If you’ve been reading the “traffic press” lately, you’ve probably heard that many of the parents of Blue Angel Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida are pretty excited about some new radar speed signs installed around their elementary school. The displays are two of six SpeedCheck signs that have recently been installed in the surrounding Escambia County and part of the thirty or so SpeedCheck signs that were recently purchased by the Florida DOT following a rigorous review of speed displays manufactured by various companies.

The folks at Information Display Company are pretty excited about being the first manufacturer to make the FDOT’s approved product list and they attribute this accomplishment not only to superior product quality and features but also to unmatchable customer service. It seems that radar speed signs are rarely off-the-shelf purchases but rather require some level of customization to fit specific needs. Maybe it’s synchronized scheduling capabilities or special message displays – or maybe it’s just help with installation. Turns out Information Display wins top honors for responding to these special requests.

Oh yes, I should mention that the Escambia County speed displays were purchased as part of a “safe routes to school” program set up in the state. I was told by the county’s safety coordinator that not only were the traffic calming effects of the speed signs immediately apparent, but along with added street lighting, sidewalks and other route improvements, they are proving to have a real impact on getting both school children and local residents out of their cars and on their feet – and that’s good news for everyone.

Radar Speed Displays Go Up In Clinton, MO

Wanted to share a nice Facebook Post from the Clinton Daily Democrat (Click here).  Here’s to a safer year ahead for drivers and pedestrians and an increase in walkable routes to school in 2012.

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According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the use of cell phones while driving is the “new DUI”…”an epidemic.” This follows a new study that indicates driver distraction being a contributing factor to some 3,000 plus roadway fatalities last year alone. As a result, the NTSB called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones while driving including talking as well as texting. The ban would also apply to hands-free devices with the only exemption being devices installed in the vehicle by the manufacturer.

Why the sudden focus on cell phones? According to a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any single time, there are 13.5 million drivers on the road using a hand held phone. This number is apparently rising even though a growing number of states are clamping down on their use. Currently, 35 states ban text messaging while driving. 10 states already ban the use of hand-held cell phones for any reason. Another 35 states now ban cell phone use by novice drivers.

And this, says the NTSB, is responsible for thousands of fatal accidents a year.

On The Other Hand…

There are those, however, who say cell phones are not to blame – it’s distracted drivers in general. Many point to an earlier study by the Highway Data Institute, a nonprofit funded by the auto insurance industry, that compared accident statistics in states that have banned cell phone use with those that have not. According to that study, the state bans have had an effect on reducing the number of people that use cell phones while driving, but have had little to no effect on the number of accidents that actually occur.

According to a spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the problem is much bigger than cell phones – it’s really all about distracted driving in general.

Those opposing the ban on cell phone use while driving also point to research that shows that while cell phone use has exploded over the past few years, there is no correlating uptick in the number of automobile accidents.

It’s hard to argue that there aren’t a number of potential distractions facing today’s drivers. Changing radio stations, adjusting GPS devices, or simply eating french fries can all steal a driver’s attention away from the road.

What do you think? Is it time to ban all cell phone use or are these devices simply a scapegoat to a bigger problem? The jury is still in deliberation.

It’s a simple fact. Radar speed signs can be highly effective at slowing traffic and reducing accidents. The number of reports that attest to this fact continues to grow. In the past couple of years alone, there have been dozens of studies, conducted at various locations under various conditions that prove again and again that the right radar speed sign, placed in the right location can have a significant impact on reducing accidents. But what is the “right” radar speed sign?

Which speed display is most effective at slowing cars?

It’s clear just from looking at them, that all radar speed signs are NOT created equal. Some, for instance have bigger displays or brighter lights. Some are white with yellow LEDs while others are yellow with white LEDS. So the important question arises, does the design of a speedcheck sign have an effect on its ability to slow cars?

We’re finding an increasing amount of evidence that suggests it certainly does. It all comes down to the radar speed signs’ credibility – some simply look more official than others. The more official it looks, the more respect it commands from drivers. And with voluntary enforcement tools such as radar speedcheck signs, commanding respect is the name of the game.

Part of a speed displays’ official look is certainly associated with standards. Some signs are MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) compliant, while others are not. MUTCD covers a wide range of standards from font size to color and while drivers may not be familiar with the actual code, they have come to intrinsically recognize “official” signs from those that are not.

But choosing a sign that is MUTCD compliant is just the start. There are design issues that go beyond compliancy that effect the speed displays’ effectiveness. The brightness of the LEDs and the number/size of the individual lights, for instance, can make a huge difference.  In some speed displays, the numbers and letters appear as large individual “dots” rather than as a more fluid line. We find the “dotted” displays result in a less official – less effective sign. The same holds true for lettering and numbering that are off-center to the signs’ background black, are crooked, two small or two big or are simply dull at a distance.

There are a lot of other issues involved in radar speed signs design that can affect their durability, versatility and effectiveness. From vandal resistant features and the use of quality parts that determine the dependability of the equipment, to LED positioning and programmable options that increase safety and adaptability. But as you head out onto the roadways this holiday season, take a closer look at the radar speed signs in your own neighborhood. Do they look official and command respect, or do they look like a fast fix with little authority behind their posting? Then, if you have a chance, watch the brake lights of cars as they approach the signs. You can bet which signs will command the driver respect required to get them to use their brake.

We’ve all heard that driving and cell phones don’t mix. But what about driving and eating? According to the Chicago Tribune, village board members in Oaks Park, Illinois have their way, this old American past time will be banned within their city limits. They’re also considering a ban on other driving distractions including applying make-up and drinking soda. A few years back, the Police Chief of Winnetka, Illinois proposed banning driving while operating a radio or game, grooming, or tending to pets.

It’s hard to argue from a statistical standpoint.  A study by the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that 80 percent of all accidents are caused by one type of distraction or another. Another study showed that those who text while driving are 23 times more likely to get in to a collision.

I came across another study that actually ranked the danger level of eating certain foods as compared to others. Guess what came in as number one.  That’s right – coffee. They say that even with a lid, spilt coffee is a huge driving hazard. The full top ten includes:

1. Coffee. Watch those speed bumps!
2. Hot soup. Look out for noodle burns.
3. Tacos. It’s a challenge not to get any on ya.
4. Chili dogs. Especially while wearing a white shirt.
5. Hamburgers. Carls Junior boasts about their sloppiness?
6. Ribs and wings. Are you driving a car or a lunch wagon?
7. Fried chicken. Ever try to hang on to the wheel with greasy hands?
8. Jelly donuts. See chili dogs.
9. Soda. At least with Mentos
10. Chocolate. Especially on a hot summer day. 

All kidding aside, distracted driving is behind hundreds of thousands of automobile accidents each year. While bans on eating and other diversions may be taking it too far (what about driving with children? Billboards?), it is certainly something to consider.

And that’s one of the brilliant advantages of (here it comes…) radar speed signs (you knew I couldn’t resist the topic). The reason these digital displays are so effective is that they refocus the attention of distracted drivers back on to their speedometer and driving habits. It doesn’t require the threat of a ticket or increased insurance rates to get most of us to slow down. Studies show that the simple reminder that radar speed signs provide, is highly effective at slowing cars and keeping us safer. And now it’s off to the drive-through.

On the cusp of a Labor Day weekend and the beginning of a new school year, I thought this would be a great time to remind everyone about Safe Routes to School, a wondeful organization that has had an amazing impact on thousands of school children across the U.S.  

Since around 1997, SRTS has been hard at work evangelizing the positive aspects of having our children walk or bicycle to school. More importantly, they have been working directly with communities across the nation to make streets safe for pedestrians and promoting the positive aspects of walking/riding instead of being chauffeured to school. In 2005, Congress dedicated funds (about $600 million) towards SRTS that is being used for both infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities. A recent report shows that since first being funded, more than 10,400 U.S. schools across all income levels have participated in Safe Routes To School Programs.

Information Display Company first came into contact with Safe Routes to School in 2009 through Feet First, a regional affiliate that has promoted the principles of SRTS throughout Washington State. At that time, Information Display Company had donated several radar speed signs for use in the organization’s Walk and Roll Month events. This included a host of activities designed to encourage both children and parents in the Seattle area to walk together to school rather than drive. The radar speed signs were used effectively to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety along some of the more busier routes.

During my conversations with Feet First volunteers, I heard some pretty intriguing statistics that I have often thought of while passing through a school zone. It turns out that about 25 percent of morning traffic in Washington State is made up of parents driving their children to school. More harrowing is the fact that half the school children hit by cars in school zones are actually hit by parents of students at the same school.

I also learned that slowing down just a little bit can make a big difference when an accident does occur. A study a read found that only five percent of pedestrian accidents resulted in fatalities when the cars were traveling 20mph or less. This number jumped to 40 percent when the cars were driving 30mph and 80 percent at forty mph.

So as the new school year begins, let’s support the healthy habit of walking and biking to school and be particularly cautious when driving around school zones. If you forget to check your speed, chances are growing that a radar speed sign will be nearby to remind you.

The city of Seattle has been using radar speed signs for years. And while I haven’t spoken yet to anyone at SDOT, I presume they – like a growing number of cities across the country – find these displays particularly effective at slowing cars. According to a recent SDOT blog post, the city has recently added five new signs to the twenty or so they already have installed throughout their streets.

Radar speed signs slow Seattle speeders.

The five new signs come as part of the city’s Aurora Traffic Safety Project, a focused initiative to increase safety on State Route 99 – one of those multi-lane arteries that take people right across town. Using the sign’s traffic analyzing technology, the city will be keeping data on average traffic speeds in order to actually measure the effectiveness of the signs at each location.

And while the radar speed signs are used as a courtesy reminder to drivers that they need to keep their speed within the legal limit, Seattle’s finest will be backing up the reminder with ticket book in hand. According to the city’s blog post, the SPD has written more than 10,000 speeding tickets to drivers on this route since they stepped up enforcement a couple of years ago.

By the way, as a side note, I noticed that many of these signs already installed around Seattle are solar powered. Not something you’d think would work in a town that’s known more for rain than sunshine. It’s just a testament to the advances in solar panel technology and to the speed sign manufacturers who’ve been able to increase the energy efficiency of the display itself.

Once the new signs have been up and running for a bit, I plan to check in with Seattle to find out the results of their traffic monitoring efforts. I’ll keep you posted.

Looks like the drivers in France have had it. They’ve called for a day of country-wide  gridlock. Set for June 2, the protest is in response to the government’s recent decision to “hide” the thousands of speed cameras set up along the roads and highways throughout the country.

But it’s not that French citizenry are against safe driving, they simply object to the government relying on speeding drivers as a major source of revenue.  Since speed cameras first appeared in France back in 2003, their numbers – and the revenue they’ve amassed for government coffers – has skyrocketed. Last year, French authorities issued 9.3 million tickets from fixed and mobile automated ticketing machines, 4.6 million tickets as a result of fixed speed cameras and another 4.4 million tickets from mobile speed cameras. Yes – that’s millions.

As you can imagine, the zealousness of the traffic police has resulted in a boom business for GPS companies that warn motorists of upcoming speed traps. The apps have become so popular (it’s estimated that 6.1 million French drivers use radar warning devices) that the government has noticed a 17% decline in speeding ticket revenue. So to stem this decline, officials recently took down warning signs alerting motorists of approaching speed cameras, and legislators quickly acted to make the GPS warning devices illegal. And hence, the June 2 protest.

Luckily for U.S. drivers, early – typically less dramatic – protests from drivers in Arizona, California and other states across the country have limited the use of radar cameras. The word is out that driver safety is good but relying on deceptive ticketing practices to generate local government revenue is not acceptable.

I believe this is one of the reasons that employing radar speed signs has become an increasingly welcomed alternative to speed cameras. In most cases, radar speed signs are not equipped with speed cameras. They don’t ticket drivers; they just get them to slow down.

That’s why the city of San Ramon California recently installed a dozen new radar speed signs throughout the city’s jurisdiction. According to the local police, they’ve seen a decrease in average speed of 6.3 mph – to 10 mph in all twelve areas where the new signs have been placed. Perhaps just as importantly, the feedback from the locals has been positive.

A similar story can be told in Topeka Kansas where the city recently began using both permanently mounted radar speed signs and speed trailer-mounted signs for mobile use. In Pennsylvania, new radar speed signs are being welcomed by drivers in Union Township, Hines Township, Morris Township, Woodward Township and elsewhere throughout the state.

So if you’re planning on visiting France, you may want to take along a little extra cash to pay for speeding tickets – consider it just part of the experience. But if you come across a radar speed sign, check your speedometer, drive safe and smile knowing it’s there for your safety – not your money.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that road fatalities in 2010 were the lowest they’ve been since 1949.  That’s quite awhile ago.

In 1949, a new VW bug cost about $900. There were only two of them sold in the U.S.  Gas cost 26 cents a gallon and the Hokey Pokey was a radio hit. Also in 1949, laws prohibiting the installation of TVs in cars were first enacted – some of the first color sets were just hitting the market. It was also this year that the Nash Motor Company introduced the first front seat lap belt (optional). Auto production reached about 5 million.

And in 1949, just over 30,000 people died in traffic-related accidents – the same as 2010 – a decrease of about 3 percent from 2009.  Traffic fatalities this past year were particularly evident in Pacific Northwest states – Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska – where they dropped about 12 percent from the year before. California, Arizona and Hawaii were close behind.

The DOT gives credit for this reduction to several factors including more people wearing seat belts, better safety equipment in cars and a greater focus on curbing drunk driving. I’d like to add another to this list – the use of traffic calming technologies such as radar speed signs in worker- and pedestrian-sensitive locations.

As discussed in earlier blog posts, studies have clearly shown that traffic accident-related fatality rates are directly linked to the speed of the vehicles involved. In a school zone, for instance, an accident involving a pedestrian and a car traveling 25mph vs one traveling 30 mph can be the difference between a resulting cast or a casket.  

The numbers just released by DOT are projections for 2010. Official data regarding deaths and injuries are due out later this year. Of course, we’ll keep you posted.

The purpose of this blog is to share the latest information and thoughts about traffic calming and safety technology and we’ve had some great discussions on various related topics.  So is it ok to get excited about our own products when they do really well in the marketplace? I can’t help it. Information Display Company puts so much thought and effort into designing and manufacturing the best traffic calming displays made, we get excited when our products and services continue to get industry acclaim. 

We recently introduced a speed trailer that was really a game changer. Editorial coverage of the SpeedCheck DuraTrailer confirmed it’s revolutionary place in an area that has been stagnant for so long.  And when I learned about how the SpeedCheck radar speed sign rose above competitive products during a city evaluation, and how that city has really embraced these speed displays for their ability to improve school zone safety, I couldn’t help but share the info with everyone. 

The city of Stamford Connecticut recently purchased ten new radar speed signs to support their ongoing school safety initiatives. That brings the total number of city-owned speed displays to thirty-four. They soon hope to have enough radar speed signs installed along their various school zone routes to slow cars around each of their twenty public school buildings.

Stamford bought their first radar speed sign about nine years ago, after conducting field testing on several different models. They ultimately chose SpeedCheck speed displays manufactured by Information Display Company. According to Veera Karukonda, Signal Systems Engineer for the city of Stamford, the SpeedCheck signs were chosen for several reasons.

“A comparative analysis found that the SpeedCheck sign provided the best construction and most visible display among those we tested,” said Karukonda. “The size, shape and design of the SpeedCheck display created the most official looking sign among the test group and it offered many of the features we were looking for. We were also impressed with the dedicated service that we received from Information Display Company.”

In the past, the city’s team of signal engineers had to manually open and adjust each radar speed sign when upgrades or scheduling changes needed to be implemented. Now each of the signs includes Bluetooth wireless technology that lets the engineers make firmware upgrades and scheduling changes from the comfort of their car. The city also invested in Information Display Company’s DisplayManager™ system that, when in operation, will allow city engineers to monitor, adjust and control each sign from one central office location.

Each of the radar speed signs are installed along with two flashing warning lights; one above and one below the speed display. Both the sign and the flashing lights are connected to the SpeedCheck sign’s built in scheduling program. During school hours, the lights automatically begin to flash and the speed signs remind drivers of their passing speed. Most importantly, the radar speed signs refocus driver attention away from various distractions and back on their own driving behavior.

In a recent study conducted by Safe Kids USA, one in six drivers traveling through one of several active school zones was observed in a state of distraction. According to the accompanying report, statistics show that even small distractions can dramatically increase the chance of an accident. 

If you’ve had experience with SpeedCheck speed displays or any other radar speed signs or if you’ve tried other traffic calming strategies, I’d love to hear about it. What worked for you and what didn’t?