01-19-2021 - AGENDA ITEM 31 REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION FROM COUNCILWOMAN DIAZ REQUESTING TO HAVE STAFF REVIEW ENHANCEMENTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT INTERSECTIONSAGENDA ITEM NO.31
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: January 19, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION FROM COUNCILWOMAN DIAZ REQUESTING
TO HAVE STAFF REVIEW ENHANCEMENTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT
INTERSECTIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND:
Embedded Light Emitting Diodes (LED) in sign faces can improve safety at intersections by enhancing driver
awareness of traffic -control signs. Implementation considerations include Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) specifications, and costs.
DISCUSSION:
Per the City Council Standing Rules, Councilwoman Diaz is seeking the City Council's consensus to instruct
staff to review enhancements to improve safety at intersections and make a recommendation regarding
implementation.
Prepared by: Paulina Morales, Economic Development and Housing Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
None at this time.
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - US Dot Embedded LEDs in Signs
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Enhance City Facilities and Infrastructure
Protect Public Safety
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Federal KIgIrwayAdminlidrafton
11
This summary is one in a series
describing Innovative Intersection
SafetyTreatments.The summaries
identify newer technologies and
techniques to improve intersection
safety developed since NCH RP
Report 500, Volumes 5 and 12,
were published in 2003 and 2004,
respectively. These treatments
show promise for improving safety
but comprehensive effectiveness
evaluations are not yet available.
Safe Roads for a Safer Future
/nveslmenl in roadway safely saves lives
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
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Embedded LEDs in Signs
Purpose
Embedded Light Emitting Diodes (LED) in sign faces improve safety at intersections by
enhancing driver awareness of traffic -control signs.
Alternative Names
Solar -powered LED road signs, flashing LED -enhanced solar -powered traffic signs,
LED -enhanced signs.
Operation
LEDs can be embedded in standard highway warning and regulatory signs to outline
either the sign itself or the words and symbols on the sign. The LEDs may be set to flash
or operate in steady mode. LEDs may be illuminated 24 hours a day, or be activated
by vehicles or pedestrians. Due to the low power requirements of LEDs, signs with
embedded LEDs can typically be powered using stand-alone solar panel units.
This treatment is applicable for regulatory and warning signs at unsignalized
intersections with the intended purpose of improving the visual conspicuity ofthe signs.
Typical locations where LED -embedded signs can be implemented include:
Locations with sight visibility limitations (horizontal curves, dusk/dawn glare, etc.);
Locations with documented problems of drivers failing to recognize an intersection; and
At STOP signs —this treatment may help to increase the rate of vehicles stopping and to avoid
drivers failing to detectthe STOP sign.
Potential Benefits
In general, embedded LED units are used to:
Improve driver compliance with regulatory signs through improved conspicuity; and
Enhance visibility and recognition of regulatory and warning signs to drivers, especially under
low -light or low -visibility conditions.
Agency Experience
A study on safety effects of LEDs embedded in STOP signs, conducted by the Texas
Transportation Institute in 2004, found:
A 28.9 percent reduction in the number of vehicles not fully stopping; and
A 52.9 percent reduction in the number of vehicles moving through the intersection without
significantly slowing.
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May 2009
FHWA-5A-09-006
Figure 2: LEDs are embedded in the symbols and
lettering on this truck warning sign.
Figure 3: Example of pedestrian crossing warning
sign with embedded LEDs and solar unit.
A similar study, conducted by the Virginia Transportation Research Council in 2007, found:
A statistically significant decrease in vehicle approach speeds ranging from 1.9 to 3.4 miles per
hour (mph) with an average of 2.7 mph (a 7 percent decrease) indicated that LED STOP signs
positively affected driver behavior.
Speed decreases tended to be greater during the night than during the day.
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OprxalSpeedaan.'
LED lights have been used in signs in Florida and Wisconsin and have been evaluated in
STOP signs in Virginia and Texas. Naval Station Mayport in Florida installed a pedestrian
walk sign with embedded LEDs.
Implementation Considerations
Due to low power usage, solar applications make the use of this treatment flexible enough for
nearly any location.
LEDs maybe set to flash 24 hours a day or be vehicle or pedestrian activated.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Specifications
If used, the LEDs shal I be the same color as the sign legend, border, or background. If flashed,
all LED units on an installation shall flash simultaneously at a rate of more than 50 and less
than 60 times per minute. The uniformity of the sign shall be maintained without any decrease
in visibility, legibility, or driver comprehension during either daytime or nighttime conditions.
MUTCD, Section 2A.08.
MUTCD, Section 2A.08 contains further information that should be consulted when installing a
sign with embedded LEDs.
Lighting elements for illuminated signs (e.g. LED -embedded signs) should be replaced on a
regular maintenance schedule. MUTCD, Section 2A.22.
Costs
During the course ofthe 2007 Virginia Transportation Research Council study, the costs
for 48-inch, 36-Inch, and 30-inch signs embedded with LEDs were estimated at $1,860,
$1,640, and $1,600, respectively. This included the cost of the solar power supply, but did
not include an additional $175 for post and anchor or the cost of installation.
Learn More
Michael Winn, Virginia DOT I Ed Rice, Intersection Safety Team Leader FHWA
Office of safety
michael.winn@vdot.virginia.gov
http://Www.virginiadot.orglvtrc/main/ ed.rice@dot.gov 202-366-9064
online_reports/pdf/07-64. pdf