VDOT SPECS UPDATE ATSSA Virginia Chapter Annual Meeting | - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

VDOT SPECS UPDATE

Marc Lipschultz, P.E., PTOE | VDOT Traffic Engineering Division

October 2, 2019

ATSSA Virginia Chapter Annual Meeting | Fredericksburg

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• Sheeting Spec Revisions
• Sign Spec Revisions
• Plastic Inlaid Markers
• NCUTCD/MUTCD Pavement Marking Proposals
• MASH Migration – Signs and Light Poles
• General Specs Reminders

Agenda

Virginia Department of Transportation

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• Supplemental Specifications for Sections 247

and 701 were issued March 6, 2019

• Being inserted into contracts advertised 3/19-12/19
• Will be included in 2020 Spec Book
• Major revisions:
• Type XI sheeting required for most permanent signs
• General reorganization of Sections 247 and 701
• Clarify sheeting requirements for various work zone

devices

• Note: VDOT also has new policy (IIM-TE-380.1)

related to sign lighting

Sheeting Spec Revisions | Overview

Virginia Department of Transportation

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Sheeting Spec Revisions | Permanent Signs

Virginia Department of Transportation

Background Color Sheeting Type White Type XI Red Type XI Yellow (1) Type XI Green Type XI Fluorescent Yellow-Green Type XI Black Type XI Purple Type XI Brown (2) Type IV, IX, or XI Blue (2) Type IV, IX, or XI

(1) Fluorescent Yellow shall be used for curve warning (W1-series) and RR warning (W10-series) signs (2) Brown and blue signs shall use Type XI sheeting if mounted overhead on truss or cantilever structure (3) Overhead signs shall use Type IX (not XI) if sign lighting is provided (4) Some “lesser-importance” signs can use Type IV (parking restriction, mile marker, & ped pushbutton signs; plus signs on shared use paths)

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Sheeting Spec Revisions | Work Zone Devices

Virginia Department of Transportation

Device type ASTM Sheeting Spec Sec Temporary rigid (non-rollup) signs Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Type 3 barricades Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Directional indicator barricades Type IX or XI 247.02(c) STOP/SLOW hand paddles Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Rear panels of TMAs Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Barrier panels atop temp conc. barriers Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Drums and cones Type IV 247.02(d) Back-frame of trailer-mounted devices (PCMS, AFADs, portable lights, etc.) Grade DOT-C2 Conspicuity Tape 247.02(e) Gate arms (e.g. AFAD arms) Grade DOT-C2 Conspicuity Tape 247.02(e) Rollup signs Type VI 247.02(f) Hand signaling flags 247.02(g)

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Sheeting Spec Revisions | Other Devices

Virginia Department of Transportation

Device type ASTM Sheeting Spec Sec Rigid delineators (ED-2, ED-3, barrier, guardrail) Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Permanent impact attenuators and guardrail end treatments Type IX or XI 247.02(c) Tubular markers and flex post delineators Type IV 247.02(d) Permanent gate arms Grade DOT-C2 Conspicuity Tape 247.02(e)

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• Signs < 48” wide use 0.08” aluminum
• Overlay panels can use 0.063” aluminum
• Rivets protruding from ground-mount

signs do not need to be powder-coated

• Simplified requirements for applying

sheeting to substrate

• Overhead signs can be delivered to site >

24 hours in advance

• Must be properly propped up
• Implement standard label for sign backs

Sign Spec Revisions | Overview

Virginia Department of Transportation

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• VDOT will be switching from cast iron SRPMs to PIMs:
• All contracts advertised on or after Jan. 1, 2020
• All 2020+ paving schedules
• Current status of migration:
• Special Provision is complete
• PM-series standard drawing is being finalized
• IIM policy document is being finalized
• Hope to arrange for training for Industry in early 2020
• VDOT is aware of challenges to Industry
• PIMs have successful track record in MD/KY/WV/NC

Plastic Inlaid Markers | Overview

Virginia Department of Transportation

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Plastic Inlaid Markers | Standard Drawings

Virginia Department of Transportation

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• PIMs cannot be used on THMACO or other thin mix contracts
• Paving schedules should consider whether existing markers

are spaced closer than current VA Supplement standards

• Existing SRPMs can be left in place for 2020 LM/SS schedules
• As always, existing SRPMs must be protected
• Additional policy discussions in the works
• Sealing not required for PIM installation in new asphalt
• Remove SRPMs in the path of long-term work zone shifts

Plastic Inlaid Markers | Issues

Virginia Department of Transportation

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• FHWA’s January 2017 Supplemental Notice of Proposed

Amendment (SNPA) proposed:

• Agencies shall have methods designed to maintain retro ≥ 50 mcd
• Agencies should have ≥ 50 mcd method for 70+ mph roads
• Agencies can exempt roads with lighting and/or roads < 6000 ADT
• SNPA applied only to longitudinal markings
• Unknown if/when FHWA will finalize the retroreflectivity rule
• FHWA has committed to NPA for the next MUTCD by Dec. 2019
• Probably will include the proposed retroreflectivity rule
• VDOT is considering options for network-wide retroreflectivity

assessment and performance thresholds

NCUTCD & MUTCD | Retroreflectivity

Virginia Department of Transportation

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• NCUTCD’s Markings Committee has submitted for comment

proposed language developed by its CAV Task Force:

• All lines shall be 6” min width on freeways, ramps, and roads ≥ 45 mph
• Dotted lines shall be used for full length of accel and decel lanes
• Chevron markings should be used in all exit and entrance ramp gores
• Proven safety benefits with 6” edge lines
• Some potential issues with ballot item as currently written:
• 6” rule would also apply to double yellow lines
• No exception to 6” rule for roads with low ADT
• Lack of research quantifying benefits of gore chevrons
• FHWA will likely push for similar language in new MUTCD

NCUTCD & MUTCD | NCUTCD Ballot Item

Virginia Department of Transportation

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MASH Migration | TCDs Impacted by 12/19 Deadline

Virginia Department of Transportation

Device Type Implementation Deadline (for now) Notes Sign supports Contracts let after 12/31/19

• 4-inch STP posts have been MASH tested
• Awaiting results of MASH tests on 2” and

2.5” STP slip-base systems

• No known MASH test results for wood

posts or I-beam supports Breakaway bases for pedestals and light poles Contracts let after 12/31/19 No MASH-tested products currently available

• n the market

Category 1 WZ devices (cones and drums) Manufactured after 12/31/19 Self-certified by manufacturers Category 2 WZ devices (barricades, portable sign supports, etc.) Manufactured after 12/31/19 No MASH-tested products currently available

• n the market

Category 3 WZ devices (temp barriers, impact attenuators, TMAs) Manufactured after 12/31/19 MASH-tested products available Category 4 WZ devices (trailer- mounted devices) Manufactured after 12/31/19

• Prior to MASH, such devices weren’t tested
• No MASH products currently available

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• Road & Bridge Specifications
• Current edition is 2016 Road & Bridge

Specifications, including 2019 Supplement

• Both the 2016 Spec Book and 2019 Supplement

apply to all contracts

• Road & Bridge Drawings
• 2016 Road & Bridge Drawings are online document
• Spec Book sets order of precedence in case
• f conflict between R&B Specs, R&B

Standards, Special Provisions, plan notes, etc.

General Specs/Standards Reminders

Virginia Department of Transportation

Marc.Lipschultz@vdot.Virginia.gov | (804) 371-6022

THANKS!