September 7,
2000
Mr. Robert M.
Guernsey
Chairman of the Board
Citizens for a Safe Golden Gate Bridge
46 Elm Avenue
San Anselmo. CA 94960-22 10
RE: Moveable
Lane Separation
Dear Mr. Guernsey:
You recently contacted us through our Website. This letter
will provide you with some information about our lane separator
system.
In February
of 1998 we made a proposal to the district engineer. We
had reviewed a study done for the Golden Gate Bridge by
Northwestern University. From that study we determined that
moveable wall, while good for most of the goals being sought,
was not capable of providing fully the desired results.
Likewise, our moveable CURB system is capable of meeting
most but not all of the goals.
Our patented
moveable conveyor system shifts QWICK KURB® from one
lane to another. Since last we talked to the Bridge Authority,
we have refined the conveyor system, and we use it to effect
lane shifts in roadway construction zones, but it is adaptable
to similar shifts such as desired in your Golden Gate Bridge
situation.
Aside from the
significant cost differences, the key distinction between
the two systems involves the type of separation provided.
Two-foot wide barrier wall essentially prevents crossovers,
with all the benefits and deficiencies associated with that
type of physical barrier. QWICK KURB® on the other hand
presents motorists with a visual separator, and gives a
gentle physical warning of encroachment, but it requires
driver response to prevent a crossover. Thus, if a motorist
had lost his concentration, fallen asleep or had otherwise
not given full attention to driving, curb helps him to make
timely corrective adjustments to avoid colliding with an
oncoming vehicle. However, our QWICK KURB® will not
stop a driver who has had a heart attack, or who been sideswiped
and lost control.
Although crossovers are infrequent on the Golden Gate Bridge,
they do occur. Two-foot wide moveable wall can prevent these,
while QWICK KURB® can only minimize them. On the other
hand QWICK KURB® has a number of advantages over barrier
wall. It allows emergency vehicles to cross over, contributes
less to sideswipe accidents, needs no wide end-treatments,
takes up less lane width etc. There are trade-offs for each
system, and only the bridge authority can determine the
relative weight to assign for each concern. Exhibit "A”
compares advantages, disadvantages and features of both
systems.
That
said, the economics of the situation are important. The
baffler wall system is very expensive, and while the QWICK
KURB® moveable system is much less so, it is not inexpensive.
In either case how can you truly analyze cost ‘benefit ratios
without the benefit of experience with the two systems?
Allow us to suggest (see Exhibit “B”) an interim solution
evaluating our system, at least, under field conditions.
Finally,
we understand that the concept of a one-foot wide barrier
wall is under consideration. Intuitively, it would appear
to have a different set of difficulties and benefits. However,
we have not attempted to compare a system of that nature
because we have not seen anything like it.
After you have
had some time to review what we are enclosing, our Western
Regional Manager.
Ed Wiest will give you a call to determine how to proceed.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Schindler
President
Encl.
Cc: E. Wiest
EXHIBIT "A"
EXHIBIT "B"
Component System
Lane Shifting Conveyor
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