Improving the Visibility of Manual Traffic Controllers Trials 2016 · 2016. 10. 4. · The...

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Improving the Visibility of

Manual Traffic Controllers Trials

2016

Final Report

`

Improving the Visibility of

Manual Traffic Controllers Trials

2016

Final Report

Prepared By Jeff Kaye Fulton Hogan National Safety Training Manager Corporate Office 159 Sir William Pickering Drive PO Box 39185 Christchurch, New Zealand

Telephone: +64 3 357 3670 Facsimile: +64 3 357 1450

Date: 29 July 2016

Reference: P:/Jeff Kaye/TTM Issues/Working with Live Traffic/MTC Trials/Final Report MTC Yellow Sleeve Trials. doc

Status: Final

Improving the Visibility of Manual Traffic Controllers Trials 2016

Fulton Hogan – Corporate

i Final Report

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …….……………………………………………………………………… ....….1

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT ……………………………………………………………… . ……1

DISCUSSION ……………………………………………………………………………………… . ………2

TRIAL METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………………………………… .... …….2

APPENDICES

Appendix A NZTA Project Brief

Appendix B Showing Trial Site Set Up

Appendix C Showing Alternative Trial Site Set Up

Sub Appendix B and C Showing the Exact Layout Detail Adjacent to the MTC Position

Appendix D Details of Standard Form Used for the Trials

Appendix E Details of Standard Road User Response Form

Appendix F Trial Results



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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fulton Hogan was commissioned by NZTA National Office to undertake a series of trials across New Zealand, the aim of which was to test alternative clothing (safety garments with lime green / yellow sleeves) for Manual Traffic Controllers (MTC’s) which may improve the visibility of the MTC for road users. Over many years anecdotal evidence suggested that MTC’s with red/ orange fluorescent safety garments were not readily seen by road users because they blended in with the orange delineation and equipment at use on roadwork sites. The methodology used for the trials was agreed by NZTA National Office and Fulton Hogan, with the sites being chosen across New Zealand and with speeds between 50 km/h and 100km/h. The conclusions from trials of the safety garments with lime green / yellow sleeves for MTC’s showed:

(a) 7 to 10 % of vehicles were observed to stop 5m sooner in advance of the MTC when they are

wearing lime green / yellow sleeves instead of the red / orange sleeves. This is a small but worthwhile improvement.

(b) Almost no motorists were able to identify that the MTC had a different garment to normal. (c) Even when motorist’s attention was drawn to the lime green / yellow sleeves on the MTC,

most did not consider that the lime green / yellow sleeves provided greater visibility for the MTC.

While not a focus of the trial, a general view of staff involved in the trials was that implementation of CoPTTM compliant TTM for MTC sites remains the most important factor in the safety of MTC operations. The recommendations from this trial would be that:

(a) MTC’s be permitted, as an option, to wear safety garments with lime green / yellow sleeves while undertaking Stop / Go / Slow operations at MTC sites.

(b) That Contractor’s must take greater care to follow the CoPTTM requirements exactly for MTC operations.

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT Following discussions with NZTA National Office, National Traffic and Safety Manager, it was decided that Fulton Hogan would conduct trials of different coloured Safety Garments for Manual Traffic Controllers (MTC’s). These trials took place initially in the Northland, Nelson and Marlborough Regions with Auckland and Canterbury undertaking the trials also at a later date. It was important that the trials followed a strict methodology and the following report details these requirements. Over a number of years there have been a number of anecdotal reports suggesting that MTC’s have not been seen because their red / orange fluorescent safety garments blend in with the orange delineation and equipment that is in use at the roadwork site. An application was made to NZTA suggesting that the use of orange vests with long lime green /yellow fluorescent sleeves would improve this situation. NZTA, while appreciating the importance of the issue, suggested that a trial(s) be undertaken to determine the effectiveness or otherwise of the enhanced garments, and in particular from a road user perspective.



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DISCUSSION 1. There has been some observation of MTC’s in the past and in a number of cases drivers have

gone past the MTC Stop sign because of all or some of the following: a. the sign has been left in a cone and the MTC is standing away from it, b. the threshold in advance of the MTC has not been well setup and the required number of

cones are not used, so there is no or reduced side friction, c. the MTC has been operating within the taper closure, not before the taper.

2. To ensure that the trials were robust the trial methodology detailed below was used. This

methodology was established in conjunction with Stuart Fraser of NZTA National Office and details can be found in Appendix A. Care was taken to ensure none of the faults detailed in paragraph 2 were present during the trials. It was never the intention that the use of yellow sleeve garments will compensate for sloppy and / or non-compliant on site practices.

3. For the trials to be meaningful, within each worksite setup, comparative tests need to be

conducted using a MTC operating in an red / orange jacket with lime green / yellow long sleeves and a MTC in a standard red / orange jacket with long sleeves.

TRIAL METHODOLOGY

1. Worksite. The trials were all undertaken on working sites, which conformed to a basic MTC

set up as detailed in NZTA CoPTTM in C10.2.3 MTC’s Layout Essentials. While the temporary speed limit installed at all sites was 30km/h, the trials were undertaken on roads with permanent posted speed limits of 50 to 100km/h. Note – To ensure that MTC’s did not

enter live lanes, a cone was not placed in the live lane adjacent to the MTC position, either before or after the 1st vehicle has stopped. See appendices B and C for additional information regarding the site layout.

2. Photographic Record. Photographs were taken from each direction showing the threshold treatment, taper and the MTC standing in the position from which they operated wearing each garment, red / orange sleeve and lime green / yellow sleeve, during the trials, fundamentally as a check on site compliance.

3. Measuring Stopping compliance. For the trials the sites were established with cones

marking the logical stopping point (LSP) and points five metres either side. This outlined the range of the “acceptable” stopping zone. This is shown in diagrams included in Appendix B

and Appendix C.

4. On site the logical stopping point (LSP) was identified and this position was marked on a cone. Marks on a cone or a small marker was also placed five metres either side of that logical stopping point. The purpose of this was to record where the approaching vehicle actually stopped and this information was recorded as: a. Position A – before the stopping point but in the zone b. Position B – at the LSP and within the zone c. Position C – Past the zone, this position will also apply to vehicles that fail to stop and / or

drive through.



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5. Note: - No white limit lines were installed at any of the sites to mark the LSP or positions A or C.

6. The Operational Trials. The MTC’s (one at each end of the site) firstly operated wearing a CoPTTM compliant red /orange hi-visibility garment with red / orange long sleeves. Only one end of the MTC operation was observed during the trial period and the stopping point of those vehicles was noted on the recording sheets shown in Appendices C and D along with other observations that were required. At the conclusion of this phase of the trial the MTC’s changed into the trial garment with long lime green / yellow sleeves and the recording was repeated using the same end of the operation as was used for the first part of the trial.

7. Trial Observations. Each phase of the trial (with each safety garment worn by the MTC) was observed and recorded for 30 vehicles being stopped on the approach to the MTC position. The following Regions took part in the trial using these road types: a. Marlborough Region - Site #1 – State Highway 6, 100km/h road, Site # 2 - Queen

Charlotte Drive, 50km/h road and Site #3 – State Highway 1, 100km/h road. b. Canterbury Region – Site #1 – Bridle Path Road, 50km/h road. c. Auckland Region – Site #1 – Waitakere Road, 80km/h road, Site #2 – Northfield Road,

50km/h road and Site # 3 – Waitakere Road , 80km/h road. d. Additional trials were carried out in Northland and Nelson, however results were

incomplete, or the layouts were later identified as being non-compliant in terms of the agreed methodology. The results of these trials have not been used in this analysis.

8. Site Observation questions. In addition to the MTC’s each site had an “Observer”. This person was located behind the cones on the left hand side of the road and was wearing standard orange PPC. Until such time as the first vehicle comes to a complete halt they stood well back and behind the line of the MTC. Once the vehicle had stopped they moved into position adjacent to the MTC to enable them to ask the following questions of the driver of each vehicle that is stopped. The questions are: a. “Did you notice anything different at this site” and b. “Did you think the yellow sleeves make the MTC more visible” The responses for drivers were recorded on the forms in Appendix E.



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9. Specific Site responses. These are shown in detail in Appendix F for each trial and each site with the following table being a summary by percentage of the observations recorded.

Site / Location

Speed Limit

Stopping Position

Question(a) See above

Question (b) See above

With Orange Sleeves

With Yellow sleeves

A B C A B C #1 Marlborough – SH6

100km/h 57% 43% 0% 67% 33% 0% 6% Yes - they worked in TTM

6% Yes - they worked in TTM

#2 Marlborough – Queen Charlotte Drive

50km/h 70% 30% 0% 77% 23% 0% 0% 0%

#3 Marlborough – SH1

100km/h 37% 53% 10% 47% 53% 0% 6% Yes - they worked in TTM

6% Yes - they worked in TTM

#1 Canterbury – Bridle Path Road

50km/h 53% 43% 4% **(1)

57% 43% 0% 4% Yes – saw the yellow sleeves

73% Yes – ***

#1 Auckland – Waitakere Road

80km/h 70% 27% 3% (1)

80% 20% 0% 0% 30% yes - ***

#2 Auckland – Northfield Road

50km/h 20% 80% 0% 27% 73% 0% 0% 20% yes - ***

#3 Auckland - Waitakere Road

80km/h 63% 37% 0% 73% 27% 0% 0% 37% yes - ***

Notes

** Did not see the MTC

*** This response was offered only after the road user had been told about the Yellow sleeves wore by the MTC.

10. Trial Conclusions. The following conclusions are developed from the trial results and from comments from the employees that were undertaking the testing.

There was an improvement of between 7.0% and 10.0% with respect to the “Stopping Position” when the MTC was wearing the safety garment with the yellow sleeves. Vehicles were stopping earlier and further back from the “Logical Stopping Position”. This is a small but worthwhile improvement.



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When the MTC was wearing the safety garment with yellow sleeves no vehicles stopped at or beyond “Stop Position C”.

Almost no motorists were able to identify that the MTC had a different garment to normal when they were wearing the garment with lime green / yellow sleeves.

Even when motorist’s attention was drawn to the lime green / yellow sleeves being worn by the MTC, most did not consider that the lime green / yellow sleeves provided greater visibility for the MTC.

While not a focus of the trial, a general view of the staff involved was that the implementation of CoPTTM compliant TTM for MTC sites remains the most important factor in improving safety for MTC operations.

11. Recommendations. That Fulton Hogan release the results of this series of trials to NZTA National Office, National Traffic and Safety Manager, with a recommendation that the CoPTTM Governance Group (CGG) consider allowing MTC’s to wear fluorescent red / orange safety garments with fluorescent lime green / yellow long sleeves to make the MTC more visible to approaching road users.



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PPENDIX A

NZTA Project Brief



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Hi Jeff, Just in case you haven’t received my notes. I would like to view at least one running of the trial, if possible, if you could give me a heads up when it may be run, I will make my way to it. Regards Stuart

Stuart Fraser Senior Traffic and Safety Engineer (COPTTM) DDI 04 894 6355 M 021 533 503 E [email protected]

From: Dave Rendall [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 7 May 2015 11:02 a.m. To: Kaye, Jeff - FH Corporate ([email protected]) Cc: Stuart Fraser Subject: MTC Coloured sleeve trial

Hi Jeff I have spoken to Stuart Fraser, and he will:

Courier the trial garments to you at FH Corporate (15 Sir William Pickering Drive, PO Box 39 185, Christchurch)

Await your call to resolve the trial methodology prior to issuing instructions for the trials to our FH teams in Marlborough, East Coast and Northland. Note that he is in Nelson all week, next week, but is happy to discuss over the phone if you wish.

As discussed, the key here is to get a clear and agreed trial and assessment methodology that provides clear guidance on what whether the outcome is successful or not. Regards Dave Rendall Fulton Hogan Ltd │ Email [email protected] │ Private Bag 11-900, Ellerslie, Auckland 1542 │ Mobile (+64) 27 4834975 │ Web www.fultonhogan.com Find the latest transport news, information, and advice on our website: www.nzta.govt.nz

mailto:[email protected]:[mailto:[email protected]]mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=2838&d=_Z3K1XeZzYTLLKfATd-nkhoCy0ImcmU9O7IpjQSWZQ&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2efultonhogan%2ecom%2fhttp://www.nzta.govt.nz/



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APPENDIX B

Showing Trial Site Set Up



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Logical Stopping

Position (LSP) B

Stop Position A

Stop Position C

5.0

0m

5

.00

m

MTC MUST stand

on the shoulder of

the road between

the 1st and 2nd

cones



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APPENDIX C

Showing Alternative Trial Site Set Up



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MTC MUST stand

on the shoulder of

the road between

the 1st and 2nd

cones Logical Stopping

Position (LSP) B

Stop Position A

5.0

0m

5

.00

m

Stop Position C



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Sub APPENDIX B and C

Showing the Exact Layout Detail adjacent to the MTC Position



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APPENDIX D

Details of Standard Form Used for the Trials



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Stopping Place Observation Recording Sheet

Region:-

Site Number:-

Site Location:-

Permanent Posted Speed:-

Date of Observation:-

With Orange Sleeves

Stopping Position Numbers of each

road user Total

A

B

C

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A

B

C



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APPENDIX E

Details of Standard Road User Response Form



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Observation Question Recording Sheet

Region:-

Site Number:-

Site Location:-



Road User responses

Observer Questions

“Did you notice anything different at this site”

“Did you think the yellow sleeves make the MTC more visible”

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20



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APPENDIX F

Trial Results



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Region:- Marlborough

Site Number:- #1

Site Location:- S H 6 R P 16 / 16.00

Permanent Posted Speed:- 100km/h

Date of Observation:- 9th September 2015

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 17 17

B 13 13

C 0 0

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 20 20

B 10 10

C 0 0



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Site Number:- #1

Site Location:- S H 6 R P 16 / 16.00


Date of Observation:- 9th September 2015

Road User responses

Observer Questions



1 No Didn’t even notice

















18 Yes Works for another Traffic Control Company and likes the idea.





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Road User responses

Observer Questions





23 Yes Yes it was something different that caught my eye










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Site Number:- #2

Site Location:- 2029 Queen Charlotte Drive


Date of Observation:- 29th of October 2015

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 21 21

B 9 9

C 0 0

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 23 23

B 7 7

C 0 0



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Site Number:- #2

Site Location:- 2029 Queen Charlotte Drive


Date of Observation:- 29th October 2015

Road User responses

Observer Questions

























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Road User responses

Observer Questions















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Site Number:- #3

Site Location:- S H 1 R P 0.00 / 8.32


Date of Observation:- 19th of January 2016

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 11 11

B 16 16

C 3 3

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 14 14

B 16 16

C 0 0



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Site Number:- #3

Site Location:- S H 1 R P 0.00 / 8.32


Date of Observation:- 19th of January 2016

Road User responses

Observer Questions




2 Yes Works for another Traffic Control Company (HEB’s) and likes the idea.




6 Yes Works for another Traffic Control Company (HEB’s) and likes the idea

7 Yes – two people standing

at the Stop / Go Paddle Didn’t even notice













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Road User responses

Observer Questions



18 Yes – The Hidden Queue

sign – ( There was no such sign)

Didn’t even notice















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Region:- Canterbury

Site Number:- #1

Site Location:- Bridle Path Road


Date of Observation:- 17th February 2016

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 16 16

B 13 13

C 1 1

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 17 17

B 13 13

C 0 0



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Region:- Canterbury

Site Number:- #1

Site Location:- Bridle Path Road


Date of Observation:- 17th February 2016

Road User responses

Observer Questions



1 No

Didn’t see her until I got really close as there is a lot of yellow cones but the yellow sleeves help.

2 It looks a very neat site Yes – it helps her stand out from the orange around her.

3 No- It looks like a good site, cone are neat

Much more visible

4 Looks very well organized and clear

Yes the contrast is good – would be better if they were all yellow.

5 Looks like a good site Yes – because we are so used of seeing orange the yellow helps.

6 Found it very hard to see the MTC as a truck was in the way.

Yellow helps but I still didn’t see her.

7 No Would be better if they were all yellow – STMS is more visible.

8 No – there’s signs and a bunch of cones

Don’t think it matters what colour they are

9 No Yeah I guess.

10 It’s a good site - I’ve driven through a lot this week

Yes

11 No Yes

12 No Yes it works well

13 No – It’s a good site Yes it stands out from the orange

14 No Yes

15 No Yes – everyone gets used of orange so yellow stands out.

16 No I never really notice them – I suppose yellow helps



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Road User responses

Observer Questions



17 No Yes - she stands out more.

18 No Yes - it helps

19 No Yes

20 No Yes the contrast is good.

21 No Yes – yellow stripes on the front would help

22 No Yes – they look great.

23 No Yes - they help her stand out from the orange

24 No Yes – definitely against the cones.

25 No I guess.

26 No Yes – they work really well.

27 No Yes – probably helps

28 Yes – the MTC has yellow sleeves

I think it helps, but I always notice the cones first

29 No Yes

30 No Yes – but the orange sleeves are good too.



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41 Final Report

Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #1

Site Location:- Waitakere Road

Permanent Posted Speed:- 80 km/h

Date of Observation:- 4th March 2016

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 21 21

B 8 8

C 1 1

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 24 24

B 6 6

C 0 0



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Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #1


Permanent Posted Speed:- 80 km/h

Date of Observation:- 4th March 2016

Road User responses

Observer Questions



1 No A bit more diversity in colour I guess

2 No They both look good

3 No No – maybe if it was all yellow

4 No Didn’t notice sorry n

5 Yes more cones Not at all

6 Apart from the road works

- No No - Your signs stood out to me most

7 More signs No – I didn’t notice

8 No No

9 No Now you point it out - yes

10 No No – but the two different colours probably help

11 Signs seemed placed

further back than usual Yes – breaks up the monotony of the orange.

12 No Maybe at night

13 Digital sign board (VMS)

back up the road No – can’t say I did really.

14 No No- orange is good enough.

15 No Yes – now you ask

16 No Thinking about it yes it does.



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Road User responses

Observer Questions



17 Well set up Didn’t notice but yes probably

18 No No – I didn’t think so.

19 No Didn’t take any notice to be honest.

20 No 50/50

21 No No – It’s Not Australia

22 Clear signage and cones Yes I do

23 No I didn’t notice but yes he is very visible

24 No Yes they do

25 No Didn’t ring any bells but I think orange stands out better.

26 Loads of cones Either one, the Stop sign is what I noticed.

27 No Yes – I think it helps but didn’t notice until you asked.

28 No Didn’t notice sorry.

29 The sign board (VMS) No – didn’t notice I think the yellow blends in with the grass.

30 No Didn’t notice but he’s definably brighter



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45 Final Report

Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #2

Site Location:- Northfield Road


Date of Observation:- 5th of March 2016

With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 6 6

B 24 24

C 0 0

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 8 8

B 22 22

C 0 0



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Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #2

Site Location:- Northfield Road



Road User responses

Observer Questions



1 No Didn’t notice sorry

2 No Yes they stand out more

3 No No – maybe if his hat was yellow


5 No No – Not at all


7 No No didn’t notice

8 No No


10 No No - Don’t mind what colour

11 No Yes

12 No No – but you have lots of signs, why do we have to go 30?

13 No No can’t say I really did.

14 No What about pink.

15 No Yes – now you ask

16 No Thinking about it - yes it does.

17 No Didn’t notice but yes possibly



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Road User responses

Observer Questions



18 No No I didn’t think so.

19 No Didn’t take any notice to be honest.

20 No Yes I do.

21 No Maybe he should stand more in the road to be seen.

22 No Yes I do.

23 No Can’t say it did

24 No You are all visible

25 No Yes- maybe


27 No Yes I think it helps but I didn’t notice until you asked.



30 No Didn’t notice



48 Final Report

Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #3




With Orange Sleeves


road user Total

A 19 19

B 11 11

C 0 0

With Yellow Sleeves


road user Total

A 22 22

B 8 8

C 0 0



49 Final Report

Region:- Auckland

Site Number:- #3

Site Location:-



Road User responses

Observer Questions




2 No Didn’t notice but yes possibly.



5 No No - Not at all.

6 No Now you point it out yes.

7 No Yes I guess so.

8 No Yes he looks good.

9 No Well I like pink.

10 No Only because he was holding his arm up.


12 No Thinking about it now you ask – yes I think it does.

13 No No – can’t say I did really.

14 No No.

15 No Yes now you ask.

16 No Thinking about it yes it does.

17 No Didn’t notice but yes possibly.



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Road User responses

Observer Questions



18 No No - didn’t think so

19 No I think orange stands out better

20 No I don’t really care.

21 No Yes – It stands out to me

22 No Yes I do.

23 No I can’t believe you’re asking me this, you all stick out.

24 No Yes they do.

25 No Yes I think it helps, but didn’t notice until you asked.

26 No Yes I think it does.

27 No I noticed all the cones.


29 No No - didn’t notice.

30 No Didn’t notice.

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