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chapter four
Case Studies
This chapter includes the case studies of four different agen- Clifton Park staff members were proficient and knowledge-
cies that participated in the survey. Each case study provides able about basic routine maintenance activities; however,
detailed information about the agencies' sign replacement and minimum retroreflectivity requirements were a new issue.
management practices. These agencies have implemented Minimum values contained in MUTCD Table 2A.3 were new
effective combinations of methods and it was believed that and terms such as observation angle and contrast ratio had
providing additional detail to the readers could be beneficial. not been commonly used. To resolve this situation, the town
Each case study deals with different geographical and climatic sought outside assistance, by soliciting technical advice from
conditions and the agencies were of different sizes and types. regional experts. The Albany and Schenectady area contains
many government agencies and Clifton Park staff was able
to consult with professionals from the departments of trans-
Clifton Park, New York portation and public safety. After investigating the issues and
consulting with regional experts, the town was able to obtain
Background
402 safety improvement funding and set a course of action.
The town of Clifton Park, New York, is in Saratoga County
When evaluating the different signing methods offered in
and is a small suburban community that lies just north of the
the MUTCD, the town gravitated toward approaches that fit
Albany and Schenectady metropolitan areas. The town has
its resources and expertise. Measured retroreflectivity was
about 37,000 residents and the municipal government main-
not an option for a small agency such as theirs owing to the
tains approximately 200 miles of centerline roadway miles
high price of a retroreflectometer and limited staff hours.
within a 50 square mile area. For the regional climate, average
Similarly, the visual nighttime inspection method was also
summer high temperatures are in the 80°F range and winter
deemed to be too time-consuming, and nighttime work would
average lows are in the teens (25, 26). The annual cumula-
detract from important daytime activities. The town had expe-
tive snowfall is approximately 60 in. per year and the annual
rience with GIS and GPS technologies and already possessed
cumulative rainfall is about 38 in. At the time of this report,
the necessary equipment. Therefore, the town opted to pursue
it was estimated that the town maintained approximately
a management approach where sign inventory and asset man-
6,000 traffic signs.
agement tools would be utilized.
Sign Replacement Methods Staff first reviewed several different software products and
packages. They found that several commercial systems offered
Clifton Park has been diligent with routine sign maintenance too many features that would not be used. On the other hand,
and day-to-day sign replacements, but the area has grown some of the LTAP programs were not equipped to handle all
significantly within the last decade and the town has annexed of the town's needs. Ultimately, the town selected a local con-
many outlying residential developments, presenting some sulting company to help customize a computer-based system
challenges for the small community. First, some signs and that would fit its needs. The consultants created a program that
posts within the newly incorporated areas differ from the was similar to the town's existing storm water management
town's standards, and it was necessary that the signs and system. The program was designed to be very user-friendly
equipment be uniform and compliant. The other main chal- with simple drop-down menus and buttons. Throughout the
lenge was the difficulty in budgeting and planning, because creation process, the consultants solicited advice and feedback
the town did not have an accurate estimate of the number of from its intended users.
signs in existing and new areas.
Clifton Park planned to use the computer-based system to
In 2007, the town began to address its signing issues and manage its sign data for a combined expected sign life and
the MUTCD minimum retroreflectivity levels. Despite rou- blanket replacement approach. The town was divided into
tine maintenance, some of the signs did not meet the mini- 12 separate regions and signs would be replaced in one of the
mum requirements. The changes and sign replacement were regions each year as part of a 12-year replacement cycle. The
viewed as an opportunity to improve overall quality; however, town was installing traffic signs with Type IV or higher sheet-
the revisions involved additional labor and expertise. The few ing materials. It was acknowledged that such sheeting may last
