MUTCD Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements

In January 2008, the second revision of the MUTCD was released. It introduces language establishing minimum retroreflectivity levels that must be maintained for traffic signs. By January 2012, all agencies must implement a sign assessment and management program. The RoadVista Model 922 is an integral component of any program to maintain minimum retroreflectivity levels. For additional information please visit FHWA or ATSSA.

MUTCD Minimum Maintained Retroreflectivity Levels Chart

The minimum maintained retroreflectivity levels shown in this table are in units of cd/lx/m² measured at an observation angle of 0.2° and an entrance angle of -4.0°
SIGN COLOR	ADDITIONAL CRITERIA	Sheeting Type (ASTM D4956-04)
		Beaded Sheeting			Prismatic Sheeting
		I	II	III	III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X
White on Green	Overhead	White * Green > 7	White * Green > 15	White * Green > 25	White > 250 Green > 25
White on Green	Ground-mounted	White * Green > 7	White > 120 Green > 15
Black on Yellow or Black on Orange	see note (1) below	Yellow * Orange *	Yellow > 50 Orange > 50
	see note (2) below	Yellow * Orange *	Yellow > 75 Orange > 75
White on Red	see note (3) below	White > 35 Red > 7
Black on White		White > 50

*	This sheeting type should not be used for this color for this application.
(1)	For text and fine symbol signs measuring at least 1200 mm (48 in) and for all sizes of bold symbol signs.
(2)	For text and fine symbol signs measuring less than 1200 mm (48 in).
(3)	Minimum Sign Contrast Ratio greater than or equal to 3 to 1 (white retroreflectivity divided by red retroreflectivity)

Definition of Bold Symbol Signs

Fine Symbol signs are all those not listed as Bold Symbol Signs

Bold Symbol Signs
W1-1,-2 Turn and Curve W1-3,-4 Reverse Turn and Curve W1-5 Winding Road W1-6,-7 Large Arrow W1-8 Chevron W1-10 Intersection in Curve W1-11 Hairpin Curve W1-15 270 Degree Loop W2-1 Cross Road W2-2,-3 Side Road W2-4,-5 T and Y Intersection W2-6 Circular Intersection W3-1 Stop Ahead	W3-2 Yield Ahead W3-3 Signal Ahead W4-1 Merge W4-2 Lane Ends W4-3 Added Lane W4-5 Entering Roadway Merge W4-6 Entering Roadway Added Lane W6-1,-2 Divided Highway Begins and Ends W6-3 Two-Way Traffic W10-1,-2,-3,-4,-11,-12 Highway-Railroad Advance Warning W11-2 Pedestrian Crossing	W11-3 Deer Crossing W11-4 Cattle Crossing W11-5 Farm Equipment W11-6 Snowmobile Crossing W11-7 Equestrian Crossing W11-8 Fire Station W11-10 Truck Crossing W12-1 Double Arrow W16-5p,-6p,-7p Pointing Arrow Plaques W20-7a Flagger W21-1a Worker
Special Cases
W3-1 Stop Ahead: Red retroreflectivity > 7 W3-2 Yield Ahead: Red retroreflectivity > 7; White retroreflectivity > 35 W3-3 Signal Ahead: Red retroreflectivity > 7; Green retroreflectivity > 7 W3-5 Speed Reduction: White retroreflectivity > 50 For non-diamond shaped signs such as W14-3 (No Passing Zone), W4-4 (Cross Traffic Does Not Stop) or W13-1,-2,-3,-5 (Speed Advisory Plaques), use largest sign dimension to determine proper minimum retroreflectivity level.