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What does a pedestrian bridge guardrail say about our society?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:44 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:44 pm
An old pedestrian bridge from approximately 1920 is being rebuilt. As part of the process the original (intact) guardrails are being modified to be taller and more in keeping with modern standards.
It seems like a no brainer, but maybe it isn’t.
We aren’t radically taller on average than people in 1920. The hazard below the bridge is the exact same as it was in 1920. Nothing on the bridge has changed that would compromise the guard rails and I’m not aware of people falling off the bridge. So with all that in mind, why do we need a taller guardrail than people in 1920?
It seems like a no brainer, but maybe it isn’t.
We aren’t radically taller on average than people in 1920. The hazard below the bridge is the exact same as it was in 1920. Nothing on the bridge has changed that would compromise the guard rails and I’m not aware of people falling off the bridge. So with all that in mind, why do we need a taller guardrail than people in 1920?
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Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:47 pm to weagle99
Speed and height of vehicles
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:47 pm to weagle99
If they’re already going through the trouble of rebuilding a hundred year old bridge, then why wouldn’t they bring the safety measures to modern standards?
This post was edited on 3/14/22 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:47 pm to weagle99
Maybe, just maybe, we have more information about design than we did in the 1920s.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:48 pm to weagle99
People actually are taller than 100 years ago.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:48 pm to weagle99
quote:
We aren’t radically taller on average than people in 1920.
Yes, we are. If you don't believe me, go to the WWII museum and look at the authentic uniforms. People back then didn't have the nutrition required to grow to the height we do today. People were MUCH smaller, on average, even into the 40s and 50s because they matured physically during the Depression or before, when nutrition was harder to come by. The post-war economic explosion in the U.S. because we won and our hemisphere wasn't ravaged by two World Wars led to the Boomers being the first generation whose parents really had the wealth necessary to provide them enough nutrition as they physically matured to hit their growth potential.
Starting with the Boomers and into Gen X, you see the average height of Americans start to level off as we generally are all able to hit our genetic possibilities without stunted growth due to varying levels of malnutrition.
This post was edited on 3/14/22 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:49 pm to weagle99
I think admins might need to start considering you for the Oweo treatment.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:54 pm to weagle99
Building codes have evolved over time. Some are formed by abundance of caution. Others because someone died. Yet some because a previously unknown environmental impact was discovered.
Chances are, in 1920, that guardrail was put there because the contractor said "Yeah, people will probably fall if we don't."
Now, the government says "it must be constructed in this manner because of x,y,z."
Chances are, in 1920, that guardrail was put there because the contractor said "Yeah, people will probably fall if we don't."
Now, the government says "it must be constructed in this manner because of x,y,z."
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:56 pm to weagle99
They are building it now, so they use today's standards. It keeps attorneys from filing frivolous lawsuits.
ETA: Be sure and hold those handrails, lil' downvote queer. I promised your mom I would warn you about that so she would remain my dumpster.
ETA: Be sure and hold those handrails, lil' downvote queer. I promised your mom I would warn you about that so she would remain my dumpster.
This post was edited on 3/14/22 at 9:24 pm
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:56 pm to weagle99
Would you rather get hit in the nuts by a Model T doing 30mph or an F350 doing 60mph?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:56 pm to weagle99
Have you been on an Interstate or highway lately. There are some major idiots driving who care nothing about anyone else. What it says to me is not everyone should have a DL nor should they be able to drive.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:58 pm to weagle99
quote:
So with all that in mind, why do we need a taller guardrail than people in 1920?
Better question:
Why are your jimmies rustled over this?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:58 pm to weagle99
Why do coffee cups have to have caution: hot on them?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 4:58 pm to weagle99
quote:
say about our society?
It says we are more cautious than we used to be. Sometimes it’s justified, sometimes not.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:01 pm to TigerstuckinMS
quote:
Yes, we are. If you don't believe me, go to the WWII museum and look at the authentic uniforms. People back then didn't have the nutrition required to grow to the height we do today. People were MUCH smaller, on average, even into the 40s and 50s because they matured physically during the Depression or before, when nutrition was harder to come by. The post-war economic explosion in the U.S. because we won and our hemisphere wasn't ravaged by two World Wars led to the Boomers being the first generation whose parents really had the wealth necessary to provide them enough nutrition as they physically matured to hit their growth potential.
IIRC the average enlistee in WWII was 5-7, 145 lbs with a 38 inch chest. The most common reason for disqualification was bad teeth.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:02 pm to weagle99
What does it say about society that the average person has the ability to willingness to voice all of his stupid complaints and thoughts to the entire world from a device that can fit in his pocket?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:03 pm to TigerstuckinMS
quote:
Yes, we are. If you don't believe me, go to the WWII museum and look at the authentic uniforms.
It's not all nutrition, some of it is just genetic randomness and drift. Take a tour of some really old European castles, you can't hardly walk up the stairs because they were meant for 5ft 4in 125 pound people.
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:04 pm to weagle99
You're right it says a lot about our society.
Safety standards for EVERYTHING are much more intensive than they were in 1920. Why?
1. Perhaps we value life more-- think of lives that could have been saved over the years by modern things. Maybe Jayne Mansfield would have been saved if that truck had a Mansfield bar, now required on all trucks after her death, as a result of her death:
2. We certainly litigate more, and if someone falls off of a pedestrian bridge with a railing not up to modern safety standards, that's what their family will sue about, and likely win.
3. We are also a much more distracted society, mainly because of cell phones. How many times have you seen "fail" videos of folks looking at their phones, walking into doors, off of curbs or piers, etc.? I've spoken with the head of the Causeway Commission; cell phone use while driving has resulted over the last 25 years in a marked increase in not only minor rear-end collisions on the bridge, but also the type where cars got knocked over the railing and into the Lake (he showed the videos). Thus, they upgraded their older, shorter southbound railings from these:
to these:
Safety standards for EVERYTHING are much more intensive than they were in 1920. Why?
1. Perhaps we value life more-- think of lives that could have been saved over the years by modern things. Maybe Jayne Mansfield would have been saved if that truck had a Mansfield bar, now required on all trucks after her death, as a result of her death:
2. We certainly litigate more, and if someone falls off of a pedestrian bridge with a railing not up to modern safety standards, that's what their family will sue about, and likely win.
3. We are also a much more distracted society, mainly because of cell phones. How many times have you seen "fail" videos of folks looking at their phones, walking into doors, off of curbs or piers, etc.? I've spoken with the head of the Causeway Commission; cell phone use while driving has resulted over the last 25 years in a marked increase in not only minor rear-end collisions on the bridge, but also the type where cars got knocked over the railing and into the Lake (he showed the videos). Thus, they upgraded their older, shorter southbound railings from these:
to these:
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:09 pm to weagle99
Maybe we value life more today than in years past?
Posted on 3/14/22 at 5:16 pm to weagle99
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