FHWA Minimum Retroreflectivity Standards: AURA^® 104 Engineer Grade

In 2008, the Federal Highway Administration adopted minimum reflectivity requirements for traffic signs throughout the United States.  These requirements apply to any sign installed where public motor vehicles may travel, including shopping plazas or other signs on private property.   Agencies have until 2015 or 2018 to ensure compliance with the requirements.

In creating these requirements, the FHWA established several categories of signs based upon sign color:

   •  White on Green (Guide Signs / Street Name Signs)

   •  Yellow and Orange Series Warning Signs

   •  White on Red Series Signs (Ex: Stop Signs)

   •  Black on White Series Signs (Ex: Speed Limit Signs)

   •  Excluded Signs with No Minimum Requirements (Ex: Parking Signs)

According to the FHWA standards, Engineer Grade (ASTM D4956 Type 1)sheeting can be used for all classifications of signs with the exception of white legend on guide signs, white legend on street name signs, and yellow or orange series warning signs.

Aura Optical Systems' AURA^® 104 Engineer Grade sheeting is an excellent and cost-effective option to comply with the minimum reflectivity requirements of "White on Red" series signs and "Black on White" series signs.   After outdoor weathering in Florida, AURA^® 104 has been shown to maintain reflectivity levels substantially above the the minimum requirements for these sign classifications.

AURA^® 104 Links:

     [Product Data Bulletin]

     [Florida Weathering Report]

FHWA Minimum Retroreflectivity Links:

     [FHWA Brochure]

Aura Optical Systems, L.P.  •  7415 Whitehall, Suite 111  •  Ft. Worth, Texas 76118, U.S.A.

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