United States Department of Transportation
i
Division of Operations Research On-Call Task #2 - Evaluation of the Effects of Wind Loads on Flexible Backplates
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2021-11-01
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[PDF-879.49 KB]
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Edition:Final report
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Abstract:Retroreflective backplates for traffic signals have a proven record of reducing traffic accidents and, currently, all new traffic signals are designed with backplates. While including backplates in the design of new signals and support structures is straightforward, adding backplates to existing signals can be problematic as doing so increases wind loads on the signals and the supporting structures, possibly to the extent that the existing structure is not adequate. This report describes a research project centering on an examination of pertinent design standards, specifications, and typical practice, to determine if broad recommendations could be made regarding whether the addition of backplates to existing signals would be acceptable or would render existing support structures inadequate for the increased wind loads. The University of Cincinnati research team, in concert with Kittelson and Associates, Inc., performed analyses of representative mast-arm and span-wire signal support structures and was able to identify areas where standard design procedures sometimes result in conservative designs. Additionally, the research team evaluated a commercially available flexible backplate design that can potentially reduce wind loads associated with the addition of retroreflective backplates to new or existing signals. Based on these analyses, a procedure for evaluating existing signs support structures for the increased wind loads due to the addition of rigid or flexible backplates is proposed.
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