Keeping
Order/Avoiding Chaos | | In
this issue:
Keeping
Order/Avoiding Chaos
Keeping
People Safe and Informed
Emergency
Preparedness
Aiding
the Recovery
On the Streets
Premiering
Did you Know?
Traffic Logix Tidbits |
Natural disasters such as the
recent, catastrophic Hurricane
Sandy
put people’s lives, property, and possessions at risk. In any
natural disaster, but particularly in an area unaccustomed to
such
conditions, panic can ensue. It can be difficult to keep people abreast
of changes during an evacuation such as which routes are safe to take,
how soon the storm will hit, and when
it is no longer safe to be out on the roads.
It can also be a challenge to ensure that motorists are driving safely
and staying alert as they prepare for an upcoming storm. | |
 | | On the Streets
Bloomberg news offers the following advice to
New Yorkers looking to avoid traffic after Hurricane Sandy: Use your
bike.
Read the
full story on Bloomberg
News. |
| Astoria, Queens Oct 29, 2012 | |
Traffic
Logix interviewed Mr. Frank Storch, an Emergency Coordinator for CERT
(Community Emergency Response Teams) in Maryland with over 40 years of
experience in safety and security management about the role of traffic calming solutions
in natural disasters |  | | Ocean City, MD |
| |
and other emergency
situations. Mr. Storch was enthusiastic about the role that variable
message signs can fulfill in ensuring
safety and protecting people and property. | |
| Keeping People Safe and Informed | | Premiering |
While
radar
speed signs are primarily used to slow traffic when speeding
is a concern, they can also be a valuable
emergency response tool. Mr. Storch suggested that variable
message signs
can be programmed to offer messages regarding traffic conditions, storm
warnings, and in directing traffic along an evacuation route. | | 
New software program in Germany helps agencies deal with power outages
more efficiently. Read the
full article at the Science
Daily. |
 | A sign
such as the rotating SafePace
800 led sign,
which offers a full matrix that can be used both to display speeds and
for longer messages or graphics can help keep drivers safe and up to
date. |
| |
While
static signs can notify people as well, they can be timely to
deploy. Radar signs, however, such as the SafePace series, can be
deployed in a matter of minutes when used with a speed
trailer or dolly
unit.
In addition to offering notification, radar signs can serve the dual
purpose of slowing drivers down and keeping them alert to changing road
conditions. | | Did you Know?
 In
2011, 9 deaths were caused by hurricanes in the US as reported by the National
Weather Service,
the least of all categories of weather related fatalaties.Hurricane
Sandy alone has tragically taken over 100
lives. Read
more here. Traffic Logix Tidbits
 |
| Emergency Preparedness | |
Dynamic
messaging signs can also play a pivotal role in preparing and
responding to emergencies. With the ability to schedule and update messages
as needed as well as to display a series of messages one after another,
these signs can help keep people informed and safe. They can also be
economical since they can be used to control traffic all year long and
do not need to be purchased only in an emergency. “During the emergency evacuations prior to Hurricane Sandy,
many
people didn’t know which streets to turn down and where it
was
safe to drive,” said Mr. Storch.
“Having signs with
specific information such as that 13th St is now Northbound, or that
the storm surge is expected at noon, could be extremely helpful in
avoiding chaos and helping to evacuate large numbers of people
efficiently.” | |
| Aiding the Recovery | | We’ll be attending the
NLC
Congress of Cities
later this month from November 28-December 1 at the Boston Convention
& Exposition Center. The Expo brings together local leaders
from
cities across the United States.
If
you’re in the
area, we’d love to see you. Stop by our booth #1055 and say
hello
to our reps James Weatherall and Brett Ferrin! We’ll have a great
giveaway and our solutions for you to explore firsthand. |
In
addition to keeping people informed during an evacuation, Mr. Storch
noted that variable message signs can be useful in helping people to
recover once the storm is over. The signs can be posted near local
stores, letting people know where they can and cannot obtain necessary supplies and
pharmaceuticals. They can notify those waiting in line at
gas stations when the gas is depleted, helping them to avoid
unnecessary waiting.On local roads, dynamic
messaging
can be invaluable and even lifesaving in letting people know which
roads are closed due to flooding or tree falls as well as alternate
routes to take instead. Signs that display driver speeds can also warn
motorists to slow down when approaching roadways where they need to
drive slower due to storm destruction or conditions. | |
