(A) Policy. The following policy shall be known as “The Township Sign Maintenance Policy”.
(B) Background. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) established uniformity and standards for traffic signs on public roads. Language in the MUTCD requires all agencies and municipalities to adopt a sign maintenance program by June 13, 2014, which in turn will help meet minimum retro-reflectivity requirements for installed traffic sign. All agencies that own and maintain traffic signs are required to adhere to these requirements for their traffic signs.
(C) Scope of work.
(1) The following signs are exempt from this policy:
(a) Parking/standing/stopping;
(b) Walking/hitchhiking;
(c) Blue or brown backgrounds; and
(d) Exclusive use of bikes or peds.
(2) Note: exempt signs must still meet other requirements in MUTCD (inspections, retro- reflective and the like).
(D) Purpose. To maintain minimum sign retro-reflectivity compliance as required by the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition.
(E) Policy.
(1) This policy statement describes the evaluation and assessment method employed by the township for the general maintenance of traffic signage and adequate sign retro-reflectivity. The method described herein consists of routine daytime reviews for post and sign misalignment, damage theft or deterioration and a nighttime annual visual assessment of all signs in a specified area to assure adequate retro-reflectivity.
(2) Individual operators and maintenance crews travel the township streets to and from specific work assignments each work day in all parts of our service area. These staffers have been instructed to report any apparent problems (i.e., vision obstruction, vandalism, collision damage or substandard appearing traffic-control devices) immediately to the office staff, where a maintenance work order for any needed repairs will be initiated. Other public service staff, including zoning, sewage enforcement and parks personnel have also been advised to report observed traffic-control device deficiencies that might be observed during work travels throughout the township.
(3) To ensure continued compliance with minimum retro-reflectivity requirements the township has adopted a “visual assessment-consistent parameters” method of nighttime inspections with each sign being inspected once in every 12-month time period. The township employs an SUV style vehicle, model year 2000 or newer, to maintain adequate headlight to driver separation. The township utilizes an older inspector (60 years of age or older) as per FHWA guidelines. The township operates the vehicle at normal road speeds, under average weather conditions, using only low-beam headlight intensity. Once out on the intended route the inspector gives each road sign a pass/fail mark on either a printed or electronic inventory for the particular route being inspected at that time. Determination is based on the inspector’s judgment. A repair work order is then generated from this inventory and the sub-standard signs will be replaced in a timely manner.
(Res. 2014-021, passed 6-5-2014)