LRRB Resources for FHWA Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Requirements
By: Girma Feyissa, PE, State Aid Traffic Safety Engineer
To reduce highway fatalities after dark, the U.S. DOT FHWA mandated a new minimum standard for pavement marking “retroreflectivity” (the measure to which pavement markings reflect headlamp light). This standard has been incorporated into the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MN MUTCD) and applies to all agencies that manage roadways, both public and private, in Minnesota. The final rule requires state and local agencies or officials to implement a method within four years for maintaining pavement marking retroreflectivity at or above minimum levels by September 6, 2026. The overall goal of this requirement is to improve traffic safety by ensuring that pavement markings are more visible in dark or low light conditions. It must be stressed that this standard is intended to improve nighttime performance of markings and the resulting improvement in traffic safety.
Minnesota’s Local Road Research Board (LRRB) sponsored a project, Methods for Maintaining Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity, to assist local agencies in implementing these requirements. The focus of this project is to provide an easy-to-understand review on how agencies can establish good safe practices for pavement markings, not just how to comply with a standard and follow a rule.
The project materials highlight the requirements of the standard and present several methods for agencies to meet these requirements. These materials provide an understanding of the basic principles of retroreflectivity, review and summarize current requirements, dates, and procedures, and explore a range of tools, methods, and techniques to achieve retroreflectivity goals.
Visit LRRB.org and search “Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity,” or scan the QR code for project materials and to listen to a recorded webinar.
For questions, please contact State Aid Traffic Safety Engineer, Girma Feyissa at girma.feyissa@state.mn.us or 651-366-381.