Unique Application of Federal Supremacy; few know that
a Speed Limit Sign is a federal device and most
installations are not compliant with governing law.
Speed Limit Sign (R2-1): Not only is the shape, size, color, placement, hardware, reflective backing quality and the breakaway post design set by federal regulations, the practices and procedures to determine the safety value of the number on the sign and the exercise of police powers thereof SHALL also be fact based and uniformly applied regardless of state lines, entity type or classification on any public or private roadway, pedestrian facility or bikeway open to the public within the U.S. and its territories.
Basic Tenets of Speed Laws: Laws protect the public by regulating unreasonable or unsafe actions. Actions of a reasonable person should be legal. Most people drive in a safe and reasonable manner. Laws cannot be effectively enforced without the public consent and voluntary compliance.
Speed Limit Sign (R2-1): Not only is the shape, size, color, placement, hardware, reflective backing quality and the breakaway post design set by federal regulations, the practices and procedures to determine the safety value of the number on the sign and the exercise of police powers thereof SHALL also be fact based and uniformly applied regardless of state lines, entity type or classification on any public or private roadway, pedestrian facility or bikeway open to the public within the U.S. and its territories.
Basic Tenets of Speed Laws: Laws protect the public by regulating unreasonable or unsafe actions. Actions of a reasonable person should be legal. Most people drive in a safe and reasonable manner. Laws cannot be effectively enforced without the public consent and voluntary compliance.
Clash of Diametrically Opposed Forces:
A camera system’s vetting process by definition requires that a quantified engineering defect be identified and then, by design, remain uncorrected.
The larger the identified engineering defect, the more the system operators are financially rewarded for unsafe practices and negligence.
Cameras do not reduce accidents caused by engineering defects and at most locations their presence has actually caused accident rates to increase.
A camera system’s vetting process by definition requires that a quantified engineering defect be identified and then, by design, remain uncorrected.
The larger the identified engineering defect, the more the system operators are financially rewarded for unsafe practices and negligence.
Cameras do not reduce accidents caused by engineering defects and at most locations their presence has actually caused accident rates to increase.
Abstract: Inclement weather reduces visibility. This
problem is further exacerbated by the need to mount
headlights higher on the equipment so they shine over
the plow blades. This often results in the plow lights
being almost at the operators’ eye level. This is
the worst condition for reflecting light back into the
snowplow driver’s eyes, further obscuring their
vision. This headlight position also reduces visibility
for oncoming traffic since the headlights are higher
than normal. The additional colored beacon lights that
are used on plows as warning devices also reflect off
of the snow into the operator’s eyes. In addition
to the reduced vision caused by these problems,
increased driver fatigue is experienced. The objectives
of this research is to improve snowplow operator
visibility and to reduce driver fatigue during plowing
operations.