Good post. You are correct about state and county roads, and I should have made that distinction. GDOT has more complex criteria for the placement of a traffic signal.
Dabbs Bridge and HGC Roads are both county roads, but I believe that they are both designated "secondary roads," meaning that they are important connector arteries, and this may make the county's criteria for traffic signal placement a bit easier to come by. These are roads that are sometimes taken over by the state when new roadways and highways are designated. East Paulding Drive is also a secondary road, and was once upon a time designated as 92 connector and 120 connector. Hence its light may have also been easier to come by.
I don't know in Georgia what is the precise number of feet within an intersection that an accident may used for statistical purposes to "count" as an accident at the intersection. In another state with which I am familiar, the state DOT uses 1000 feet within a school intersection, so I can surmise that 1000 feet might be accurate here, as well.
I wonder if the state will look past the 1000 feet in special cases, it may be a way of getting around some of the stats that say a light is not warranted.
I keep thinking about the little girl that was hit walking on the HWY, I think she may have been past the 1000 feet.
What I haven't seen mentioned is that the PCSO is on the scene directing traffic every morning and afternoon at PCHS. An actual human being that does this for at least an hour during the peak hours is considered the gold standard in traffic control.
The problem at PCHS occurs only during the morning and evening. Because of sight distances and turn lanes, I've not seen a lot of issues even at times like football games or the Relay for Life when it was hosted there.
Further, my understanding is that PCHS, largely because of the construction of North and South, has dropped its number of students by 400-500 over its peak enrollment (Before North and South). That would suggest fewer teachers, fewer buses, fewer students driving, fewer pickups and drop-offs.
In a sense, I think the imposition of an additional traffic light would complicate the issue and fail to work as well as an officer trained in traffic control at the site.
Caped Crusader, on 25 February 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:
according to the GSP there have been 11 accidents in the past year
and PCSO has been called out on 9 @ PCHS. I should have the STATE D.O.T. #'s in the next few days.
(I have requested the past 5 years)
Then those numbers have to be studied to see how many were actually involving people entering or leaving the school. Those that happened in the parking lot, in the area unconnected with the school, and those outside of school hours will not factor into the need for a light. With all the traffic in that area on a state roadway having less than one reportable accident a month is not indicative of being very dangerous. I bet there have been more accidents at several other intersections on GA 61 that already have a traffic control device.
This post has been edited by Ugadawgs98: 25 February 2012 - 05:29 PM
What I haven't seen mentioned is that the PCSO is on the scene directing traffic every morning and afternoon at PCHS. An actual human being that does this for at least an hour during the peak hours is considered the gold standard in traffic control.
The problem at PCHS occurs only during the morning and evening. Because of sight distances and turn lanes, I've not seen a lot of issues even at times like football games or the Relay for Life when it was hosted there.
Further, my understanding is that PCHS, largely because of the construction of North and South, has dropped its number of students by 400-500 over its peak enrollment (Before North and South). That would suggest fewer teachers, fewer buses, fewer students driving, fewer pickups and drop-offs.
In a sense, I think the imposition of an additional traffic light would complicate the issue and fail to work as well as an officer trained in traffic control at the site.
pubby
Have you ever tried to get out at 6:30 or so? How bout 8:30? With the addition of the feeder programs practicing at the campus the issue is more then just morning and afternoon.
How many of those accidents happened while the officer was directing traffic?
There still needs to be a light there. I'm sure they can program it to take into account the peak traffic times and such.
Happy Birthday to all 1973 babies. Tell your mom how much you love her!!!
Caped Crusader, on 22 February 2012 - 07:56 AM, said:
did you request the stats for that location?
The reason I ask...
we fought long and hard for months to get the red light
in front of Walmart in Hiram.
Once those stats were presented... light was up in a couple of weeks.
Here's a reply received today from the State of Georgia.
"Based on DOTs analysis, the traffic signal at Allatoona High School was warranted but a signal at Aiken (at PCHS) was not. GDOT adheres to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) ( http://mutcd.fhwa.do...9/pdf_index.htm) when approving traffic signals, as this is the national standard that is recognized by the Federal Highway Administration. Unless a location meets warrants, DOT refrains from permitting signals because of liability issues."
What's it going to take to wake these folks up? It appears our elected officials will wait till a carload of kids gets wiped out until they install a red light. I'm just so disgusted and disappointed.
"I think we agree, the past is over."
George W. Bush
I wonder if the state will look past the 1000 feet in special cases, it may be a way of getting around some of the stats that say a light is not warranted.
I keep thinking about the little girl that was hit walking on the HWY, I think she may have been past the 1000 feet.
That girl (teenager) is my good friend's daughter. I understand that she was crossing the road directly in front of the school. (she lived in the neighborhood across the street, Amber Way)
The family moved out of this state because of that intersection and having to "relive" the accident everytime they tried to pull out of their neighborhood.
She's doing really well, by the way. Wants to become a doctor and is now getting STELLAR grades!
What I haven't seen mentioned is that the PCSO is on the scene directing traffic every morning and afternoon at PCHS. An actual human being that does this for at least an hour during the peak hours is considered the gold standard in traffic control.
The problem at PCHS occurs only during the morning and evening. Because of sight distances and turn lanes, I've not seen a lot of issues even at times like football games or the Relay for Life when it was hosted there.
Further, my understanding is that PCHS, largely because of the construction of North and South, has dropped its number of students by 400-500 over its peak enrollment (Before North and South). That would suggest fewer teachers, fewer buses, fewer students driving, fewer pickups and drop-offs.
In a sense, I think the imposition of an additional traffic light would complicate the issue and fail to work as well as an officer trained in traffic control at the site.
pubby
Sorry Pubby but our officer is no where near there for an hour. In the mornings he gets there about 10 - 15 minutes before the start of school. Now, he may be parked there but he is not actually directing traffic until 10 or 15 minutes prior to school. Once the bell rings, he is gone. The turn lane backs up going 61 South and if you're not turned by the time the bell rings then you are turning in front of oncoming traffic or if a parent is exiting it is the same. The officer leaves when the bell rings.
Also the afternoon is the same. As school is let out he is directing traffic. Once the last BUS pulls out, so does he. The parking lot still has car rider and students there that have to exit but we have no officer to direct unless you get out before the buses do.
You're on your own except during those short periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the officer doesn't do his job, he does as he is told, I am assuming :/
Sorry Pubby but our officer is no where near there for an hour. In the mornings he gets there about 10 - 15 minutes before the start of school. Now, he may be parked there but he is not actually directing traffic until 10 or 15 minutes prior to school. Once the bell rings, he is gone. The turn lane backs up going 61 South and if you're not turned by the time the bell rings then you are turning in front of oncoming traffic or if a parent is exiting it is the same. The officer leaves when the bell rings.
Also the afternoon is the same. As school is let out he is directing traffic. Once the last BUS pulls out, so does he. The parking lot still has car rider and students there that have to exit but we have no officer to direct unless you get out before the buses do.
You're on your own except during those short periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the officer doesn't do his job, he does as he is told, I am assuming :/
Regardless, there needs to be a light there!!!
Excellent Post! the officer needs to put down his donuts and direct traffic..at least until 4:30.
"I think we agree, the past is over."
George W. Bush
According to the DOT study, a traffic signal is not needed at PCHS, so it appears we'll continue to get a deputy there. However, as a previous poster noted, "our officer is no where near there for an hour. In the mornings he gets there about 10 - 15 minutes before the start of school. Now, he may be parked there but he is not actually directing traffic until 10 or 15 minutes prior to school. Once the bell rings, he is gone. The turn lane backs up going 61 South and if you're not turned by the time the bell rings then you are turning in front of oncoming traffic or if a parent is exiting it is the same. The officer leaves when the bell rings. Also the afternoon is the same. As school is let out he is directing traffic. Once the last BUS pulls out, so does he. The parking lot still has car rider and students there that have to exit but we have no officer to direct unless you get out before the buses do."
Perhaps the Sheriff himself should come down and direct traffic since his deputy has more important things to do. I'm just so disgusted.
"I think we agree, the past is over."
George W. Bush
Now I have been let out of PCHS in the afternoon many many times over the past 3 years and I am always at the back of the rider line. By the time I normally get out it is probably 10 minutes after the buses leave when there are only a few cars left in the lot and the Deputy is still there.
I don't know where people get "he leaves when the buses get out" because my multiple first hand experiences are dramatically different. Also, people keep talking about "the Deputy", if you were at the school every day you would know it is not the same person directing traffic.
Since some are unaware of that and apparently have no clue about what really happens I have to wonder if it is them pushing an agenda instead of having a legitimate concern.
This post has been edited by Ugadawgs98: 13 March 2012 - 12:33 PM
Now I have been let out of PCHS in the afternoon many many times over the past 3 years and I am always at the back of the rider line. By the time I normally get out it is probably 10 minutes after the buses leave when there are only a few cars left in the lot and the Deputy is still there.
I don't know where people get "he leaves when the buses get out" because my multiple first hand experiences are dramatically different. Also, people keep talking about "the Deputy", if you were at the school every day you would know it is not the same person directing traffic.
Since some are unaware of that and apparently have no clue about what really happens I have to wonder if it is them pushing an agenda instead of having a legitimate concern.
I suppose all the posters on here who say we need a traffic light are just imagining things. geez.
"I think we agree, the past is over."
George W. Bush
I suppose all the posters on here who say we need a traffic light are just imagining things. geez.
Youn know I live where just about everywhere I go I have to go by PCHS. I do not see that much traffic. If we had a red light everywhere we have to pull out in traffic,
we would never get anywhere. Heck If this is the case I need one in front of my house.
I suppose all the posters on here who say we need a traffic light are just imagining things. geez.
I never said that. I simply said several were misrepresenting what happens there daily from my experience. I also have common sense and realize when you have hundreds of vehicles entering and exiting a facility at one time there will be traffic congestion. There is no magic fix for that amount of increased volume in a short time span.
According to the DOT website, if the 2012 Transportation Investment Act Referendum - TSLPOST tax is approved, there will be road improvements in front of PCHS.
AE... for the money they have alllotted to the project that is only adding a turn lane and doing widening of the roadway.... not making it a signalized intersection.
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Veritas, on 25 February 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:
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