Agenda - Council - 11/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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driver is exposed to a light source so bright that it temporarily blinds the driver, impairing their ability to perform driving tasks. This temporary blindness is brief, but can be dangerous. Discomfort Glare occurs when a light source is bright enough to distract or encourage the driver to look away from the light, but is not blinding. Discomfort glare is of particular concern in cases where a bright sign is located in the same line of sight as a traffic sign, signal or another vehicle. While concerns about glare are not unique to dynamic signs, newer sign technologies, which often include dynamic components, have the technical capability to emit more light and/or respond to ambient light conditions, raising additional concerns about sign brightness in areas where signs compete with regulatory traffic signs or signals. 3.6 Billboards and Other Signage Regulation: a Minnesota Perspective Roadside signage is governed by policies and laws at the federal, state and local levels. Minnesota Statute, Chapter 173 seeks to "reasonably and effectively regulate and control the erection or maintenance of advertising devices on land adjacent to such highways." The statute requires adherence to federal statutes with respect to interstate and primary systems of highways. Minnesota Statute Ch. 173.16 Subd. 3. regulates lighting of signs. Signs which are "illuminated by any flashing light or lights, except those giving public service information" (time, date, temperature, weather or news) are prohibited. This section also states: (b) Advertising devices shall not be erected or maintained which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of an interstate or primary highway, of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of the operator of any motor vehicle; or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited. and (c) Outdoor advertising devices shall not be erected or maintained which shall be so illuminated that they interfere with the effectiveness of or obscure any official traffic sign, device or signal. 3.7 Billboard and Other Signage Regulation: Other Perspectives During the course of this study, several articles were found which summarize regulation of dynamic signage in other states: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Electronic Billboards and Highway Safety (2003) 26 The Wisconsin Depaitinent of Transportation also published a literature review report to further explain the current state of EBB research. Although much of the information is 16