Orange
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring > 1200mm (48 in) and
all bold symbol signs
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 50; orange > 50
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring < 1200mm (48 in)
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 75; orange > 75
White on Red
Minimum sign contrast ratio > 3:1
(white retroreflectivity / red
retroreflectivity)
white > 35; red > 7
Black on White --- white > 50
MUTCD Minimum Retroreflectivity
Levels Quick Reference Guide

17. Sign Color Additional Criteria
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Beaded Sheeting
Prismatic
Sheeting
I II III
III, IV, VI, VII, VIII,
IX, X
White on Green
Overhead
white not
approved; green> 7
white not
approved;
green> 15
white not
approved;
green> 25
white > 250;
green > 25
Ground-mounted
white not
approved; green> 7
white > 120; green > 15
Black on Yellow
or Black on
Orange
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring > 1200mm (48 in) and
all bold symbol signs
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 50; orange > 50
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring < 1200mm (48 in)
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 75; orange > 75
White on Red
Minimum sign contrast
ratio > 3:1 (white / red
retroreflectivity)
white > 35; red > 7
Black on White --- white > 50
MUTCD Minimum Retroreflectivity
Levels Quick Reference Guide

18. Signs in the Field
• DG Speed Limit
• South facing
• BG = 257 (min 50)
• L = Black (non-reflective)
• July ‘98
– 13 years old (when pic taken)

19. Sign Color Additional Criteria
Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
Beaded Sheeting
Prismatic
Sheeting
I II III
III, IV, VI, VII, VIII,
IX, X
White on Green
Overhead
white not
approved; green> 7
white not
approved;
green> 15
white not
approved;
green> 25
white > 250;
green > 25
Ground-mounted
white not
approved; green> 7
white > 120; green > 15
Black on Yellow
or Black on
Orange
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring > 1200mm (48 in) and
all bold symbol signs
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 50; orange > 50
For text and fine symbol signs
measuring < 1200mm (48 in)
yellow/orange not
approved
yellow > 75; orange > 75
White on Red
Minimum sign contrast ratio > 3:1
(white / red retroreflectivity)
white > 35; red > 7
Black on
White
--- white > 50
MUTCD Minimum Retroreflectivity
Levels Quick Reference Guide

20. The 5 MUTCD Approved Sign
Management Methods
1. Visual night time inspections using calibrated signs and
performed by a certified individual.
2. Replacement based on individual manufacturer suggested
sign life.
3. Blanket replacement of all signs in an area.
4. Use a sampling of control signs that represent field signs.
5. Actual sign retroreflectivity levels measured using a
retroreflectometer.

21. Audience Poll
What retroreflectivity inspection method(s) are
you currently using?
• Visual Night time Inspection
• Suggested Sign Life
• Blanket Replacement
• Control Signs
• Retroreflectometer Readings
Not yet there? Not with an agency?
Please DO NOT answer this poll!

22. Audience Poll – Follow up
For those who use Visual Inspection as your
primary method, are you currently using day or
night time inspections?
• Night time Inspections
• Daytime Inspections
• Both
22

23. Cost of Sign Replacement
Average Sign Life = 10 years
National Average Sign Replacement Cost = $150
Signs Under
Jurisdiction
5,000 10,000 15,000 25,000 50,000
Average Annual
Replacements
500 1,000 1,500 2,500 5,000
Annual Costs
Jurisdiction Wide
$ 75,000 $ 150,000 $ 225,000 $ 375,000 $ 750,000
To be compliant, on average only about 30% of all signs in a jurisdiction have to meet the minimum
standards of retroreflectivity as laid out in the MUTCD compliance deadlines: “all red and white or white
and black “regulatory” signs (such as STOP signs and Speed Limit signs), yellow and black “warning” signs,
and ground-mounted green and white “guide” signs (except street name signs).

24. Federal-Aid Highway Program Funds

25. Order or
Fabricate Signs
Repair and
Replace Signs
Generate Work
Plan
Periodic
Assessment and
Maintenance
Update
Inventory
Post ProcessingData Collection
Initial Action
Plan
Sign Management Lifecycle

26. Sign Retroreflectivity Data Collection

27. Note, if you use Pass as
Comment 1 and Fail as
Comment 2, KML will auto
color the markers accordingly!
Using Sign Retroreflectivity Devices for Mapping

28. Using Sign Retroreflectivity Devices for Mapping

29. Signs in the Field
F A I L
• EG Symbol Sign
• BG = 2.4 (min 75)
• L = Black
• 2008
– 3 years old (when pic taken)

30. RoadVista 922 Delta RetroSign GR3
Manufactured In USA Denmark
Device Type Annular – Single Measurement per
Reading on Prismatics
US Patent 7,961,328
Point – Two Measurements per
Reading on Prismatics Req’d
(at 0⁰ and 90⁰)
Angles 2 angles: .2, .5 GR3 = 3 angles: .2, .5, 1.0
GR1 = 1 angle: .2
Inventory System Built-in Barcode Reader Attachable RFID Reader or
Attachable Barcode Reader
Battery Standard 12V Rechargeable Power
Tool, ~$70
Bosch Special Order, ~$330
Display Touchscreen facing User LCD on side of unit
Reading Time 1 Second Per Reading 2 Seconds Per Reading
GPS Standard Internal Standard Internal
Bluetooth Standard Internal Standard Internal
Approved Handheld
Retroreflectometer
Devices

31. POINT Technology
(used by Delta GR3/GR1)
• Takes a single point measurement just above
the light source
• Developed in 1970’s
• Rotationally sensitive on prismatic sheeting
• Widely used in Lab testing
• 0⁰ and 90⁰ rotational readings on prismatic
are required to match ASTM Lab results
ANNULAR Technology
(Used by RoadVista 922)
• Averages infinite point measurements
around the light source
• Developed in 1980’s specifically for newly
introduced micro-prismatic materials
• Most reliable way to test prismatic sheeting
• Best for reliable readings in the field
Image Source: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/retrotoolkit/pdfs/measurement.pdf
Side-by-Side: Point vs. Annular

32. Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity
Bead @ 60% Embedment 
Binding Material 
Pavement Surface 
A
C
E A. Light comes from source
B. Light bends (refracts) at
point of entry of glass
bead
C. Light reflects off back of
glass bead taking the
binding material’s color
with it
D. Light bends (refracts )
again at point of exit of
glass bead
E. Light returns to original
source
B
D

33. Pavement Markings Retroreflectivity…
30 meter geometry
Simply Stated:
Amount of light sent out 30 meters compared to the amount of light sent back!

34. Types of Pavement Marking Retroreflectometers
Portable Units
RoadVista SM2T Delta LTL-X

35. Types of Pavement Marking Retroreflectometers
RoadVista
LaserLux Delta LTL-M
Mobile Units

36. Pavement Marking Inspection -
Troubleshooting Bead Disbursement …
Properly
Dispersed
HeavySideHeavyCenter
LightCenter
Unevenly
Dispersed
Causes:
• Defective bead
dispenser
• Low bead gun
pressure
• Insufficient
amount of beads
in applicator
• Hand applied

37. Troubleshooting Bead Embedment…
Proper Embedment
(55-60%)
Material
too cold
Not Deep Enough
Material
too hot
Too Deep
Too
many
beads
Excessive
Dispersement
10%.................. 20%.................... 30%...................40%.................... 50%....................60%................ 70%................. 80%................... 90%

38. Pavement Marking Inspection
Close up of Glass Beads
Bead Inspection

39. Pavement Marking Inspection
Excessive PaintProper Glass Bead Imbedment?

40. State Line – Idaho/ Wyoming Large aggregate, new paint, not very good!
Pavement Marking Inspection

41. Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Data Collection

42. Using Road Marking Retroreflectivity
Devices for Mapping

43. Retroreflectivity Info and Training Center
Watch specific webinars and training videos anytime
• pppcatalog.com/webinars
• pppcatalog.com/922/training-center
• pppcatalog.com/sm2touch/training-center

44. Exclusive distributor of RoadVista 922 in USA.
Over 700 roadway maintenance and construction products in stock, available online
and our six warehouse locations:
Jacksonville | Miami | Orlando | Houston | Charlotte | Raleigh
Steve Norkus
Direct 904.838.0195
steve.norkus@pppcatalog.com
Professional Pavement Products
Toll Free 1.888.717.7771 | www.pppcatalog.com