Agenda - Public Works Committee - 10/16/2001

Home

P.W. CASE #: 2 REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN AT 144TM LANE NW AND TUNGSTEN WAY By: Brian E. Olson, City Engineer Background: On September 5, 2001, Ramsey City Staff received the attached letter requesting stop signs to be placed at the intersection of 145th Lane NW and Tungsten Way. A traffic count taken on 145th Lane NW last week indicated that there was approximately 225 vehicles per day and 170 vehicles per day on Tungsten Way. The second element of the data collection was to utilize the police department speed trailer to gather information regarding the speeds, numbers and times of vehicle travel down the street. The City has gathered this data at the three locations identified on the attached map. The reports provided by the computer software is attached. The average speed of the vehicles ranged from 19 to 21 mph and 85 percentile ranged from 25 to 28 mph. The traffic conditions at this intersection do not meet warrants for 3-way stop signs and they should not be installed. The warrants for all-way stop signs from the Minnesota Uniform Traffic Control Devices manual is attached along with some commentary on the correct and incorrect use of all-way stop signs. Studies have shown that stop signs that do not meet warrants are basically ignored and result in higher mid block speeds as well as creating a false sense of security for those entering the intersection. As a result unwarranted stop signs can make a street less safe. The City also takes increased liability upon itself when it installs unwarranted stop signs. See the attached letter from Kennedy & Graven explaining that statement. Recommendation: Based on the absence of sight restrictions, volume and speeds of the vehicles travelling through this intersection, Staff is recommending that stop signs not be placed at the 145t~ Lane NW and Tungsten Way intersection. Committee Action: Based upon discussion Reviewed by: City Administrator Director of Public Works PW: 10/16/01