The newest Orem street signs not only sparkle, they shine with a reflectivity that officials say can save lives.
Jeff Greenwell, signs specialist for Orem City, said fire and rescue truck personnel have already noticed the difference between the new signs that use diamond-grade sheeting and the old engineer-grade luminance."The feedback we have from them is that it's great when it comes to finding an address fast, plus we've had a lot of positive comment from the public," said Greenwell.
The new signs feature larger lettering and the city logo as well as being cut from the latest 3M sheeting made of hundreds of particles of glass imbedded in tiny diamond patterns.
Greenwell said while the cost for the diamond-grade sheeting is higher, roughly twice as much as engineer-grade, the life of a sign made with the more visible material is two to three times longer. The signs can be expected to last 15-20 years.
Visibility with a low beam is estimated at 2,000 feet. Nighttime visibility is enhanced four times.
The sheeting picks up the light and reflects it directly back at the source, increasing safety because the motorist can see the sign more easily and quickly.
Greenwell said the Utah Department of Transportation is also using more diamond-grade signs. Nevada has almost all of its freeway signs in the higher grade sheeting.
Orem is presently replacing signs on high traffic roads and intersections with the new signs. The city entryway signs are of the diamond-grade material, as are the "Welcome to Utah" signs on the state borders.
Greenwell hopes over the next 10-15 years most of the signs in Orem will be replaced with the higher grade signs, averaging 150-200 new signs yearly.
Fluorescent orange work signs are also being cut in the diamond-grade sheeting. "These will stand out when the normal colored signs sort of disappear during sunrise and sunset hours," said Greenwell.
Eventually, school crossing signs will be fashioned out of a fluorescent light green on diamond-grade sheeting.
Nationally, the more readable signs are sweeping cities. Orem is probably the first to go with a total designation of diamond-grade for street signs, said Greenwell.
The city has been featured in 3M Magazine for using the sheeting for its entry signs. Another article is being prepared about the street signs.