Section 2: General Guidelines
Anchor: #i1001399Sign Visibility
Keeping the signs (especially regulatory and warning signs) clearly visible and unobscured by vegetation, snow, parked vehicles and other obstructions is an extremely important maintenance task.
Tree foliage, grass, and weeds are the most common obstructions to sign visibility on rural highways. When visibility cannot be maintained with normal right-of-way mowing operations, special mowing operations, trimming, or vegetation control with appropriate herbicides should be initiated. This should also include removing the growth obscuring STOP (R1‑1) and YIELD (R1‑2) signs on approach roads within the highway right-of-way.
Vegetative growth beyond the right-of-way that may obscure STOP (R1‑1) and YIELD (R1‑2) signs on approach roads should be called to the attention of the local authorities. These clearings should be of such width and length as to furnish maximum sign visibility to approaching traffic.
Anchor: #i1001439When to Replace Signs
Time alone does not determine when to replace a sign. Signs facing the sun require replacement more frequently than those that do not. Vandalism is a major cause of sign replacement.
Sign replacement is required when either of the following occurs:
- Anchor: #PGVOPWVY
- the sign or its support suffers major damage Anchor: #IDVEIUQM
- the sign sheeting is below minimum retroreflectivity levels as shown on Section 2A.08 of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD).
Maintenance personnel should use good judgment in determining whether to replace a sign or make repairs in the field. In borderline cases, the decision should be made in favor of replacement.
Anchor: #i1001452Positioning Replaced Signs
When a sign is replaced, its position in relation to roadway centerline and pavement edge should always be in accordance with the latest revisions of the TMUTCD.
Anchor: #i1001512Aluminum Sign Recycling
Reprocessable aluminum signs are to be palletized, banded and returned to the Regional Distribution Center (RDC). Extruded aluminum signs need to be broken down and banded and returned to the RDC.
Anchor: #i1001552Sign Warranty
Signs made by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) are warranted for workmanship and for durability of sheeting.
|
Type Defect |
Warranty Period |
|---|---|
|
Workmanship |
90 days following installation |
|
Physical Damage |
90 days after receipt by districts |
|
Sheeting |
As specified in TxDOT Specification DMS-8300 |