(A) Purpose. The purpose of this procedure is to formalize and document inspection and operational procedures to maximize the effectiveness of village signs and balance maximum sign effectiveness and public safety while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
(B) Goal. The goal is to confirm and formalize engineering inspection, inventory, and maintenance procedures with respect to signs and to balance maximum sign effectiveness and public safety with fiscal responsibility.
(C) Introduction.
(1) There are five different types of signs. These include:
(a) Regulatory signs.
(b) Warning signs.
(c) Guide signs.
(d) Miscellaneous signs.
(e) Construction signs (generally temporary signs related to construction).
(2) Sign priority based on function and classification.
(a) Priority One:
1. Stop signs.
2. Yield signs school crosswalk.
3. Pedestrian signs.
4. Handicap parking and loading signs.
(b) Priority Two:
1. Other regulatory signs (includes: speed limit, no parking, and the like).
2. Warning signs (includes: height restriction signs, road narrow signs, curve ahead signs, and the like).
(c) Priority Three:
1. Information signs (includes: route signs, police signs, and the like).
2. Miscellaneous signs (includes: photo radar signs, and the like).
(D) Inspection and inventory.
(1) An inventory of all signs will be maintained by the village. This inventory will include a history of inspection and condition of the signs. All signs will be inspected on a rotational basis as follows:
Priority One | Once every 12 months |
Priority Two | Once every 18 months |
Priority Three | Once every 24 months |
(2) Sign inspections will confirm that the sign is in place and will document the appearance, condition, and reflectivity of the sign as well as visibility of the sign with regard to obstructions (i.e., trees that have grown in front of signs).
(3) The person or persons conducting the sign inspection shall have a class attendance certification to carry out the required duties in conformance with the village inspection procedures. The persons or persons shall also meet the age requirements of the Nighttime Visual Assessment Method as outlined in the 2009 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(E) Other inspections.
(1) Public concerns. In addition to formal inspections, citizen concerns related to village signs will be documented in the village’s work request form system and directed to the Village Engineer. Safety related concerns will be investigated promptly. All concerns will be investigated in a timely manner as staff workload permits.
(2) Village staff. In addition to formal inspections, staff shall inform the Village Engineer of any concerns related to village signs. Safety related concerns will be investigated as promptly as is expedient and staff is available. All concerns will be investigated in a timely manner as staff workload permits.
(3) Sign cleaning.
(a) Engineering Department staff will monitor the accumulation of dirt, snow, or other visual impairment.
(b) Based on these inspections, when the Village Engineer determines that the signs require cleaning because of accumulations of dirt or snow, a cleaning program will be initiated as resources allow. Priority will be given to major streets on the village system.
(F) Sign conditions. Signs are rated on appearance and reflectivity, and placed into one of the following four levels:
Level One | New |
Level Two | Starting to fade and noticeable color change |
Level Three | Minor damage or very noticeable fading and color change |
Level Four | Damaged severely or badly faded and color almost gone |
(G) Action.
(1) Priority One signs: When signs reach Level Two, they are replaced as workload and budget restraints warrant. If there is a safety issue then, at the discretion of the Village Engineer, the sign will be replaced as soon as is reasonable based on the availability of work force.
(2) Priority Two signs: When signs reach Level Three, they are replaced as workload and budget restraints warrant. If there is a safety issue then, at the discretion of the Village Engineer, the sign will be replaced as soon as is reasonable based on the availability of work force.
(3) Priority Three signs: When signs reach Level Four, they are replaced as workload and budget restraints warrant. If there is a safety issue then, at the discretion of the Village Engineer, the sign will be replaced as soon as is reasonable based on the availability of work force.
(H) Visibility of signs. When the visibility of a sign is found to be impaired by other signs, trees, shrubs, and the like, so that the effectiveness of the sign is significantly reduced, the Village Engineer will dispatch crews to bring the sign back to a functional level, as staff workload permits. In the event of private trees or bushes obstructing roadway signs, the Village Engineer will notify the property owner to deal with the situation in accordance with applicable statutes.
(I) Interpretation. The Village of Shiloh acknowledges that all signs cannot be maintained in perfect condition due to fiscal and practical constraints. The timing of maintenance and inspection will be planned within the scope of this study, at the discretion of the Village Engineer within the scope of the current operating budget, to balance safety and appearance.