Methodology to Review Cost-Effective Highway Sign Retroreflective Sheeting Policy
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 121, Issue 2
Abstract
Kansas State University conducted research for the Kansas Department of Transportation to evaluate their retroreflective sheeting policy. This paper presents a recommended methodology for conducting a life-cycle cost analysis using Kansas cost figures and bid prices for two sheeting types as an example. A 50-state survey uncovered only four states that had ever done an economic analysis of sign sheeting. All were old studies and none used life-cycle cost-analysis techniques. Three types of signs were analyzed. For a new overhead guide sign, signs with high-performance sheeting had an equivalent uniform annual cost (EUAC) of $206.27/sign/year versus $243.40/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. For overlaying an existing guide sign, the EUAC is $152.2/sign/year for signs with high-performance sheeting versus $178.8/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. For a ground mounted sign, the EUAC is $4.79/sign/year for signs with high-performance sheeting versus $6.95/sign/year for signs with engineering grade sheeting. It was concluded that Kansas policy of using signs with high-performance sheeting was cost-effective. These conclusions are not necessarily valid in other states, and only two materials were used in the example because valid cost figures were available on only two materials; however, the methodology could be used by all states with appropriate data. An analysis of life-cycle cost results made available by several states would result in a significant contribution to nationwide results on all materials used in the United States under actual conditions.
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References
1.
Manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways. (1988). U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.
2.
McGee, H. W. (1991). NCHRP synthesis on highway practice 155: freeway guide sign replacement: policies and criteria . National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
3.
“Reflective sheeting study for Kansas Department of Transportation.” (1988). Rep., Bellomo-McGee, Inc., Vienna, Va.
4.
Russell, E. R. Sr., and Rys, M. (1992). “A review of Kansas Department of Transportation's reflective sheeting policy.”KDOT Rep., Topeka, Kans.
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Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1995
Published in print: Mar 1995
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