Zeigh
Civil/Environmental
- Apr 4, 2010
- 5
Hello,
I need some alternative suggestions about sound traffic engineering ways to calm traffic speeds in a private community and/or fight against a 4-way stop sign intersection planned...
My property owners association has announced that they will be installing 4-way stop signs at an intersection. Our community is in a rural area (wide setbacks from the roadway and clear visibility in all directions), considered private property, very low traffic volume, has coded gates at all entrances, and no surrounding traffic is able to use the roads as a shortcut. If the Manual on Uniformed Traffic Control Devices was used, yield signs as are present now would be the standard at this intersection, as well as the surrounding 25 MPH speed limit would also be increased to 35-40 MPH per the 85th percentile guidelines.
This intersection originally had such stop signs a few years ago, but were replaced with yield signs on two directions of travel due to the increased complaints by property owners. The current POA Board has stated the reason for this pending change is because of their perception of speeding, near accidents, and their legal responsibility to the community. Speed bumps were ruled out due to the higher resulting maintenance on the chip-seal roadway, there is little money for a roundabout, and any lighted signaling devices would disturb the surrounding neighbors. As usual, stop signs are the cheapest and realistically the most ineffective solution to such a larger issue of "out dated thinking".
Before I rally up a petition of neighbors to block such a traffic control change, I should at least investigate alternative solutions to the perceived problem of speeding and/or safety at this intersection. Does anyone have any suggestions or at least ideas for further research. BTW, I am an activist for the National Motorist Association, so if anyone appreciates sound traffic engineering for safety and efficiency, then it is me!
Thanks,
Dr. Z.
I need some alternative suggestions about sound traffic engineering ways to calm traffic speeds in a private community and/or fight against a 4-way stop sign intersection planned...
My property owners association has announced that they will be installing 4-way stop signs at an intersection. Our community is in a rural area (wide setbacks from the roadway and clear visibility in all directions), considered private property, very low traffic volume, has coded gates at all entrances, and no surrounding traffic is able to use the roads as a shortcut. If the Manual on Uniformed Traffic Control Devices was used, yield signs as are present now would be the standard at this intersection, as well as the surrounding 25 MPH speed limit would also be increased to 35-40 MPH per the 85th percentile guidelines.
This intersection originally had such stop signs a few years ago, but were replaced with yield signs on two directions of travel due to the increased complaints by property owners. The current POA Board has stated the reason for this pending change is because of their perception of speeding, near accidents, and their legal responsibility to the community. Speed bumps were ruled out due to the higher resulting maintenance on the chip-seal roadway, there is little money for a roundabout, and any lighted signaling devices would disturb the surrounding neighbors. As usual, stop signs are the cheapest and realistically the most ineffective solution to such a larger issue of "out dated thinking".
Before I rally up a petition of neighbors to block such a traffic control change, I should at least investigate alternative solutions to the perceived problem of speeding and/or safety at this intersection. Does anyone have any suggestions or at least ideas for further research. BTW, I am an activist for the National Motorist Association, so if anyone appreciates sound traffic engineering for safety and efficiency, then it is me!
Thanks,
Dr. Z.