Archived

This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.

Abstract

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) sign and signal crews have expressed multiple concerns related to compensation, expertise, and having the financial and personnel resources needed to help the agency comply with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines while continuing to perform routine job duties. Internal reorganizations and personnel changes have reduced staffing and budgets available to underwrite the activities of sign and signal crews even as workloads have remained steady or increased. To document the challenges facing sign and signal crews and associated engineering staff, Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers administered a statewide survey. Respondents gave their perspectives on workforce structure and stability, workloads, training, equipment and safety, Master Agreements, permitting, budgets, and MUTCD compliance. Researchers also inventoried signs, signals, and centerline miles in each KYTC District. Survey respondents observed that Districts require additional personnel if they are to fulfill their assigned responsibilities. In some cases, they need to acquire updated equipment, including vehicles, to replace deprecated or degraded items. Signal crews and management staff also highlighted that salaries for signal crew workers are incommensurate with the high level of expertise these positions demand. Despite their best efforts, lack of staffing and insufficient financial resources have prevented Districts from complying with MUTCD 10th and 11th Edition guidelines. Moving forward, KYTC should focus its efforts on developing a rating system for electrical devices; identifying strategies to address the low pay, morale, and safety concerns of signal crews and staff; considering a formal split between Traffic and Permits; increasing Traffic engineering and sign and signal crew staffing levels; and more thoroughly assessing sign and signal inventories so the agency can determine the types of equipment and levels financial support each District needs to comply with MUTCD guidelines.

Report Date

6-2026

Report Number

KTC-26-30

Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13023/ktc.rr.2026.30

Download

Share

COinS