Spring Break
Texas Transportation Institute promotes regular roadsign replacement
By: Christen Beck
Issue date: 6/16/09 Section: News
The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), a branch in the Texas A&M University system chain, is working to gain ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approval for new wet-weather road marking standards this month.
TTI researcher Paul Carlson said that the second revision of their research is currently under balloting, and the board will meet in late June to review the ballots and address negative votes.
"As a result of that research, we came up with ideas on how to do it better," Carlson said.
ASTM improved existing test methods by continually spraying water on test markings and recording the results, Carlson said.
The research methodology involved three ingredients: common sense, world-class research facilities and a strong group of researchers, Carlson said. The newer test method better represents a typical heavy rainfall and is more repeatable than previous testing techniques.
TTI's research on the retroreflectivity of road markings in raining night-time conditions began in 2004. The term retroreflectivity refers to how well a sign reflects light, an important factor for drivers' nighttime visibility.
The research aimed to determine when traffic signs and markings lose their effectiveness due to ultraviolet exposure, Carlson said.
TTI became involved with research on road signs and markings in 1999 to determine new retroreflectivity standards, he said.
"Never before had there been a specific criteria about when agencies need to replace their traffic signs because they're worn out," Carlson said. "The standard was to replace them when they became inadequate. Obviously, that's pretty vague."
A measurement process was organized through a set of federally mandated deadlines, Carlson said.
Agencies have several years to meet these new regulations, Carlson said, and there are no fines or penalties enforced for agencies that do not comply.
"There are no policemen, so to speak, for this particular rule," Carlson said.
TTI researcher Paul Carlson said that the second revision of their research is currently under balloting, and the board will meet in late June to review the ballots and address negative votes.
"As a result of that research, we came up with ideas on how to do it better," Carlson said.
ASTM improved existing test methods by continually spraying water on test markings and recording the results, Carlson said.
The research methodology involved three ingredients: common sense, world-class research facilities and a strong group of researchers, Carlson said. The newer test method better represents a typical heavy rainfall and is more repeatable than previous testing techniques.
TTI's research on the retroreflectivity of road markings in raining night-time conditions began in 2004. The term retroreflectivity refers to how well a sign reflects light, an important factor for drivers' nighttime visibility.
The research aimed to determine when traffic signs and markings lose their effectiveness due to ultraviolet exposure, Carlson said.
TTI became involved with research on road signs and markings in 1999 to determine new retroreflectivity standards, he said.
"Never before had there been a specific criteria about when agencies need to replace their traffic signs because they're worn out," Carlson said. "The standard was to replace them when they became inadequate. Obviously, that's pretty vague."
A measurement process was organized through a set of federally mandated deadlines, Carlson said.
Agencies have several years to meet these new regulations, Carlson said, and there are no fines or penalties enforced for agencies that do not comply.
"There are no policemen, so to speak, for this particular rule," Carlson said.
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