Project Title: Work Zone Inspection Handbook for Retroreflective Materials

Sponsor: Texas Department Of Transportation

Principle Investigator: Gene Hawkins

Research Staff: Mike Fontaine and Tim Gates

TTI Project Number: 453661

Start Date: 3/3/99

End Date: 9/30/01

Abstract: The objective of this project is to develop the Work Zone Inspection Handbook for Retroreflective Materials. Input will be sought from the appropriate TxDOT personnel from the Traffic Operations Division and the Maintenance Division. One of the goals of the handbook is to increase knowledge of roadway safety among people involved in engineering areas, at both the local and state level. This would be accomplished by providing construction inspection personnel with specific information about the retroreflective performance of work zone traffic control devices. Another goal is to decrease work zone traffic crash-related fatalities and injuries. This would result from having a higher level of traffic control device retroreflectivity in work zones. The higher quality would be achieved through removing ineffective or marginal devices. The distribution of this handbook would encourage the effective use of additional traffic engineering equipment. By describing the full range of re troreflective materials for work zone traffic control, the proposed hand book will increase the possibility of using materials that have not been widely used in the past.