[passcoalition] Re: warning signs
- From: Ken Stewart <cclvi@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:42:08 -0700 (PDT)
Gene, thanks for sharing this article withus. You present a valuable
perspective. I am reminded of two experiences;
Somewhere, perhaps in one of Tom Vanderbilt's writings, I read of a country
road in a Canadian province, where a roadside sign was installed to warn
drivers of a moose crossing. It immediately became a source of traffic danger
because so many vehicles paused at the site to wait for the visual treat of
seeing a moose! The sign was then moved from its initial location just around
a blind curve, to a spot where there would be more advance warning of the
traffic congestion caused by that sign.
I am also reminded of how I learned of the signs near Selis Manor picturing a
pedestrian with a long white cane. Some years ago I was interviewed at Seventh
and 23rd on Fox News about accessible pedestrian signals. When I had a chance
to see a recording of that interview, I noted that the telecast opened with a
shot of one of those warning signs. Ken
--- On Sun, 7/31/11, Gene Bourquin DHA <oandmhk@xxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Gene Bourquin DHA <oandmhk@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [passcoalition] warning signs
To: "PASS listserv" <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 10:06 AM
The DOT has made a practice to putting sings up at intersections near Selis
Manor and other places like the Lighthouse. There is one placed about 18 feet
above street level at 6th Ave. and 23 Street that says BLIND PERSON CROSSING.
Of course, we would like to city to put there dollars into APS installations
and better intersections architecture. I recently wrote an article for the AER
O&M division which you might find interesting and informative. It will appear
in the next few months in their newsletter. I thought I would preview and
share it here for PASS steering committee members only. The focus is on
children but the basic ideas apply to these types of signs in general. Thanks.
Gene
How often have you driven through a residential neighborhood and noticed a
sign: BLIND CHILD AREA or SLOW - DEAF CHILD? Or on major thoroughfares, you
may see large black and yellow letters that declare: SLOW SCHOOL FOR THE
BLIND. Where I work, numerous signs are placed in an area that would otherwise
be ideal for training, but signs virtually shout out BLIND PERSONS TRAINING
AREA. Perhaps you have been asked to help have a new sign posted for a
consumer. Across the US, signs such as these are ubiquitous. Well-meaning
parents and school officials frequently request that signs be installed in
neighborhoods and many municipalities have standardized the process for
requesting and approving these types of area warning signs. But are these
signs a good idea? Are they effective? Should orientation and mobility
specialists recommend these warnings or advocate for requests made by consumers
and their families?
The answers may be No. According to writer Tom Vanderbilt (2008) in his book
Traffic: Why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us), "'Children at
Play' signs have not been shown to reduce speeds or accidents . . . " (p.
186). In order for a warning sign to work, it would need to involuntarily draw
attention away from driving and to the sign. However, Vanderbilt also
reported: "[D]rivers routinely see signs warning of deer crossings (in the
United States) or elephant crossings (in Sri Lanka) or camel signs (in
Tunisia). It is difficult to say what is going on in the mind of a driver
whenever he or she sees a deer or elephant or camel crossing sign, but studies
have shown that most drivers do not change their speed at all. A Colorado
trial featured a special animated sign . . . [Engineers presumed] the sign
would draw more attention and heightened driver awareness. There were actually
more deer killed when the sign was activated . .
." (p. 186).
The Kansas DOT (n.d.) seems unambiguous in their opinion.
The main reasons the City of Wichita does not generally install “Autistic
Child,” “Blind Child,” Deaf Child,” or “Children at Play” signs are:
· These signs do not describe where the child might be. Most streets
within a residential area have children who react in the same way, and each
driver must be aware of all children in a neighborhood environment.
· These signs provide parents and children with a false sense of
security that their children are safe when playing in or near the street.
· When the novelty of such a sign wears off, the signs no longer
attract the attention of regular passersby.
· Unique or unusual warning signs are a target for vandals and souvenir
hunters and have a high replacement cost.
· Unique message signs have no legal meaning or established precedent
for use in basic traffic engineering references.
· Their use is discouraged because of both the lack of proven
effectiveness and undesirable liability exposure. (para. 1-6)
The DOT also noted that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
recommends that warning signs be kept to a minimum, because as they propagate
it is likely that each sign becomes less effective. Further, The National
Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis of Highway Practice No.
186: Supplemental Advance Warning Devices (1993) stated that these signs are
“not considered effective” and studies of “Children at Play” signs have found
no reductions in crash statistics and no effect on the speed of vehicles.
All this noted, there has not been a well-controlled empirical study of blind
child area signage. We have only professional opinion and tangential
evidence. When and if we are approached to advocate for a warning sign we can
respond with the facts. Traffic professionals do not generally recommend these
signs and there is no evidence that supports a sign will make a child safer.
We can also anticipate that parents and others may remain unconvinced.
“Widespread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection and parental
concern for children’s safety results in frequent requests for this type of
signage” (Shawnee, 2011, para. 2). The best approach may be education and
training for consumers, families, agencies, and schools.
References
Kansas DOT (n.d.). Why Signs Are Not Installed. Retrieved from
http://www.wichita.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1D3233A9-9AAD-4F4B-850F-520D430C37D9/0/BrochureChildrenatPlaySigns.pdf
Shawnee (2011). FAQ: Traffic. Retrieved from
http://gsh.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/Shawnee
CMS.nsf/b62f116aa62dde94862575680053ac82/
fbd53e28788b62708625759100490ac7?OpenDocument
Vanderbilt, T. (2008). Traffic: Why we drive the way we do (and what it says
about us). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
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Gene
Dr. Eugene A Bourquin
_____________________________
DHA, COMS, CI & CT, CLVT
Support deafblind children in Guatemala!
Go to www.FRIENDSofFUNDAL.org
Visit: http://www.bourquinconsulting.com/
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