Orange Park delays purchase of digital speed limit signs

The town’s public safety committee voted in August to

recommend the town purchase eight pole-mounted, solar-powered radar speed signs using ARPA funds.

Town staff received a quote from Radarsign for a bundle of 10 signs for $38,500. The company recommended an additional $11,500 for updated black poles to mount the signs on.

At the September 6 council meeting, members discussed the effectiveness of the signs and asked staff to come back with supporting data. Assistant Chief Randy Case contacted a representative with Radarsign to discuss the effectiveness of their product.

The company sent a report that claims nine out of ten pedestrians survive collisions with cars traveling 20 miles per hour, but the survival ratio falls to one in ten for vehicles going 40 miles per hour.

“Radar signs are effective because of feedback loops, a simple concept which states: Provide people with information about their actions in real-time (or something close to it), then give

them an opportunity to change those actions, pushing them toward better behaviors,” the report states. “Studies repeatedly show that when alerted by a radar sign, speeders will slow down up to 80% of the time. Typical average speed reductions are 10-20%, and overall compliance with the posted speed limit will increase by 30-60%.”

During the Oct. 4 council meeting, Vice mayor Alan Watt and Council Member John Hauber said they supported the purchase. Council Member Susana Thompson opposed the buy, adding that the council should first explore less expensive traffic control measures.

Mayor Randy Anderson persuaded his colleagues to delay voting on the purchase until he could first speak with Naval Air Station Jacksonville representatives. The base currently uses the signs.