Project Title: Applications for Advanced Sign Sheeting Materials

Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation

Principle Investigator: Tim Gates

Research Staff:

TTI Project Number: 442712

Start Date: 9/1/01

End Date: 8/31/02

Abstract: Over the past few decades, advancements have been made in the performance of sign sheeting materials. Under many circumstances, the current high intensity sign sheeting provides adequate conspicuity and legibility for the driving population under both day and night conditions. However, situations may exist where advanced sign sheeting materials provide benefits beyond high intensity. This project proposes to identify situations in the field where advanced sheeting materials offer traffic safety benefits over high intensity sheeting materials that are currently in use on TxDOT highways. Progress towards this goal will be addressed through evaluation of the traffic safety effects (or surrogates) of various advanced sign sheeting materials in actual field evaluations. It is proposed that the research will include evaluation of the effects that advanced sheeting materials have on both traffic operational characteristics and crashes under various field conditions. Based on the r esearch results, a list of recommendations for the use of advanced sign sheeting materials will be made and will serve as the primary means of implementation of the research that is proposed for this project.