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FHWA Home / Safety / Roadway Departure / Nighttime Visibility

Nighttime Visibility

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Sign Retroreflectivity

Overview

Adequately maintained retroreflective signs improve nighttime highway navigation and reduce the risk of crashes by bouncing light from vehicle headlights back toward the vehicle and the driver's eyes, making the signs appear brighter and easier to see and read. Because the retroreflective properties of traffic control devices deteriorate over time, highway agencies need to actively manage the maintenance of signs in order to ensure that they remain clearly visible at night.

Use the links below to obtain pertinent information related to sign retroreflectivity. The subject areas are grouped as follows:

Sign Retroreflectivity

Page last modified on September 27, 2016
Safe Roads for a Safer Future - Investment in roadway safety saves lives
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000