Getting Started


 

    Develop Database of Current Inventory

    Establish procedural integrity(23)

    Accurate, reliable information for a sign management process needs systematic, reproducible assessments to ensure effective implementation. An agency may need procedures to:
    • Determine headlight type, aiming and output
    • Calibrate retroreflectometers
    • Log inspection efforts
    • Identify subject signs
    • Compare field measurements to criteria
    • Plan routes for field efforts
    • Verify improvement
    • Evaluate replaced (discarded) signs
    • Select sign samples
    • Measure retroreflectivity
    • Create work orders for replacements
    • Analyze sign replacement costs
    • Set inspection frequency
    • Repair traffic signs for night visibility
    • Asses marginal signs
    • Clean traffic signs to improve night visibility
    • Check nighttime color adequacy
    • Coordinate multiple sign assessment criteria
    • Determine material types
    • Plan daily operations

    Develop or expand maintenance records(25)

    An accurate, complete record of signs is crucial for an efficient, effective sign maintenance process. Records should include:
    • Sign installation date, location and type
    • Record of inspection dates and type conducted
    • Log of sign support or maintenance activities
    • Environmental conditions or special notes
    • Logs of incidents
    Some agencies (such as City of Greeley, Colorado), have instituted a GPS-based sign inventory and inspection program for data collection and management(26) coupled with GIS (Geographic Information System) technology to map and track fixed assets.

    Develop or expand sign inventory

    A sign inventory helps an agency to respond quickly and more effectively to an incident report. The inventory should include the following information:
    • Sign location (street, highway, milepost or block location, and traffic direction it faces)
    • Sign type or name (e.g. STOP, NO PASSING)
    • Sign panel size and shape
    • Date installed or replaced
    • Date of any changes and note of change made
    • Date of most recent inspection or repair
    Depending on the jurisdiction size, an agency responsible for fewer than 150 signs may decide to create a simple 3 x 5-inch card index to inventory each sign. Larger inventories may be automated on computer.

    Incident Reports (27)

    Incident reports should include:
    • Date and time report is made or received
    • Who made the report; who entered and received it
    • Brief description of the problem reported or observed
    • Action taken, when and by whom



    23 http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/retro/sign/imp-improve.htm
    25 A guide for street and highway maintenance personnel, FHWA booklet http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/media/sign_support.htm
    26 Jones, Jr., F.E., GPS-based sign inventory and inspection program, IMSA Journal, March/April 2004
    27 http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/media/sign_support.htm#7c
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