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

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ALL-WAY STOPS The Manual on Urdform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Traffic Engineers Handbook (TEH) have established specific warrants for installation of 4 way or all way stops. These warrants were developed to assist in determinhng whether or not 4 way stop signs could help assign right of way at higher volume intersections reduce an acci- dent problem, or fill in as an interim measure until traffic signals could be installed. Con- siderations outside established warrants are restricted intersection sight distances, and school crossings. Studies have shown that 4 way stop signs are not an effective technique for controlling speeds and should not be used to reduce traffic volumes, or simply to satisfy citizen demands. It should be remem- bered that stop signs constitute one of the most significant means of separating and controhing traffic movements and should be carefully considered. Effects Volumes. Four-way stop signs produce no net reduction of traffic volumes ff traffic is primarily local in make-up. Where there is existing shortcutting thru traffic, stop signs may reduce volmnes; however, the effective- ness Of the 4-way s. top as a deterrent to thru traffic is depe. ndent, on stop sign saturation, heavy enforcement and the availability of useful alternative routes. Often the alterna- tive route is another adjacent residential street, and problem traffic is merely dis- placed; not elim~ated. .CHAPTER. I I I I Speeds. Studies have typically shown 4-way stops do not have a sigrdficant impact vehicular speeds. Overall area speeds ha shown minimal reductions near the interse~i I t-ion. In midblock areas; where most acc dents involving young' ~edestrians occur,_ speed increases are frequently the result. ! Safety. It is not clear whether 4-way stop signs will improve safety when they do ncI meet established warrant~. Jrt some cases accidents actually increase, possibly due t., the stop signs being unexpected or deeme~ unnecessary thereby encouraging rollin~l stops, or by insisIling a false sense of securit~ in crossing motorists and pedestrians. Studies have shown that stop signs that d~ not meet warrants are basically ignored b many drivers. Also as mentioned beforeI speeds tend to increase in the mid block area where most young pedestrian accidents occur. However, if' warrants are met o~ where sight distances are poor - an all way stop may. increase safety. Neighborhood Traffic Control January 1994 15-11