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Subject: Unique Sign Request <br />- --- --I What was the citizens request/ Did they request a sign type initially? The <br />citizen requested that a handicap warning sign be installed on a street near her <br />house. <br />CITY of <br />CRYSTAL Was the sign request appropriate for the issue? She was in a wheelchair and <br />frequently went out in the neighborhood. She felt that the sign would increase <br />drivers yielding to her when she was trying to cross the street. <br />What steps did you take? I met with her in person to talk about her concerns. <br />I asked her where she traveled to, when she would go out, and got more info on <br />Mark Ray, PE her specific concerns of traveling in the area. <br />Director of Public Works If you did not approve, what did you offer instead? The sign was not installed. <br />City of Crystal I gave her some reflective tape that she could put on her wheelchair to be more <br />visible from all directions. I also encouraged her to get a flag for her wheelchair. <br />Did that alternative option achieve the goal and was the citizen happy with <br />the solution? Because she traveled throughout the neighborhood, a warning <br />sign in one location would have very limited effectiveness from a geographic <br />perspective. Furthermore, the impact of a wheelchair warning sign is questionable. <br />By providing a method to make her wheelchair more visible wherever she was <br />this would go to her desire to try and increase driver awareness. <br />Were there any adverse effects from this alternative solution? In theory if <br />the City continued to take the approach of giving out reflective table, we have the <br />potential to give out a lot of tape. That said, actually making wheelchairs more <br />visible from all directions when they are out and about may actually be safer and <br />is clearly more effective than a sign in just one locations. Also, the amount of tape <br />we gave out is cheaper than purchasing a sign, not even including the labor or <br />long term maintenance considerations. <br />Has this alternative option continued to be recommended? I am open to <br />continuing to provide reflective tape to wheelchair users in the City. <br />How did you develop this alternative option? Communicating with the <br />resident to actually focus on what the problem is and working to address the <br />problem. In evaluating potential solutions, trying to be a bit creative and not just <br />look to the sign manual as the only potential solution. <br />Other information: At the local level need to really embrace the reality that signs <br />have limited effectiveness and the research supports this. That said, a lot of us <br />got into the profession because of our passion for public service, so we want to <br />help people when we can. When we get concerns, we need to open a dialogue <br />with the resident, find the root concern, and try to work with them to find an <br />option that may actually make a difference. And when no such option exists, we <br />need to resist the urge to do something just to have something for show. <br />Addressing Citizen Bequests For Traffic Safety Concerns 35 <br />