Looks like we can add Spokane Valley to the list of believers. For years, the city struggled to bring down the speeds of drivers passing through the city’s various school zones. Prominently displayed speed limit signs didn’t do the trick. Neither did regular patrolling by the Spokane Valley Police Department. The police were writing lots and lots of speeding tickets.

So several years ago, the City of Spokane, armed with a project grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, purchased several SpeedCheck radar speed signs and flashing beacons. The equipment was installed along four different school zones where student safety was of particular concern due to the high rate of those that walked or biked to school.

The difference was clear. Measurement equipment verified that average speeds during the 20mph school zone time periods, were reduced by as much as 19.3 percent. The 85^th percentile speeds (a measure of the fastest speed at which 85% of the traffic travels) dropped from 33.4 mph to 22.8mph.

That’s not all. The crossing guards noticed that cars were traveling slower when the speed signs and flashing beacons were in operation. The Spokane Valley Police Department reported that they were able to issue only one speeding ticket during the first 70 days following the installation of the speed-reducing equipment.

So we’ll add another city to our “believers” list. You can find a growing sample of stories involving government agencies, municipalities, cities, school boards and others who’ve reduced speeds and increased safety with SpeedCheck radar speed signs on our website: www.informationdisplay.com.

Can Radar Speed Signs Help?

Well the Boston city council has had enough and is aiming to do something about it. Earlier this week, council member Matt O’Malley, unanimously backed by the other city council members, called on the city to take a serious look at traffic calming measures. Over the next several weeks, local and state traffic law enforcement agencies will be getting together with a variety of Boston organizations and local residents to discuss preferred methods for slowing speeding drivers.

O’Malley said that all traffic calming options were on the table so long as they do not interfere with emergency response vehicles – a critical stipulation that will, according to a variety of recently published reports, reduce the options available in many locations.

Speed Cushions, speed bumps, and even things like rumble strips and median islands have been shown to be inhospitable to fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Other preliminary suggestions such as public awareness campaigns and warning signs have proven, in many cases, to be ineffective. O’Malley said he was even open to the idea of installing speed cameras, but if he hopes to be re-elected, he may want to review the mounting body of news articles showing residential outrage over such automated revenue-generating tactics.

Of course, we here at Traffic Calming Matters are partial to the use of radar speed signs in many locations. That’s because (a) they do not impede emergency vehicles (b) they do not necessary result in ticket issuing and (c) they are proven again and again to be highly effective – particularly around school zones, work zones and other locations where pedestrian safety is of particular concern.

The reason they are so effective as that radar speed signs work by refocusing the attention of distracted drivers back on to the job at hand – driving safely. As O’Malley points out, most drivers (even in Boston) are good drivers. Research suggests that it only requires the type of reminders that radar speed signs provide to get these drivers back in focus.

In his statement to the press, O’Malley noted that there have been numerous studies done of late that look at methods used in other major cities to “balance and protect the safety of livability of residential neighborhoods with emergency service needs.” So, if they do their homework and look at the evidence provided by these types of studies, you can be assured that there will be a lot more radar speed signs in Boston’s future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.