Description

Local agencies are responsible for providing clear, informative traffic control devices and markings for public road travelers (specified in the Code of Iowa and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Consequently, local agency staff need to be aware of all current recommendations and practices to perform their traffic control duties properly. The Iowa LTAP and Safety Circuit Rider have developed several workshops to provide needed training to keep local agencies up to date.

Minimum Retroreflectivity for Signs Workshop

In December 2007 the Federal Highway Administration published a new rule requiring public agencies to meet prescribed minimum retroreflectivity standards for almost all roadway signs, including compliance dates for accomplishment. Since that time, most of the compliance dates have been removed, but the requirements to meet the minimum standards remain. The Iowa LTAP has developed workshops to provide needed training for local agencies to explain these requirements and offer advice about various assessment and management methods that are available for that purpose.

This training can be tailored to meet the needs of local agencies both in content and length. Workshops can be provided to supervisors and manager or to technicians or to all interested staff at one time. Combining rural and urban agencies can also be accommodated.

Who Should Attend?

• City and county personnel
• All staff members responsible permanent signing and temporary signing
• Other staff members who need to know the principles of signs

Typical Workshop Topics

The complete three- to four-hour training agenda will include the following topics:

• Introduction
• Advantages of an Inventory System
• Basics of Retroreflectivity
• MUTCD Requirements
• Assessment and Management Methods
• Demonstration of Retroreflectometer
• Wrap-Up

The host agency for the training would need to furnish a training room of adequate size and, if desired, samples of signs to be measured with a retroreflectometer.

Informative materials about signs and markings and certificates of completion will be provided to each participant.

For More Information

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Keith Knapp at 515-294-8817 or kknapp@iastate.edu