A bright idea: lighted stop signs

By Carla Charter CORRESPONDENT Worcester Telegram and Gazette

GARDNER —  People driving through the center of Gardner may notice a new type of stop sign, one illuminated by lights.

Three stop signs in downtown Gardner have solar panels with blinking lights to catch drivers' attention. ED COLLIER

There are three such signs, on Main Street at Central and Parker streets; on Parker Street at Central and Main; and on Central Street at Vernon Street.

Director of Public Works Dane Arnold said the city bought the signs from Atlantic Broom and Sign in Taunton for $1,950 each. The signs have LED lights that are battery-powered and recharged by solar power.

“They still work even on a cloudy day, when there is enough diffused sunlight to charge the batteries,” said Deputy Police Chief Rock Barrieau. “They have operated for 14 days, many of them cloudy, and they are still operational.”

The signs also have special bolts and a microchip built in so if they are ever stolen, they can be found quickly.

The illuminated signs, which Mr. Arnold said can be seen as far as a half a mile away, were suggested by him and Deputy Chief Barrieau.

The idea was raised last summer when new traffic patterns downtown were discussed, Deputy Chief Barrieau said.

“The police chief  had seen these signs in Florida, and City Councilor Ron Cormier had also seen them used in another town,” Deputy Chief Barrieau said.

The mayor and the Traffic Commission also supported the idea.

“Since people were not used to the new traffic pattern and new stop signs, the DPW director, Dane Arnold, suggested these flashing signs,” Mayor Mark P. Hawke said.

“They stand out at night and provide a warning of a stop sign. They work better than if we added another sign saying, ‘Stop ahead.’ Being solar-powered, they cost the city nothing to operate. All in all, they seem to be pretty well received and are working quite effectively.”

Deputy Chief Barrieau said he would like to see more such signs in the city.

Mr. Arnold agreed, adding he would like to see one that could be used temporarily when a new stop sign is erected to make drivers aware of the change.

He said most people stop, but at any intersection some people will roll through a stop sign or blow through it. “We thought the signs would make drivers think and stop,” Mr. Arnold said.

Police continue to monitor the new traffic pattern and the downtown in general and will write citations for failing to yield to pedestrians and failing to stop at stop signs, Deputy Chief Barrieau said.

As for residents’ reactions, the deputy chief said he has heard nothing but good comments regarding the signs, adding that sometimes someone jokingly asks if the city has put up Christmas lights early.