October 2016                       Issue 29
In This Issue
Fairfield's Public Works Department Has Taken the Pink Pledge - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Tips from Tony
Public Works Chief Runs to Check Shape of Roads
National Work & Family Month - October 2016
CTDOT New Research Website
Tips from Tony - Answer
Fairfield's Public Works Department Has Taken the Pink Pledge - Breast Cancer Awareness

Yale New Haven Health's Norma Pfriem Breast Center's Pink Pledge is a month long, community wide, awareness and fundraising
Fairfield DPW
campaign to benefit Norma Pfriem Breast Center. Funds raised through the Pink Pledge enable the Center to continue to provide medical excellence and compassionate care to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. 
 
 
The Fairfield Department of Public Works (Fairfield DPW) became involved with the Norma Pfriem Breast Cancer Foundation
Newtown's Public Works Crew Took the Pink Pledge
last year when the foundation celebrated 15 years and came up with the idea to "paint the town pink". Organizers started selling pink t-shirts (proceeds go to the foundation) and asked employees to wear the pink shirts every Friday in October.  The fundraiser was so successful and brought so much awareness to the community, the Fairfield DPW decided to make it an annual event.
 
If you would like to support this worthy cause, you can order a t-shirt by contacting Colleen Roche from the Fairfield DPW. 
Tips from Tony

  What is wrong with this picture?  
Find the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

If you have roadway safety questions please contact:
Anthony Lorenzetti, P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider
(860) 486-5847 or [email protected]
Public Works Chief Runs to Check Shape of Roads

Sure, Ryan Thompson could drive the city's streets and stop to catalog any deficiencies Norwich's Public Works crews need to address.
But where would the fun be in that?
Instead Thompson, the head of Public Works for the city, has a more ambitious goal. He is running the city's streets, all 163 miles of them.
Photo Credit: Norwich Bulletin
 
Thompson is a city resident and has a regular running route. He was getting tired of the same old path and decided to try something new. On his new route, he noticed some catch basins that needed attention.
 
Now, he runs a different two or three miles of city-maintained roadway everyday. He figures it'll be about 16 weeks to tackle them all.
 
The ultimate goal is twofold. Thompson is cataloging the conditions of each road, and posting thoughts online. His other goal is to stay in shape, and maybe inspire others to do the same.
 
To finish this article from the Norwich Bulletin click here 
National Work & Family Month - October 2016

National Work & Family Month, established in 2003 and celebrated every October, focuses on the challenges working families face every day. The month is nationally recognized by businesses, academic institutions, federal agencies, members of Congress, work-life advocacy groups and individuals who want to make it easier for employees to succeed at work and home.  
 
Building Balance at Work & Home:
Managing your work life and personal life can be challenging at times. When pressures from work stack up, it becomes hard to separate time on the job from time at home. When you have balance between your career and personal relationships you're more likely to see success at work and more meaningful connections with the people who matter most.
 
Here are three tips to help you achieve this balance:
  • Make Time for What Matters
  • Rethink Your Errands
  • Get Active!

 

To learn more about these tips and for more information regarding Work Life Balance click here.  

CTDOT New Research Website

The CTDOT Research Section conducts, supports and promotes research and development activities that employ new ideas and innovative technology to address Department needs and serve the CTDOT mission. The Research Section collaborates with other research stakeholders to discover and develop new implementable products for improving the CT transportation system. 
Visit the new website at: www.ct.gov/dot/research  
Tips from Tony ~ Answer

The painted word symbol "STOP" does not conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
MUTCD Section 3B.20 (14) states that "The word STOP shall not be used on the pavement unless accompanied by a stop line (see section 3B.16) and STOP SIGN (see section 2B.05)." Section 2B.04 states "Because the potential for conflicting traffic commands could create driver confusion, YIELD or STOP signs shall not be used in conjunction with any traffic control signal operation, except in the following cases:
  1. If the signal indication for an approach is a flashing red at all times
  2. If a minor street or driveway is located within or adjacent to the area controlled by the traffic control signal, but does not require separate traffic signal control because of an extremely low potential for conflict exists: or
  3. If a channelization turn lane is separated from the adjacent travel lanes by an island and the channelization turn lane is not controlled by a traffic control signal.

Additional guidance on the use of Word Symbols is provided in section 3B.20 of the MUTCD.  

If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at [email protected].