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                        Safety
                        Other Safety Areas
                        Lighting and Nighttime Visibility


            
            In This Section
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   Program Contact
      Paul LaFleur
      
                    
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            FHWA Office of Safety
      
                
    **Email:**paul.lafleur@dot.gov**Phone:** 515-233-7308
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                Sign Retroreflectivity
    

    
    
          Overview

Adequately maintained retroreflective signs improve nighttime highway navigation and reduce the risk of crashes by bouncing light from vehicle headlights back toward the vehicle and the driver's eyes, making the signs appear brighter and easier to see and read. Because the retroreflective properties of traffic control devices deteriorate over time, highway agencies need to actively manage the maintenance of signs in order to ensure that they remain clearly visible at night.

Use the links below to obtain pertinent information related to sign retroreflectivity. The subject areas are grouped as follows:

Regulations / Standards
	Technical Guidance
	Implementation Tools
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Research
              
      
    
          Last updated: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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