Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sydney Australia - First Stop on the International Billboard Scan
Ed. note: Scenic America President Mary Tracy is traveling around the world as part of the International Outdoor Advertising Scan, a tour organized by a division of the Federal Highway Administration. She will be updating us on her findings frequently. Check back here at the blog often, or at our Twitter feed.
I arrived in Sydney on Wednesday morning after a 20 hour plane ride. Passing through the international date line, I realized that Monday disappeared forever. If one has to lose a day I decided that Monday is a good choice. I photographed my first sign in Sydney, located in the entrance way of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Sydney is considered one of the most attractive cities on the earth, and I must agree.
More to come...
I arrived in Sydney on Wednesday morning after a 20 hour plane ride. Passing through the international date line, I realized that Monday disappeared forever. If one has to lose a day I decided that Monday is a good choice. I photographed my first sign in Sydney, located in the entrance way of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Sydney is considered one of the most attractive cities on the earth, and I must agree.More to come...
St. Louis Moves Closer to Digital Billboard Moratorium
After many neighborhood complaints over the city's only digital billboard and with a new sign readied to go up in a historic neighborhood, Saint Louis City officials move forward with a moratorium on digital billboards.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Put Digital Billboards on Hold
The Pocono Record is the voice of reason in its editorial calling for Pennsylvania to put digitals on hold for more safety study. Statewide moratoria on digital billboards are already under consideration in Michigan and Minnesota. A bill in Missouri would prohibit them all together.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
No Oscars for LA Supergraphics
Hoping to cash in on the Oscars by draping buildings on Hollywood Boulevard with illegal multi-story supergraphics, several owners instead were served with criminal warrants. By Saturday morning, the illegal signs had been removed.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Durham Residents Fight Effort to Allow Digital Billboards
Durham, NC has had a strong billboard law for over 25 years, but now neighborhood groups are leading the effort to fight off an attack by Big Billboard to allow existing "grandfathered" billboards that do not meet current standards to nevertheless be upgraded to digital technology and possibly even moved to new locations. A CVB poll of Durham residents last summer found residents favored keeping the existing law by a margin of 9 to 1. The Durham News reports that city leaders also are reluctant to weaken the effective billboard law that has enhanced Durham's attractiveness.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Electronic Billboards Up for Debate in Denver
Denver already has strict limits on digital signage, and is now moving for a vote that would prohibit them altogether. Scenic Colorado and neighborhood groups are leading the effort, and the Council plans a public hearing and vote on the matter on Monday. ABC-7 has more.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Drivers Can't Escape Digital Billboard Distraction
The New York Times covers the motorist distraction issue of digital billboards as part of its ongoing Driven to Distraction series.
Existing studies make it clear that digital signs are a distraction. As an exhaustive report conducted for the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials of prior studies concludes:
"Those [state and local officials] who think their job is to do what they can to enhance safety for the traveling public based upon the best available evidence now have, in our opinion, access to a strong and growing body of evidence, including evidence from industry funded research, that roadside digital advertising attract drivers' eyes away from the road for extended, demonstrably unsafe periods of time."
See more on digital distraction at Scenic America here.
Existing studies make it clear that digital signs are a distraction. As an exhaustive report conducted for the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials of prior studies concludes:
"Those [state and local officials] who think their job is to do what they can to enhance safety for the traveling public based upon the best available evidence now have, in our opinion, access to a strong and growing body of evidence, including evidence from industry funded research, that roadside digital advertising attract drivers' eyes away from the road for extended, demonstrably unsafe periods of time."
See more on digital distraction at Scenic America here.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Businessman Jailed in LA Supergraphics Case
The LA Times reports a businessman was jailed and held on $1 million bail for the blatant disregard of the city's sign code for allowing an 8 story tall supergraphics sign to be erected without a permit.
As city attorney Carmen Trutanich said in a prepared statement, "The days of lax and inconsistent enforcement of billboard and outdoor advertising laws in this city are over."
As city attorney Carmen Trutanich said in a prepared statement, "The days of lax and inconsistent enforcement of billboard and outdoor advertising laws in this city are over."
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