Almost took down a gate arm. .

[CoachKandSportsguy]

So that's how they get hit!

So what happened is that the gate arm was in the up position with no cars in sight.
As soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate arm starting coming down. I stopped with about 6 inches to spare.

So then I started to observe that the gate arms can get out of synch with the sensors and traffic. Several days later, i saw the gate arm up with no traffic in sight. So again, as soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate started coming down. .

anyone else find that this is true? or just two random events with a wrong intuitive answer.

future new gate arm provider guy

[Bill14564]

So that's how they get hit!

So what happened is that the gate arm was in the up position with no cars in sight.
As soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate arm starting coming down. I stopped with about 6 inches to spare.

So then I started to observe that the gate arms can get out of synch with the sensors and traffic. Several days later, i saw the gate arm up with no traffic in sight. So again, as soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate started coming down. .

anyone else find that this is true? or just two random events with a wrong intuitive answer.

future new gate arm provider guy

Add mine as another of those random events.

I assumed at the time that the arm had a timer and I arrived at just the wrong time. Your explanation seems more likely.

[villagetinker]

Interesting, I have never seen this, but I have had the occasion where I presented my card to an OPEN arm and then it started down, I have learned (after this happened 3 times) that if the arm is up, I WAIT until it starts down, and then wave my card, the gate goes up and stays up.

[metoo21]

I think there is an issue with bicycle riders. They trigger opening but are too small to be "seen" so the arm doesn't go down after they pass through.

[Stu from NYC]

Who keeps the money for fixing the arm?

I have gone up to the gate after the previous driver goes thru and the arm is still up. Wait a bit and than go if still up.

[Pondboy]

Sounds defective. Call community watch or district property management.

[Pondboy]

Not the ones I go thru on my bike. They act as they should.

[coralway]

Almost doesn't count

[Number 10 GI]

I've seen this happen at the entrance to McClure Village coming off Warm Springs. It doesn't always come down when a bicyclist passes through the gate.

[golfing eagles]

I think there is an issue with bicycle riders. They trigger opening but are too small to be "seen" so the arm doesn't go down after they pass through.

I don't think that's the case since bike riders blow around the gate at full speed, ignoring the very purpose of the gate and stop sign. It's just a matter of time before they get hit by a crossing golf cart whose view is blocked by the gatehouse and has to rely on the closed gate to know it is safe to proceed.

[metoo21]

I’ve seen it happen. Gate not closing after a bicyclist.

[Rwirish]

You never go thru an open gate. One car at a time and you wait until the gate arm fully closes.

[golfing eagles]

The last few days were even more fun with all the gates down and no temporary stop signs due to the tropical storm. I could swear there were vehicles that actually accelerated through the gate area. Maybe we could contact Parker Brothers with a new board game idea----"Villages MMP crossing roulette". :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Skunky1]

Did you report it?

[ithos]

You never go thru an open gate. One car at a time and you wait until the gate arm fully closes.

Been doing it for years just like many others have. You time it so that the gate starts to come down and then immediately goes back up. But I understand there may be some that lack the coordination for that.

I believe the reasons are drivers being inattentive or the sun is in their eyes.

[Girlcopper]

You never go thru an open gate. One car at a time and you wait until the gate arm fully closes.
You don’t have to wait until it fully closes. Just wait until it starts to come down. You’d back up traffic if everyone waited for the arm to fully come down. And yes, people do it regardless of all the honking to move!!

[ThirdOfFive]

Who keeps the money for fixing the arm?

I have gone up to the gate after the previous driver goes thru and the arm is still up. Wait a bit and than go if still up.
I've heard (not verified) that to replace an arm costs the driver of the offending vehicle $200. But those things are designed so that when they ARE hit, there are a couple of teflon bolts that just shear off leaving the gate arm itself with no (or minimal) damage. So the "fix" is just to replace the bolts and make sure everything lines up and runs as it should. The money (less the pay for the guy doing the fixing) goes to TV.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I don't think that's the case since bike riders blow around the gate at full speed, ignoring the very purpose of the gate and stop sign. It's just a matter of time before they get hit by a crossing golf cart whose view is blocked by the gatehouse and has to rely on the closed gate to know it is safe to proceed.

And the cart driver will probably get the ticket for failure to yield to an oncoming vehicle (bike).

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Been doing it for years just like many others have. You time it so that the gate starts to come down and then immediately goes back up. But I understand there may be some that lack the coordination for that.

I believe the reasons are drivers being inattentive or the sun is in their eyes.

So how long do you wait for the arm to come back down? ie is there a default timer when the gate arm is up after x seconds its comes back down?

curious safety driving course test question creators want to know!

[dewilson58]

Did you report it?

:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[MrChipster]

This same thing happens with my motorcycle, I scan my card or push the button and pass through the gate and the arm does not go down after I pass the arm.I think there is an issue with bicycle riders. They trigger opening but are too small to be "seen" so the arm doesn't go down after they pass through.

[Rodneysblue]

So that's how they get hit!

So what happened is that the gate arm was in the up position with no cars in sight.
As soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate arm starting coming down. I stopped with about 6 inches to spare.

So then I started to observe that the gate arms can get out of synch with the sensors and traffic. Several days later, i saw the gate arm up with no traffic in sight. So again, as soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate started coming down. .

anyone else find that this is true? or just two random events with a wrong intuitive answer.

future new gate arm provider guy

Did you report it to Community Watch so that it could be addressed?

[Hockeyguy]

So that's how they get hit!

So what happened is that the gate arm was in the up position with no cars in sight.
As soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate arm starting coming down. I stopped with about 6 inches to spare.

So then I started to observe that the gate arms can get out of synch with the sensors and traffic. Several days later, i saw the gate arm up with no traffic in sight. So again, as soon as I hit the first sensor, the gate started coming down. .

anyone else find that this is true? or just two random events with a wrong intuitive answer.

future new gate arm provider guy
So, I work at the gates. There are occasions where a motorcycle, bicycle, or even a golf cart may not trip the arm sensor after passing thru the gate.

Yes there are timers on the gate arms, so you should always use your card or the red button when the gate is up.

The other issue can be from extreme humidity or rain which can also mess up the sensors. Caution is your best bet at the raised arms.

[MrFlorida]

When I see a gate arm up, I stop .

[Bwanajim]

The villages could easily solve the broken gate problem by putting the traffic sensor further away from the gate. That way, even if people are in a hurry, the gate will be up before they can get to it. When the sensor is so close people tend to jump the gun. It’s not gonna prevent it, but there will be a lot less

[Stu from NYC]

I've heard (not verified) that to replace an arm costs the driver of the offending vehicle $200. But those things are designed so that when they ARE hit, there are a couple of teflon bolts that just shear off leaving the gate arm itself with no (or minimal) damage. So the "fix" is just to replace the bolts and make sure everything lines up and runs as it should. The money (less the pay for the guy doing the fixing) goes to TV.

Thanks but who keeps the dollars the developer or the district?

[ithos]

So how long do you wait for the arm to come back down? ie is there a default timer when the gate arm is up after x seconds its comes back down?

curious safety driving course test question creators want to know!

You make a good point. You don't have to wait for it to start coming down. But I wouldn't recommend it on a chat forum.
I usually pull up just short of the gate to trigger the input from the pad. If it stays up then I will go through. After hundreds of times through the gates you should have a good sense of the timing.

Now let the admonishments begin.

[Bill14564]

The villages could easily solve the broken gate problem by putting the traffic sensor further away from the gate. That way, even if people are in a hurry, the gate will be up before they can get to it. When the sensor is so close people tend to jump the gun. It’s not gonna prevent it, but there will be a lot less

So the answer to the problem of drivers not slowing or stopping at the gate is to move the sensors so they don't have to slow or stop at the gate? Isn't the proposed modification just a more costly method of removing the gates altogether?

There are pages and pages of thoughts on how to solve the gate-strike problem. All (?) the solutions involve changing the gates rather than changing the behaviors of the inattentive or impatient drivers. Most of the solutions make the areas even more dangerous for those walkers, bikers, or cart drivers using the MMP simply to accommodate bad habits.

Fix the problem - fix the bad habits of the drivers. The gates serve their purpose well, leave the gates as they are.

[Bill14564]

You make a good point. You don't have to wait for it to start coming down. But I wouldn't recommend it on a chat forum.
I usually pull up just short of the gate to trigger the input from the pad. If it stays up then I will go through. After hundreds of times through the gates you should have a good sense of the timing.

Now let the admonishments begin.

Are we talking entrance gates or exit gates?

On an entrance gate I'll use my card (or the button) every time and I'll take care to let the car in front trigger the close first. I've seen too many times when an entrance gate that seemed to be stuck open decided to close or when the card was presented to open the gate before the preceding vehicle triggered the gate to close.

On an exit gate I do exactly as you wrote. If it is open then I'll pull up to it and pause for a second. If it stays up then I'm good.

[golfing eagles]

And the cart driver will probably get the ticket for failure to yield to an oncoming vehicle (bike).

probably

[ithos]

Are we talking entrance gates or exit gates?

On an entrance gate I'll use my card (or the button) every time and I'll take care to let the car in front trigger the close first. I've seen too many times when an entrance gate that seemed to be stuck open decided to close or when the card was presented to open the gate before the preceding vehicle triggered the gate to close.

On an exit gate I do exactly as you wrote. If it is open then I'll pull up to it and pause for a second. If it stays up then I'm good.

Only exit gates. I drive very slowly coming in until I am sure there are no carts waiting to cross. That is where the highest risk of collision is.

[Robojo]

The last few days were even more fun with all the gates down and no temporary stop signs due to the tropical storm. I could swear there were vehicles that actually accelerated through the gate area. Maybe we could contact Parker Brothers with a new board game idea----"Villages MMP crossing roulette". :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I had an idea about a fun video game involving the villages but I don't think current villagers would enjoy it

[Dust Bunny]

Get rid of the gates!

[golfing eagles]

Get rid of the gates!

Horrible idea. There would be carnage at the crossings.

[mraines]

I don't think that's the case since bike riders blow around the gate at full speed, ignoring the very purpose of the gate and stop sign. It's just a matter of time before they get hit by a crossing golf cart whose view is blocked by the gatehouse and has to rely on the closed gate to know it is safe to proceed.

Cart and car riders do the same. Don't blame bike riders for everything. I have almost been hit by cars and carts blowing through stop signs.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Yes there are timers on the gate arms, so you should always use your card or the red button when the gate is up.


So basically, when the gate arm is down, use your card
when the gate arm is up, use your card.

Got it, so whenever going through a gate, use your card. . .

And so many of us are correct on why it happens
and what to do in all cases. .
and why any villager can own a crossing gate arm for their mantle piece. .

thanks Hockeyguy

other sports guy

[kcrazorbackfan]

Get rid of the gates!

If you even live in TV, you probably don’t drive a cart, do you?

[Bilyclub]

The last few days were even more fun with all the gates down and no temporary stop signs due to the tropical storm. I could swear there were vehicles that actually accelerated through the gate area. Maybe we could contact Parker Brothers with a new board game idea----"Villages MMP crossing roulette". :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:


Several times while the gates were missing I had cars stop and wave their cards at the reader. I guess that would be just a force of habit or terrible eyesite.

[golfing eagles]

Cart and car riders do the same. Don't blame bike riders for everything. I have almost been hit by cars and carts blowing through stop signs.

No, they don't. Neither a car nor a cart can sneak around a gate without hitting the curb.

I'm not blaming bike riders for "everything". I am blaming them for circumventing the purpose of the gates at MMP crossings. When you are in a cart, or a suppose on a bicycle as well, and cross 1/2 way, the gatehouse blocks your view and the only way you know if you can proceed is by noting the gates in the down position. When a cyclist blows right around them it creates a safety hazard for both parties. This is in contrast to rolling through a stop sign when you can see no one is coming. Get the difference????

[Stu from NYC]

So basically, when the gate arm is down, use your card
when the gate arm is up, use your card.

Got it, so whenever going through a gate, use your card. . .

And so many of us are correct on why it happens
and what to do in all cases. .
and why any villager can own a crossing gate arm for their mantle piece. .

thanks Hockeyguy

other sports guy

So when do we not use our card?

[golfing eagles]

So when do we not use our card?

When the gates have been removed for an impending storm?????

[Stu from NYC]

When the gates have been removed for an impending storm?????

Thinking you need a vacation.

[CarlR33]

The villages could easily solve the broken gate problem by putting the traffic sensor further away from the gate. That way, even if people are in a hurry, the gate will be up before they can get to it. When the sensor is so close people tend to jump the gun. It’s not gonna prevent it, but there will be a lot less Or remove ALL the gates and the associated attendant?. I have not understood what the whole concept is for anyway? Gated community is locked down no entry for anyone without id, card, etc. Just pull up to the visitors gate and look friendly come one in. I have my card on a rainy day and get wet trying to abide by the magical gated community. Why I ask?

[Bill14564]

Or remove ALL the gates and the associated attendant?. I have not understood what the whole concept is for anyway? Gated community is locked down no entry for anyone without id, card, etc. Just pull up to the visitors gate and look friendly come one in. I have my card on a rainy day and get wet trying to abide by the magical gated community. Why I ask?

Please read the earlier posts in this thread or any of the many previous threads on this topic.

The gates have nothing to do with being a "gated community" and everything to do with traffic calming prior to crossing an area used by walkers, bikers, and carts.

[dewilson58]

Please read the earlier posts in this thread or any of the many previous threads on this topic.

The gates have nothing to do with being a "gated community" and everything to do with traffic calming prior to crossing an area used by walkers, bikers, and carts.

Do you feel like you are beating your head against the wall???

How many times does this have to be stated, and re-stated, and ________.


:ohdear::ohdear:

[LeRoySmith]

Do you feel like you are beating your head against the wall???

How many times does this have to be stated, and re-stated, and ________.


:ohdear::ohdear:

It's too bad the developer doesn't use their considerable pull with the counties and turn it into an actual gated community, get rid of the red buttons and put an attendant at every gate.

[Bill14564]

It's too bad the developer doesn't use their considerable pull with the counties and turn it into an actual gated community, get rid of the red buttons and put an attendant at every gate.

The developer turned them over to the county some time ago. Imagine the maintenance fee increase that would be necessary if the CDDs were responsible for all the roads and not just the villa roads.

[MrFlorida]

Get rid of the gates!

I guess you don't cross the roads with a golf cart.

[MrFlorida]

Or remove ALL the gates and the associated attendant?. I have not understood what the whole concept is for anyway? Gated community is locked down no entry for anyone without id, card, etc. Just pull up to the visitors gate and look friendly come one in. I have my card on a rainy day and get wet trying to abide by the magical gated community. Why I ask?

The gates are there so golf carts have a chance of crossing without getting hit !

[CarlR33]

Please read the earlier posts in this thread or any of the many previous threads on this topic.

The gates have nothing to do with being a "gated community" and everything to do with traffic calming prior to crossing an area used by walkers, bikers, and carts.Ok, I am not sure I knew that but we are talking about golf carts that want to increase the speed of their ride, ride down the main public road with no lights or taillights on in the dark and rain while passing the cart in front of them? My experience on the carts has been the gates and gate house along with all the shrubbery and such around the gate house add to the blind side of trying to get across the driveway's in a cart. Forget about talking about carts that dart out in front of me when I enter a gate in my car (and not the ones on the blind side either). Lastly, if the gates do not serve as a “gated community” but rather traffic control then why do I need a gate card that I have to pay TV for to enter but not to exit (since not a “secure” community)?

[JMintzer]

Thanks but who keeps the dollars the developer or the district?

No that I care at all, but I would think that whomever fixes/maintains the gates gets the money to fix/maintain said gates...

[JMintzer]

Cart and car riders do the same. Don't blame bike riders for everything. I have almost been hit by cars and carts blowing through stop signs.

The person you're responding to said bicycles "blow around the gates". I've never seen a golf cart to this... Plus, I don't think it's even possible to do!

Now, if you want to start a separate discussion about failing to stop at stop signs, have at it...

[JMintzer]

Ok, I am not sure I knew that but we are talking about golf carts that want to increase the speed of their ride, ride down the main public road with no lights or taillights on in the dark and rain while passing the cart in front of them? My experience on the carts has been the gates and gate house along with all the shrubbery and such around the gate house add to the blind side of trying to get across the driveway's in a cart. Forget about talking about carts that dart out in front of me when I enter a gate in my car (and not the ones on the blind side either). Lastly, if the gates do not serve as a “gated community” but rather traffic control then why do I need a gate card that I have to pay TV for to enter but not to exit (since not a “secure” community)?

Trust me, no one is afraid to say what you just said. They just know better...

[Bill14564]

Ok, I am not sure I knew that but we are talking about golf carts that want to increase the speed of their ride, ride down the main public road with no lights or taillights on in the dark and rain while passing the cart in front of them?

I thought we were talking about the majority of the walkers, bikers, and cart drivers that use the MMP and cross at the gatehouses. These people do not care about increasing their speed or driving with no lights or taillights in the dark and besides, what does any of that have to do with the purpose of the gates?


My experience on the carts has been the gates and gate house along with all the shrubbery and such around the gate house add to the blind side of trying to get across the driveway's in a cart. Forget about talking about carts that dart out in front of me when I enter a gate in my car (and not the ones on the blind side either).

The number of lanes at these gatehouses (normally three) and amount of traffic is the reason the gates are needed. All the obstructions are part of providing the required gates. The "blind side" aspect of all of this is mitigated by the gates - carts from either side can see if the gates are moving up or if the gates are closed and then react accordingly.

Dart out as you enter a gate in your car? If you mean a cart that crosses in front of an open gate then yeah, that might be a problem. If you mean a cart that is moving across as your gate is opening then no harm, no foul - it may frustrate you to see the cart but since you are still waiting for the gate, the cart is not impeding your progress at all. Like any intersection, you can enter as soon as the intersection is clear - if you were approaching the gate or stopped at the gate then the intersection was clear for the cart to enter.

Lastly, if the gates do not serve as a “gated community” but rather traffic control then why do I need a gate card that I have to pay TV for to enter but not to exit (since not a “secure” community)?

The gates do not serve to gate the community off from the public. Except for some Villa streets, these are all city/county roads. You don't need a gate card, you can press the red button; the cards just make things a little easier. Perhaps you could turn the cards back in for a refund of whatever you paid for them. Customer Service would be a place to start looking into that.

[Maker]

Please read the earlier posts in this thread or any of the many previous threads on this topic.

The gates have nothing to do with being a "gated community" and everything to do with traffic calming prior to crossing an area used by walkers, bikers, and carts.

Excellent post. Clearly defines how changing entry gates to automatically open like the exit gates would make things so much better (for everyone, especially for the card haters), without compromising the reason so many advocate for keeping gates. No cards needed is better for everybody.

Has anyone ever been stuck behind a delivery truck driver crawling out of the driver seat to get to the red button?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Has anyone ever been stuck behind a delivery truck driver crawling out of the driver seat to get to the red button?

LOL! same for mini me out the truck window!

[Bill14564]

Excellent post. Clearly defines how changing entry gates to automatically open like the exit gates would make things so much better (for everyone, especially for the card haters), without compromising the reason so many advocate for keeping gates. No cards needed is better for everybody.

Has anyone ever been stuck behind a delivery truck driver crawling out of the driver seat to get to the red button?

The biggest problem I can see with automatically opening entry gates would be more gate strikes.

Exit gates typically stay up between cars. Not always, and I've almost hit a couple when they automatically closed, but many will stay up while a line of cars exit. Drivers get used to that.

Entry gates would still need to come down between each car to allow photographing the license plate and to provide spacing between vehicles. However, if they opened automatically, just like exit gates, then drivers will expect them to stay open, just like exit gates, and when they don't there will be gate strikes. If the driver needs to press the button or present a card then he knows the gate will be coming down and shouldn't try to make it through without stopping first.

[NoMoSno]

The biggest problem I can see with automatically opening entry gates would be more gate strikes.

Exit gates typically stay up between cars. Not always, and I've almost hit a couple when they automatically closed, but many will stay up while a line of cars exit. Drivers get used to that.

Entry gates would still need to come down between each car to allow photographing the license plate and to provide spacing between vehicles. However, if they opened automatically, just like exit gates, then drivers will expect them to stay open, just like exit gates, and when they don't there will be gate strikes. If the driver needs to press the button or present a card then he knows the gate will be coming down and shouldn't try to make it through without stopping first.
Cameras are not activated by gates or red buttons.
They record a continuous loop of entry and exit gates.

[4$ALE]

Excellent post. Clearly defines how changing entry gates to automatically open like the exit gates would make things so much better (for everyone, especially for the card haters), without compromising the reason so many advocate for keeping gates. No cards needed is better for everybody.

Has anyone ever been stuck behind a delivery truck driver crawling out of the driver seat to get to the red button?

:rolleyes: Have to ask..... How long were you stuck? Day, day and a half, maybe longer? :a20: People in a hurry are one of the MAIN PROBLEMS around here. Everyone needs to slow down and smell the flowers. (Hell we pay to change them out 4 times a year) :oops:

[coffeebean]

Ok, I am not sure I knew that but we are talking about golf carts that want to increase the speed of their ride, ride down the main public road with no lights or taillights on in the dark and rain while passing the cart in front of them? My experience on the carts has been the gates and gate house along with all the shrubbery and such around the gate house add to the blind side of trying to get across the driveway's in a cart. Forget about talking about carts that dart out in front of me when I enter a gate in my car (and not the ones on the blind side either). Lastly, if the gates do not serve as a “gated community” but rather traffic control then why do I need a gate card that I have to pay TV for to enter but not to exit (since not a “secure” community)?

My thoughts are that the exit gates are not necessary. The cart paths are BEFORE the exit gates so the gates don't serve any purpose for traffic control. The exit gates on Morse Blvd., just north of 466 are certainly not necessary. Vehicles at that gate are approaching a traffic light at Morse and 466 which is just a few yards ahead. What is the need to be stopped by a gate when there are no golf carts at that point anyway. The golf carts cross Morse BEFORE the exit gates.

[asianthree]

My thoughts are that the exit gates are not necessary. The cart paths are BEFORE the exit gates so the gates don't serve any purpose for traffic control. The exit gates on Morse Blvd., just north of 466 are certainly not necessary. Vehicles at that gate are approaching a traffic light at Morse and 466 which is just a few yards ahead. What is the need to be stopped by a gate when there are no golf carts at that point anyway. The golf carts cross Morse BEFORE the exit gates.

Ok……..no exit gates….think of all the lawn guys, FedEx and UPS on the clock, traveling 30mph that Might slow to 20 because of length and width through the exit gates.

Then add on the resident that has great corner ability in a sports car take that exit area at 30. Then think about the resident that scares the crap out of you while you watch them drive, and think “that’s an accident waiting to happen” flying through the no gate exit.

Now picture yourself trying to frogger your way across knowing that nobody is slowing down at the exit, because that exit gate is gone.
One may be crossing in front of the exit gate, but you have a fighting chance, because they have to slow down or hit a gate.

Just my thoughts from many past experiences crossing while gates were down because of issues. Then think of high season, those who first time visit, may not take into account “that’s a human that I could have ran over” at that non gate exit

[JMintzer]

My thoughts are that the exit gates are not necessary. The cart paths are BEFORE the exit gates so the gates don't serve any purpose for traffic control. The exit gates on Morse Blvd., just north of 466 are certainly not necessary. Vehicles at that gate are approaching a traffic light at Morse and 466 which is just a few yards ahead. What is the need to be stopped by a gate when there are no golf carts at that point anyway. The golf carts cross Morse BEFORE the exit gates.

I don't know where you live, but I can only think of one or two gates that are before the cart path entrances... The vast majority are AFTER the gates...

[mtdjed]

18 years in The Villages and never came close to hitting a gate, fully understand that the county owns the roads, anybody is entitled to use the roads. Always approach the gates with caution. Never found a reason to challenge a gate.
I think of gates like a caution, not as an obstacle. Somewhat like a railroad crossing.

If you have ever hit a gate, I would bet that you are responsible. If not responsible, I would expect that you would not have been charged. Remember the video. If you were a victim, you would likely have access to prove your case.