[MrFlorida]

You all know the gates are there. STOP !

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by wolfie

A lot of other communities use flashing LED lights that are powered by Solar. This has been brought up numerous times for whatever reason the powers to be refuse to do it. Maybe the company that repair the arms have a strong connection in The Villages who knows but yes still hard to see at certain times a day even if you have 2020.

How many gates do these communities have? Two, three, maybe four gates ? Why should everybody have to pay because a very small percentage of drivers are ignorant of the rules here and take down the gates. The areas around the gates clearly are a big hint that there will be a gate.

[Bertram00]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Yes, many people have complained about the visibility of the gate arms. (Surely it cannot be because our eyes are aging?!)

Response to previous complaints has been that there is a standard for how the gate arms have to be, and our gate arms meet the standard.

I agree that flashing lights, fluttering fringes, neon paint, etc, would be an appreciated improvement. But - our gate arms meet the standard.

Well, why can't we exceed the standard? Why can't we add more visibility than the minimum?

Why not add sirens as well ⁉️🙄

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Yes, many people have complained about the visibility of the gate arms. (Surely it cannot be because our eyes are aging?!)

Response to previous complaints has been that there is a standard for how the gate arms have to be, and our gate arms meet the standard.

I agree that flashing lights, fluttering fringes, neon paint, etc, would be an appreciated improvement. But - our gate arms meet the standard.

Well, why can't we exceed the standard? Why can't we add more visibility than the minimum?

Originally Posted by wolfie

A lot of other communities use flashing LED lights that are powered by Solar. This has been brought up numerous times for whatever reason the powers to be refuse to do it. Maybe the company that repair the arms have a strong connection in The Villages who knows but yes still hard to see at certain times a day even if you have 2020.

Gates in the Villages are on public roads. The District and the lawyers have claimed that due to this, the gates must follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. You want a more visible gate? Find a way to do that while staying in compliance with that manual then bring the suggestion to a PWAC meeting.

The gates are designed to break off at the bolts when they are impacted with enough force. This reduces damage to the vehicle impacting it and reduces damage to the gate and the mechanism that lifts it. When you find an approach to increasing the visibility of the gate, make sure it does not add weight. If weight is added to the gates then the whole system would need to be strengthened which could be costly to install, more costly to repair, and more damaging to vehicles.

OR, drivers could slow down and pay more attention at areas where they already know gates exist.

[Marathon Man]

Please name the communities that have placed flashing lights on their gates. I want to stay far far away from them.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Gates in the Villages are on public roads. The District and the lawyers have claimed that due to this, the gates must follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. You want a more visible gate? Find a way to do that while staying in compliance with that manual then bring the suggestion to a PWAC meeting.

The gates are designed to break off at the bolts when they are impacted with enough force. This reduces damage to the vehicle impacting it and reduces damage to the gate and the mechanism that lifts it. When you find an approach to increasing the visibility of the gate, make sure it does not add weight. If weight is added to the gates then the whole system would need to be strengthened which could be costly to install, more costly to repair, and more damaging to vehicles.

OR, drivers could slow down and pay more attention at areas where they already know gates exist.

Bill,
If you continue to use common sense, logic, and facts, you may get banned from this thread...

[chicksinger]

Originally Posted by mminternet

Just curious if others have difficulty seeing the gate arms at the main entrances? At the main entrance near our home, the arm/bar will stay up for an extended amount of time and then at other times they drop between each car. Regardless, they can be difficult to see due to rain/sun/etc... Why are there not flashing lights on these? The red paint/tape isn't doing much for visibility. I imagine solar powered lights could be added without a lot of expense to the gate arm. I've seen several broken arms so it must be an issue... Is there a department in the Villages where a person could voice their concerns? Thanks.

I've also thought that perhaps using the newer more visible fluorescent lime green (like the school signs elsewhere) would be a better choice... and yes, the arms come off all the time because people knock them out...but they now have to pay for doing that...so be careful!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by mminternet

Just curious if others have difficulty seeing the gate arms at the main entrances? At the main entrance near our home, the arm/bar will stay up for an extended amount of time and then at other times they drop between each car. Regardless, they can be difficult to see due to rain/sun/etc... Why are there not flashing lights on these? The red paint/tape isn't doing much for visibility. I imagine solar powered lights could be added without a lot of expense to the gate arm. I've seen several broken arms so it must be an issue... Is there a department in the Villages where a person could voice their concerns? Thanks.

The gates are often in the shade of large trees and therefore hard to see, so orange paint plus reflectors at night should help. And I can't stand the idea that we can't fix this because we have ALWAYS done it this was, and regulations don't allow us to try new things. Damn the stupid regulations, lives are being lost, fix the DAMN things
. ......Are WE in charge of our lives in the Villages or are we controlled by stupid, useless regulation.
......It's a PROBLEM. So, TRY A new approach. Is that so radical?

[phylt]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The gates are often in the shade of large trees and therefore hard to see, so orange paint plus reflectors at night should help. And I can't stand the idea that we can't fix this because we have ALWAYS done it this was, and regulations don't allow us to try new things. Damn the stupid regulations, lives are being lost, fix the DAMN things
. ......Are WE in charge of our lives in the Villages or are we controlled by stupid, useless regulation.
......It's a PROBLEM. So, TRY A new approach. Is that so radical?

I DO agree. We've lived in TV for nine years now, and well aware of the gates...

But there ARE times, esp at dusk - and shady areas - when it IS difficult to see the slim gate pole. We ARE all aging as well, and better safe than sorry. Anything to assist making gate arms a bit simpler to see under less-than-perfect conditions would be helpful.

This is why I agree.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Bertram00

Why not add sirens as well ⁉️🙄

Yeah! Or flashing lights like at RR crossings, that start flashing when a sensor detects an approaching vehicle.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Yes, many people have complained about the visibility of the gate arms. (Surely it cannot be because our eyes are aging?!)

Response to previous complaints has been that there is a standard for how the gate arms have to be, and our gate arms meet the standard.

I agree that flashing lights, fluttering fringes, neon paint, etc, would be an appreciated improvement. But - our gate arms meet the standard.

Well, why can't we exceed the standard? Why can't we add more visibility than the minimum?

I have heard people complaining for years, I never really understood how people could miss them... until the morning I went to pick up a friend near the Sea-breeze rec center and even with the visor and tinted window.... I did not see a thing, gate, gate arm, etc. Previous to that, I would have thought the problem was a bit hyped. I found out when the summer sun is straight on early in the a.m., everything is blotted out. Some have mentioned any kind of "fluttering" like fringe would help but maybe nothing is made that would actually stick on for long ?

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I have heard people complaining for years, I never really understood how people could miss them... until the morning I went to pick up a friend near the Sea-breeze rec center and even with the visor and tinted window.... I did not see a thing, gate, gate arm, etc. Previous to that, I would have thought the problem was a bit hyped. I found out when the summer sun is straight on early in the a.m., everything is blotted out. Some have mentioned any kind of "fluttering" like fringe would help but maybe nothing is made that would actually stick on for long ?

Not being able to see a gate has happened to me on several occasions. The blaring sun is usually the culprit. But, as other posters have stated common sense tells you they are there. Slow down when entering, take the time to view your surroundings, (I find it easy to look for the red button), then proceed with caution.

[Marathon Man]

Having trouble seeing the gates makes you forget that they are there. Is that it????? I'm having trouble understanding the issue.

[MrFlorida]

For those who have trouble seeing the gates, do you have thes same trouble out on the roads with stop signs ? or even red lights ? Asking for a friend.

[clekr]

If you cannot see the gate arms just the way they are, you should not be driving.