Agenda - Public Works Committee - 09/19/2000

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stop is not necessary at all times. Periodic reviews of existing installations may be desirable to determine whether, because of changed conditions, the use of less restrictive control or no control could accommodate traffic demands safely and more effectively. STOP signs should never be used on the through roadways of expressways. Properly designed expressway interchanges provide for the continuous flow of traffic, making STOP signs unnessary even on the entering roadways. Where at-grade intersections are temporarily justified for local traffic in sparsely populated areas, STOP signs should be used on the entering roadways to protect the through traffic. STOP signs may also be required at the end of diverging roadways at the intersection with other highways not designed as expressways. In most of these cases, the speeds will not warrant any great increase in the sign sizes. STOP signs shall not be erected at intersections where traffic control signals are operating. The conflicting commands of two types of control devices are confusing. If traffic is required to stop when the operation of the stop-and-go signals is not warranted, the signals should be put on flashing operation with the red flashing light facing the traffic that must stop. Where two main highways intersect, the STOP sign or signs should }ormaIly be posted on the minor street to stop the lesser flow of traffic. 'Traffic engineering studies, however, may justify a decision to install a STOP sign or signs on the major street, as at a three-way intersection where safety considerations may justify stopping the greater flow of traffic to permit a left-turning movement. STOP signs may be used at selected railroad-highway grade crossings only after their need has been determined by a detailed traffic engineering study. Use of the STOP sign at railroad-highway grade crossings is described in Section 8B-9. Portable or part-time STOP signs shall not be used except for emergency purposes. Also, STOP signs should not be used for speed control. 2B-6 Multiway Stop Signs The "Multiway Stop" installation is useful as a safety measure at some locations. It should ordinarily be used only where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is approximately equal. A traffic control signal is more satisfactory for an intersection with a heavy volume of traffic. Any of the following conditions may warrant a multiway STOP sign installation (sec. 2B--4): · 1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multiway stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation. 2B-3 Roy. 9/84 VIII-5 (c) Rev. 2