At TAPCO our standard signs set new standards!
New Rules for Reflective Sheeting
Higher Minimum Levels of Reflectivity Will be Required.
TAPCO’s Highway grade signs exceed the standard for the sign industry. Unless otherwise noted, all TAPCO signs meet all MUTCD and State and Federal sign specifications. Don’t be misled by lower prices in other catalogs.
Often those signs are produced with lower grade sheeting and substrates. The TAPCO-made highway grade signs shown here are all sheeted with 3M’s new high intensity prismatic sheeting which also sets new industry standards.
Are all signs of equal quality and durability?
NO! Some sign manufacturers and resellers will try to sell you a cheaper product that will not last as long or be as effective for any one of several reasons. Rest assured that when you purchase a sign from TAPCO that it will last, providing you a better value over the life of the sign. Refer to the different levels of sheeting on the following pages to compare the choices of sheeting and their respective levels of reflectivity. More information on sheeting can be found in the Digital Signmaking section of this catalog.
Must my traffic and parking signs comply?
ALL traffic control devices nationwide must conform to the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) as provided under Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655, sub-paragraph F. The MUTCD states that ALL signs in areas open to public vehicular travel MUST be retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape and similar color both day and night. Signs must utilize encapsulated reflective sheeting, not glass beads thrown onto wet inks. The FHWA is developing minimum reflective standards for all traffic signs. All 50 States must either adopt the Federal MUTCD, with or without revisions, or adopt their own version.
Effective January 16th, 2007, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) revised the language in the MUTCD to clarify its applicability on private property that is "Open to Public Travel". All critical signs and pavement markings (traffic control devices) used on private properties that are open to public travel must now comply with the MUTCD.
TAPCO’S concern for safety goes well beyond manufacturing our signs to the highest quality levels possible. We also feel it important to pass along information that will help our customers better understand MUTCD codes and recent changes made to that code. Here is a brief overview of regulations that will affect not only signs themselves but how we maintain and assure that all signs meet the minimum requirements. If you have additional questions please call us: we will be happy to provide additional resources and contacts to help you better understand these complex and important FHWA issues. 1.800.236.0112
Retroreflectivity describes the efficiency of a material to redirect light back of its source. Retroreflective materials are engineered to redirect most of the light back toward the source, which gives signs and pavement markings a brighter appearance at night from the driver's perspective. (View Reflectometer)
Announcement of Final Rule: Revision 2 of the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control devices (MUTCD) was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2007. The FHWA expects that the reflectivity levels and maintenance methods will help to promote safety and mobility on the nation's streets and highways.
Revision 2, which became effective in January 22, 2008, adds new provisions regarding sign retroreflectivity to Section 2A.09 of the 2003 MUTCD, as well as a new Table 2A-3, Minimum Maintained Retroreflectivity Levels. Public agencies will have one year from the effective date to have a plan in place to ensure all signs meet the minimum standards for reflectivity and inventory control. These new provisions and the new Table 2A-3 can be viewed at the FHWA's MUTCD web site at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
How can highway officials be assured that they are meeting the new provisions for retroreflectivity and that their signs provide reasonable visibility at night?
Agencies will need to implement one or more of the five methods described in Section 2A.09 of the MUTCD to assess signs for nighttime visibility, or an agency may decide to develop its own assessment or management method based on engineering studies.
