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Signs and Markings Program

Description

The Signs and Markings Program includes a team of multidisciplinary researchers that explores and develops relationships between driver, vehicle, roadway and traffic control devices. Research focuses on how improved understanding of these relationships results in higher levels of safety, improved operations, and cost saving strategies. Much of the research conducted by the Signs and Markings Program is implemented through changes or additions to state, national, and international documents such as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and ASTM standards and specifications.

Expertise

Researchers in the Signs and Markings Program have expertise in the following technical areas:

  • traffic engineering,
  • safety data collection and analysis,
  • statistical and econometric analysis of transportation data,
  • work zone design and traffic control,
  • fixed roadway lighting,
  • dynamic message signs,
  • nighttime visibility,
  • traffic control devices,
  • geometric design,
  • human factors,
  • advanced highway technology applications,
  • traffic sign and pavement marking materials,
  • traffic sign and pavement marking performance (e.g., retroreflectivity, color, etc.),
  • nighttime driver visibility needs,
  • centerline and edgeline rumble strips,
  • traffic signal warrants, and
  • operational effects of geometric design.

Equipment

  • Luminance Meter—Prometric PM-1600 series CCD Photometer
  • Luminance Meter—Prometric PM-1600 series CCD Photometer
  • Luminance Meter—LTM1009
  • Spectrophotometer—SpectraScan PR650
  • Colorimeter BYK-Gardner
  • Illuminance Meter—Minolta T-10
  • Luminance Meter—Minolta CS-100
  • Sign Sheeting Retroreflectometer—Variable Angle 930B
  • Sign Sheeting Retroreflectometer—RetroSign
  • Sign Sheeting Retroreflectometer—RetroSign GR3
  • Pavement Marking Retroreflectometer—Laserlux (mobile retroreflectivity)
  • Pavement Marking Retroreflectometer—LTL-X
  • Pavement Marking Retroreflectometer—MX-30
  • Raised Pavement Marking Retroreflectometer
  • Traffic Classifiers—JAMAR TRAX III
  • Traffic Classifiers—PEEK ADR2000
  • 3-axis Accelerometer—VC3000
  • Data Collection Video Trailers
  • Instrumented vehicle with Dewitron

Cooperative Relationships/Sponsors

The Signs and Markings Program maintains cooperative relationships with the following sponsors:

  • the Texas Department of Transportation,
  • other state DOTs such as Florida, Arizona, Alaska, Tennessee, Hawaii,
  • the Federal Highway Administration,
  • the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
  • the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, and
  • private industry.

For More Information

Paul Carlson
CE/TTI Building, Room 410
TTI/Signs and Markings Program
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-1728
paul-carlson@tamu.edu

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