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What does implementing the Lifesaver Plan cost?
 | 1. Lifesaver signs |
Lifesaver formats cost no more than signs of similar size already in use by many councils. Country towns not
needing to display suburb name could use a l50mm Lifesaver. Urban and suburban
councils could cut costs by using the suburb name and the council logo on only
one of the signs on a post, using 150mm Lifesavers for subsequent signs.
As a guide for councils, in June 2002 StreetSigns obtained quotes from three
suppliers for Lifesaver I, Lifesaver II and the Country Lifesaver.
Specifications were for double-sided signs with black legend on a white Class 1
retroreflective background, and no logo.
Prices varied widely among the three manufacturers. Each supplier pointed out that
logos, reflective fonts and other variables significantly influenced costs and
that for an accurate quote, a council would need to submit its own
specification for a proposed Lifesaver.
| 2. Signing both streets and erecting "missing" signs |
The cost of filling the gaps at street corners depends on how many signs are
missing. One quarter were missing in the fairly typical Sydney suburban area
where the Navigator’s Paradise trial took place. Few councils would be able or
willing to put up all their missing signs at once, but even this is not outside
the scope of council budgets. What it costs to pave and gutter a street for one
block can buy 1000-2000 street name blades.
The work can be spread over many years by completing one area at a time, or
alternatively, by covering every 3rd corner, then every 2nd,
etc. New subdivisions should be fully signed from the beginning.
When full signage has been achieved, the cost of maintaining a larger fleet
of signs will indeed be greater than it is today. But this is not extravagance.
It is bringing our streets in line with those in other first-world countries. It is correcting a deficiency that
causes thousands of road users untold stress every single day. It is not a
nicety, it is a necessity.
| 3 and 4. Improved signposting |
Placing both signs at intersections on the one post where they may now be on
two involves labour but not material cost. This can be offset by recycling the
extraneous post.
Moving two-signed posts from the top of T junctions to a corner across the
road has much lower priority. But all new T installations should go on a
corner.
| 5. Kerb numbering |
Kerb numbering is popular with the community. In the Epping trial, many
residents indicated they would be willing to pay a levy to help their council
finance blanket numbering. Levy or not, they would certainly consider it a worthy expenditure
of council funds. Providers can charge much less per house if contracted to
number whole streets instead of having to doorknock and sell.
| 6. Encouraging ratepayers |
Encouraging ratepayers to prominently display their property numbers would
cost very little. After developing a code, a council would promulgate it in
existing council publications, perhaps offering quarterly prizes for the best
examples of compliance, etc.
Page created 29 October, 2001. Last updated
19 August, 2003 04:39:33 +1000 
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