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.

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?

In a 2008 study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, radar speed signs topped the list of safety devices tested in short-term maintenance work zones. The speedcheck signs not only provided the largest speed reduction among the various traffic-calming methods reviewed, but workers reported that when mounted onto a trailer, the installation and removal of the signs was reasonable for even short-term work zone projects.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation first began using radar speed signs in work zones several years ago. Originally embraced by the department’s metro area maintenance crews, the electronic displays helped keep traffic moving at a safe speed while workers filled potholes. As the effectiveness of the speedcheck signs became clear, demand for their use spread. Today, Mn/DOT has expanded the deployment of radar speed signs to include use in construction sites, on ongoing maintenance projects and for other hazardous work zone applications.

“We often mount a radar speed sign along with an arrow board to the tail gate of one of our trucks,” said Marvin Sohlo, work zone standards engineer for MnDOT. “When we use the radar speed signs, it’s easy to observe the break lights come on. On a multi-lane highway, we’ve found average speeds are typically reduced by 8 to 10 miles per hour.”

Reducing speed is a critical issue for those concerned with work zone safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) nearly 1,000 people are killed and more than 40,000 injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones. The majority of these cases involve excessive speeds.

“It’s estimated that more than 20 percent of our national highway system is currently under construction,” said Gary ODell, president of Information Display Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer of radar speed signs. “That equates to about 3,000 work zones on U.S. highways alone. You can add thousands more when you include work being done on public streets, around construction sites and on public works projects.”

Tad Blanton is the field operations supervisor for Medford, Oregon Public Works. He manages four crews that work year round on every type of public works project from underground maintenance to structural repairs, paving and concrete work. Concerned with worker safety, he attended a demonstration of a portable radar speed sign presented by IDC, and then signed up for a three-week free rental program.

“Providence brought the radar speed sign to us just when we needed it,” said Blanton. “We were about to begin work on a storm drain repair along the intersection of a busy four lane thoroughfare. We placed the sign about 350 feet before the work. The crew that I had out there said that the difference the display made was absolutely unbelievable. I knew are traditional warning signs wouldn’t of had nearly the same effect.”

As we begin the new year, we can add Kansas to the list of 30 states that now ban text messaging while driving. This ban, along with a variety of other new driver safety regulations being adopted across the country, reflect a growing concern over the effect that driver distractions are having in causing accidents.

According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009 5,474 people in the U.S. were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. Well over 300,000 injury crashes reportedly involved driver distraction as well. In fact, actual numbers are generally assumed to be much higher since drivers do not always report the role that cell phones, GPS systems and other distractive devices played in their accidents.

Still, the number of distracted driving-related fatalities continues to increase from year to year. In 2005 the distracted driver-related fatality rate was estimated at 10 percent of all driving fatalities as compared to 16 percent in 2009.

Those are the numbers. The real stories behind the statistics can be seen in a video campaign developed by U.S. Department of Transportation called Faces of Distracted Drivers. Each video in this series offers testimonials from those affected by the accidents involving distracted drivers. Pretty powerful stuff.

I must add that while new technologies such as texting or GPS devices are usually targeted as the root cause of driver distractions, some point to the fact that newly implemented laws that ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving (in favor of hands-free devices) have “produced no impact on accident rates.” According to a piece published in the WSJ, it’s not that distraction doesn’t play a role in accidents – it does. It’s argued that drivers simply substitute one distraction for another. The rise of cell phone driving-related accidents is – according to the author – simply due to the increased use of cell phones in general.

Either way, the list of potential distractions seems to be on the increase. Despite some concerns, Onstar is about to introduce an application that will allow drivers to verbally update their Facebook status and review their messages while behind the wheel. Ford’s Sync technology will connect a variety of different GPS and smart phone applications with voice command. Not to be outdone, Toyota just announced future plans for its Entune Multimedia System which will allow drivers a “hands free” way to read text messages, play music and interact with other smart phone apps.

So like it or not, it appears that distractions will play a significant role in thousands of serious automobile accidents each year. Instead of banning distractions – an impossible task I suppose – I predict that we will turn instead to making cars and transportation systems smarter. Our cars will have sensors that keep our distractions from interfering with safe driving. Perhaps smart road signs and lane barriers will keep us on track while we text grandma that we are on the way to Thanksgiving dinner.

We are already seeing these types of intelligent traffic systems being installed and implemented. As I’ve pointed out in earlier posts, the proven traffic-calming effectiveness of radar speed signs – those digital displays that tell passing drivers their actual speed – is directly related to their ability to disrupt distractions and refocus driver attention back to their current rate of speed. Variable message signs that tell drivers to slow down or to watch for obstructions ahead are also examples of distraction-busting technology.

It’s a pretty safe bet that we will all see an increase in the number of gadgets and applications we will have to distract us on our drive. Until such times as technology completely takes over and our transportation becomes a completely hands free experience, we’ll see cities and towns across the country turn to smart displays and other intelligent traffic systems to help us safely reach our destinations.

Got a speeding ticket lately? Think it was unjust? Think that the only ones who really care about speeding are police officers looking to fill a quota?

Well, according to a new study by the California Office of Traffic Safety, you’d be wrong.

Radar Speed Signs - Driver Distraction Fighter

The study was the first statewide effort by the OTS to query drivers about their thoughts on road safety. Conducted back in July, the survey includes the results of 1,671 interviews of drivers 18 and over. Those chosen to participate in the survey were randomly selected while getting gas at one of sixty gas stations located throughout California.

Some of the survey findings were to be expected; others might be a bit of a surprise. The most notable finding was that 25 percent of respondents indicated that speeding is their number one safety concern on the road.  The second most common concern was drivers distracted by cell phone use – both talking and texting.

Of course, these findings serve to support the views of myself and other proponents of radar speed signs who believe these displays are often the best solution to traffic calming problems. Unlike static speed limit signs or flashing lights, radar speed signs redirect driver attention back to their own driving speeds. And unlike speed bumps, they do not impede emergency vehicles, increase traffic noise or simply divert traffic onto other streets. And for those opposed to “big brother” traffic calming tactics, radar speed signs typically work without the use of cameras and the associated threat of ticketing.

Other results of the survey include:

• While cell phone conversations were cited as the most serious distraction for drivers, more than 27 percent of respondents said that they still talked on a hand-held cell phone while driving in the past 30 days.
• 20 percent continue to text or email while driving despite the known dangers and laws.
• A total of 31.5 percent of respondents indicated that they talk less on cell phones since the hands-free law went into effect.
• Nearly 55 percent reported having been hit or nearly hit by a driver who was talking or texting on a cell phone.
• More than 86 percent of respondents supported sobriety checkpoints.
• More than 96 percent of respondents reported that they always wear a seat belt when driving.

In cities across the country, getting local governments to respond to traffic-calming issues can be difficult even during the best of times. It becomes even more difficult when times are tough and municipal funds are short.

There is hope however. Neighborhood groups and private citizens from San Jose, California to Brooklyn, New York are finding strategies that are getting the attention of their local representatives. Whether you’re looking to install a speed bump, erect a speedcheck radar speed sign or just get the police to monitor traffic during peak hours, here are a few tips on how you can increase your chances of being heard.

1.  Join a group. Look to see if there is already an existing sympathetic neighborhood organization you can join. Government reps are much more likely to listen to an established group than to a single individual. There are also federal traffic safety grants that are only available to civic groups and other established organizations.  aaaaa

2.  Create your own group. If there isn’t already an audience for your cause, create one. A good place to start would be existing clubs with sympathetic ears – perhaps bicycle riders, school moms or retail shop owners. 

3.  Get on the web. Starting your own blog or social network site is easy to do. They provide a perfect platform for expressing your concerns and a great way to enlist the help and support of others. Your blog or Facebook page will not only be visible to fans, but can also be shared with local reporters and government officials. As the number of participants and grows, so do your chances of getting heard by those that can make a difference. 

4.   Local programs. Most cities have comprehensive programs in place for evaluating and choosing traffic projects to attack. Processes for selection are usually well defined by city officials, so know the rules and see what you might be able to do to get to the top of the priority list.

5.   Apply for a grant. There are three types of grants generally available for traffic safety programs.  Federal grants, State grants and private grants. Thanks to the Internet researching these options is fairly easy to do. A good place to start is www.cfda.gov, a database of all Federal programs available to state and local governments. 

6.   Come prepared. There’s no easier way to persuade a reluctant official to your side of an argument than to come with the facts and figures that back you up. Learn in advance about the various options available for slowing cars (check out www.stopspeeders.org ). Some are less expensive than others. Some are easier to install. Find out what options your town usually employs and see how effective their results have been in the past. Technologies have changed over the last decade and what might have been the best solution in the past may now be overshadowed by newer, better options.

Truckee California, Atlanta Georgia and Winnipeg, Canada are a few of the latest cities to deploy radar speed signs in a big way. The growing acceptance of these traffic-calming displays is particularly noteworthy given the correlating decline in the popularity of speedbumps and radar speed cameras.

radar speed signs' increasing popularity

According to Sam Katz, the mayor of Winnipeg, their recent installation of seven solar-powered radar speed signs is “anything but a cash grab,” – one of the major concerns of Winnepeg citizens opposed to speed cameras. Studies show that radar speed signs are highly effective at slowing cars without being obtrusive or financially threatening (spelled t.i.c.k.e.t). Katz made it clear that none of the new displays will take pictures or be used to issue tickets.

In California, the city of Truckee took advantage of funding provided by the federal Safe Routes to School program to buy and install six flashing crosswalk signs and radar speed signs. The displays are being permanently mounted along a busy school route and are intended to be operational in time for the 2010-11 school year.

And then last year, residents of Wildwood, Georgia, a city just North of downtown Atlanta, used the data collected by a radar speed sign to convince local police that there was a major speeding problem around their local school zones. Surprising to many who analyzed follow up data, that the majority of speeders were local residents. This, however, coincides with findings of numerous traffic-calming studies and highlights one of the key reasons radar speed signs work so well. Most speeders are just distracted drivers. Radar speed signs are an unobtrusive way to redirect driver attention to their current driving conditions. And that doesn’t require photos or ticketing.