701Traffic Signs

701.01Description

This work shall consist of fabricating, refurbishing, furnishing, and erecting signs as specified on the plans or elsewhere in the contract.

701.02Materials

Approved List 46. The color for the legend and background shall be in accordance with the MUTCD and as specified in the Plans.

that are not illuminated with sign lighting shall use ASTM D4956 T ype XI reflective sheeting. Overhead permanent signs that are illuminated with sign lighting shall use ASTM D4956 T ype IX sheeting.

signal supports, and signs attached to sign structures that do not overhang travel lanes) shall use ASTM D4956 reflective sheeting shown in Table VII-1A.

shall be powder coated to match the color of the portion of the sign sheeting from which the rivets will protrude. The rivets shall be fabricated in accordance with Standard Drawing SPD 1.

and shall be smooth, flat, and free of metal burrs and splinters. Sign width1 Allowable substrate 47 inches and less 0.080 or 0.100 inch aluminum 48 inches and more 0.100 inch aluminum Overlay panel 0.063 inch aluminum 1 For diamond-shaped signs, width is measured along the sign’ s edge. 813 701.03 Aluminum substrates for permanent flat sheet signs and overlay panels shall be aluminum alloy in accordance with Section 229.02(a).

701.03Procedures

manufacturer’ s instructions and the detailed requirements herein. The Contractor shall fabricate sign panels 16 square feet or less from a single piece of applied sheeting with no joints, splices, or laps, except that one factory splice from each roll is permitted. When applying more than one width of reflective sheeting to a sign panel, sheeting edges shall form a clean vertical joint. Sheeting edges shall be applied in accordance with manufacturer’ s installation instructions to prevent edge lifting and allow for sheeting expansion under high temperature and humidity conditions. TABLE VII-1A Reflective Sheeting Background Color of Sign Sheeting Type1 White ASTM D4956 T ype XI Red ASTM D4956 T ype XI Y ellow ASTM D4956 T ype XI2 Fluorescent Y ellow-Green ASTM D4956 T ype XI3 Green ASTM D4956 T ype XI Black ASTM D4956 T ype XI Purple ASTM D4956 T ype XI Brown ASTM D4956 T ypes IV , IX, or XI Blue ASTM D4956 T ypes IV , IX, or XI 1 The following signs may use ASTM D4956 T ypes IV , IX, or XI, regardless of color: Pushbutton education signs (R10-series signs mounted adjacent to pedestrian pushbuttons), Signs erected on bikeways physically separated from adjacent roads, R7- or R8-series parking restriction signs located on non-limited-access high- ways, D10-series Reference Location Signs (mile markers) and Intermediate Reference Location Signs, and Post-mounted street name signs. 2 The yellow portions of all yellow W1-series (horizontal change of alignment) signs, W10-series (railroad warning) signs, and object markers, including supplemental plaques erected beneath those signs, shall be fluorescent. All other yellow sheeting on signs may be fluorescent or non-fluorescent. 3 All temporary and permanent warning signs related to school zones, pedestrians, or bicyclists (including associated supplemental plaques) shall use fluorescent yellow-green sheeting where required by the V A Supplement to the MUTCD unless otherwise specified on the Plans. 814 701.03 The finished sign shall be free from cracks, gaps, streaks, wrinkles, blisters, discoloration, buckles, and warps and shall have a smooth surface of uniform color.

Features of the sign message shall conform to the MUTCD and the Virginia Standard Highway Signs Book. Units of the sign message shall be formed to provide a continuous stroke width with smooth edges and a flat surface free from warps, blisters, wrinkles, burrs, and splinters. Features shall also conform to the following:

screening process approved by the Engineer. Sign messages and borders that are darker than the sign field shall be applied to the reflective sheeting by a direct process. Sign messages and borders that are lighter than the sign field shall be produced by the reverse process in which the message and border are outlined by a color that is darker than the paint or the sheeting on the sign field. Transparent colors, inks, and paints used in the screening process shall be of the type, formulation, and quality recommended by the sheeting manufacturer. Screening applications shall produce a uniform color and tone. Edges of the legend and borders shall not have blemishes. Signs shall be air dried or baked according to the manufacturer’ s recommendations to provide a smooth, hard finish.

plastic film sheeting of the color specified on the plans. Sheeting shall be an elastomeric pigmented film coated on one side with an adhesive and covered with a paper liner that is removable from the adhesive without being moistened. Adhesive shall be activated by heat or a solvent recommended by the sheeting manufacturer. Adhesive shall be suitable for application with a hand roller, squeeze roller, or vacuum applicator to form a durable bond to wood, metal, plastic, porcelain enamel, paint lacquer, and reflective sheeting. Sheeting shall be at least 0.002 and not more than 0.0035 inch in thickness and sufficiently opaque so that its color will be unaffected by the color of the sign field.

shall be cut from approved reflective sheeting of the color specified on the plans. Sheeting shall have heat-activated or pressure-sensitive adhesive and be applied to the background sheeting according to the manufacturer’ s instructions.

using a background sheeting of the color needed for the sign message and then applying the overlay film with the sign message areas removed from the film. The overlay film shall be transparent and shall be of the color needed to provide the correct background color of the sign.

Drawing SPD-1. Where multiple vertical panels adjoin, the face and edges shall be milled or finished to a tolerance of ±1/32 inch from a straight plane such that no gap more than 1/16 inch is produced between panels. Extruded sign panels shall be assembled according to the Standard Drawing SPD-2. 815 701.03

spaced, smooth to the applied surface, and free from irregular edges.

sealed after application to the sign panel. Sealant material and its application shall be according to the sheeting manufacturer’ s recommendations and instructions.

that the Engineer has rejected, and remove those signs from the project.

the Standard Drawings.

following methods.

the sheeting. The slipsheet shall be paper with a plastic coating on one side, with the plastic side faced against the sign sheeting according to the sheeting manufacturer’ s rec - ommendations. Not more than 10 signs may be placed in any one carton. Signs shall alternate face-to-face, back-to-back, throughout the carton. A microfoam pad at least 1/16 inch in thickness shall be used between signs placed face to face. Cartons shall be placed vertically within a container designed to elevate boxes above ground level and provide lateral structural support. Cartons shall not be exposed to moisture before or during trans - portation; or

of signs. Racks shall be designed to provide lateral structural support and allow the free flow of air around the sign face. Large signs may be transported on an open truck or trailer bed in shipping containers consisting of framing around edges of signs. Framing shall be untreated lumber that provides support for the sign without allowing pressure on the sign sheeting. Each container may house two signs positioned with the sign sheeting facing toward the inside. Signs shall be held in place in containers through the use of metal stiffeners attached to the framing, such as T -bars, Z-bars, or horizontal stiffeners. The Contractor shall ensure shipping containers are secured in the vertical position for transportation. Signs transported in cardboard cartons shall be stored in their original shipping containers in a dry, enclosed location providing protection from extreme heat and humidity. Signs transported on racks or in wooden containers shall be stored on vertical racks designed to elevate signs above ground level, provide lateral structural support, and permit the free flow of air around the sign face. The Contractor shall not store signs where they are subjected to water runoff. The Contractor may remove signs from storage and install them on their structural supports be - fore the structure is erected; however signs and structural supports placed in the field prior to erection shall be supported and stored at a sufficient angle to facilitate water runoff from the sign while preventing the sign from coming in contact with the ground and preventing sign structure elements from sitting in standing water. The Contractor shall not band signs together, cover them with tarps, store them flat, or subject the sign sheeting to pressure during storage. 816 701.03 The Engineer will reject any signs that have been transported or stored in cardboard cartons that have been exposed to moisture to the extent that moisture has entered the cartons. The Contractor shall immediately obliterate sign messages on signs rejected by the Engineer, and remove the rejected signs from the project.

designated for relocation in a manner that will not allow pressure to be placed on the sign sheeting. Relocated signs shall be stored in their vertical position above ground level. Relocated signs that have been removed from their structure shall be stored according to paragraph (b) herein.

minimum and maximum vertical clearances as shown on Standard Drawing OSS-1, and with the lateral and vertical placement shown on the Plans. If possible, the Contractor shall install sign panels at a time when covering of the sign message will not be needed. When this is not possible, a porous cloth cover rendering the sign message nonvisible shall be placed over the sign sheeting, folded over the sign edges, and secured to the back of the sign panel. Sign panels shall be securely fastened to posts or supports and erected plumb. Ground-mounted signs shall be horizontally angled at 93 degrees between the face of the sign panel and the centerline of the roadway, unless otherwise indicated on the plans or directed by the Engineer. Vertical and horizontal spacing between installed signs shall be approximately 1 inch where multiple signs are installed on the same structure, unless shown otherwise on the Plans. A 1/16 inch thick neoprene gasket shall be used between the seat of the galvanized steel post clamps and the framing unit. Illumination of signs shall be according to Section 705. Damage to reflective sheeting may be repaired and edges sealed in accordance with the manufacturer’ s instructions and the following: Sign patch material shall be of the same type and color as the surrounding sheeting and shall have at least the same life expectancy. Patching will not be permitted on any letter, numeral, arrow, symbol, or border. The Engineer will reject signs where the number, size, or spacing of patches is more than the following, and the signs shall be replaced at the Contractor’ s expense: __________________________________________________________________________ Sign Face Max Max. Size Min. Spacing Area No. of of Patches Between Patches (sq. ft.) Patches (sq. ft.) (in)__________________________________________________________________________

24.99or smaller No patching allowed

25 to 49.99 1 1 0 50 to 99.9 2 1 6 100 to 199.9 3 2 6 200 or larger 4 3 12__________________________________________________________________________ 817 701.03 The Contractor shall repair superficial damage to sign panels using methods recommended by the sheeting manufacturer that result in a smooth, flat, and completely legible panel. The Engineer will reject sign panels that have more than superficial damage, such panels shall be replaced at the Contractor’ s expense. Existing overlays and demountable messages including borders, present on signs designated to receive overlays shall be removed to facilitate the installation of the new overlay. Bullet holes and bent sections shall be flattened so that the sign face is free of projections and large indentations to facilitate installation of the new overlay. Overlayments 3 feet or less in total horizontal dimension shall be accomplished with one panel. Overlayments greater than 3 feet in total horizontal dimension shall be accomplished with panels no less than 3 feet wide except that one panel per overlayment may be less than 3 feet wide to obtain the exact horizontal dimension required. Joints of overlays shall be tightly butted and not overlap. Overlay panels shall be erected with aluminum rivets no less than 3/16 inch in diameter and of such length as to fasten the panels securely and form a compressed head conforming to the manufacturer’ s recommendations. Rivets shall be located on 12-inch centers for 0.080 inch alumi- num overlays and on 15-inch centers for 0.063 inch aluminum overlays, positioned 1 inch from each panel’ s edges, completely around the sign’ s perimeter. Where overlayment panels are 30 inches or greater in width, a column of rivets shall be installed on 12-inch centers for 0.080 inch aluminum overlays or 15-inch centers for 0.063 inch aluminum overlays down the centerline of the panel. Rivets shall be installed in such a sequence as to prevent buckling of the panels. When overlaying extruded aluminum signs, rivets shall be arranged to go through the flat part of the extrusion. Overlay panels shall be performed on a flat surface with no protruding bolts or bolt heads on the existing sign panel. Overlay of overhead sign panels shall be according to details on the Plans.

with Section 247 for permanent traffic control signs. Providing a manufacturer’ s warranty of the type and length specified in Section 247 will be considered incidental to the cost of the sign panel or overlay sign panel.

Label. Labels may be made of either a self-adhesive, permanent weather resistant material or permanent sign material, and shall be a minimum 4-inch by 4-inch in size. All information on such signs shall be indicated with sign ink or other permanent means ca - pable of resisting weathering for the full duration of the sign sheeting warranty period, except that dates may be indicated with punching out of appropriate squares. All new signs shall be indicated “new” on the VDOT Identification Label. Prior to applying the labels, the area shall be thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper adhesion or application of ink. Labels shall be placed on the back side of the sign panel in a location where they will not be obscured by sign supports or mounting hardware.

facturer’ s name or logo, sheeting product designations, lot numbers, sign fabricator’ s 818 701.03 name or logo, and month and year the sign was fabricated. All text and logos shall be at least 1 inch in height. For signs with multiple sheeting designations and/or multiple lot numbers, additional labels or supplemental labels are permitted.

to all new permanent traffic control device signs, as per the Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD.

sign inventory template provided by the Engineer. The file shall include the information re - quired above for the label, as well as the following:

The cost of preparing and submitting the .xlsx formatted file shall be included with the cost of the sign panel pay items.

701.04Measurement and Payment

Sign panels will be measured in square feet and will be paid for at the Contract square foot price. This price shall include sign substrate, background sheeting, sign messages, finishing, framing units, hanger assemblies, bracing, stiffeners, splicing, backing strips, post clips/post clamps, warranty, and labeling. Overlay sign panels will be measured in square feet of sign panels without deductions for rounded corners. Overlay sign panel will be paid for at the contract unit price per square foot. This price shall include verifying the size and color of overlayment panel; removing existing overlayment and demount- able messages including borders; fabricating, and new overlayment. Payment will be made under: ————————————————————————————Pay Item Pay Unit————————————————————————————Sign panel Square foot Overlay sign panel Square foot————————————————————————————