Central Square gets a rainbow crossing just in time for Pride

colored paint costs way more than white paint.

and should not be used to promote any group's specific agenda, no matter how worthwhile that agenda may be. What is so hard for people to understand here.

Marriages weren't performed at 12:01 - the first licence was issued to a classmate of mine and her (still) wife at 12:01.

There was a multi-day waiting period that had to be waved by a judge to get married. The first marriage was a long-time Malden couple, around noon.

So crosswalk regs. not applicable, I assume.

are not considered a traffic control device. So no waiver is required.

And if they were, this wouldn't be the first time their objections or advice would be disregarded by the politicians.

to the use of colored pavement, brick pavers, and the like when they are provided between the two transverse, or perpendicular, lines of a standard crosswalk, It is NOT applicable to using colors between the lateral lines of a "ladder' or 'Continental' style crosswalk. The contrast between the white markings and the blank pavement (void areas) of those markings is a deliberate design feature of the "ladder' style crosswalk As such, providing colors in the void areas of such treatments does adversely affect the ability of drivers to discern the crosswalk, especially at night.

As others have noted, FHWA has already abundantly made this clear when other cites have attempted similar treatments.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/3_09_24.htm

even if they don't directly receive Federal funds for their streets and roads. From MGL Chapter 85, Section 2:

Except as hereinafter provided, any rule, regulation, order, ordinance or by-law of a city or town hereafter made or promulgated relative to or in connection with the erection or maintenance of signs, traffic control signals, traffic devices, school zones, parking meters or markings on any way within its control shall take effect without department approval provided such signs, traffic control signals, traffic devices, parking meters, school zones or markings are in conformance with the department's current manual on uniform traffic control devices(emphasis added) and the department's sample regulation for a standard municipal traffic code

It's the negative space that's painted with rainbow colors, so there may be no violation at all

Except that the "ladder' or "Continental" type crosswalk design, such as the original installation in Central Square was before it was changed, is a specified standard option allowed per the MUTCD, and does NOT include colors in the void spaces. Therefore, this crosswalk is NOT in conformance with current standards.

And no, neither FHWA nor MassDOT have MUTCD enforcement police (although the Legislature has ocassionaly considered laws that would provide for such). However, if a given project that is local jurisdiction was constructed in whole or partially with Federal funds, the city or town is bound by what is known as a Traffic Control Agreement (TCA). By signing the TCA, the municipality agrees that the signs, signals, markings and other traffic controls installed as part of the project will be maintained in accordance with the applicable standards.

Most importantly, installation of non-standard traffic controls is not only a violation of the law, but it WILL subject a city or town to liability should a crash occur (defense lawyers especially love MUTCD violations). Especially if the non-standard controls were installed not for demonstrated safety reasons, but to satisfy the PC crowd.

That is so yesterday.

I give Don grief all the time, but in the end at worst he is annoying, which is better than most of us.

I have occasionally been able to learn about the most obscure, interesting things from theszak, the same as I would from many friends with quirks. Plus, it wouldn't be UHub without theszak! It'd be like a Boston that had never seen a hand pained Doug Bennett sign!!

He's posted this thing about gay shame before, and while the name of the movement is initially off-putting, the goals were noble, and it was interesting to learn and hear about...the first time, lol.

Dude, just drop it. This is temporary.

I think the red white blue centerlines that aren't reflective are far more noxious as these things go. At least the reflectorized white stripes were not painted over!

Happy Pride, Kris!