FYI: Computerized Billboards in Kansas City
R W
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Wagner
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:04 AM
To: 'James.Sa...@modot.mo.gov'
Cc: Gregor...@modot.mo.gov; Joyce....@modot.mo.gov
Subject: RE: FW: MoDot Web Site - Information Request
Thanks for your feedback. These computerized signs are within view of
residential areas and lit all night long. The industry has taken
computerized "pop-ups" and figured out how to move them from the home PC
where one can control their effect to across the street where people are
subjected to the annoyance at all hours of the night. Additionally, MoDot
does not illuminate all of our highways, and being subjected to these lights
creates a known safety hazard as our eyes have to readjust to the darkness
of the highway.
I have spoken with a variety of people in Kansas City government and all are
alarmed at these signs. They are also alarmed that MoDot has not adequately
considered the safety problems, and annoyances these signs are creating.
I would like to propose suspending new installations of these signs until we
can identify how they can be operated without reducing public safety and
annoyance. I believe that having some public forums in Kansas City will
help gather information from all sides of this issue. Since you are looking
at this problem, I will be forwarding this message to other interested
parties that might want to speak with you on this issue. I thank you again
for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert Wagner
-----Original Message-----
From: James.Sa...@modot.mo.gov [mailto:James.Sa...@modot.mo.gov]
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 8:59 AM
To: Robert Wagner
Cc: Gregor...@modot.mo.gov; Joyce....@modot.mo.gov
Subject: Re: FW: MoDot Web Site - Information Request
Robert,
The Jefferson City office approved the use of digital billboards throughout
the State. So far, the Kansas City area is the only place that they have
been installed. With this new technology and as the cost comes down you may
see them more throughout the State. We have noticed that these billboards
can be brighter than the surrounding light. We have asked that the
brightness be turned down on some of these sign structures and the sign
company has done so. With these structures being so new to both the sign
company and MoDOT we are going through a learning process with these signs.
We may need to put procedures in place to ensure that the brightness of
these lights are at a comfortable level for the traveling public.
At the time these signs were approved the Outdoor Advertising Manager was
Scott Taylor. I would think that all aspects of these signs were
investigated, however, the light affecting people may not have come up.
Since that time a new person has taken over this position, his name is
Gregory Wood. I am including him in this e-mail so that he may be made
aware of this concern as well.
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. I will ask the sign
company to adjust the brightness and look into ways that the signs may be
adjusted to lessen the impact on the driving public. To my knowledge the
light settings are set during daylight hours, or at the manufacturer. It
may be something as simple as a visit to the site at night to make some
final adjustments. I will speak to the sign company to see what may be done
to lessen the brightness of this sign. Should you wish to speak with
Gregory Wood he may be reached at 573.751.7716 or myself at 816.622.6353.
Again, thank you for bringing this to our attention. JP
"Robert Wagner"
08/16/2006 04:01 PM To<James.Sa...@modot.mo.gov>
cc
SubjectFW: MoDot Web Site - Information Request
James,
I didn't receive a response about the computerized billboard problem. Have
you been able to research this issue?
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Julie.St...@modot.mo.gov [mailto:Julie.St...@modot.mo.gov]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 8:49 AM
To: Robert Wagner
Cc: Gregor...@modot.mo.gov; James.Sa...@modot.mo.gov
Subject: RE: MoDot Web Site - Information Request
Mr. Wagner, now you are talking about a different subject. Previously our
discussion was around lights at a gas station, where now you are talking
about lighting on billboards. Billboards are regulated and there are
provisions regarding lighting and billboards, the one you found below. We
do have a group dedicated to billboard regulation. I have attached a link
to our website that gives information about the group and the contacts
throughout the state. The Outdoor Advertising Manager, who is located in
Jefferson City, is Greg Wood. He can be contacted at 573-751-7716 or by
email at gregor...@modot.mo.gov. You can contact Greg or your
representative in the Kansas City area who is J.P. Sanders. J.P. can be
reached at 816-622-6353 or email at james.sa...@modot.mo.gov. I have
also included both of these representatives in this email so they can
respond to your concerns.
Sorry for the delay in responding. Our server was having problems last week
and external emails weren't working. Hope this information helps you.
http://www.modot.org/business/Outdoor_Advertising/
Julie Stotlemeyer, PE
Signal and Lighting Engineer
Missouri Department of Transportation
Central Office - Traffic Division
573.751.0982
julie.st...@modot.mo.gov
www.modot.org
"Robert Wagner"
06/01/2006 02:01 PM To<Julie.St...@modot.mo.gov>
cc<Thomas...@modot.mo.gov>
SubjectRE: MoDot Web Site - Information Request
Julie,
I wanted to follow up to our earlier conversation. In reviewing Missouri
Statues: http://www.moga.missouri.gov/statutes/chapters/chap226.htm I came
across this statue listed below.
Section 226.540 (1)(a) and (b) talks about sign lighting that is prohibited.
Yet, in driving down I-29 southbound, near HWY-152 - in KC, MO, there is a
new computerized billboard that has intermittent and moving lights that are
not for public service information. Additionally, these computerized
billboards are much brighter than the surrounding roadway illumination at
night, thus impairing the vision of the driver. These billboards are
capable of producing flashing lights likely to cause seizures in light
sensitive people.
Is there someone in your group that can be contacted about this problem?
----------------------------------------------------------Clip Statute
Signs permitted on certain highways--lighting restrictions--size,
location--zones--specifications.
226.540. Notwithstanding any other provisions of sections 226.500 to
226.600, outdoor advertising shall be permitted within six hundred and sixty
feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of highways located on the
interstate, federal-aid primary system as it existed on June 1, 1991, or the
national highway system as amended in areas zoned industrial, commercial or
the like and in unzoned commercial and industrial areas as defined in this
section, subject to the following regulations which are consistent with
customary use in this state:
(1) Lighting:
(a) No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates any
emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. No
flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights will be permitted except
scoreboards and other illuminated signs designating public service
information, such as time, date, or temperature, or similar information,
will be allowed; tri-vision, projection, and other changeable message signs
shall be allowed subject to Missouri highways and transportation commission
regulations;
(b) External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck
reflectors are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon the
face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays
of light from being directed into any portion of the main traveled way of
the federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways
designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway
System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as
part of the National Highway System and the lights are not of such intensity
so as to cause glare, impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or
otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle;
(c) No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the
effectiveness of, or obscures, an official traffic sign, device, or signal;
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