Status of Rulemaking for Minimum Retroreflectivity Guidelines

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has worked to develop minimum levels of retroreflectivity for traffic signs and pavement markings that would enhance mobility and increase safety for the driving public. Recent changes in vehicle types, headlights, sign sheeting technology, and the aging driver population have made it necessary to reconsider and perhaps update, the data from previous research which was based on 1985 vehicles and sign sheeting materials. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is completing new research for FHWA to develop revised minimum retroreflective values for nighttime visibility of signs that will address the current vehicle type, headlights, sign technology and the aging driver. The FHWA has also been working with the transportation community to identify and develop options for implementing the minimum retroreflectivity levels.