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Increasingly complex traffic and roadway environments require greater attention to and focus on <br />the driving task. <br />The purpose of this study. is to understand z~,~hat existing transportation research tells us about the <br />effects of dynami~c suns on motorists. This study also explores regulatory measures enacted in <br />other jurisdictions to address concerns related to driver distraction.. Due to time and scope <br />constraints; this report is not comprehensive, but rather addresses the. most frequently cited and <br />easily accessible information available. The report concludes ~~ith. a discussion of regulatory <br />options for the City of Minnetonka to consider in their formulation of policies to address <br />dynamic signage. <br />Information collected for this report draws from a variety of sources including interviews with <br />subject matter experts, government and academic research, and policies developed. to regulate <br />various. types of signage.. <br />Several city and county sign ordinances were used as references for policy and regulatory <br />research. In' some cases; ordinances were brought to our attention by planners and others <br />folio«ling the sign ordinance issue. In others, Internet searches were conducted ush7g vaords and <br />references that apply specifically to dynamic signs. <br />Several sign manufacturers and sign companies provided an industry perspective through a <br />vadrkshop with -the SRF Consulting Group and -the City of Minnetonka staff on February 27, <br />?007. This meeting yielded information about sign characteristics that can be addressed through <br />policy and regulatory measures. Daktronics; a company that manufactures and markets LED <br />signs; vas also helpful ul this regard, providing informational materials about characteristics of <br />signs that can be regulated and examples of city sign ordinances with which they are farniliar. <br />3.0 SELECTED RESEARCH FINDINGS <br />This following section presents a surrunary of expert opinions and selected driver distraction <br />research conducted by govenuent and academic'researchers examining roadside signage and its <br />effects on the driving task. Studies are organized around critical questions «~ith serious research. <br />ramifications. <br />Is there reaso» to belr'eve that billboards are a source of distr•actioj~? <br />• Is there reason to believe that "dyna~~.ic" billboards aa•e a~2 additional source of <br />dist~•acti.oia? ~ <br />• How m.uc1~ dist~•action is a problem? <br />• Ho~~~ does "bright~~.ess" affect driver safe; <br />• Ho~~~ should billboards a~ad other sio .age <br />co».cer~zr? <br />e rea lated fi•o»a a driver safet}~ perspective? <br />.A5 <br />-213- <br />