Minimum Retroreflectivity of Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings, HR-562, 1995

This final report contains two separate reports which describe the retroreflectivity levels of various traffic signs and pavement markings on the Iowa primary road system. The data was collected in the fall/winter of 1994 and given to the Federal Highway Administration in March of 1995. This information is currently being combined with similar information from other jurisdictions across the country for the purpose of determining the impact of mandated minimum retroreflectivity levels. The FHWA will be releasing their report sometime in 1996. In October 1992, Congress mandated (Public Law 102-388) the Secretary of Transportation to revise the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to include a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings and traffic signs which shall apply to all roads open to public travel. In 1994, the FHWA initiated research studies to determine the retroreflectivity levels which currently exist for signs and markings in an attempt to develop standards which are reasonable to implement. The Iowa Department of Transportation participated in both of the studies and the final reports are included. After compilation and analysis of the collected retroreflectivity data, the FHWA will propose the new MUTCD standards through the federal rule making process. It is estimated that the actual MUTCD change will occur sometime in late 1997 or early 1998.