Towns say new sign rules not a problem
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Sign maker Pete Shandrick pulls a cover off of a speed limit sign he created inside his office in the Moon Public Works garage.
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Over the next few years, street signs may get a face-lift, but despite economic conditions, many community officials say they're not worried about how the updated federal regulations for traffic and street signs will affect their budgets.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has revised the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, issuing revised regulations for traffic and street signs in 2007 and 2009. The manual is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, traffic signals and street signs.
Among the required upgrades for traffic control devices are greater reflectivity in road signs and the timing on crosswalk signs. Over time, communities also are expected to replace street signs with reflective signs that spell out street names in upper and lower case letters.
The public has 45 days from Nov. 30 to comment to the Federal Register, by going to www.regulations.gov and entering docket number FHWA-2010-0159.
Some new requirements, such as the size of signs and their level of reflectivity, must be met by 2018, although that could change based on public comment to the website.
"Although there are safety advantages to many of these recommendations and requirements, we want to find a way to improve safety without piling costs onto the American people," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote in a recent blog post.
For that reason, municipalities have been given the flexibility to deal with the regulations on their own schedules, provided they meet the deadline.
The safety measurements are primarily intended for an aging population of drivers and for night-time driving.
"Night-time accidents, when only one-fourth of the people travel, probably are half of the fatalities, and therefore, we need to do something," said Murrysville Mayor Robert J. Brooks. "Reflective signs, I think, are about the best way."
Mr. Brooks said he anticipates the biggest costs will come from replacing the large number of stop signs and speed limit signs. Murrysville street signs are reflective, so the municipality is in good shape on that, he said.
"We don't have any problems with the new rules, regulations or deadlines because we're already well into it and I believe it's the right kind of thing to do," he said. "How can you put a price on a life?"
First Published December 30, 2010 12:00 am
