The latest way to stop speeders in South Florida? Trick them with an optical illusion.
The "magic" involves marking a road with hash marks, similar to those on a football field. With the lines spaced at gradually closer intervals, drivers get the illusion they're going faster than they really are -- and tap the brakes, traffic engineers say.
The technique for the first time will be tested in Fort Lauderdale later this year or early next year. It will start on a curving stretch of Andrews Avenue and if it works, it may be used on other roads in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
"As is the case with all these types of pilot programs, we want to see test cases that are well-conceived, and have a high probability of mitigating or improving the problem," said Broward County Traffic Engineer Scott Brunner.
Palm Beach County traffic engineers, too, said they would be open to the idea, which is similar to an experiment tried in the '90s on Skees Road in West Palm Beach. That work has since been paved over or worn out.
"As I recall, most of the research showed that there was some reduction, but [it] was in the 1-2 mph range," said Dan Weisberg, director of Palm Beach County's traffic engineering division.
Researchers at the Federal Highway Administration say by spacing the lines gradually closer together, it creates the illusion that drivers are getting to them sooner. Therefore, drivers think they're traveling faster than they are and slow down. The pattern of lines also grabs their attention.
Other states have used the low-cost illusion since 2004, with studies in Kansas and Virginia showing they cut average speeds by up to 5 mph, depending on location.
However, a Florida-based test of the stripes at the junction of Interstates 4 and 95 near Daytona Beach a few years ago showed "not much of a difference," said state Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Olson. Motorists, particularly during wet weather, were losing control on the curved ramp from eastbound I-4 to northbound I-95.
Still, Fort Lauderdale decided to give optical speed bars a try on Andrews, between Northeast 15th and 17th streets, after pleas from residents in the surrounding South Middle River neighborhood. The north-south road, with a 35 mph speed limit, is a major link between downtown and suburbs to the north.
"Our residents have, for years, complained about the dangerous speeding and aggressive driving on Andrews," said Lawrence Jackson-Rosen, the civic association's vice president. "There are frequent collisions. Vehicles have plowed into yards, fences and houses along Andrews. It is unsafe for our schoolchildren, seniors and others."
Traffic engineers will use thermoplastic tape to create white, perpendicular lines on both sides of the travel lanes, about a foot wide and 18 inches long. The project is still being designed and it hasn't been determined how long the test will last.
The targeted stretch of Andrews leads into a curve which connects the street in Fort Lauderdale with what used to be known as the North Andrews Avenue Extension.
Research by the highway administration said the "illusion" is best used on road segments where vehicles traveling at high speeds need to slow to navigate curves.
Staff writer Dan Tracy contributed to this report.
mturnbell@tribune.com, 954-356-4155, Twitter @MikeTurnpike ___
(c)2013 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.