In-Service Evaluation of Temporary Sign Support Systems Against Wind Load

Beojone, Caio V.; Pallab, Nazmus S.; Ouyang, Yanfeng

doi:10.36501/0197-9191/26-007

i

In-Service Evaluation of Temporary Sign Support Systems Against Wind Load

2026-05-01
By Beojone, Caio V. ; Pallab, Nazmus S. ; Ouyang, Yanfeng

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Beojone, Caio V. ; Pallab, Nazmus S. ; Ouyang, Yanfeng
Corporate Creators:

Illinois Center for Transportation
Corporate Contributors:

Illinois Department of Transportation. Bureau of Research ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Aerodynamic Force Evaluation Finite Element Method Literature Reviews Sign Supports Temporary Structures Wind Work Zone Traffic Control
Publication/ Report Number:

FHWA-ICT-26-007 ; UILU-2026-2007
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/26-007
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Illinois
Edition:

Final Report: 6/1/25–5/31/26
Corporate Publisher:

Illinois Center for Transportation
Abstract:

This short study analyzes the performance of multiple temporary sign support systems under windy conditions and provides recommendations to the Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The efforts included a literature review that summarizes past studies on the use of temporary sign support systems and the effects of winds on their structural integrity and stability as well as current practices on the use of such systems. Then, a set of field experiments were performed to test a list of temporary sign support systems under different natural and truck-generated wind loads, revealing critical conditions where they can fail. Finally, we extended a finite-element analysis to evaluate the structural impact of natural and truck-generated winds on selected sign support systems. Slow-ramping or longer-duration gusts produce greater sign deflections than short-duration gusts, and winds induced by a single truck or a three-truck platoon generate no significant sign deflection. These findings are summarized into deployment recommendations that account for the types of sign support systems and wind gust speeds. These recommendations will help IDOT make deployment decisions based on historical maximum gust speed data in each IDOT district per season.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

R27-SP76
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:ab30d1ce790067f4d7dfda5989f4c458e5fbc23d909cda6cf27a7abdc2604c88a4748e38d6912c04252ad397437a35ebca503dc06196f07eb49ce336e91d35a2
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/91149/dot_91149_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 5.77 MB ]

File Language:

English

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