Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2445276)

Since we have owned a home off Morse, north of 466 for 10 years, I am as familiar with that gate as just about anyone. There is a good distance between the gate and 466, and I have never seen automobile traffic back up anywhere even close the 466. On the other, I have witnessed many dangerous encounters between automobiles and golf carts trying to cross over to the MMP because of the gate attendants not staggering automobile traffic enough to let carts through. The picture below occasionally happens when the gate attendant never bothers to turn around and check out how many golf carts are backed up behind them. In my opinion, that area would be much better served by not having a gate attendant.

Originally Posted by lawgolfer (Post 2445510)

The biggest flaw in the design at Morse and 466 is that the gatehouse/gates are a considerable distance from the cross-over for southbound carts. If the gatehouse/gates were moved to the north and abutted the cart cross-over(as they are at every other gate in The Villages), northbound vehicles would have to come to a stop and carts could proceed to cross-over. Of course, the best solution would be to eliminate the cross-over and install a tunnel for carts.

With the present design, N/B vehicles have a "running start" if the attendant waves them through and are at a high speed when they reach the cross-over. If they are not waved through and they do stop for the gate, the distance to the cross-over still provides a long distance during which the vehicles are accelerating.

An additional benefit of moving the gatehouse/gates so they abut the cart cross-over, is that it would create additional space between the gatehouse/gates and 466 and should eliminate any chance of a back-up of vehicles which could block traffic on 466.

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2445252)

Apparently some of the CDD’s are considering possible changes to the current gate system utilized in the Villages.

From what I understand, there are three options being discussed.

1) Keep as is
2) Eliminate gates
3) Keep the gates, but get rid of the attendants

Perhaps there are other options being considered that I’m not aware of?

Based on the three options listed I’m curious what option others favor?

Personally, I would favor keeping the gates, but getting rid of the gate attendants. I feel the gates are necessary to slow automobile traffic so golf carts can safely get through gated intersections. However, I don’t really see any benefit of having the attendants. In fact, I think having a gate attendant at the 466/Morse gate is a detriment. The attendant typically just holds the gates open waving cars through as fast as possible, alternating between the two gates, leaving no openings for golf carts. Without the attendant, automobiles would have to stop and either waive their gate card or push the little red button, leaving openings for golf carts to cross. I suppose the only time I could see the gate attendant as being helpful would be if the gate was temporarily broken, so they could hold up a stop sign to slow down automobiles not being constrained by a gate.

Originally Posted by Mrs S (Post 2445316)

I suggest keeping all of the gates, however, have the gates open as our vehicles approach them. This way we don’t get soaking wet when it’s pouring rain and we have to open our window to wave our card in front of it.

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2445469)

Exactly my point as well. If the traffic never backs up even close to 466, why are the gate attendants too lazy to turn around and check for golf cart backups behind them. Since automobile traffic never backs up near 466, why not periodically hold up the cars for a few seconds and let a few carts safely crossover?

Originally Posted by LoriAnn (Post 2445591)

For people without Villages ID, taking a photo of license plate and driver at gate is a better crime deterrent than gate attendants. Slowing traffic at gate long enough to push a button gives enough time for photo.

Originally Posted by Eagle06 (Post 2445700)

Eliminate the Gate Guards. They really serve no purpose, except to provide a friendly wave when they are on their feet and not sitting inside. Keep the gates to facilitate golf cart crossings.

Originally Posted by lawgolfer (Post 2445510)

The biggest flaw in the design at Morse and 466 is that the gatehouse/gates are a considerable distance from the cross-over for southbound carts. If the gatehouse/gates were moved to the north and abutted the cart cross-over(as they are at every other gate in The Villages), northbound vehicles would have to come to a stop and carts could proceed to cross-over. Of course, the best solution would be to eliminate the cross-over and install a tunnel for carts.

With the present design, N/B vehicles have a "running start" if the attendant waves them through and are at a high speed when they reach the cross-over. If they are not waved through and they do stop for the gate, the distance to the cross-over still provides a long distance during which the vehicles are accelerating.

An additional benefit of moving the gatehouse/gates so they abut the cart cross-over, is that it would create additional space between the gatehouse/gates and 466 and should eliminate any chance of a back-up of vehicles which could block traffic on 466.