Local Subway Stop Renamed to Honor This Blog?

Before anyone goes issuing official cease and desist orders again for my illegal use of MTA logos, fonts, etc the above image was created on a retail site officially licensed by the MTA to produce personal use signage matching the signs in the NYCTA subway system.

Pretty cool site named Undergroud Signs. Worth checking out. Prices are a bit high to become a craze among purchasers but plenty of folks I am sure will consider it.

Historical Walk - Update

It appears Roosevelt Island is getting closer to seeing new Historical Walk signs being posted around the Island. I have not yet seen what the new signs look like as Judy Berdy, President of the Historical Society, is still working on design issues regarding how the signs are manufactured. I did notice today that the broken sign that has been outside the subway station (picttured above) was finally removed presumably by RIOC.

The below slide show is of all of the signs existing as of this Summer. If anyone can confirm whether these other signs are still around or whether they have been removed that woud be appreciated.

As always the walk can be enjoyed electronically via its website linked HERE or via the photo button at the top right hand side bar of this blog. To see full size photos of any of these photos they can be found on my FLICKR set for the RI Walk.

Tram Circle Traffic Sign Update

As promised by Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra a new sign has been added to the Tram Circle making it clear to drivers that they must bear right around the circle when looking to make a left turn towards the steam plant and beyond. I had reported on the shortfall in the prior signage last month despite the added street marking that PSD had put into effect.

In addition PSD has moved the sign out from the circle making it clearer to drivers and ensuring that the Red Bus drivers tighten their turns leaving no chance that they would ever hit a vehicle sitting behind the sign waiting for the bus to complete its turn.

Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Dear RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

Can I ask for confirmation what the allowed traffic pattern is around the traffic circle by the Tram Plaza? On a few mornings when walking to theTram along the sidewalk adjoining the Soccer Field at Firefighters Field I have seen cars looking to make left turns ignore the posted sign and proceed to drive to the left of the curbed circle. One morning a car almost hit my son as we were trying to cross the street to the Tram when the car failed to bear right around the traffic circle. One afternoon this past May a car cut off a Red Bus apparently thinking this sort of left turn was allowed. It is possible though at that time the existing sign was not there. I posted a report of that incident on my blog as I was in the affected bus.

As opposed to the traffic circle / triangle by Blackwell House where street markings make it clear that forking left is allowed and the street markings also prevent cars who are making "U Turns" from making such turns without stopping the traffic circle by the Tram has no such on-street markings or additional signage. The existing circle is apparently being interpreted as only being applicable to cars looking to make U-turns. Certainly if even a moving bus is not making it clear to oncoming drivers we need better signage and on street markings.

Have I misinterpreted the intended traffic pattern? I believe we cannot wait for Riverwalk construction to conclude and even if we need to paint the street several times before the two existing buildings under constructionare complete I feel the added paint and signage would be worth preventingany injuries or worse. Your feedback is appreciated?

Thank you,
Eric


From: "Keith Guerra"
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:33
To: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Eric,

Thanks for your e-mail. We posted the sign currently on the traffic circle by the tram after we received complaints similar to the one you describe. Traffic is supposed to flow counter clockwise around the circle. Our officers are issuing moving violation summonses to those seen in violation. Unfortunately, in the case of the car in your scenario, if the violation is not actually observed by an officer, a summons cannot be issued. We will continue to pay special attention to that traffic circle.

Regards,
Keith Guerra
Director of Public Safety

UPDATE: 6:00pm

Apparently sometime in the last few days since I took the pictures at top RIOC painted the additional traffic flow yellow lines and cross walk. I can't say whether it was there this morning as I took the Red Bus to the Tram station. Definitely a step in the right direction. Subsequent to Mr. Guerra's above reply he sent another email where he indicated that PSD would look into posting an additional sign stating textually "Traffic Keep Right" in addition to the existing graphic sign.

Riverwalk Signage Simply Unneighborly or Possibly Illegal ?

The folks at Hudson Related have in the last few days erected a new sign advertising the Riverwalk complex on Roosevelt Island. My question is whether the signage is just unneighborly as it is too large for the area and we have to see it each time we take the Tram onto the island or does it cross the line and is actually illegal?

New York City via the Department of Buildings defines that signage that is classified as advertising is illegal if placed upon scaffolding. You may recall the 2006 case , reported by the NY Times, where a six story billboard was placed on scaffolding that was advertising two giant Scotch bottles directly across from the New York Public Library. Approximately one year ago the DOB started a campaign against illegal ads and signage placed upon buildings including scaffolding. Would this sign fall under that campaign?

Per the DOB:

What is an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to goods and services at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. These signs are only permitted in certain zoning districts throughout the city.

What is NOT an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to a business at the same location as the sign. A non-commercial sign unrelated to any commercial business.

Based on these definitions the oversized Riverwalk signage may not be illegal as it is drawing attention to the availability of apartments at that location and not products or services provided elsewhere. But then again it is pointing to a commercial enterprise?

It may not be illegal but it is certainly an eyesore and at 5 stories high quite unneighborly. Maybe I am being a tad melodramatic as the sign is just that ... a sign.

Are the Street Signs Really Haunted ?

A story that is never discussed on Roosevelt Island is whether there is truth to the rumor that the signs are haunted, that at night they glow to garner attention and that they speak to each other.

Some say that many of the signs have been spotted disembodied from their polls when the moon is full seemingly trying to free themselves of their bond to the island.

Roosevelt Island's Main Street: A Traffic Minefield

Living on Roosevelt Island as any resident knows has its pluses and minuses regarding traffic. We have less car trafic than many NYC streets but at the same time we know if we get too comfortable with that fact we risk crossing the street without looking and possibly being hit by a car or other vehicle.

Due to the uniqueness of the Island we also have traffic rules set by State law and a multitude of yield and stop signs that very often confuse drivers such that they start and stop and occasionally miss a road sign and not understand how to react to others. At intersections here the pedestrian takes priority such that drivers are supposed to yield. But as residents know they don't always do so.

Later today I will post a poll asking how well do you think drivers on the island pay attention to the road signs.