For the group, here is my response to Dennis regarding Children at Play Signs.
Unfortunately, these signs are ineffective and contribute to sign pollution.
Signage is a double edged sword and if used too much they can have a negative
effect. The reality is, if a driver is ignoring regulatory signs such as speed
limits, what compels them to comply with a warning sign? As a test, as you’re
driving, biking or walking down the street randomly ask yourself what the last
street sign was that you saw. Studies show most people get this answer wrong.
Mr. Marrotte,
Thanks for your email and attached photo. I put a work order in to have the
sign removed from service. As a matter of business, we do not replace
“Children at Play” signs and do not install new ones. The reasons for this can
be found in the text below and the accompanying link which describes the issues
of these signs in further detail:
"CHILDREN AT PLAY" Signs
Road signs give messages to drivers. If the messages are unclear, unnecessary,
or confusing they can cause danger to motorists and others. Maine
municipalities and the Maine Department of Transportation use the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as the standard for placing traffic
signs and markings to give clear messages to motorists.
According to the report "Maintenance Management of Street and Highways Signs"
by the Transportation Research Board, improvements in traffic signing have the
highest benefit-cost ratio of any highway safety improvement. About 29% of tort
liability lawsuits against highway departments are related to traffic signing.
For these reasons alone, it is worthwhile to install road signs according to
the MUTCD.
Citizens often demand that the town erect "Children at Play" signs on their
street to reduce the risk of automobile-pedestrian accidents. Selectmen ask:
What does the MUTCD say about "Children at Play" signs? If we erect a sign on
one street, won't we get requests from other neighborhoods in town to do the
same? What's the town's liability?
The short answer is DO NOT ERECT "Children at Play" signs. The long answer is a
bit more complicated.
First, the "Children at Play" sign is unclear and unnecessary. It suggests to
the driver that, if no such sign is present on another street, children are not
playing there, and it is OK to speed or to be less careful. Another driver
might interpret the sign to mean that children are playing in the road. Always?
At what time of day?
Second, it gives parents and children a false sense of security. By relying on
the sign, parents might monitor their children less closely and children might
interpret the sign to mean it is acceptable to play in the street.
Third, one "Children at Play" sign leads to a proliferation of signs throughout
the town. Since nearly every block has children living on it, there would have
to be signs on each one. The effect of too many signs is that they become
ineffective. The proliferation of signs breeds disrespect, not only for the
specific signs, but for all signs.
Fourth, to erect "Children at Play" signs in response to one request usually
generates similar requests, thereby basing sign placement on politics rather
than on sound traffic engineering judgment.
Fifth, based on numerous studies, there is no evidence that "Children at Play"
signs prevent injury or decrease the speed of vehicles.
Sixth, because they are confusing and do not meet specific criteria for good
signing, placing "Children at Play" signs opens the municipality to liability.
Seventh, since all signs need to be maintained to be effective, the
proliferation of unnecessary signs places an undue burden on maintenance crews.
Purchasing, erecting and keeping these signs in good order is expensive.
For these reasons, the MUTCD discourages the use of "Children at Play" signs.
However, municipalities can and should post signs for school zones, pedestrian
crossings, and playgrounds. The MUTCD makes specific reference to these
situations. Signing such areas gives clear messages to drivers about the kind
of zone they are entering. "Children at Play" signs, on the other hand, do not
meet a specific criteria.
http://www.maine.gov/mdot/csdold/documents/pdf/tsrchildrenwarningsigns.pdf
Eric S. Dudley, PE
Director of Engineering and Public Services
371 Saco Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
P 854-0660
Eric S. Dudley, PE
Director of Engineering and Public Services
371 Saco Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
P 854-0660
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf ;
Of Dennis Marrotte
Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2017 6:01 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [wsmac] Re: Pierce Street
T/ Y Phil. One civic duty I did turned out wrong.
A Black lettered on Yellow Sign
CAUTION. CHILDREN with a silhouetted running Boy in knickers at Pierce and
Falmouth Streets had the top Left third and bottom Right third of the Label
peeled off. I e-mailed Eric Dudley with a phone picture asking if the damaged
Sign could be replaced. Unscrew two screws and nuts remove damaged sign,
install new Sign. The Green metal multi hole post was ok.
He sent back a letter with a copy of MUTC document on such signs. Issued a
work order to remove damaged sign and that it wouldn't be replaced. The sign
at the Falmouth and Bridge Streets intersection is fine and still in place.
The next day, the damaged sign was gone, post and all. At the top of Falmouth
Street there are 3 Families with total of 9 Children. They are using one of
those free standing figures in yellow instead.
That reply from Eric Dudley almost made me decide To Hell with all this.
Dennis
On Oct 1, 2017 5:43 PM, <pdsflynavy@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:pdsflynavy@xxxxxxxxx>>
wrote:
Dennis -
I encourage you to partake in a practice that Phil Spiller, Sr - Westbrook's
first Superintendent of Public Works - instilled in me many years ago: carry a
set of brush clippers with you.
Not once did anyone ever complain what he was doing, or when I occasionally
stop to do the same.
It's much easier to accomplish - in less than a minute - than what the numerous
phone calls and emails it make take to have the same end result - a safer line
of vision. And public services will have to deal with one less phone call as
well.
Great observations and discussions on here by you and everyone - keep them
coming. The passion is growing.
And as Dwight Eisenhower once said - "Public opinion wins wars."
- PDS
Phil Spiller, Jr.
Captain, JetBlue Airways
Commander, US Navy Reserves
Westbrook, ME Municipal Advocate
850-529-3283<tel:(850)%20529-3283>
Honor the Past. Engage in the Present. Embolden the Future.
On Oct 1, 2017, at 5:06 PM, Dennis Marrotte
<dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Between Falmouth and Nasson Ave
<20171001_170410.jpg>
