Thank you Eric for sharing with us
Leelee
On Oct 2, 2017 2:22 PM, "Eric Dudley" <edudley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
<https://maps.google.com/?q=371+Saco+Street%0D+Westbrook,+ME+04092&entry=gmail&source=g>
Westbrook, ME 04092
<https://maps.google.com/?q=371+Saco+Street%0D+Westbrook,+ME+04092&entry=gmail&source=g>
P 854-0660
Eric S. Dudley, PE
Director of Engineering and Public Services
371 Saco Street
<https://maps.google.com/?q=371+Saco+Street%0D+Westbrook,+ME+04092&entry=gmail&source=g>
Westbrook, ME 04092
<https://maps.google.com/?q=371+Saco+Street%0D+Westbrook,+ME+04092&entry=gmail&source=g>
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> 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 <(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>
wrote:
Between Falmouth and Nasson Ave
<20171001_170410.jpg>
