Agenda - Council - 11/12/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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YIELD signs are a passive traffic control tech- rdque which assigns right-of-way at an inter- section. This technique can be used to address right angle, type accidents at uncon- trolled intersections. Effects Volumes. The impact on the traffic volume is minimal. Some vehicles may be diverted to adjacent collector or arterial streets to avoid the yield signs. Speed. On the portions of roadway which have the right-of-way, there is a potential increase in speed, especially when fairly long stretches of tminterrupted roadway are on either side of the intersection. For those por- tions of'roadway which do not have the fight-of-way, speed is reduced within about 50 feet of the intersection. Traffic Noise, Air Quality and Energy Con- sumpfiom There is an increase in noise and energy consumption from the accelerating and decelerating of vehicles. Air quality is negatively affected as well. Traffic Safety. Results' are mixed. A study in June 1981 for the FHWA indicates that yield signs reduce accidents on low volume streets and do not cause unnecessary stops. A study conducted by the City of St. Paul in February of 1983 indicates that the YIELD signs at the intersection of Iow volume local streets actually increased the accident rate. The City no longer uses Yields to control low volume intersections. A close engineering analysis is recommended before using Yield signs, and evaluation of the results of the installation should be condu, cted ff they are used. Community Reaction. Generally positive, but frequently followed by requests for stop sign control after accidents or near misses. Additional Considerations The cost of area wide control can be sig- nificant. While the cost of yield signs at one intersection is affordable, an area wide or city wide program can be a serious fiscal commitment. Additional tree trimming will probably be necessary to maintain sign visibility. Neighborhood Traffic Control January 1994: 11-1