New job creation regulations

[armedandsafe]

Is there anything these meddling bureaucRATS won't stick their fingers into?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...owercase_N.htm

ALL CAPS? Not OK on road signs, federal government says
Updated 1d 23h ago |

The federal government is requiring localities to replace street signs in all capital letters, like this one in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with signs using upper and lowercase letters.

By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY
CAN YOU READ THIS?
There, is that better?

In a nod to the fading eyesight of the nation's growing number of aging Baby Boomers, the federal government is requiring communities around the USA to change street name signs from all capital letters to a combination of capital and lowercase letters. The government says that makes them easier to read.

Cash-starved localities also will have to dig deep for new, more reflective traffic signs to make them easier to see at night, especially by older drivers.

Under Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations, communities have until 2015 to improve the nighttime visibility of roadside signs — such as stop, yield and railroad crossing signs. The issue is how well a sign redirects light from an automobile's headlights back toward the vehicle. Signs that fail to meet minimum standards must be replaced. Communities will be allowed to change the street name signs as they wear out.

The changes are called for in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, an 816-page (plus appendixes) behemoth that sets standards for traffic control devices — signs, signals and pavement markings.

"As drivers get older, we want to make sure they're able to read the signs," says FHWA administrator Victor Mendez. "Research shows that older drivers are better able to read signs when they're written in both capital and small letters. It's really driven by safety."

Despite that, the rule changes are not welcome in communities that have cut budgets to the quick.

"I think it's ridiculous," says Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan, whose city will spend about $1.4 million on new signs over the next four years. "Our street signs have worked perfectly well for 100 years or more. I think it's just the federal government run amok. If they don't have far more important things to deal with, they're not doing their job."

A gripe heard across the land: The government is providing no funds to make the change.

Iron Mountain, Mich., which has a population of 8,154 and a $6 million budget, will spend $30-$50 apiece replacing several hundred signs, says city manager Jordan Stanchina. "You're looking at all the other things you've got to cut, and now you've got to do this," he says.

Canyon, Texas, city manager Randy Criswell says the Texas Panhandle city of about 15,000 will replace 1,500-2,000 signs at a cost of about $100 apiece. "Do I think that's money that's spent as well as it could be? I sure don't," he says. "I've got parents that are getting elderly. They think this is silly."

Some cities such as Eau Claire, Wis., have already been gradually replacing signs as they wear out. Brian Amundson, the city's public works director, says replacing signs is "a good, worthwhile program. It really does make a difference." But he says, "It's just that in these difficult financial times, people don't like it shoved down their throat because they don't see the immediate value of it."

Pops

[ghrit]

I'm all for safety, but retrofitting is nonsensical, and unfunded. Mr. Mayor, stand and be counted, refuse to do it, and let the chips fall where they may. Attaboy Brian Amundson.

[Bobitis]

If that makes 'em easier to read, why have any upper case letters?

They're street signs, not paragraphs!

[Shooter45]

All that and no mention of signs in Spanish ??????

[Nighthawk]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

All that and no mention of signs in Spanish ??????

not YET

[jack404]

From Australia... ( Via the UN )

this is a extract and introduction to street sign rules here , the entire thing is 18 pages

but heres the first 2

you'll see it was first done in 93 and that thers a full Australian standard for doing all this , which is pretty much word for word what some twit from the UN said we had to do and it got done ..




Name of Policy:
Tourist and Service Signposting
within Road Reserves
Policy Code:
PL-TRN-003
Date Originally Adopted:
23/06/1993 Minute No.: 303
Date Last Reviewed:
8/12/2009 Minute No.: 226
Date Last Amended:
Minute No.:
Responsible Division:
Engineering Services
Responsible Section:
Transport Assets
Related Council Documents:
Policy (PL-TRN-001) – Street/Road
Naming
Relevant Legislation :
Roads Act 1993
Roads (General) Regulation 2000
Roads Act 1993 (Section 162)
Related Documents: RTA Tourist Signposting Manual
Great Lakes Council – Policy Register
Policy – Tourist and Services Signposting within Road Reserves (PL-TRN-003)
Latest Revision: 8 December 2009, Minute 226 Page 2 of 5
1. OBJECTIVES
1.1. To aid the safe and orderly movement of traffic.
1.2. To provide clarity for the community, businesses and Council in the provision of
roadside signage throughout the Council area.
1.3. To provide an effective street sign standard that is aesthetically acceptable.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
2.1. This Policy addresses the provision of signs located in public road reserves around the
Council area, including:
a) tourist signage;
b) street names;
c) place names; and
d) guide signs for community facilities and services.
2.2. The Policy establishes the framework for what signage will be provided, where they will
be placed, the criteria for their establishment and who funds their installation.
2.3. Tourist, street name, community facility and service signs are to be installed in
accordance with Australian Standard, AS 1742 Series – Manual of Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (relevant version at the time of applying the standards), including:
- AS 1742.1 Part 1 General Introduction and index of signs,
- AS 1742.2 Part 2 Traffic control devices for general use,
- AS 1742.5 Part 5 Street names and community facility name signs, &
- AS 1742 .6 Part 6 Service & Tourist signs for motorists.

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when PC starts the BS never stops

[Jeff Midguard]

Around here it would be nice if they would start by removing the graffiti from the road signs. Covers up all the reflectivity and makes them impossible to read at night.

[PPK 32]

Here's an idea. Let's fire the idiots that have nothing better to do than dream up this useless garbage. Take the payroll $ saved and put it toward useful, as defined by the American people.... Its obvious our government is incapable of defining useful, and economics. Just my thought for the day.

[bamajoey]

More money for the labor unions.

[Bobitis]

Originally Posted by bamajoey

More money for the labor unions.

Prisons have labor unions?