This report documents and presents the results of a study which investigated the economic consequences of establishing minimum retroreflectivity standards for highway signs. A national data collection effort was undertaken to assess the current condition of the nation's traffic signs. Approximately 8,000 measurements of retroreflectivity were taken from a random sample of regulatory, warning, and guide signs. Using the range of minimum retroreflectivity standards provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), an estimate of traffic signs requiring immediate and future replacement was made. A survey of State, county and city agencies was conducted to obtain sign replacement and maintenance costs. Minimum retroreflectivity standards could cost nationally approximately $156 million per year for a ten year implementation schedule under the higher standards evaluated here. At the lower retroreflectivity standards the national cost would be no more than the cost for regular sign maintenance activities today assuming a 5 or 10 year implementation schedule. If a quicker implementation schedule of one year was adopted, then a one time economic cost of between $400 million and $2 billion would be expected depending on the retroreflectivity standards selected. (A)
Samenvatting