It appears that the RTA is not impressed with Peter Olsen's Lights.

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MEDIA RELEASE RTA
28 January 2009
FLASHING LIGHTS COST CLAIMS INCORRECT
The RTA has refuted claims by Peter Olsen that reliable flashing lights can be installed and maintained safely at schools for $1000.

“Mr Olsen has good intentions, but he is misinforming the public when he claims that effective flashing light systems can be provided in school zones for $1000,” a spokesperson said.

“Mr Olsen’s cost estimate of less than $1000 for the devices does not include any costs associated with the installation, including cabling for electricity.”

“The cost of installing Mr Olsen’s lights averages around $13,000 per zone when connection to the mains power supply is taken into account.

The spokesperson said the State Government announced in 2007 that it would rollout flashing lights to 100 school zones a year over four years at a cost of $46.5 million.

“Mr Olsen’s claim that the RTA’s system costs $58,000 to install is incorrect. The cost varies between $10,000 and $13,000 depending on the work involved at each individual site.

“The remainder of the funding is used for the set up and installation of the central computer system, ongoing maintenance of the signs and the central server, site surveying, design and other ongoing costs.

“Mr Olsen hasn’t included any of these items in his costings.
“Unlike RTA's flashing light technology, Mr Olsen’s flashing lights are not connected to a central system which controls the timing and operation of lights and alerts the RTA to any problems immediately.

“This centrally controlled system is essential to ensure our children remain safe as drivers slow down during the times when students are arriving and leaving school.

“Mr Olsen’s signs have to be operated and serviced manually; which means a fault could go unnoticed, putting the lives of our most vulnerable at risk.

“While the RTA welcomes Mr Olsen’s intentions, we cannot install potentially unsafe, unreliable and infrequently monitored systems when it is our children we are trying to protect.

“Children are unpredictable and the addition of effective flashing lights in school zones where traffic volumes are high is a priority.”

The spokesperson said the RTA had advertised for tenders for its design, maintenance and servicing of flashing lights on four separate occasions and Mr Olsen had not offered a proposal at any stage.

“To date more than 260 school zones have flashing lights and this number will grow by another 100 zones this year.”
CONTACT: RTA Media Unit 8588 5999

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Peter Olsen sent me this press release and he has a few comments and questions himself
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MEDIA RELEASE
29 January 2009

RTA MISREPRESENTS FACTS ON SCHOOL ZONE FLASHING LIGHTS

In a media release issued by the RTA on 28 January 2009 a number of false and/or misleading claims were made:

1. The RTA claimed that I cannot provide flashing lights for $1,000.
I not only can but I have and will. The lights at Sophie Delezio's school cost $1,000 each and I am offering the same lights to any other school that wants them for the same price. I already have offers of sponsorship from several major companies to fund the lights.

2. The RTA claimed that the cost of installing my lights is $13,000 if mains power connection is included. It is presumably referring to lights installed on RTA signs.

The RTA prefers the use of solar power (even though it is energy negative in this application). I hereby offer to install a solar powered version of my lights on any RTA school zone sign in Sydney, including all installation costs, for $1,000.

3. The RTA claimed that the cost of its lights is not $58,000 per sign.
The RTA is spending $46.5M to install lights at 400 school zones, meaning 800 signs. $46.5M divided by 800 equals $58,125. Infrastructure costs are part of the overall cost per sign.

4. The RTA claimed that more than 260 school zones have flashing lights.
What it failed to reveal is that over 160 of those zones are using unreliable test systems installed as part of the 43-school trial held from 2003 - 2006 and/or the 100-school trial that commenced in January 2007. The Roads Minister has stated that those lights are unreliable and have poor performance:

Media release from Eric Roozendaal dated 21 May 2006:

"Mr Roozendaal said the trial of flashing lights at 43 schools had found the existing technology could reduce speeds but was unreliable... We need to put in place better and more effective technology... The operational performance of flashing light units was considered to be poor... On average each site recorded two faults in the 18 month period."

There are 303 school days in 18 months. Two faults in that period equals 99.3% reliability for the FIRST trial.

In relation to the lights used in the 100-school SECOND trial, Mr Rozendaal stated in a Media release dated 26th September 2007:

"The electronic warning systems used in the trial achieved a 98.2% reliability rating."

In other words the lights used in the second trial were less reliable than the lights used in the first trial, which the Roads Minister said were too unreliable.

5. The RTA claimed back-to-base monitoring is essential "to ensure our children remain safe as drivers slow down during the times when students are arriving and leaving school."

- We have documented examples of RTA lights with back-to-base monitoring being out of operation for up to a week. (Kingsway Miranda opp. University St out for a week in May 2007, Princes Highway Blakehurst out for a week around November 2008, many others out for 1-2 days.)

- Rather than installing lights without back-to-base monitoring the RTA and government's preferred option is to install no lights at all at 96% of school zones. What will "ensure our children remain safe as drivers slow down" at those schools?

6. The RTA claimed: “Mr Olsen’s signs have to be operated and serviced manually; which means a fault could go unnoticed, putting the lives of our most vulnerable at risk."

- The lights do not have to be operated manually. They are fully automatic.

- The only servicing is the updating of school holiday dates every 3 years or so via radio. The RTA's solar powered signs have to have their batteries replaced manually every 2-3 years.

- A fault cannot go unnoticed when hundreds of parents, teachers and students pass the signs every day.

7. The RTA claimed "we cannot install potentially unsafe, unreliable and infrequently monitored systems when it is our children we are trying to protect."

- Over 160 school zones (62%) are currently using lights that the Roads Minister has stated are unreliable.

- The 8 sets of lights I installed in Peakhurst and Lugarno are the ONLY model of lights that have operated with 100% reliability since the start of the RTA's 2007 trial.

- The RTA's 3-year trial at 43 schools found that "Type 1" lights (like mine at Peakhurst and Lugarno) reduced average traffic speeds by 50% more than "Type 3" lights. The lights currently being rolled out by the RTA are "Type 3" lights. (See http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/downloads/finalreport_flashinglights_2006.pdf p.vi para.1 and p.65 para.7.) How does that smaller reduction in average speeds help protect children?

8. The RTA claimed that I have not tendered for the lights.
They failed to reveal that I have GIVEN my technology to them to use FOR NOTHING, apart from reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for the Peakhurst and Lugarno lights. Why would I tender?

On 28th February 2007 I signed a Deed prepared by the RTA authorising the RTA to use my technology forever at no charge:

- Paragraph "C" on page 1 of the Deed states: "The RTA wishes to obtain the right to use the System Generally".
- Clause 2.1 on page 2 states: "The Supplier grants the RTA a non-exclusive licence in perpetuity to use the System for the Permitted Purpose".

- Clause 5.2 on page 4 states that the total I will ever be paid is: "the receipted costs paid by the Supplier to third parties for the components used to construct and install the System at the Sites." (Peakhurst and Lugarno).

In other words in return for giving the RTA the right to use my technology free of charge FOREVER they did not even offer to pay for the time I had spent developing and installing the systems. They did not even pay all of my out-of-pocket expenses: Quote (email dated 19/2/2007): "Also please note that I am unable to reimburse you for the IP56 box that was purchased for the Princes H'way Kogarah as it is not within the terms of our Agreement."

That was a $20 plastic box I used for my initial lights installation at Kogarah that the RTA tore down.

9. I hereby call on the RTA to publicly release the following information, much of was promised following the meeting with the Roads Minister on 11th December 2008 but not delivered:

1. Total number and exact street location of all lights signs yet to be installed as part of the $46.5m rollout.

2. Total supply, install and ancillary costs for each type of light installed or to be installed in the current rollout.

3. Ongoing maintenance cost for each type of light being used in the current rollout.

4. Ongoing monitoring cost for each type of light being used in the current rollout.

5. Names of successful tender companies involved in the current rollout and type(s) of lights each company supplies.

6. Total amount paid to each of the above companies to date.

7. Total amount of maintenance and other costs to be paid in the future per year to each of the above companies.

8. Total amount of the $46.5M spent to date.

9. Full details of all faults with all lights that were installed or that commenced operation since January 2007, including:

- Location of sign
- Type of sign and manufacturer
- Nature of fault
- Date and time fault occurred
- Date and time fault fixed
- Whether reported by back-to-base monitoring or not

10. Whose decision it was to use Type 3 lights in the current roll-out when the RTA's own comprehensive 3-year trial found that Type 1 lights reduced average traffic speeds by 50% more then Type 3 lights?

11. What is the statistical increase in risk of fatality to a child as a result of that 50% lesser reduction in average traffic speeds?

I will be seeking the above information via Freedom of Information or Parliament if it is not released.

I note that the NRMA strongly supports the use of more cost-effective lights as per their media release at http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/7819.htm

Any future signs installed by me under the current offer will use the fluorescent yellow-green colour advocated by the NRMA if available.

For more information contact:

Peter Olsen
13/55 The Grand Pde
Brighton-le-Sands 2216
9599-1811
0414-538-404
www.schoolzonelights.com.au
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This is from the category "About faulty flashing lights" (on right)

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After a bit of shopping I headed home along The Kingsway Miranda, it was afternoon school zone time, and guess what?

The flashing lights on this large sign outside Miranda Fair weren't working. hello

I took the photo, drove about another 100 meters and

this sign also had non functioning flashing lights.

Across the road a bit further along The Kingsway, opposite University st. is this one

which hasn't worked since last Friday. (A week since I first saw it.)

All these lights are less than 5 months old and as they are solar powered are INDEPENDANT.

Peter Olsen when I told him, rang Alan Jones about these three lights not working, and they were all fixed that same day. Coincidence?????

Why were some school zone Lights working on Mothers Day and on Anzac Day??

$7.2 million for one hundred sites,

CURRRRCHING!!!!!

How many of the other 100 are also failing and what does all this cost?
Not to mention that if these "state of the art" lights aren't working, they aren't warning.

So much for the all important "Back to base" feature

We'll do this and we'll do that, and nothing or very little gets done.

We'll build a Rail line here, or a Metro there, and what happens?

We'll get tough on crime ............... etc.

When Peter Olsen sends out a media release saying he going to do something, it happens.

This is one of the four at the school.

A flashing light always attracts attention and when these lights are flashing it's school zone time.

By all accounts Peter's lights at Balgowlah Helghts Public School were well received by local residents and media alike.

Peter was all over the media today outlining what he wants to do with his flashing lights to make it safer for school children outside schools and also helping make drivers aware of exactly WHEN it's school zone time.

This is how Channel Nine saw the light.
:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-AU&brand=ninemsn&vid=cf3468f2-f5eb-43eb-bf01-082086948ebc

The RTA will argue that they are rolling out school zone lights at no cost to the tax payer because the funding comes out of revenue collected by speed cameras at school zones.

So people that cruise through a school zone like the one at Beverly Hills, at 4 in the morning, a deserted (at that time of day) three lane divided road,is hammered into paying for the few flashing lights that are installed.

Peter can install flashing lights at all schools by involving local businesses through them sponsoring his flashing lights.

Motorists would see the flashing lights, slow down and instead of paying a fine be happy with the fact "Joe the Fruiterer " sponsored the lights.

A win for the driver, and a win for Joe.

Which school will get the next set of Olsen lights?

MEDIA RELEASE
28 January 2009
SOPHIE DELEZIO'S SCHOOL GETS SCHOOL ZONE FLASHING LIGHTS

Sophie Delezio's school, Balgowlah Heights Public School on Lewis St, finally has school zone flashing lights.

Four sets of lights have been installed by Peter Olsen, the man who installed flashing lights at several schools in Peakhurst and Lugarno in 2006.

"Last December I met with the new Roads Minister, Michael Daley, and Ron Delezio in Peakhurst to show them my lights," Mr Olsen said.

"I suggested that all schools should have flashing lights, something that Ron Delezio is also keen to see. The Minister disagreed however and claimed that if all schools had flashing lights drivers could become "desensitized". He is content with lights being installed at just 4% of school zones over four years at a cost of $116,000 per school zone.

"The government clearly has no interest in protecting children at all schools. They seem more interested in protecting the revenue they collect from unsuspecting drivers who fail to realise what time it is.

"I have therefore decided to start my own roll-out of flashing lights, commencing with Sophie's school," Mr Olsen said. "They will be available to all schools in NSW that want them as outlined at www.schoolzonelights.com.au. There will be no cost to the schools or the taxpayer as they will be funded via sponsorship from local businesses. They cost under $1,000 per sign vs $58,000 for the RTA's lights.

"The signs are installed on private property adjacent to the 40kmh school zone signs so the RTA cannot touch them. If they object to them on the basis that they are unauthorised traffic signs they will first have to remove the tens of thousands of Council-issued signs on private property that read "Slow Down in My Street". If they object to the flashing lights they will also have to ban all flashing Christmas lights and the numerous flashing lights and neon signs outside shops and businesses.

"The signs have two flashing lights each side of the words "Check Speed". They deliberately do not say "School Zone" so that if they happen to malfunction there are no implications. The lights themselves are fully approved by the RTA for use in traffic management.

"The lights will go a long way towards improving road safety around schools and will also help to ensure that responsible drivers are not unfairly penalised.

"I wish to sincerely thank the four home owners near Sophie's school who made the installations possible."

For more information contact:
Peter Olsen
13/55 The Grand Pde
Brighton-le-Sands 2216
9599-1811
0414-538-404
www.schoolzonelights.com.au

The school year begins today and school zones are in operation but this ad in the Daily Telegraph, states that school starts next week.

On radio and TV today there have been questions put to ministers, and ministers giving excuses for this stuff up, and blaming others.

What would happen if one was detected "speeding" in a school zone today and told the police, SDRO or the judge that you couldn't have been speeding because the Government advertising said school hasn't commenced?

It appears to be all too hard

http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager&task=view&id=4927

POLICE powers to wheel-clamp street racers' cars look destined for the scrapheap, with just nine cars clamped in a 12-month trial.

The Daily Telegraph can today reveal the State Government's street racing crackdown is failing to deter hoons on the roads, leading to calls for further legislative change.

A review of the wheel clamping trial - which began in September last year in Wollongong and Liverpool local area commands - is due next month. If successful, the trial was to be extended across the state.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/tough-car-law-trials-fail-to-deter-street-racers/story-e6freuy9-1225757233893

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Daily Telegraph 11/1/09

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This was the Daily Telegraph editorial 11/1/09

LAUGHABLE IDEA

CLAMP the hoons! That's the latest police plan to combat P-plate hoonery throughout NSW.

This tactic will involve the cars of offending drivers being clamped and immobilised in their owners' front yards.

Well, we've heard similar promises before. Cars were going to be cubed or otherwise permanently taken off the road.

Nothing much ever came of those promises, so we await with interest any developments on the clamping front.

There may be one or two problems with clamping, by the way. Say what you will about hoons, but many of them are very skilled mechanically. Those cars of theirs don't modify themselves.

How long do police imagine wheel clamps will last against teams of tooled-up hoons? Thirty minutes? A whole hour?

A more substantial disabling method may be in order. Otherwise, this tactic will be laughed off the street."

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I agree anybody with an angle grinder could easily remove a wheel clamp, but what if it is made clear that if an RTA or Police wheel clamp is illegally removed, the car is automatically forfeited and sold.

Having a car wheelclamped outside your house, would be a constant reminder to the affected driver, mates and neighbours that anti social behaviour won't be tolerated.

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On 11/12/04 (four years ago)in my "P plate driver crisis" category I wrote about using wheelclamps to hobble drivers and spoke to MP Paul Gibson the then "Stay Safe Committe" chairman about using wheelclaps outside drivers homes, and also suggested it to the Pedestrian Council Of Australia Mr Scruby.

The "Pedestrian Council of Australia" why does that name always remind me of the "WORLD" series baseball competition,.... that they have only in the USA.

This letter I had printed in the Telegraph.

Why would a few wheel clamps cost $700,000 ???

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Wheelclamps are well utilised in Victoria

Wheel-Clamping

If you do not pay a fine and you ignore all the reminders, your vehicle may be wheel-clamped.

The Sheriff can impose this sanction against you if you have an outstanding infringement warrant.

If this occurs, any vehicle registered in your name can be wheel-clamped. This can happen at any time, whether or not you have been given notice that this will occur.

Your vehicle may be wheel-clamped wherever it is parked, including at your home, work or at a roadblock.

To wheel-clamp your vehicle, a Sheriff's Officer may enter your vehicle or move your vehicle. A Sheriff's Officer can also require you to give them or a police officer the keys to your vehicle and can remove, dismantle or neutralise your vehicle's locking device. A Sheriff's Officer can demand identification from you if they suspect you are the person named in an infringement warrant. If you do not comply, or if you give false information, you can be fined.

If you clear your infringement warrants, the sanction will be lifted and the wheel-clamps removed.

If you do not clear your infringement warrants, this sanction will remain in place and your wheel-clamped vehicle may be impounded and then later sold.

It is a serious offence to tamper with or remove a wheel-clamp which has been fitted to a vehicle. The maximum penalty for a first offence is $6,805 or six months imprisonment.

How to avoid your vehicle being wheel-clamped

The best way to ensure your vehicle is not wheel-clamped is to pay your fines on time.

To ensure your vehicle is not wheel-clamped, you must clear your infringement warrants. To clear your infringement warrants you must pay the amount in full, obtain a payment order, (payment by instalments) or obtain revocation (cancellation) of the infringement warrant. Please note that the Infringements Court will only grant payment orders and revocations in certain circumstances.

For more information on 'wheel-clamping' or other sanctions, visit the Fines FAQs page.

To discuss 'wheel-clamping' and clear any outstanding fines, contact Civic Compliance Victoria on 1300 743 743.

Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy
Reviewed: 30/1/2009

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From a press release from the Pedestrian Council Of Australia 17/01/05

www.walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/Page.asp?PageID=851 -

"We could also look at employing the latest technological devices such as block-boxes and wheel-clamps, so that the vehicle may be returned to the owner's home, but if driven, the authorities would know and the driver arrested and possibly incarcerated."

TO GET BACK TO HOME PAGE CLICK ON SANTA FIGURE AT TOP OF PAGE

THis reply came in answer to a copy of an email I personaly handed to the roads Minister when he was at Peakhurst (one page back)
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There is an alternative to NO signs to advise drivers on what speed it is in "off duty" school zones. Very simple.

How about a sign like this when you are in a long school zone, (or any school zone)in Beverly Hills as you turn right into King Georges rd from Stoney Creek rd, because the lack of any sign there has been the cause of so may court cases.
I've to Sutherland Court and seen it, A driver tries to explain that he didn't know what the speed was, and the RTA man says to the Judge that any driver not knowing what the speed is a, should then drive at the "default speed". ????????
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"Oh no another different sign, no way, it would confuse drivers." could be the argument for a NO from the RTA.

Would one extra sign really be that difficult?

Drivers are meant to know a few different rules now, have a look down the left hand column of the link below and I think a new sign like the example above isn't too confusing.

I think the average driver would work it out

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+fn+0+n