Case Highlight: South Carolina Ports

Case Highlight: South Carolina Ports Targeted Photo Speeds The South Carolina Port Authority is one of the fastest growing major ports in the US with over $150 million of cargo passing through daily. To improve accountability for trucks traveling in and out of the port, a gate entry system takes a photo of each truck’s equipment. The challenge is that photos can only be captured at 8- 12 mph. When trucks don’t reach the target speed, they slow the cargo delivery process and create needless traffic by circling back for a second try.   In Search of the Perfect Solution For a solution to work to address the truck speed issue, several features were imperative. The Ports Authority needed to be able to regulate truck speed, notify incoming trucks of speeds, message drivers to slow down or speed up, inform drivers when they should maintain their speeds, and be completely programmable from office in Charleston, SC to any port in the state. Innovative Speed Sign The innovative SafePace 700 sign offered a unique array of options that was a perfect fit for the South Carolina Ports. The full matrix of LEDs allows for display of driver speed, text messages, or a combination of both. The SafePace Cloud allows for remote access of the signs from anywhere with internet. With the pilot program in Greer, SC, over 200 miles away from Port offices, this offered the flexibility to regulate truck speeds at the port. Is Education Enough? The SafePace 700 signs have been installed at ports in Greer, SC with plans to install more in Charleston and at other state ports. With extra large 18” digits for improved visibility and flashing strobes, drivers can clearly see their speeds and be warned when exceeding thresholds. Driver responsive messaging can be programmed to alert drivers to slow down, speed up, or maintain speed. All programming and data downloads can be done seamlessly from anywhere with internet via SafePace Cloud.

Paying the Price

The Cost of Crashes Traffic calming isn’t cheap. Even when choosing competitively priced solutions, slowing cars down can still get expensive. Is it really worth the price? While the cost of life is immeasurable, the economic cost is exorbitant. A study conducted by the NHTSA estimated the annual cost of car crashes at $242 billion. When quality of life was added in, the societal cost in one year rose to a whopping $836 billion. Speed Kills The American Journal of Public Health stated it simply: managing speed is simply the best prevention against accidents and the injuries and fatalities they cause. The NHTSA found that speeding contributes to a third of all fatal crashes. Barring constant round-the-clock police patrol, traffic calming is the only way to ensure that speeds are reduced and lives are saved. Does Traffic Calming Really Help? Children who live in neighborhoods with speed humpshave a 53-60% less chance of being injured or killed in a car accident. A case study on radar signs found that up to 70% of drivers slowed down when their speeds were displayed. Slower cars mean saved lives- studiesshow that a vehicle hitting a pedestrian at 40 mph is 80% likely to cause death while one travelling at 20mph is only 5% likely to. Return on Investment It can be hard to think of something as an investment when there are no dividends visible on a monthly statement. But traffic calming saves lives every day. One pilot program using Traffic Logix SafePace signsin Ecaudor found that 200 lives were saved in a one-year period after solutions were installed. The economic and societal cost of crashes is one that every town, city, and state contends with. Saving those lives is a sound investment.

The Lightweight Sign with Full Size Impact

There are some radar speed signs, like the bestselling SafePace 100 radar sign that offer a compact, lightweight solution to speeding cars. While small signs are economical and may be ideal for HOA or campus roads, the 11" digits can be hard to see on larger roadways or for higher speed traffic.

Other signs like the full size SafePace line offer full size digits that are easier to see but are heavy and can only be used at multiple location with a trailer unit.

The new SafePace 450 driver feedback sign offers a synergy of both kinds of radar signs. It boasts lightweight design but still offers full size digits. It also offers several features until now only offered with the SafePace 100 speed indicator sign such as battery power for autonomo
us functioning and universal mounting brackets.

Learn more about the SafePace 450 speed sign in our Product Spotlight October newsletter.