Agenda - Council - 07/22/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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maxunum of 10 seconds. This time frame ~=,=as established based upon careful calculations of the streets from ~a=hich these signs could be seen: speed limits and traffic volumes in addition to the community's concern over the .extent to u=hick moving images could distract drivers. Ho«=ever; Seattle also limits the size of their electronic sibis to a maximum of 1;000 square inches, with no single dimension greater than three feet; thus minimizing the effect of video images. 4.2.5 Sign Placement and Spacin; Reb latin~ the number of dynamic sign potentially visible to a driver at-any one time as ~=,=ell as the position of the sign in relationship to the road«=ay may reduce distraction to drivers. Spacing requirements should consider the speed, width and horizontal and vertical aligrunent of the roadway. Some communities have established minimum distances between electronic signs. Establishu7g an adequate distance between these types of devices seems particularly important if a fairly fast rate of change. is allowed for the purpose o~ facilitating sequenced messages or if animation acid video imaging is allowed. Closely spaced signs attempting to convey sequenced messages may simply create visual overload and anover-stimulated driving environmen. Research conducted to date has not yielded ulformation_about optimal electronic sign spacing. Seattle adopted a 35- foot spacing requirement for flleir electronic signs based upon multiple levels of analysis of the downtown cit}= environment in which these signs are present. Due to the varying characteristics of individual road«=ays in this regard, overlay districts allowing dynamic signage with conditions specific to that area- could die considered. Overlay districts could also take into account.other locational factors such as offset from the roadw=ay and conspicuity. Detenninulg appropriate offsets ~ from the. roadway must consider roadt~=ay clear zone requirements as well as spacing of frontage roads and access points, ~=,=bile also considering the signage too far outside the driver's line of sight may be a further distraction. Conspicuit5=, a sign's ability to stand out from its surroundings; should also be considered. 4.2.6 Text Size Legibility is another important property of signage. The preferred approach used ~~=ithin highway signing is that drivers can read text that is 1 inch high from 30 feet away. Larger text is needed for signs to be legible at greater distances. Large, legible text allo«=s the driver to read the billboard from varying distances and focus on the driving task. Conversely, with small text; the driver is more likely to focus on the sign for a longer period of. time and possibly be more adversely distracted. However, .the size or type of text or the amourrt of text due ~is rarely regulated. 125 -233-