Analyzing the Retroreflectivity Mandate

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the costs and benefits of the federal mandate that requires local agencies to assess, replace and maintain the retroreflectivity of all traffic signs that are on a public road as outlined in 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F (FHWA, 2011). It is also a requirement that all signs be inventoried along with their GPS locations for easier maintenance in the future. Sign retroreflectivity maintenance is important because crash rates at night are much higher than they are during the day despite there being fewer cars on the road. Additionally, the elderly population is growing and with age, eye sight decreases. Having signs that reflect the appropriate amount of light can help deter some crashes by grabbing the attention of drivers at night. Sign retroreflectivity maintenance is important because crash rates at night are much higher than they are during the day despite there being fewer cars on the road. Additionally, the elderly population is growing and with age, eye sight decreases. Having signs that reflect the appropriate amount of light can help deter some crashes by grabbing the attention of drivers at night. These findings are important because in the current economic climate, many local governments are struggling to fund other higher priority projects let alone projects that they have3 little choice but to carry them out or risk losing Federal-aid funds (FHWA, 2012). This mandate is not funded by the Federal Government and so these local governments must finance the assessment and management program themselves or by paying an administrative fee