Agenda - Council - 07/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TRAFFIC INFORMATION SERIES SHOULD MADISON HAVE MORE STOP SIGNS A stop sign~ is one of our most valuable and effective traffic control devices, when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians in deciding who has the right-of,way at an intersection. At first glance, intersections that are uncontrolled (that is, where there are no stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals) may appear to be unreasonably dangerous. It may seem that the only right-of-way law is based on daring driving; however, uncontrolled residential street intersections have proven to be safe as long. as traffic volumes are low. One common misuse of stop signs is to attempt to solve the nonintersection problem of speeding. Where stop signs were installed in attempts to slow traffic in Madison, there has been a high incidence of intentional violation, speed reduction occurred only in the immediate Vicinity of the stop signs, and ususally speeds were;higher a half block from the stop signs than they were before the stop 'signs were installed. Setting a reasonable limit, posting speed limit signs where appropriate, enforcement and public information effort are more effective in curbing speeding. : Madison actually has more bicycles than motor vehicles. We find that there are.many bicyclists using Iow-traffic-volume, local streets. Installing stop signs on two approaches at a typical four-legged intersection should mean that accident potential is lessened, assuming motorists actually stop. However, because motorists on the thorough street usually pay less attention to traffic on the stop-sign-controlled, intersecting street, that assumption has proven erroneous. Some drivers, particularly bicyclists, tend to disregard stop signs, especially those where a stop doesn't appear to be necessary. When the less attentive motorist meets the stop-sign-ignoring driver, there is great potential for accidents. Experience shows that there is usually greater safety at a low- traffic-volume, local street intersection where there are no stop signs at all and each driver is responsible for making a judgment as to safety of operation. IFloyd I. Jones City Traffic Engineer Traffic Engineering Div. Dept. of Tranajportatlon Suite 100 Municipal Bldg. I215 Monona Ave. Ma dison,Wi.,S3710 608-267-8751 TIS -1 Page 1 of 2 Revised Dec. 1983