Project Title: Selection of Materials to Optimize Sign Performance

Sponsor: National Cooperative Highway Research Program (TTI is a subcontractor to the University of Iowa)

Principle Investigator: Gene Hawkins

Research Staff:

TTI Project Number: 474290

Start Date: 6/5/01

End Date: 9/1/03

Abstract: The objective of the research is to develop a simple, user-friendly decision-making tool that will aid transportation agencies in the selection of retroreflective materials for traffic signs, based on roadway conditions and other factors that most critically affect sign performance. Appropriate selection also must take into account sign design and placement decisions. The decision-making tool should be appropriate for use by traffic authorities at the local, county, regional, state and federal levels and by consulting engineers. It should be suitable for an agency's sign installation and management functions and provide procedures for policy development, new sign requests, system upgrade decisions, and safety analyses.