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                        Maintenance of Signs and Sign Supports


            
            In This Section
        Local and Rural Road Safety Program
                Training, Tools, Guidance and Countermeasures for Locals Practitioners
                Crash Facts
                
                V. SIGN INSTALLATION
Location and Height of Signs

When installing a sign for the first time or as a replacement to an existing sign, the sign technician should be aware of the requirements for its position on the roadside. Signs are positioned longitudinally along the road, laterally from the edge of the road, and vertically above the ground. If a sign replacement is warranted, the sign technician should not assume the original sign was placed correctly. It is important to check the location of the support and the mounting height of the sign above the roadway to ensure the sign is visible and crashworthy.

The longitudinal location of the sign is dictated by the sign type and the specific situation. There are too many different situations to cover in this guide, so refer to the current edition of the *MUTCD*, your State standards and/or directives, and your agency’s requirements.

The figures on the next page represent the recommended height and lateral location as provided in the *MUTCD*.

WHEN INSTALLING A NEW SIGN CHECK WITH YOUR UTILITY COMPANY AND ANY OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE UNDERGROUND CABLES AND CONDUITS.

"Diagram. Figure 2A-2 from the 2009 MUTCD is shown. It gives 8 examples of heights and lateral locations of signs for typical installations."
Source: *MUTCD,*2009

Positioning Signs

To obtain maximum retroreflection from traffic signs, yet eliminate specular glare, signs should be correctly aligned. Specular glare is the mirror type reflection characteristic of any glossy surface. Under severe circumstances, such as direct sunlight, specular glare can make the sign legend unreadable. Often this becomes apparent from driver complaints. To avoid the occurrence of specular glare, signs should be positioned slightly more than perpendicular to the roadway (93 degrees is recommended by sheeting manufacturers).

"Photos. A sharply curving street is shown during the day and at night. "

"The road features four chevrons, 2 of which are out of alignment, making them difficult to see during the day photo and nearly impossible to see in the night photo."

***When signs are out of proper alignment, they will not be as visible at night.***
      
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                    VI. SIGN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ›
                
                Book:Maintenance of Signs and Sign Supports
              I: INTRODUCTION
                II. SIGN PRINCIPLES AND TYPES
                III. SIGN MATERIALS
                IV. SIGN SUPPORTS
                V. SIGN INSTALLATION
                VI. SIGN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
                VII. INVENTORY
                VIII. INSPECTION
                IX. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
                X. REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
                XI. REPORTING AND RECORD KEEPING
                REFERENCES AND OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
                APPENDIX A: MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN MAINTAINING SIGNS
                APPENDIX B: CLEAR ZONE DESCRIPTION
                APPENDIX C: THREE TYPICAL WORK ZONE LAYOUTS FROM MUTCD U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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