Public Works and the new DOT Team Up to Put the Public in “Public Safety”
Chalk up another City of Berkeley innovation, the new Traffic Control Lending Library. This one of a kind community resource allow residents to borrow from the city’s vast inventory of traffic control resources. Berkeley residents with a valid library card can now obtain all sorts of resources to warn drivers of a pending hazards or divert traffic or parking altogether. Whether it’s road pylons, street barriers or “do not enter” signage, residents now have access to the entire city inventory.
During the grand opening of the Lending Library, the Director of Public Works declared, “this is a grassroots movement to put the public in public safety. For years, residents have been demanding we take steps to mitigate traffic hazards or simply exclude cars altogether, but it’s hard to keep up with demand; the job simply became overwhelming. With the advent of the new Department of Transportation, we saw the opportunity for a unique partnership to enhance community based public safety.”
With an influx of oversized vehicles coming to Berkeley, traffic pylons have become a “hot” item. In many areas cyclists and drivers have had “close calls” with larger vehicles that are now being parked throughout the city. One neighborhood activist noted, “when City Council threw in the towel on parking enforcement, we knew we needed an out of the box solution. The lending library has really proven to be a source of empowerment to the community.”
The Director of Public Works also acknowledged, “look we are hardly using this stuff, so why not let the community make the best of their investment. Think of the Lending Library as ROI on your tax dollars.”
look we are hardly using this stuff, so why not let the community make the best of their investment
Director of Public Works
Berkeley Hills residents have been early-adopters of DIY traffic control management. The Lending Library’s librarian observed that “No Parking” signs have been especially popular items in Berkeley Hill’s zip codes. He explained, “residents in the hills tend to view the space in front of their house as their entitled parking spot. Historically, these residents have scribed snippy notes to be placed on windshields when others utilize their space. Now a popular trend is to simply place a No Parking sign in front of one’s home when leaving by car. Another option is “space blocking” with traffic pylons. Again, visitors to the Lending Library can choose either option.”
Another popular application for library resources is full-time street barricading. Many residents have expressed “Oakland envy.” With one activist declaring, “look why can’t we be more like Oakland where street have been barricaded since March 2020. In the COVID era, we need to take back the streets for outdoor social distancing. Quality of life is much better with random street parties o’plenty on the horizon”
Quality of life is much better with random street parties o’plenty on the horizon
Local street activist
Random closure of city streets with equipment borrowed from the Traffic Control Lending Library is the latest trend causing some disruption to traffic flow. Public Works also suggested the Lending Library could serve to address the growing budget shortfall in the city. Their director of finance indicated, “look they initially residents with a library card get the stuff for free, but once it becomes overdue, that’s when the late fees kick in. With all proceeds going back to the Department, we see this program coupled with Pot Hole Naming Opportunities as a way to shore up our finances.”