Guiding Texas Safely Since 1985

Delta Specialty Signs & Supply LLC is proud to manufacture MUTCD Compliant signs.

Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements


One of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) primary missions is to improve safety on the nation's roadways. To improve traffic sign visibility at night, the FHWA has adopted new retroreflectivity requirements. The latest revision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) introduces the new language for minimum retroreflectivity levels that must be maintained for traffic signs. The new MUTCD requirements are highlighted on the MUTCD web page: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/.


As part of the new requirements, agencies must establish and implement a sign assessment or management method t o

maintain minimum levels of sign retroreflectivity. The compliance date for meeting the minimum retroreflectivity requirements on

regulatory, warning, and ground-mounted guide signs i s January 2015. For overhead guide signs and street name signs, the

compliance date is January 2018. The new MUTCD requirements are defined in ASTM D4956. Sheeting types that can be used according to the new requirements are as follows:


  • All prismatic sheeting materials may be used for all signs.
  • High Intensity Beaded (Type III) and Super Engineer Grade (Type II) may be used for all signs except for the white legend on overhead guide signs.
  • Engineer Grade (Type I) may be used for all signs except for:
  • the white legend on guide signs,
  • the white legend on street name signs, and
  • all yellow and orange warning signs.


Even though a particular type of sheeting might initially meet the minimum retroreflectivity levels when new, i t may degrade

below minimum retroreflectivity levels over time. The use of higher performance sheeting, even though it has a higher initial cost, might provide a better life-cycle cost for the agency.

Sign Making Components

Aluminum - From 5052-H36 or H38 stable flat sheets, alodine 1200 conversion coated per TXDOT specifications. Available in thicknesses of .080", .100", and .125". All aluminum is cut to requested size, radius cut, and hole punched for mounting purposes.


3M™ Sheeting — Durable highly reflective sheeting used to cover signs.



Electro Cut Film - A translucent colored film used for

applications over High Intensity and Diamond Grade Sheeting.


Protective Overlay Film - Durable transparent film used to cover and protect signs.


Solvent Inks - Designed specifically for vinyl sheeting to

ensure longevity.