Portable Changeable Message Signs & Flashing Arrow Panels (PCMS/FAP)

General Information• Program designed to evaluate solar powered message signs and arrow

panel displays based on requirements set forth in the FHWA’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD).

• Florida Department of Transportation conducts evaluations for both types of products.

• Evaluation includes two components: Sign Verification – Assessment of product vs. manufacturer stated specifications Field Evaluation – Performance testing of products

Sign Verification

• Display meets line & character requirements (message sign only)

• Sign set to automatic dimming• Battery backup comprised w/ standard

number and amp-hour capacity batteries• Has accessible switch to disable solar

array• Has sighting device to aid in set up• Programmed “Low Voltage” verbal or

graphic message on display is disabled• Solar array output (Watts) are determined

by manufacturer and appropriate for installation area

• Model name and/or model number • Login password• Instructions for disconnecting solar array• Solar panel wattage output being test• “Shutdown” and “Startup” voltages for the

battery backup system• Battery manufacturer w/ battery model

number and amp-hour rating• Any available options

Manufacturer’s Configuration of Signs Manufacturer's Documentation

Field Evaluation• Sight Tests (Visibility, Legibility, & Angularity)

Product set up alongside straight stretch of road w/ display on

Three evaluators drive toward device and record the following information: The distance at which they can see the display

(visibility) The distance at which they can read the display

(legibility) Distance and calculated angle of view in which they

can no longer interpret the display’s message (angularity)

Performed in both the daytime and nighttime

Field Evaluation• Performance Test

Product is placed outdoors on a flat, level surface with a predetermined message (PCMS) or double flashing arrows (FAP)

Battery bank voltage is measured with an open circuit voltage test at the beginning of evaluation

After 30 days of continuous operation, battery bank voltage is measured again

• Shutdown Test After completion of the performance test, the solar array is disconnected from the

device Device allowed to operate continuously for up to 30 more days

After 30 days, manufacturer recommendation will be used to artificially drain the battery bank Solar array reconnected, device allowed to recharge to operational voltage, and then

device is checked to ensure programmed messages still exist within system Evaluators confirm that the device still functions properly

Field Evaluation

• Flashing Rate Test (Flashing Arrow Panels Only) Display set to double arrow mode Number of flashes per minute counted and recorded Dwell time measured and recorded

• Testing Conditions All field evaluation tests are conducted in both hot weather and cold

weather conditions Hot weather conditions – average daily temperature in the upper 80’s Fahrenheit Cold weather conditions – average daily temperature is in lower 40’s Fahrenheit

Field Evaluation – Pictures of Performance Testing

Product Application Information

DataMine – Sign Verification

DataMine – Sight Test Data

DataMine – Performance Test

Timeline of Product Evaluations

• November/December – Manufacturers submit product applications

• February to March – Cold weather evaluations conducted• July to August – Hot weather evaluations conducted• October – All data is made available on NTPEP’s

DataMine website

Temporary Traffic Control Devices (TTCD)

General Information

• Program is designed to evaluate plastic work zone drums and flexible delineators

• Plastic work zone drums evaluated by Tennessee Department of Transportation (TNDOT) Impact testing

• Flexible delineators evaluated by Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and Future Labs, LLC. TTI performs impact testing Future Labs, LLC performs laboratory testing

• All products are sampled by a NTPEP representative (often DOT staff) from the manufacturers’ facilities

Plastic Work Zone Drums• Products tested in both hot and cold weather conditions Hot weather – Ambient air temperature of 85 ± 5oF Cold weather – Ambient air temperature of 32 ± 5oF

• Closed roadway course utilized to impact drums with a standard sedan at 55 ± 2 MPH

• For each product, 4 drums are impacted up to 5 times each Evaluators note any splits, cracks, breaks or other forms of

deformation/distress Drums are reshaped between each impact Percentage of damaged reflective area noted between each impact After 10 impacts, drums are evaluated for ability to restack appropriately

• Four plastic work zone drums are arranged in straight line

• Sedan driven at 55 MPH impacts drums while maintaining speed

• Drums collected and evaluated• Process repeated 5 times

3 impacts along wheel line 2 impacts along center of vehicle

Plastic Work Zone Drums –Before and After Evaluations

Flexible Delineators –Laboratory Evaluation

• ASH Test – ASTM D5630 Destructive test to determine the inorganic content of plastic materials

• Density and Specific Gravity – ASTM D792 Specific gravity and density determination by displacement method

• Yellowness Index – ASTM D1925 or E313 Degree of yellowness determined by spectrophotometer

• Daylight Luminance – ASTM E1347 Determination of color coordinates and color difference values by use of a

tristimulus colorimeter

Flexible Delineators –Impact Testing

• For each product, 8 delineators are set up on a closed roadway course• Delineators are impacted by a MASH 1100C small sedan• Number of impacts and speed dependent upon product’s intended application:

Ground Mount Side of Roadway Applications (55 mph) – Maximum of 10 impacts Metropolitan Delineator Applications (55 mph) – Maximum of 200 impacts High Speed Applications (70 mph) – Maximum of 200 impacts

• Manufacturer may choose to have impact testing occur in hot weather (>81oF), cold weather (

Flexible Delineators – Impact Testing Vehicle

Flexible Delineators –Impact Testing Arrangement

Flexible Delineators – Impact Testing (continued)

• Photos taken at set number of impacts Prior to testing, after first impact, after 10th impact,

50th impact, 100th impact, 150th impact, 200th impact• Measurements of list and lean recorded at set

number of impacts Prior to testing, after first impact, after 10th impact,

after 100th impact, after 200th impact• If the samples do to self restore within 15o of

vertical within 5 minutes after any impact, photos and measurements taken, sample considered to have failed and no further data collected

Product Application Information

DataMine – Work Zone Barrel Testing

DataMine – Flexible Delineator Testing

• Reports are uploaded as PDF files which can be downloaded and reviewed by both State Departments of Transportation and the manufacturers

Timeline of Product Evaluations

• April to May – Manufacturers may submit product applications

• June to August – Hot weather testing conducted• December to February – Cold weather testing conducted• March to April – Product reports uploaded to DataMine

Questions?

Katheryn MaluskySenior Program Manager, NTPEP

Email: kmalusky@aashto.orgPhone Number: 202-624-3695

www.ntpep.orghttp://data.ntpep.org

www.transportation.org

Portable Changeable Message Signs & Flashing Arrow Panels (PCMS/FAP)General InformationSign VerificationField EvaluationField EvaluationField EvaluationField Evaluation – Pictures of Performance TestingProduct Application InformationSlide Number 9Slide Number 10DataMine – Sign VerificationDataMine – Sight Test DataDataMine – Performance TestTimeline of Product EvaluationsTemporary Traffic Control Devices (TTCD)General InformationPlastic Work Zone DrumsSlide Number 18Plastic Work Zone Drums – Before and After EvaluationsFlexible Delineators – Laboratory EvaluationFlexible Delineators – Impact TestingFlexible Delineators – Impact Testing VehicleFlexible Delineators – Impact Testing ArrangementFlexible Delineators – Impact Testing (continued)Product Application InformationDataMine – Work Zone Barrel TestingDataMine – Flexible Delineator TestingTimeline of Product EvaluationsQuestions?