Description
This morning (March 9th) about 9 AM I was walking south on West Bay Isle Drive, SE when it appeared an ambulance was in front of one of my neighbor’s homes. It turned out to be a City/County truck and trailer (License Plate XE9569) with a crew installing sod. The truck was parked just fine, nicely adjacent to the curb, better than many private landscaping vehicles park, with no reason for flashing lights. I pointed this out to the man who appeared in charge and asked him to turn the lights out. He mumbled a few words and blew me off, showing me no courtesy, like walking up to me to discuss the issue seriously. I took his attitude to be that he was City/County and used the lights as he saw fit. I stated that if every landscaping or neighborhood maintenance crew used flashing lights, soon their justified uses by ambulances, police, and other emergency vehicles would be ignored. I know sometimes flashing lights can be accidentally left on, but this was deliberate. If running the lights is some City/County policy in these situations, it needs to be changed. If not, employees should be instructed to use judgement with the goal of minimizing their use. They should also not blow off resident’s concerns. As an aside, this looked like a pretty inefficient operation in terms of size of crew and nonchalant supervisor to do a sod job no bigger than I have done by myself in my yard. It was a prime example of taxpayers concerns about inefficient local Government which I am sure some of my neighbors noticed.
31 Comments
Признана Mayor's Action Center 5 (Registered User)
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
WSM 1 (Verified Official)
Comments Per Water Supervisor M DiNobile:
In response to a complaint from the resident at address 2385 West bay Isle Dr SE, for work that was previously done, I sent a crew out to install a fairly significant amount of sod in the right-of-way. I was made aware of an interaction with a by-stander, by the crew foreman, by telephone, immediately after it happened on 3/9/2018. The focal point of the issue was in fact the safety lights on our vehicles.
The safety of the public and the safety of our employees are the reasons that our vehicles and equipment are adorned with so many flashing lights. Our crews use these lights regularly for short-term tasks while they travel and work on the many roadways in our 144 square mile water service area. Consistency in our safety practices is the best way to ensure that the public and our employees are able to go home to their families every day.
Respectfully,
Mark DiNobile
Water Distribution Supervisor, Water Resources
City of St. Petersburg
(727) 892-5841
mark.dinobile@stpete.org
Закрыта WSM 1 (Verified Official)
Reopened Bob Davie (Registered User)
Закрыта A_Kay (Registered User)
Reopened Bob Davie (Registered User)
Bob
Признана Mayor's Action Center 5 (Registered User)
WSM 1 (Verified Official)
Закрыта WSM 1 (Verified Official)
Reopened Bob Davie (Registered User)
Bob "
Признана Mayor's Action Center 5 (Registered User)
A_Kay (Registered User)
Bob,
We can agree to disagree on this matter. I would suggest just calling the number that WSM 1 left for you. I’m sure Mr. Dinobile can email you the information you want.
Bob Davie (Registered User)
I don't recognize your name, but really do appreciate your support that the two questions should be answered by the City/County. I understand your disagreement over how to obtain the answer. My philosophy is to do things in writing, and the City already has my email address. If they are willing to provide answers via email which they haven't so far, why not via SeeClickFix? I am not sure I need to call anyone when they already know the questions. Anyway, I do thank you for your support in bringing this to closure.
Bob
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
see attached highlighted areas
WR Safety Policy - Work Zone Traffic Control
B - 4
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
section 6F.81 - Lighting Devices
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
section 1A.01 Purpose of Traffic Control Devices 02
Bob Davie (Registered User)
Bob
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
For specific references, the scanned documents I sent show the guidelines in yellow. You may want to enlarge your viewer.
Hope this helps.
Bob Davie (Registered User)
Thanks much for the reference. FHA section 1A02 seems to better address my concern.
"Section 1A.02 Principles of Traffic Control Devices
Support:
01 This Manual contains the basic principles that govern the design and use of traffic control devices for all
streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel (see definition in Section 1A.13) regardless
of type or class or the public agency, official, or owner having jurisdiction. This Manual’s text specifies the
restriction on the use of a device if it is intended for limited application or for a specific system. It is important
that these principles be given primary consideration in the selection and application of each device.
Guidance:
02 To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements:
A. Fulfill a need;
B. Command attention;
C. Convey a clear, simple meaning;
D. Command respect from road users; and
E. Give adequate time for proper response."
My concern is that the City/County vehicles are not paying attention to 02A, i.e., the requirement to "Fulfill a need." I think all would agree that Work Zones have a "need." In fact, the city is doing a great job around Beach Drive SE right now with the repaving. However, I don't see a "need" for a City/County vehicle simply driving down the road or legally parked to display distracting flashing lights. Distracted driving is a big problem as it is. Since all this is public information, I would appreciate your sending me a web reference to the "WR Safety Policy" you cite above. I would expect it to be consistent with the FHA document you sent to me in regard to the "five basic requirements." Thanks.
Bob Davie (Registered User)
Bob Davie (Registered User)
anonymous (Registered User)
anonymous (Registered User)
Bob Davie (Registered User)
Bob
Закрыта WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
Mr. Davie,
Here is the WRD policy. Part 3 section B #4 clearly states that that the employee shall “Place warning and guide signs, cones and barricades as needed to safely perform their work (see attachments). Vehicle flashers, beacons shall be turned on whenever a vehicle is parked on a City street, unless within a traffic safety zone (barricade setup).”
This is in accordance with State of Florida Department of Transportation (F.D.O.T.) “General Information For Traffic Control Through Work Zones”. This manual is consistent with the USDOT “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD).
Bryan
page 1 of 2
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
WRCustomer Relations (Verified Official)
Here is the actual text if the .jpg is not clear on your device. The SeeClickFix allows .jpg attachments only.
Water Resources Department policy. Part 3 section B #4 clearly states that that the employee shall “Place warning and guide signs, cones and barricades as needed to safely perform their work. Vehicle flashers, beacons shall be turned on whenever a vehicle is parked on a City street, unless within a traffic safety zone (barricade setup).”
This is in accordance with State of Florida Department of Transportation (F.D.O.T.) “General Information For Traffic Control Through Work Zones”. This manual is consistent with the USDOT “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD).
WR SAFETY POLICY MANUAL
NO: SAFETY 2.15
TITLE: WORK ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL
DATE: 11/2013
I. Purpose
To complement the City’s Accident Prevention Manual (APM) Sections IX & XIV. To comply with the OSHA Accident Prevention signs, tags, signals and barricades, Standard 29 CFR 1926.200-202 and comply with the State of Florida and Federal DOT regulations.
II. Application
Personnel are frequently required to work in traffic areas. These guidelines are provided to ensure employee safety in work zones by using traffic controlling devices. Refer to Personal Protective Equipment (Section 2.05) for proper protective wear.
III. Responsibilities
All applicable work and training shall be performed in accordance with the State of Florida Department of Transportation (F.D.O.T.) “General Information For Traffic Control Through Work Zones”. This manual is consistent with the USDOT “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD).
A. The Supervisor shall:
1. Ensure that affected employees are appropriately trained in the need for work zone traffic control and the procedure for controlling it.
2. Consult with a representative of the City’s Traffic Operations organization when traffic flow must be restricted or work must be performed within 15 feet of roadways, if the work exceeds 30 minutes in duration or as conditions warrant.
3. Ensure employees have proper signs and barricades/cones to safely perform their work. Night work must also be appropriately illuminated.
4. Ensure that anyone assigned to control traffic is physically able to perform such duties.
5. Ensure that all required personal protective equipment is available (e.g., orange high visibility vests, hard hats, protective shoes).
B. The Employee shall:
1. Park on residential streets rather than artery streets whenever possible.
2. Inform the Supervisor whenever traffic flow must be restricted or work must be performed within 15 feet of the roadway.
3. NOT restrict traffic for any longer than absolutely necessary.
4. Place warning and guide signs, cones and barricades as needed to safely perform their work (see attachments). Vehicle flashers, beacons shall be turned on whenever a vehicle is parked on a City street, unless within a traffic safety zone (barricade setup).
5. Conduct traffic control operations in a courteous manner.
6. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
IV. Procedures
A. Placement of Traffic Control Devices
Transportation Operations Division is the primary provider of traffic control devices/setup on streets, avenues and highways for tasks of 30 minutes or more duration. Once traffic setup is in place, Water Resources personnel assigned to the work zone should:
1. Drive the traffic setup to ensure the setup protects the work zone. Setup shall have the following:
i. Advance Warning Area - tells traffic what to expect ahead
ii. Transition Area - moves traffic out of its normal path
iii. Buffer Space - provides protection for traffic and workers
iv. Work Area
v. Termination Area - lets traffic resume normal driving
2. Monitor traffic’s response to the traffic control devices. Employees are to contact Traffic Engineering to make adjustments to the setup if traffic intrudes into the work zone or does not sufficiently slow down.
3. Augment the traffic setup by placing additional traffic control devices in the setup. Cones and barricades shall be at least 36” high.
4. Ensure flagger (if required) and workers are highly visible. Personal protective equipment includes:
i.Hard hat
ii. High visibility, reflective vest
iii. 24” x 24” flag or appropriate show/warning sign
Note: Traffic setup varies according to traffic volume, number of lanes, width of lanes and speed of traffic. Employees shall consult with their Foreman/Supervisor, Transportation and Parking Management or a Certified Traffic Control Technician when work zone setup is unsafe.
D. Training
Annual work zone safety training is recommended for all employees working in areas that require traffic control. Applicable supervisory personnel and the Safety Officer are required to attend Work Zone Traffic Control class sponsored by Pinellas Technical Education Center. Applicable employees shall attend annual work zone safety training provided by the Safety Officer or qualified vendor.
Thank you again for your concerns.