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Reflectivity 101 |
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When it comes to traffic signs
there are basically 3 grades of reflectivity, EGP or
Engineer Grade Prismatic, HIP or High Intensity Prismatic
and DGP Diamond Grade Prismatic, each are explained below: |
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EGP - Engineer
Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting |
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This material is also
referred to as "Type I Reflective". Engineer Grade Prismatic
reflective is used for non-critical signs like parking and
private property subdivisions. The "Engineer Grade Prismatic
Reflective" has an approximate reflectivity of 500 feet.
This material is durable and will reflect at night when
light hits it. Our signs are .080" or 1/16" thick with an
engineer grade prismatic reflective sheeting applied over
the surface. Signs will never rust and have a minimum life
span of 7 years. Signs meet State and Federal DOT's "Type I
Reflective" specifications. |
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HIP - High
Intensity Prismatic Reflective Sheeting |
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This material meets the
Department of Transportation's "Type III & IV reflective"
requirements. This material has an approximate reflectivity
of 250 foot-lamberts per square inch which in feet is
approximately 1,000. This material is durable and will
reflect at night when light hits it. It is ten times more
reflective than EGP, Engineer Grade Prismatic reflective
sheeting. The Type III and IV are usually required for
higher speed roads like highways. Signs are .080" or 1/16"
thick with high intensity prismatic sheeting applied over
the surface. Signs will never rust and have a life span of
10 years. |
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DGP - Diamond
Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting |
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This material has an
approximate reflectivity of 1,000 foot-lamberts per square
inch. Diamond Grade is used on high speed interstate roads.
Diamond Grade shapes can be seen from approximately 1500
feet and overall reflectivity can be seen from one mile away
at night. This material is durable and will reflect at night
when light hits it. It is the brightest reflective sheeting
offered. It is 5 times more reflective than HIP, High
Intensity Prismatic reflective sheeting. Signs are .080" or
1/16" thick with prismatic reflective sheeting applied over
the surface. Signs will never rust and has a life span of
10+ years. Signs meet most State and Federal DOT
specifications. |
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Does your signage meet the
latest DOT specifications?
Effective Now:
Your traffic devices must conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD)
- If public travels on private property that you own or manage
- Includes shopping centers, offices and apartment complexes
The key here is: "If the public travels
on it"
The minimum reflectivity for non-critical signs like
parking signs, is EGP, or Engineer Grade Prismatic.
For critical signs like traffic signs, HIP, High Intensity
Prismatic or DGP, Diamond Grade Prismatic.
Personal Injury or loss of life in an area where traffic signs fail to
comply with new Federal standards will result in exposure to
tort liability. Visit
www.minimumreflectivity.org for more information
regarding minimum reflectivity bylaws. |
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New MUTCD
Requirements For Street Signs: |
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- Minimum reflectivity of
HIP, High Intensity Prismatic
- Combination of upper & lower case letters
- Font Style must be “Highway Gothic” (Effective Jan 2016) |
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Incorrect |
Correct |
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Other MUTCD
Street Sign Recommendations: |
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- Roads with Speed Limit
of 40 mph or less
6" initial letter height
- Roads with Speed Limit of 25 mph or less
4" initial letter height
- Roads with Speed Limit of 40 mph of greater
8" initial letter height for post mounted signs
12" letter height for overhead street name signs |
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Reasons For New
Retroreflectivity Requirements: |
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- Signs more
visible to nighttime drivers
More than 50% of fatal traffic
accidents occur at night
- Signs more visible to older drivers
65 year old drivers require 4 times the amount of
light
to see a sign at night as a 25year old driver
- Signs more visible in inclement weather |
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Timeline to
Implement New Requirements: |
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- January 22, 2012
Roadway owners must have a sign management
plan
in place
- January 22, 2015
Regulatory, Warning and Post-Mounted signs
must
meet retroreflectivity requirments
- January 22, 2018
Street Name signs must meet
retroreflectivity
requirements. If signs meet
retroreflectivity
requirements and are in all capital
letters, they may
remain in service for the remainder of
their useful life.
After the end of
their useful life signs should be
replaced with a
combination of upper & lower
case letters. |
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Questions of the
reflective sign kind? |
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