Do Stop Signs affect speeds through neighborhood? (Charlotte, Washington: HOA, neighborhoods)

[jeffs555]

In an attemp to reduce speeding, our HOA wants to put 3 and 4 way stop signs at most of the intersections in our neighborhood. I am wondering if this would do anything at all to reduce speeding. Does anyone have any links to data on this? I am sure people have opinions and I would like to hear these also.

My thoughts are that it would just be an inconvenience for the residents, but would do little to reduce speeding and improve safety. I would gladly put up with the inconvenience and enthusiasticly support it if I thought it would.

[Janecj]

Our development put up speed bumps and it does work. You can put speed bumps up that are removable, but for some reason our HO association did not opt to do this. They also put up yellow lines on the roads to help make you go slower and to look like speed bumps. The only problem is in winter and if the roads ice. We have huge hills and it makes it a more dangerous as ice accumulates first on them.

Don't know if stop signs would help. We don't have that large of a development to warrant it.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by jeffs555

Does anyone have any links to data on this?

Here are a few studies you shoud google!

References used in Research of Multi-Way Stop Signs


1. Gerald L. Ullman, "Neighborhood Speed Control - U.S. Practices", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1996, pages 111- 115.
LINK TO RESEARCH PAPER (broken link)

2. Richard F. Beaubein, "Controlling Speeds on Residential Streets", ITE Journal, April 1989, pages 37-39.

3. "4 Way Stop Signs Cut Accident Rate 58% at Rural Intersections", ITE Journal, November 1984, pages 23-24.

4. Michael Kyte & Joseph Marek, "Collecting Traffic Data at All-Way Stop Controlled

Intersections", ITE Journal, April 1989, pages 33-36.

5. Chan, Flynn & Stocker, "Volume Delay Relationship at Four Way Stop Controlled

Intersections: A Response Surface Model", ITE Journal, March 1989, pages 27-34.

6. La Plante and Kripidlowkdki, "Stop Sign Warrants: Time for Change", ITE Journal, October 1992, pages 25-29.

7. Patricia B. Noyes, "Responding to Citizen Requests for Multi Way Stops", ITE Journal, January 1994, pages 43-48.

8. Chadda and Carter, "Multi-Way Stop Signs - Have We Gone Too Far?", ITE Journal, May 1983, pages 19-21.

9. Gary Moore,"Gwinnett County Legal Opinions on Unwarranted Multi-Way Stops",

March 6,1990.

10. Chadda and Carter, " The Changing Role of Multi-Way Stop Control", ITE

Compendium of Technical Papers, 1983, pages 4-31 to 4-34.

11. Lovell and Haver, "The Safety Effect of Conversion to All-Way Stop Control", Transportation Research Record 1068, pages 103-107.

12. "Indiana Suggests Ways to Halt Stop Sign Misuse", Transafety Reporter, February 1989, page 7.

1978.

14. "State of the Art: Residential Traffic Management", US DOT, FHWA/RD-80/092, December 1980, pages 63-65, 22-23.

15. Dick Williams, "A New Direction for Traffic Dispute", Atlanta Journal, January 14, 1988, Section E, page 1.

16. "Warrants for Multi-Way Stop Signs" (2B-6), Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, US DOT , FHWA, pages 2B-3 to 2B-4.

17. "Stop and Yield Sign Control", Traffic Control Devices Handbook, US DOT, FHWA, 1983, pages 2-14 to 2-16.

18. La Pante & Kropidlowdki, "Stop Sign Warrants ", Presented at ITE Conference, San Diego, CA, September 18, 1989.

19. Walt Rekuc, "Traffic Engineering Study of Multi-Way Stop Signs", City of Roswell,

February 15, 1988.

20. Homburger, etal, Residential Street Design and Traffic Control, ITE, Washington, DC, 1989.

21. Speed Zone Guidelines, ITE, Washington, DC, 1993.

22. A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, AASHTO, Washington, DC, 1994.

23. A.J. Ballard, "Efforts to Control Speeds on Residential Collector Streets", ITE

Compendium of Technical Papers, 1990, pages 445-448.

24. C.E. Walter, "Suburban Residential Traffic Calming", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1994, pages 445-448.

25. K.L. Gonzalez, " Neighborhood Traffic Control: Bellevue's Approach", ITE Journal, Vol. 43, No.5, May 1993, pages 43-45.

26. Brian Kanely & B.E. Ferris, "Traffic Diverter's for Residential Traffic Control - The Gainesville Experience", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1985, pages 72-76.

27. Marshall Elizer, "Guidelines for the Design and Application of Speed Humps", ITE

Compendium of Technical Papers, 1993, pages 11-15.

28. T. Mazella & D. Godfrey, "Building and Testing a Customer Responsive Neighborhood Traffic Control Program", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1995, pages 75-79.

29. W.M. Bretherton and J.E. Womble, "Neighborhood Traffic Management Program", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1992, pages 398-401.

30. J.E. Womble, "Neighborhood Speed Watch: Another Weapon in the Residential Speed

Control Arsenal", ITE Journal, Vol. 60, No. 2, February 1990, pages 1- 17.

31. Michael Wallwork, "Traffic Calming", The Genesis Group, unpublished.

32. Doug Lemov, "Calming Traffic", Governing, August 1996, pages 25-27.

33. Michael Wallwork, "Traffic Calming", The Traffic Safety Toolbox, ITE, Washington, DC, 1993, pages 234-245.

34. Ransford S. McCourt, Neighborhood Traffic Management Survey, ITE District 6, Technical Chair, unpublished, June 3, 1996.

35. Halbert, etal, "Implementation of Residential Traffic Control Program in the City of San Diego", District 6 Meeting, July 1993.

36. Anton Dahlerbrush, "Speed Humps & Implementation and Impact on Residential Traffic Control", City of Beverly Hills, California, District 6 Meeting, July 1993.

37. Firoz Vohra, "Modesto Speed Hump Experience", District 6, ITE Meeting, July 1993.

38. Patricia Noyes, "Evaluation of Traditional Speed Reduction in Residential Area",

District 6 ITE Meeting, July 1993.

39. Cynthia L. Hoyle, Traffic Calming, American Planning Association, Report No 456, July 1995.

40. Sam Yager, Use of Roundabouts, ITE Technical Council Committee, 5B- 17,

Washington, DC, February 1992.

41. Guidelines for Residential Subdivision Street Design, ITE, Washington, DC, 1993.

42. Residential Streets, 2nd Edition, ASCE, NAHB & ULI, 1990.

43. Traffic Calming, Citizens Advocating Responsible Transportation, Australia, 1989.

44. Traffic Calming in Practice, Department of Transport, etal, London, November 1994.

45. Todd Long, "The Use of Traffic Control Measures in the Prevention of Through Traffic Movement on Residential Streets", unpublished, Masters Thesis, Georgia Tech, September 1990.

46. Patricia Noyes, "Evaluation of Traditional Speed Reduction Efforts in Residential Areas", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, District 6 Meeting, 1993, pages 61-66.

47. G.E. Frangos, "Howard County's Speed Control in Residential Areas Utilizing Psycho-perceptive Traffic Controls", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1985, pages 87-92.

48. Halbert, etal, "Implementation of Residential Traffic Control Program in the City of San Diego", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, District 6, 1993, pages 23-60.

49. Radwan & Sinha, "Gap Acceptance and Delay at Stop Controlled Intersections on Multi-Lane Divided Highways", ITE Journal, March 1980, page 38.

50. Borstel, "Traffic Circles : Seattle's Experience", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers,

1985, page 77.

51. D. Meier, "The Policy Adopted in Arlington County, VA, for Solving Real and Perceived Speeding Problems on Residential Streets", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1985, page 97.

52. Jeff Clark, "High Speeds and Volumes on Residential Streets: An Analysis of PhysicalCharacteristics as Causes in Sacramento, California", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1985, page 93.

53. Wiersig & Van Winkle, "Neighborhood Traffic Management in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area", ITE Compendium of Technical Papers, 1985, page 82.

54. Improving Residential Street Environments, FHWA RD-81-031, 1981.

55. Carl R. Dawson, Jr., "Effectiveness of Stop Signs When Installed to Control Speeds Along Residential Streets", Proceedings from Southern District ITE Meeting, Richmond, Virginia, April 17, 1993.

56. Arthur R. Theil, "Let Baton Rouge's Traffic Engineers Decide Whether Signs Are Needed", State Times, LA, August 30, 1983.

57. Gary James, "Merits Being Totally Ignored in This Instance", Morning Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA, July 30,1983.

58. James Thomason, "Traffic Signs Allow Crossing", Morning Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA, July 30, 1983.

59. "City-Parish Must Move Stop Signs", Morning Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA, 1983.

60. Synthesis of Safety Research Related to Traffic Control and Roadway Elements, Vol. 2, FHWA Washington, D. C., 19982.

61. B.H. Cottrell, Jr.,''Using All-Way Stop Control for Residential Traffic Management",

Report No. FHWA VTRC 96-R17, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Charlottesville, Virginia, January, 1996.

62. Eck & Diega, "Field Evaluation at Multi-Way Versus Four-Way Stop Sign Control at Low Volume Intersections in Residential Areas", Transportation Research Record 1160, Washington, DC, 1988, pages 7-13.

63. Hanson, "Are There Too Many Four-Way Stops?", Traffic Engineering, November 1957, pages 20-22, 42.

64. Beaubien, "Stop Signs for Speed Control", ITE Journal, November 1976, pages 26-28.

65. Antwerp and Miller, "Control of Traffic in Residential Neighborhoods : SomeConsiderations for Implementation", Transportation 10, 1981, pages 35-49.

66. Lipinski, "Neighborhood Traffic Controls", Transportation Engineering Journal, May 1979, pages 213-221.

67. Richardson,"A Delay Model for Multi-Way Stop Sign Intersections", TransportationResearch Record 1112, Washington, DC, 1987, pages 107-114.

68. Briglin, "An Evaluation of Four-Way Stop Sign Control", ITE Journal, August 1982,

pages 16-19.

69. Ullman and Dudek, "Effects of Reduced Speed Limits in Rapidly Developing Urban Fringe Areas", Transportation Research Record 1114, 1989, pages 45-53.

70. Robert Rees, "All-Way STOP Signs Installation Criteria", Westernite, Jan-Feb 1999, Vol 53, No. 1, pg 1-4.

71. Wes Siporski, "Stop Sign Compliance", posting on Traffic Engineering Council List Serve, Jan 15, 1999.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Some of the findings from the above studies can be found here:

Multi-way Stops - The Research Shows the MUTCD is Correct

1. Multi-way stops do not control speeds. Twenty-two papers were cited for these findings. ( Reference 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 39, 45, 46, 51, 55, 62, 63, 64, 66 and 70).

2. Stop compliance is poor at unwarranted multi-way stop signs. Unwarranted stop signs means they do not meet the warrants of the MUTCD. This is based on the drivers feeling that the signs have no traffic control purpose. There is little reason to yield the right-of -way because there are usually no vehicles on the minor street. Nineteen references found this to be their finding. ( Reference 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 39, 45, 46, 51, 55, 61, 62, 63 and 64 ).

3. Before-After studies show multi-way stop signs do not reduce speeds on residential streets. Nineteen references found this to be their finding. (Reference 19 (1 study), 55 (5 studies), 60 (8 studies) and 64(5 studies)).

[jeffs555]

Thanks for the links. I will try hard to convince our HOA of this.

The neighborhood next to ours just installed a 3-way stop at an intersection which is obviously aimed at speed control. There is excellent visibility all around, and the side street has very little traffic. No reason for the main street traffic to stop. I can say for a fact that in my younger days I would have been burning rubber at that sign and increasing my speed through the neighborhood. Glad I have mellowed with age.