MAT Information Library:
Roads & Signs - Reflective Requirements
Townships are responsible for maintaining traffic signs on township roads in accordance with applicable state and federal standards. The resources below provide information and tools to help townships develop sign management policies, inventory and inspect signs, maintain appropriate retroreflectivity and document sign maintenance.
Sign Reflectivity and Road Resources
Federal Highway Administration – Highway Safety
Federal Highway Administration resources related to roadway safety, including traffic signs, nighttime visibility, roadway design and other safety programs and guidance.
MnDOT Road Research Videos
Videos from the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Research & Innovation covering road construction, maintenance, safety, pavement, traffic signs and other transportation research topics.
Sign Reflectivity Plan and Policy
The following resources are intended to help Minnesota townships develop and maintain a plan for managing road signs and meeting applicable Federal Highway Administration requirements. Townships should periodically review their policies to ensure they reflect current federal and state requirements.
Model Road Sign Policy – Microsoft Word Version
Editable Microsoft Word version of a model road sign policy that townships can customize when establishing procedures for sign inventory, inspection, maintenance and replacement.
Model Road Sign Policy – PDF Version
PDF version of the Model Road Sign Policy. A full version of Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editing software may be needed to make changes directly to the file.
Sign Inventory, Maintenance and Inspection Forms
Sign Maintenance and Inspection Forms – Excel Spreadsheet
Excel workbook containing sign maintenance, inventory and inspection forms that townships can use to track traffic signs and document their condition and retroreflectivity.
Generic Township Sign Inventory and Inspection Form
Printable PDF form for inventorying and inspecting township traffic signs while conducting field reviews of township roads.
Township Traffic Sign Field Inventory Report
Printable field inventory form for documenting township traffic signs, their locations and other information during on-site road inspections.
Sign Ownership
Printable form for documenting ownership and responsibility for traffic signs encountered during a township sign inventory.
Township Annual Sign Maintenance and Inspection Form
Printable form for documenting a township’s annual traffic sign inspection and maintenance activities.
County Sign Inventory and Inspection Collection Sheet
Printable collection sheet for recording sign inventory and inspection information in coordination with county road and traffic sign systems.
Sign Maintenance and Safety Guidance
Maintenance of Signs and Sign Supports for Local Roads and Streets
Federal Highway Administration guide for local highway and street maintenance personnel. Covers sign types, materials and supports; installation; sign inventories and inspections; preventive maintenance; repair and replacement; and record keeping.
Basic Breakaway Standards
Summary of Federal Highway Administration accepted breakaway hardware standards for roadside signs and sign supports.
Additional Road Guidance
Speed Limits on Town Roads
Guidance from MAT’s Manual on Town Government addressing speed limits on township roads and the requirements and procedures involved in establishing or changing speed limits.
Official MnDOT Standard of Engineering Practice for the Use of Shredded Tires in Roadways
MnDOT engineering guidance for using shredded tires as lightweight fill in public road construction. Townships considering this material should ensure projects are properly designed and constructed in accordance with applicable MnDOT standards and state requirements.