Horizontal/Subsurface Infrastructure & Transportation

Located on median strip
If one to open the door his back will be on the road
doors to be opened for maintenance or other purposes 
what is the minimum safe clear spacing between the cabinet and edge of median to try and protect team from traffic while working as may be they will step out to the road while opening or closing door etc....

Any reference from code?


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Ammar Fakhoury P.E., M.ASCE
Riyadh
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Hello, Ammar

It seem to me you could be looking at the situation one-sided:

A. If you have a cabinet in a median--one that is so close to the road you're worried about door swings and service folks standing by the roadside--certainly It is important to consider safety for agency folks / contractors working on the cabinet. 

B.  But what the safety of all the motorists who could hit this darned thing ? It seems to me the selected location of this cabinet could a bad idea.

My ASCE teaching hero, Nazir Lalani, has an an excellent recorded webinar entitled "Application of Clear Recovery Zones for Roadway Departures", which has a lot of great information about this topic; medians included.  He's given loads of excellent references, too.



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Scott Onishuk P.E., M.ASCE
Director
Santa Barbara CA
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Ammar Fakhoury P.E., M.ASCE
Riyadh
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-31-2020 03:30 PM
From: Barbara Salvini
Subject: Outdoor cabinet on road median safe clearance

As a practice we don't put cabinets in medians.  They would tend to cause site distance problems and be subject to being hit.  The regional drawings in California include a light bulb socket in irrigation controller boxes. The purpose is to dehumidify the box, which significantly adds to the life of the controller.  Field staff have told me the light was terrific for the cases they had to work in the box at night.  I think it creates a safer condition.  Even with the box behind the sidewalk, it makes sense to turn the box sideways so kids riding bikes don't run into your employees.  

I am glad you are thinking of safety.  Unless it can't be avoided San Diego's standards do not allow water meters to be in driveways.  It is too easy for someone to back over an employee while bending over to read the meter.  A similar idea to your thinking.  

Dear Barbara
And one may suggest underground shelter/cabinet but we faced many times negative impact on telecomm. Equipment, maitenance,etc..
Regards, 

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Ammar Fakhoury P.E., M.ASCE
Riyadh
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-31-2020 03:30 PM
From: Barbara Salvini
Subject: Outdoor cabinet on road median safe clearance

As a practice we don't put cabinets in medians.  They would tend to cause site distance problems and be subject to being hit.  The regional drawings in California include a light bulb socket in irrigation controller boxes. The purpose is to dehumidify the box, which significantly adds to the life of the controller.  Field staff have told me the light was terrific for the cases they had to work in the box at night.  I think it creates a safer condition.  Even with the box behind the sidewalk, it makes sense to turn the box sideways so kids riding bikes don't run into your employees.  

I am glad you are thinking of safety.  Unless it can't be avoided San Diego's standards do not allow water meters to be in driveways.  It is too easy for someone to back over an employee while bending over to read the meter.  A similar idea to your thinking.  

Original Message:
Sent: 8/31/2020 3:31:00 PM
From: Barbara Salvini
Subject: RE: Outdoor cabinet on road median safe clearance

As a practice we don't put cabinets in medians.  They would tend to cause site distance problems and be subject to being hit.  The regional drawings in California include a light bulb socket in irrigation controller boxes. The purpose is to dehumidify the box, which significantly adds to the life of the controller.  Field staff have told me the light was terrific for the cases they had to work in the box at night.  I think it creates a safer condition.  Even with the box behind the sidewalk, it makes sense to turn the box sideways so kids riding bikes don't run into your employees.  

I am glad you are thinking of safety.  Unless it can't be avoided San Diego's standards do not allow water meters to be in driveways.  It is too easy for someone to back over an employee while bending over to read the meter.  A similar idea to your thinking.