|
Volume I, Issue I
Highway Signage Issues Dominate Kenai Roundtable
ANCHORAGE - Four representatives from the Kenai Peninsula met recently with two Department of Transportation (DOT) officials in a roundtable teleconference sponsored by The MILEPOST to discuss several topics critical to highway businesses, including Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODs), service alerts, the need for replacement and improvement of milepost markers, and the new state program for information kiosks.
Marion Nelson, The MILEPOST's Kenai field editor, moderated this first in a series of discussions designed to improve communication between highway businesses and government officials on issues of mutual concern.
Participants included Cheryle James of Wild Man Towing Company, Cooper Landing; Paul Wiest of Trail Lake Lodge, Moose Pass; Jerry Dunn of Beluga Lookout RV Park, Kenai; Danny Seavey of Ididaride Dog Sled Tours, Seward and Kris Valencia, editor of The MILEPOST.
Representing DOT were Rick Kauzlarich of Juneau, Right-of-Way Director, and Paula Brault, Anchorage Right-of-Way agent.
Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODs)
Jerry Dunn expressed concern about state regulations of TODs, as the location of his RV park within the Kenai city limits precludes this type of signage despite its use by several nearby businesses. "I'm in a place that's not the easiest in the world to find, and it would be a tremendous help to me in my tourism business to be able to have a sign on the roadway helping people find my place," Dunn said.
Danny Seavey stated similar concerns, compounded by changes in road access to his sled dog tours. "The (present) signs don't allow enough characters to display our name,... all we have is a symbol (of a dogsled). I'm a dog musher, and I can't tell what it is. So it's... not advertising by any means.," according to Seavey.
Paul Wiest described a critical problem when tourist vehicles needing gasoline find no advisory signage at appropriate Peninsula locations advising of them of distances to fill-up sites. He added that the same problem exists regarding advance knowledge about restaurants and suggested food symbol signs be placed at key locations along the Seward and Sterling highways; for example, a sign at Summit Lake stating, "Next food, 17 miles," which would apply to both Moose Pass and Cooper Landing.
Cheryle James spoke of problems of tourists who run out of gas and face the expense of calling for tow service to the nearest supplier. In one case she cited, the travelers fortunately had AAA help. James said it would be extremely helpful if signage noting mileage to the next fuel source could be placed at the Y where the Sterling heads west from the Seward Highway.
Service Alerts
In addition to the need for signage noting fuel and food services, roundtable participants discussed situations involving emergency medical services, EMTs and First Responders. In medical or accident emergency cases, the need for accurate mile markers is critical. Cheryle James added that the use of route numbers is not as helpful as using the names when giving directions to police or emergency vehicles. "You can definitely tell if it's a tourist because they say, 'Well, I'm on Route 9,' and we all have to sit here and say, 'Now is that Seward or Sterling highway?'" Kris Valencia confirmed this problem with one of her experiences on the Richardson Highway, but added that the most helpful clue was given by the milepost marker that fortunately was in place at the location she wished to specify.
Milepost Markers
Marion Nelson opened the discussion of the importance of milepost markers by describing what she termed "a perfect milepost" used in several other states, and said she wished they could be emulated here in Alaska. These improved markers would be larger, more legible and more visibly positioned along the highways. "The state is still very dependent on mile markers," Marion stated. "I don't know that there is another state…that still identifies itself or its locations so strongly by mileposts."
Rick Kauzlarich of DOT responded to the topics discussed thus far, assuring the group of DOT's interest in improving signage and traveler advisories. He will discuss these matters with the head traffic engineer and see what can be done to improve various problem areas. He addressed the permitting process for businesses that want to apply for a TOD sign: DOT's website: www.dot.state.ak.us/permits provides the necessary information. Current TOD policies dealing with population size, sign size, lettering limitations, expenses involved, changes in regulations, etc., were discussed by Kauzlarich and Paula Brault. Assistance in preparing applications is available at DOT offices, and 800 numbers provide easy access to detailed information. Kauzlarich mentioned a new program, Day Medical Clinic, now available for signage for emergency medical clinics.
Tourist Informational Kiosks
Rick Kauzlarich spoke about another DOT-sponsored project, Tourist Informational Kiosks. This type of kiosk is now under construction in the commercial area near the Denali National Park entrance. Panelists expressed great interest in acquiring such kiosks at various locations such as near Girdwood, at the Hope turnoff and at the Y where the Seward and Sterling highways meet. The kiosks would have safe parking areas, maps and extensive tourist information. "All we're asking for is just that people will know that these options exist for them as they're driving down the highway," Paul Wiest said. Local government entities, community associations or chambers of commerce will be responsible for finding locations, setting up management and securing funding and maintenance of the kiosks. DOT has developed a design for which there is a template with all specifications. Interested communities, groups or individuals are encouraged to support the program with e-mails or letters. Kauzlarich receives mail at: Department of Transportation, Right-of-Way Division, 3132 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801; rick_kauzlarich@dot.state.ak.us. Kauzlarich indicated that at this point DOT is open to whatever proposals are sent to them. The group discussed various possibilities for placement of kiosks and potential sponsors in their communities. Kauzlarich also suggested another website, "Right of Way Home," a link on the permit site, which carries more information about highway signs.
Logo Sign Program
Rick Kauzlarich said this logo sign, used to advertise specific restaurants or businesses and now available in Alaska, has so far received only one application and seems more appropriate to a freeway situation. "We do have those available in Alaska," he added, "but we don't really have a lot of places to put them."
He told the group that public meetings are scheduled regarding various planned road projects and encouraged people to attend the meetings and ask questions about signage, as this input would help the traffic people who actually put up the signs.
Click here for full transcript of this Roundtable discussion.
Transcripts of the roundtable will be distributed by e-mail to The MILEPOST advertising partners and other businesses, the media and state agencies, and will also be available at www.themilepost.com/newsletter. Subsequent roundtables will focus on different regions along the highway system, addressing the problems of businesses in those specific areas.
|
