To Carson’s point, I know that overuse of signage is a valid concern, as
any traffic engineer will tell you. Past a certain threshold, more just
makes all of it less effective. On the other hand, I personally do not find
the driver signage on WCD overwhelming and distracting at all. I can't even
think of what signs there are beyond speed limit signs, route signs, and
two different bicycle-related signs -- Share the Road, and Bike May Use
Full Lane. Meaning no offense to your driver friends or relatives who have
said that, it sounds to me like a complaint that the signs are too
distracting if you're going very fast, which I don't see as a bad thing.
Studies show that a driver's field of vision narrows as speed increases,
and also as distraction increases.
It *is* a little distracting that many of the signs are right in line with
the trees, and sometimes partially obscured by them
But Leelee's suggestion was for pedestrian signage. I don't know what kind
of guidelines and best practices exist for pedestrian signage, but it might
be worth asking. They would have more time to read them as they wait for
their signal, and it will give them something to do. I always like to read
things if I'm waiting... :-)
.
On Sat, Aug 11, 2018 at 8:17 PM Lee Prince <leeleeprince51@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thank you for the heads up Carson. As a pedestrian, I honestly don't think
of those things. I do now!
On Sat, Aug 11, 2018, 7:46 PM Dennis Marrotte <
dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Carson,
THAT is a very Interesting Observation. I sincerely Hope the Addition of
a second Westbound Thru Lane on WCD from the Mechanic Street intersection,
west to the intersection at The New Gorham Road and Saco Street relieves
the Commuter Congestion and traffic backup that causes anger, dangerous
maneuvers, road rage, and finally, brings some improved safety for
Everyone.
My One Concern is the Speed Limit once the Added Westbound Thru Lane is
in service, on WCD.
Dennis
On Aug 11, 2018 7:19 PM, "Carson Wood" <cwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I’ve ridden with drivers who say signage on WCD is overwhelming as it is
causing distraction.
*From:* wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On
Behalf Of *Dennis Marrotte
*Sent:* Saturday, August 11, 2018 7:11 PM
*To:* wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [wsmac] Re: A New Way to Cross WCD at Hannaford's
Hi Lee,
Your Idea of creating Signs in Different Languages, including Braille at
Crosswalks for Public Services to install, is a Wonderful Idea ! I am
only pointing out practices that people do and do not think of the
possible consequences.
I do agree that our primary mission is to Advocate and Educate as well
as Recognizing Good Deeds like Westbrook's Public Services repairing
Manholes that have sunk, that are loose in their flanges, installing new
Crosswalk Signs where there wasn' t any Signs previously. It's a Team
Effort !!
Dennis Marrotte
On Aug 11, 2018 6:34 PM, "Lee Prince" <leeleeprince51@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I use that route just about every time I travel to/from Hannaford.
*Well, okay, where the crosswalk REALLY is*. That man and many others take
into their own hands the responsibility of being safe because of
"jaywalking".
Again, I must stress that we as a Committee should be focusing on what
can/needs to be changed, rather than "pointing out/pointing fingers" to
those that just do what they want. Please correct me, all of you, if you
feel that's not the main point for WSMAC to work on.
Rather then report "wrong way of crossing street" behaviors, we should
be giving thanks to those that DO heed the rules of the road. We will
continuously use any opportunity possible to, as Ann said when WSMAC first
began: "advocate and educate."
Maybe form subcommittees to make/have made signs for Public Works to
help post at crosswalks; in many different forms of languages: English,
Muslim, Braille, etc.
This is only my opinion and outlook, but I for one try really hard to
minimize daily stress and worry by looking at everything positive. We have
a beautiful, lush somewhat-green city!
See you next Thursday! Pssst, ty to the inventor of Grammarly ;)
Leelee
On Sat, Aug 11, 2018 at 5:16 PM John Brooking <johnbrooking4@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I sometimes cross WCD in that manner, half at a time with a median stop
for as long as necessary in the middle, at least where the median is wide
enough to wait in. Not exactly recommended, but in a way, that's partly the
reason for the having the median. My reading of the state pedestrian
statute
<http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2056.html> is
that it's not completely illegal to cross in other than a marked crosswalk,
just that if you do, you are expected to yield to traffic, not the other
way around (see subsection 5 -- Eric or Chief Roberts should correct me if
I'm wrong).
On Sat, Aug 11, 2018 at 3:14 PM Dennis Marrotte <
dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello,
I was unable to get any pictures but while I was in the R /H Exit Lane
from Hannaford's With a Red Light for the Two Exiting and One Entrance
Lanes and East and Westbound Traffic moving on WCD, a man pushing a 4
wheeled carriage, it appeared to be for an infant carriage, but he had the
carriage full of groceries. He walked across the two East bound Lanes of
WCD, from the Hannaford access road to the raised Median on the
R / H side , facing towards Main Street. That side does NOT have a
Crosswalk or Pedestrian Activated Pushbutton Controls to stop WCD traffic.
He watched Eastbound Traffic for gaps and then stopped at the Raised Median
for several seconds, watching for a gap in the Westbound Traffic of WCD,
before slowly walking across to the sidewalk, stopping briefly in the Right
Hand West bound lane to rearrange some sliding plastic grocery bags.
Dennis
