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Motorway signs obscured by trees.

  • 12-08-2013 11:00pm
    #1
    Roger_007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,886 ✭✭✭✭


    It is at this time of year that this problem of motorway signs being partially or completely obscured by trees and shrubs becomes ridiculous. It is caused by the NRA actually planting trees and shrubs directly in front of signs. What sort of idiocy is this.

    I was driving on the M1 today and noticed that they have put up new distance signs every half kilometre. The trouble is you cannot see most of them because they are hidden in the vegetation. I am not sure what purpose they serve anyway.


Comments

  • #2
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,520 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Tbh I never got why the cut the grass so far behind the barriers.
    With strimmers.


  • #3
    visual
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭visual


    Its not just motorways that the green fingers have been at play.
    Its all roads although we would expect higher standard on new motorways.

    I never understood why we plant trees at road edge apart from being a danager to any car that loses control the amount of maintenance that is required yearly cutting it back and cleaning up leaves blocked shores etc...

    Guess they look pretty from a far


  • #4
    Dartz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,405 ✭✭✭Dartz


    It gets even funnier when it's traffic lights obscured by trees. Or stopsigns. Or a yield. Or any number of other roadsigns


  • #5
    alias no.9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    On a slightly related topic, if anybody is familiar with the lights at the junction of the Coldcut road and Cloverhill road near the back of Liffey Valley...

    If you're coming eastbound on the Coldcut Road and want to turn right onto Cloverhill Road, there is a directional sign mounted on the traffic island at the opposite side of the junction that really obscures your view of oncoming cars travelling westbound on the coldcut road.
    A small/medium sized car can momentarily disappear behind the sign, it's ok in lines of traffic because you'll see the cars in front and behind but if there's only one car coming, if the driver waiting to turn right has been in any way distracted or even just checking their mirrors, they may look out and think they see a clear road and chose to go.
    Chances are they'll see the car again very quickly and have enough time to react but it's a horrendous placement of a sign.

    The junction is shown here, you can see the blue 'keep left' sign on the same traffic island but the offending sign was not present back then.


  • #6
    alias no.9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    visual wrote: »
    Its not just motorways that the green fingers have been at play.
    Its all roads although we would expect higher standard on new motorways.

    I never understood why we plant trees at road edge apart from being a danager to any car that loses control the amount of maintenance that is required yearly cutting it back and cleaning up leaves blocked shores etc...

    Guess they look pretty from a far

    Trees are planted to reduce the visual impact of the motorway on the landscape and to muffle the traffic noise generated.


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  • #7
    Roger_007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,886 ✭✭✭✭Roger_007


    alias no.9 wrote: »
    Trees are planted to reduce the visual impact of the motorway on the landscape and to muffle the traffic noise generated.
    It certainly reduces the visual impact of the signs.:mad:


  • #8
    Lofty123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Lofty123


    How about the local councils who plant shrubs etc on roundabouts so that you can't see all the way across or around them?


  • #9
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    Lofty123 wrote: »
    How about the local councils who plant shrubs etc on roundabouts so that you can't see all the way across or around them?

    Why do you need to be able to see across them?
    As long as your view to the right is clear the roundabout is safe.

    As regards motorways, trees are never planted at the road edge or in the verge - they may be planted on embankment slopes. As a previous poster has said they are to reduce the visual impact of the road and knit the scheme in with the surrounding environment. They are also planted as a compensatory measure for the tress which would have been cleared during the construction of the motorway.

    That's not to say they should be obscuring traffic signs, which is a Local Authority maintenance issue.


  • #10
    Roger_007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,886 ✭✭✭✭Roger_007


    Frank Black wrote: »
    Why do you need to be able to see across them?
    As long as your view to the right is clear the roundabout is safe.

    As regards motorways, trees are never planted at the road edge or in the verge - they may be planted on embankment slopes. As a previous poster has said they are to reduce the visual impact of the road and knit the scheme in with the surrounding environment. They are also planted as a compensatory measure for the tress which would have been cleared during the construction of the motorway.

    That's not to say they should be obscuring traffic signs, which is a Local Authority maintenance issue.

    I think you are misinformed. Local Authorities have nothing to do with motorway maintenance.


  • #11
    Lofty123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Lofty123


    "Why do you need to be able to see across them?
    As long as your view to the right is clear the roundabout is safe."

    I have had several bad experiences with idiots, usually in BMW's Audi's or Merc's coming around roundabouts to the 3rd exit like a bat out of hell. I would like to be able to see them before they run into the side of me!


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  • #12
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    Roger_007 wrote: »
    I think you are misinformed. Local Authorities have nothing to do with motorway maintenance.

    I'm afraid you may be misinformed.
    The NRA pay Local Authorities a grant each year to cover the maintenance of the national primary and secondary road network, including motorways. The Local Authority is then responsible for either maintaining the road itself or sub-contracting this out to a private firm to do on its behalf.

    PPP motorway schemes are maintained by the operator obviously.


  • #13
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    Lofty123 wrote: »
    "Why do you need to be able to see across them?
    As long as your view to the right is clear the roundabout is safe."

    I have had several bad experiences with idiots, usually in BMW's Audi's or Merc's coming around roundabouts to the 3rd exit like a bat out of hell. I would like to be able to see them before they run into the side of me!

    That may be your experience, but the standards which govern roundabout design seek to limit visibility to the right, as excessive visibility results in high entry speeds which can lead to accidents. Screening (using planting) is also recommended to reduce visibility. So the roundabouts you are complaining about, have actually been appropriately planted most likely


  • #14
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    ...it's not just signs: see pic of speed camera van hiding yesterday at N53.2688090 W 8.743055 on the R347 yesterday.

    What really pissed me off was the ads over the weekend spouting 'you'll only see them where there are fatalities etc'. Complete and utter lies. There has never been such where that camera was.

    Not only that, they had the 'layby' specially constructed to accommodate the van - who paid for that ?

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #15
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ...it's not just signs: see pic of speed camera van hiding yesterday at N53.2688090 W 8.743055 on the R347 yesterday.

    What really pissed me off was the ads over the weekend spouting 'you'll only see them where there are fatalities etc'. Complete and utter lies. There has never been such where that camera was.

    Not only that, they had the 'layby' specially constructed to accommodate the van - who paid for that ?

    You "layby" also has a gate into a field, I'm guessing the farmer?


  • #16
    markpb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,390 ✭✭✭markpb


    Lofty123 wrote: »
    How about the local councils who plant shrubs etc on roundabouts so that you can't see all the way across or around them?

    I'm not sure if this is the reason why but it could be to make motorists more cautious on roundabouts and approach them more slowly.


  • #17
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Roger_007 wrote: »
    I was driving on the M1 today and noticed that they have put up new distance signs every half kilometre. The trouble is you cannot see most of them because they are hidden in the vegetation. I am not sure what purpose they serve anyway.
    They're markers so that if, for example, you break down you can tell them your exact position. Commonplace in other countries for the last gazillion years, and Ireland is now (finally) catching up.


  • #18
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    You "layby" also has a gate into a field, I'm guessing the farmer?

    ....that only appeared after the 'layby' got built..........bit of quid(sic) pro quo ...???

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #19
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    markpb wrote: »
    I'm not sure if this is the reason why but it could be to make motorists more cautious on roundabouts and approach them more slowly.

    Landscaping the central island is also useful for improving the conspicuity of the roundabout itself.


  • #20
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,088 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Roger_007 wrote: »
    I was driving on the M1 today and noticed that they have put up new distance signs every half kilometre. The trouble is you cannot see most of them because they are hidden in the vegetation. I am not sure what purpose they serve anyway.

    The same thing is on the M7/M8 - they're to help you identify where you are to the recovery/emergency services should you break down or something happen on the motorway.

    EDIT: Beaten to it by Alun!


  • #21
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Frank Black wrote: »
    Landscaping the central island is also useful for improving the conspicuity of the roundabout itself.

    ....dunno about that: I'd call it camouflaging........

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



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  • #22
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ....dunno about that: I'd call it camouflaging........

    A paved roundabout sitting on a paved road surface - I'd call that camouflaging.

    An appropriately landscaped roundabout sitting on a paved road surface? - probably the opposite of camouflaging.


  • #23
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Frank Black wrote: »
    A paved roundabout sitting on a paved road surface - I'd call that camouflaging.

    An appropriately landscaped roundabout sitting on a paved road surface? - probably the opposite of camouflaging.

    Not in Galway, where due to cutbacks in LA, they don't maintain them, and they're overgrown to the extent you can't see across them........

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #24
    Alkers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,908 ✭✭✭Alkers


    Frank Black wrote: »
    I'm afraid you may be misinformed.
    The NRA pay Local Authorities a grant each year to cover the maintenance of the national primary and secondary road network, including motorways. The Local Authority is then responsible for either maintaining the road itself or sub-contracting this out to a private firm to do on its behalf.

    PPP motorway schemes are maintained by the operator obviously.

    That used to be the case but the Motorway network is now being looked after by private contractors.

    If you have a complaint regarding signage being blocked on a section of motorway you can call the customer care line on:
    0818 715100

    The distance signs are chainage markers, used to more accurately describe locations on the motorway network.


  • #25
    Frank Black
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,296 ✭✭✭Frank Black


    galwaytt wrote: »
    Not in Galway, where due to cutbacks in LA, they don't maintain them, and they're overgrown to the extent you can't see across them........

    You don't need to be able to.

    Going around in circles here.

    No pun intended.


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