HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 6, 2013AGENDA
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, MAY 6,2013; 5:30 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL
II. APPROVAL OF APRIL 2, 2012 MINUTES
III. OLD BUSINESS
None.
IV. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
The MUTCD guidelines for installing STOP or YIELD signs at intersections on local streets are
listed below:
The use of YIELD or STOP signs should be considered at the intersection of two minor streets or
local roads where the intersection has more than three approaches and where one or more ofthe
following conditions exist:
A. The combined vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from
all approaches averages more than 2, 000 vehicles per day.
A The ability to see conflicting traffic on an approach is not sufficient to allow a road user
to stop or yield in compliance with the normal right -of -way rule ifsuch stopping or
yielding is necessary; and/or
C. Crash records indicate that five or more crashes that involve the failure to yield the
right -of -way at the intersection under the normal right -of -way rule have been reported
within a 3 year period, or that three or more such crashes have been reported within a 2-
year period.
A. REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT e STREET AND 46r" AVENUE
Mr. Larry Wieser and Ms. Dianne Hanson are requesting stop signs at the intersection of
4" Street and 4e Avenue. An e-mail addressed to Mayor Peterson is included in your
packet. The concern is the number and severity of accidents at the intersection.
Currently traffic stops on 46'" Avenue at University Service Drive and 5" Street. Traffic
stops on 4" Street at 45" Avenue and 48" Avenue.
The pine tree on the northeast comer and the sloped landscape on the southeast corner
limit visibility somewhat, especially for westbound traffic.
The Police Department reviewed accident records and found four reported accidents in
the last five years, one in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013. Three of the accidents involved
failure to yield right -of -way. A memo from Captain Austin is attached.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to deny the request to install stop signs at the
intersection of 4" Street and 46" Avenue.
Traffic Commission Agenda
May 6, 2013
Page 2
B. REVIEW OF ACCIDENT RECORD AT 7TH STREET AND 43ao AVENUE
Ms. Ramona Strom of 4247 7" Street sent the attached e-mail to the mayor and city
council members with a request for stop signs at the intersection of 7" Street and 43rd
Avenue. In response, I sent the attached letter with updated accident information and the
Traffic Commission minutes when the stop signs were denied (December 2011). A
summary of reported accidents is also attached. Currently the accident record at this
intersection is inconclusive concerning the MUTCD requirements for yield or stop signs.
Staff will continue to monitor the traffic accidents to see if a pattern is developing.
Ms. Strom sent the following in her reply:
Please consider posting No Parking signs on 7th Street heading south (going up
the hill). At least the visibility would be better for those drivers that are trying to
look for traffic. Since my letter written to you there were another two accidents.
However, I do not know if they were reported. It is also a bus stop for children,
so I do think it needs some kind of attention. I will not e-mail any more on this
subject and leave it to the City to do what they think is best. Just wanted to bring
it to your attention m a concerned citizen.
The visibility at the intersection travelling southbound is acceptable. Vehicles would
need to be parked tight to the intersection to significantly reduce visibility.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to deny the request for No Parking on the west side
of 7" Street, north of 43`d Avenue.
VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS
A. CITY ENGINEER
1. REQUEST FOR DISABLED PARKING SIGNS
Disabled parking signs have been requested by property owners at the following
locations:
A) 5135/5136 Washington St, Permit Numbers 182338 and B66526
B) 4524 Fillmore St, Permit Number A91319
C) 4153 Jefferson St, Permit Number B55550
B. POLICE CHIEF
C. COMMISSIONERS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis ofdisability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in,
its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in
all City of Columbia Heights services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when
the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 763/706 -3611 to make arrangements.
(TDD/763- 706 -3692 for deaf only.)
UNAPPROVED
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:30 p.m
ROLL CALL
Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Lenny Austin, Police Captain
Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary
Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motioned by Goodman, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of December 5, 2011, as presented
Motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
REQUEST TO INSTALL CROSS WALK ACROSS 43an AVENUE AT JACKSON STREET
Ms. Kelly Dunn lives on the 4200 block of Jackson Street. She routinell walks to the shopping center at 43`d
and Central Avenues. Ms. Dunn is blind and has difficulty crossing 43` Avenue near Jackson Street because
of the noise in the area and inattentive drivers. Ms. Dunn has requested a crosswalk across 43`d Avenue at
Jackson Street to draw attention to pedestrians in the area. South of 43rd Avenue, there is existing sidewalk
on Quincy Street, Jackson Street, Van Buren Street, and Central Avenue.
With the shopping center, 43" Avenue is a heavily traveled street with both vehicle and truck traffic. In
response to other complaints by pedestrians, staff has installed "Watch for Pedestrians" signs near the
intersections of 43`d Avenue and Quincy Street and 43`d Avenue and Central Avenue.
City staff cannot recommend installing crosswalks that leave pedestrians stranded in the street. Staff would
like to pursue completing the sidewalk along the north side of 43`d Avenue from Quincy Street to Central
Avenue. Sidewalk is already in place for a short distance east of Quincy Street and west of Central Avenue.
The distance between the two sections of walk is about 580'. Appropriate locations for pedestrian ramps and
crosswalks would be determined during design of the sidewalk.
Goodman stated the sidewalk may be too close to the trees calling for their removal. Young stated the trees
may belong to Rainbow or they possibly could be in the right -of -way. There is a fence on the property that
may also belong to Rainbow. Doty questioned if there would be a grass boulevard in the middle, so there is a
Traffic Commission Minutes — April 2, 2012
Page 2
place for plowed snow in the winter. Young stated we will need to work with the property owner. Olson
questioned why the sidewalk was stopped. It should be on the shopping center side to keep pedestrians on
that side. Need to install a sidewalk, crosswalk, and pedestrian ramps. Carlson sees no problem with the
sidewalk but does have a problem with the crosswalk. He feels this will set a precedent for crosswalks all
over the city. Doty suggested we discuss this request and deal with any others later. Olson and Tyler both
agreed that this request is bordering on a busy shopping center, which makes it a little different.
Ms. Dunn stated that the noise from the compressors at Rainbow make it difficult for her to hear traffic in the
summer. She normally crosses at Jackson and walks along the street to the driveway, which is dangerous.
Traffic from Central Avenue does not slow down unless it is going into Rainbow.
Olson feels we should follow staffs recommendations for this case and Tyler agrees. Doty and Goodman
both agreed that there currently is no sidewalk and that is why there is no crosswalk. Commission members
also agreed that other neighbors most likely walk to the shopping center too. People should not have to be
pushed into the street due to lack of a sidewalk. There are sidewalks and crosswalks on the north side of the
shopping center, there should be sidewalks and crosswalks on the south side as well.
Captain Austin stated that 43`d Avenue is a busy street. Councilmember Schmitt stated that the "Watch for
Pedestrian's" signs are shaped like parking signs and white rather than yellow. Schmitt agrees with Ms.
Dunn. She also stated that painted crosswalks have been proven to slow traffic down. She agrees with
staffs recommendations.
Motioned by Olson to approve the crosswalk at Jackson Street on the premise that the City Council approves
completion of the sidewalk on the north side of 43rd Avenue due to a unique situation. Motion seconded by
Goodman. Motion carried.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
None.
REPORTS
CITY ENGINEER
SIGNAL TIMING ON CENTRAL AVENUE
Attached is an e -mail from Kevin Schwartz with MnDOT concerning the traffic signal timing on Central
Avenue. The side streets are set to change to green every 90 seconds during non -rush hour times and every
21/S minutes during rush hour. New data is being collected by MnDOT in May, although Schwartz does not
anticipate any changes. Olson stated that trying to get onto Central Avenue at rush hour is very difficult and
that there are backups, especially at 53rd Avenue.
Young reported that some of the signals along Central Avenue are being replaced by MnDOT, but did not
know if the new yellow arrow would be used for left turns. A flyer explaining the yellow snow will be
included in the next packet.
"NO PARKING" ON 49TH AVENUE
The City Council has designated "No Parking" on 49" Avenue near the intersections of Fillmore Street and
Johnson Street to improve visibility. Both the School District and Anoka County agree with these
Traffic Commission Minutes — April 2, 2012
Page 3
designations. Additional street lighting is also being installed. Doty stated that these are good improvements
as visibility along 491b Avenue can be difficult during events at the high school. He also requested the
parking be restricted at crosswalks.
Olson asked about ALDI's. He thought we were going to stop traffic from the frontage road onto 50t6
Avenue coming out of Jimmy John's. Young stated the council considered this suggestion, but decided the
frontage road will remain two -way.
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Doty, seconded by Tyler to adjoum the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmidtbauer
Public Works Secretary
>>> "Wieser- Hanson" <wieser- hanson @comcast.net> 3/23/2013 10:58 AM >>>
Dear Mayor Peterson,
A vehicle turned upside down (6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22) on a neighborhood street,
still running, with its wheels spinning should be cause for action.
There have been multiple accidents over the years at this unmarked intersection of 4e
46th and 4I^ Street N.E. We feel it is time that the City install a stop sign at this corner,
especially since there are several children in the area. We were told we would need to
submit a petition to the City for this to happen. But wouldn't several accidents be
enough proof of what need to be done?
Thanks for any efforts on our behalf,
Larry Wieser and Dianne Hanson
f
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
To: Columbia Heights Traffic Commission Members
From: Lenny Austin, Captain
Subject: Accidents at 46h Avenue and 4'" Street
Date: April 15, 2013
I have reviewed the number of recorded accidents that have occurred over the last five years at the
intersection of 46" Avenue and 4ih Street. The breakdown is as follows:
• 07/22/2008 at 8:02 pm. Property Damage Accident. Both vehicles were moved prior to police
arriving. One of the vehicles was attempting to make a left turn (cast) onto 46" Avenue and struck a
parked car. No injuries. Driver inexperience was noted as a contributing factor to the accident.
• 07/27/2009 at 6:52 pm. Property damage accident involving bicyclist. The driver of the vehicle was
traveling westbound on 46" Avenue, and the bicyclist was traveling southbound on 0 Street. Both
parties did not see each other and collided in the intersection. It is unclear who was in the
intersection first. No injuries.
• 09/19/2011 at 10:11 am. Property damage accident. Vehicle traveling eastbound did not yield right
of way to vehicle traveling northbound on 4ih Street. Driver was cited for failure to yield. No
injuries.
• 03/22/2013 at 6:50 pm. Personal injury accident. A vehicle traveling southbound on 41° Street struck
a vehicle traveling westbound on 46'h, causing the westbound vehicle to roll over onto its roof. The
driver of the southbound vehicle was transported to the hospital for a possible injury.
cc: Scott Nadeau
Chief of Police
Page 1 of 1
Bruce Nawroctd - 43rd and 7th Street
From: Mona <wrstrom20Qaol.com>
To: <Tami. Ericson - Diehm @ci.columbia- heights.mn.us >, <bmce.nawrocki@ci.colum...
Date: 10/15/2012 6:50 PM
Subject: 43rd and 7th Street
My apologies, it is 43rd and 7th. After 20 plus years I still do not know my streets
Mona Strom
— Original Message-- -
From: Mona <wrstrom20(Maol.com>
To: Tami.Ericson -Diehm <Tami. Ericson- Diehm(o)ci.columbla- heiahts.mn u_s >; Bruce.Nawrocki
Robert.Williams
Sent: Mon, Oct 15, 2012 4:39 pm
Subject: slop sign on 42nd and 7th Street NE needed
Good Afternoon Council representatives: I am writing this e -mail after coming
in from another vehicle accident on the corner by my street. I have lived her
20 plus years and try to avoid this corner when coming home. ay was
another accident with injuries. When people come up the hi on 7th street
(heading south) they cannot see vehicles coming up the hill n 42nd street
(heading west). Neither vehicle has a good view of another ve 1 c ing.
Plus people are allowed to park on the hill coming up 7th street (heading north
and south) which really blocks your view and makes it difficult for vehicles to
get through.
If you check the police records I would think a few of these accidents will
show up. Also because of the Muslim church on 7th Street, Friday's can be
really difficult with all the vehicles.
With winter coming people speed up just to get to the top of the hill, even
though the City does a good job of sanding there. I wanted to e-mail the Chief
of Police but was unsure of his e-mail address. Thank you for your attention in
this matter.
fileAC:\Documents and Settings \tnril\ 1.ncal Ferrhm,r inn7ont9
Refuse /Rety ling
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Central Garage
Sewer / W.Ier
Engineering
Public Works Department Plarks
637 381" Avenue N.E. Columbia Heights, MN 55421 -3806 Omoe (763) 706 -3700 Too (763) 706 -3692 Fax (763) 706 -3701
Dear Ms. Strom:
Thank you for the e-mail with your concerns about the intersection at 71" Street and 43r4 Avenue. The City
Traffic Commission reviewed a request for traffic control at this intersection in December, 2011. At that
time, the request was denied. I have attached minutes from the December meeting.
The commission reviews the conditions at an intersection in accordance with the guidelines in the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The guidelines for installation of stop or yield signs on local, low volume
roads are listed below:
"The use of YIELD or STOP signs should be considered at the intersection of two minor streets or
local roads where the intersection has more than three approaches and where one or more of the
following conditions exist:
A. The combined vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from all
approaches average more than 2,000 units per day;
B. The ability to see conflicting . traffic on an approach is not sufficient to allow a road user to stop
or yield in compliance with the normal right -of -way rule if such stopping or yielding is
necessary; and /or
C. Crash records indicate that five or mom crashes that involve failure to yield the right of way at
the intersection under the normal right of way role have been reported within a three year
period, or that three or more such crashes have been reported within a two year period."
Studies have shown that installing stop signs where they are not warranted results in disrespect for all stop
signs. The MnDOT Traffic Safety Fundamentals Handbook (2008) gives the example that:
"Adding STOP signs lowers speeds by about 2 mph, in the vicinity of the STOP sign, but also
reduces compliance —a greater number of drivers completely disregard the sign than come to a
complete stop. In addition, speeds in the segments between STOP signs have been observed to
increase drivers attempting to make up for lost time."
Police Department staff compiled the reported accident record at this intersection from 2007 through 2012.
Except in 2011, the average is less than one reported accident per year. Although there were 3 accidents in
2011, one was weather related and one was caused by an impaired driver.
I will present the updated accident information to the Traffic Commission with the recommendation that the
accident records at this intersection be reviewed again for 2013 and 2014 for further action.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Thank you.
Kathy Young
Assistant City Engineer
Phone: 763 - 706 -3704
E -mail: Kathy. Young @ci.columbia - heights.mn.us
Kevin Hansen
Public Works Director /City Engineer
Phone: 763 -706 -3705
E -mail: Kevin. Hansen @ci.columbia - heights.mn.us
SERvCE IS OUR 8USMESS IV lnu'. CLCOi!/gtil %R- /IPIPrIb'./IIIL45 EOURL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
THE CITY OF LOLUM AA HEIGHTS DOES NOT OISLPIMINATE ON THE ENRE S OF NS0.eNTY IN ENKOYMENT OR THE PRONSKIN OF SERNCES
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011; 5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant
Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary
Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motioned by Doty, seconded by Olson to approve the minutes of November 7, as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
The MUTCD guidelines for installing STOP or YIELD signs at intersections on local streets
were provided to the Commissioners.
A. REQUEST TO INSTALL "STOP" SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET
AND 43an AVENUE
Ms. Dorothy JaHoud of 4209 a Street requested stop signs at 43rd Avenue and 6"
Street. The concern is a blind spot at the intersection.
At the November meeting, the Commission reviewed this intersection as well as the
accident records for the intersection of 7th Street and 430 Avenue. The Commission
tabled this request in order to obtain additional information concerning the 7" Street
intersection.
430 Avenue and 6" Street
The visibility at the intersection is somewhat limited on the south side of the intersection
because of the higher ground elevations. Sidewalks are available on 6" Street. On 6'
Street, traffic stops at 4Vd Avenue and 40 Avenue. On 430 Avenue, traffic stops at 5"
Street and Jefferson Street. There have been two reported traffic accidents in the last five
years, one in 2008 and one in 2007.
43`d Avenue and 7th Street
The intersection is at the crest of a hill hmitN visibility. On 7" Street, traffic yields at
41"Avenue and stops at 44" Avenue. On 43 Avenue, traffic stops at 5" Street and
Jefferson Street. There have been five reported accidents in the last five years; one in
2011, one in 2010, and three in 2007. One of the accidents in 2007 was caused by an
underage driver. This accident should not be included when reviewing the guidelines for
Traffic Commission Agenda
December 5, 2011
Page 2
yield or stop sign placement
Traffic counts were done for 48 hours on 43'u Avenue and 76 Street. The average daily
traffic was approximately 315 on 43rd Avenue and 210 on 7' Street. This is considered
normal traffic for a residential street.
Ms. LaHoud stated her family is afraid to drive down 6t6 Street because it is dangerous,
especially due to the blind spot. She sees a lot of stop signs in Columbia Heights and
wonders why they are there; there are stop signs where there are no blind spots. Carlson
stated there are shady too many stop signs in Columbia Heights. Ms. LaHoud stated
only one stop sign is needed on 6's Street. Carlson stated if cars would yield like they are
supposed to there would be no problem. Ms. LaHoud asked if 43"i Street is supposed to
be a `through" street, at 6" and 4P. Carlson stated vehicles are to yield to the right no
matter what direction they are heading. Olson said they could be considered
"neighborhood" streets; none of them are "through" streets. Olson stated that none of the
criteria has been met for a stop or yield sign at this intersection, per the MN guidelines.
Tyler, Doty and Goodman all agreed. Carlson advised Ms. LaHoud that the MN
guidelines state we cannot recommend what she is asking.
Ms. LaHoud brought up another matter. She was at Savers on Tuesday and the parking
lot was packed. The handicap parking notice is on the ground, there is no sign. She has a
handicap license plate but she couldn't find a place to park so she parked at edge of the
lot and shopped. She heard her car mentioned over the speaker and she was asked to
move her car. She had to park at a different spot on 49'. There is no handicap parking in
the new area of the lot, only in the old area. They need more handicap spots. Young will
contact the City planner and find out if Savers has the correct number of handicap spots
for that size lot. Sergeant Fischer advised there is a city ordinance regarding the required
number of handicap spots.
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Doty to deny the request to install stop signs at 4P
Avenue and 6'a Street. Motion carried.
Young stated the Commission should discuss 43'a Avenue and 7d' Street. It is difficult to
see oncoming traffic at the crest of the hill. There is more of a visibility problem on 4P
Avenue. Traffic on 43m Avenue should yield to traffic on 71° Street. Olson questioned
the value of a yield sign. Young stated it assigns the right of way. States is it difficult to
see traffic. Carlson feels the only benefit of yield signs is that they mean slow down to
most people. Goodman agreed. Olson stated this is similar to what we just turned down
and that the yield law is in effect anyway. Goodman stated with a stop sign on the hill
traffic could not stop on a bad winter day as you would not be able to get going. Tyler
stated the difference between 6' Street and 7d' Street is visibility but he does not think
this justifies a yield sign. If it can be demonstrated that placing a sign can significantly
reduce accidents then he would be all for it, otherwise there are already too many signs.
Olson would be swayed more if he had more pertinent data. These are just basic
accidents that happen all over the city. Schmitt agreed. The difference would be
visibility but if drivers are not paying attention it doesn't matter if there is a yield sign or
not.
Traffic Commission Agenda
December 5, 2011
Page 3
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Goodman to move to deny a yield sign at the
intersection of 43`° Avenue and 7a Street. Motion carved.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Carlson received a call from Virgil Percing complaining of speed going through the area of 2205 40
Avenue. He claims to have brought this up with someone from the City. Carlson asked him to write a
letter to Kathy Young. No letter was received by the City. Carlson requested the Police Department to
go over and take a look once in a while. Carlson sees nothing out of the ordinary. Cars may be
speeding to get up the hill from 40`° and Central to Reservoir. Goodman stated Captain Roddy once had
a radar gun down there. Young will check if we have any reports or data. Olson stated that 401h Avenue
should be a through street. Carlson stated citizens are not good at estimating speeds; speeds seem faster
when a person is standing on the street. Sergeant Fischer will set up the speed trailer to obtain some
data but there are a lot of stop signs on 4e an will see. Schmitt questioned the speed trailer on 40&
between Arthur and Stinson Boulevard.
MnDOT is still looking at the entire corridor regarding traffic signals. Olson asked about 53`s Avenue
again.
REPORTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Olson, seconded by Tyler to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmidtbaua
Public Works Secretary
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTION OF 43RD AVENUE AND 7TH STREET
07/01/2007
Property Damage Accident. One vehicle was driven by 15 year old driver
• 08/05/2007
Property Damage Accident. with no permit or license.
12/19/2007
Property Damage Accident.
• 02/26/2010
Minor Accident.
01/28/2011 at 5:21 pm. Property Damage Accident. Driver said they slipped on slush.
02/20/2011 at 5:33 pm. Hit and Run Property Damage Accident. Suspect fled the scene and was
• 11/21/2011 at 1:44 pm. Hit and Run Property Damage Accident. later (?) arrested for DWI
• 10/15/2012 at 3:54 pm. Personal Injury Accident. Minor injuries.
Where a regulatory sign, other than a STOP sign, is
placed on the left -hand side of a multi -lane roadway in
addition to the installation of the same regulatory sign on the
right -hand side or the roadway, the size shown in the Single
Lane column in Table 2B -1 may be used for both the sign on
the right -hand side and the sign on the left -hand side of the
roadway.
STANDARD:
A minimum size of 36 x 36 inches shall be used for STOP
signs that face multi -lane approaches.
Where side roads intersect a multi -lane street or highway
that has a speed limit of 45 mph or higher, the minimum size
of the STOP signs facing the side road approaches, even if
the side road only has one approach lane, shall be 36 x 36
inches.
Where side roads intersect a multi -lane street or highway
that has a speed limit of 40 MPH or lower, the minimum size
of the STOP signs facing the side road approaches shall be
as shown in the Single Lane or Multi -lane columns of Table
213-1 based on the number of approach lanes on the side
street approach.
GUIDANCE
The minimum sizes for regulatory signs facing traffic on
exit and entrance ramps should be as shown in the colun i
of Table 2B -1 that corresponds to the mainline roadway clas-
sification (Expressway or Freeway). If a minimum size is
not provided in the Freeway column, the minimum size in
the Expressway column should be used. If a minimum size
is not provided in the Freeway or Expressway Column, the
size in the Oversized column should be used.
2BA flight -of -Way at Intersections
SUPPORT:
State or local laws written in accordance with the
"Uniform Vehicle Code" (see Section 1A.11) establish the
right -of -way rule at intersections with fpur approaches
having no regulatory traffic control signs such that the driver
of a vehicle approaching an intersection must yield the right -
of -way to any vehicle or pedestrian already in the intersec-
tion. When two vehicles approach an intersection with four
approaches from different streets or highways at approxi-
mately the same time, the right -of -way rule requires the
driver of the vehicle on the left to yield the right -of -way to
the vehicle on the right. The right -of -way can be modified at
through streets or highways by placing YIELD (RI-2) signs
(see Sections 2B.8 and 2B.9) or STOP (RI-1) signs (see
Sections 2B.5 through 2B.7) on one or more approaches.
GUIDANCE:
Engineering judgment should be used to establish inter-
section control. The following factors should be considered:
A. Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic volumes on
all approaches;
B. Number and angle of approaches;
C. Approach speeds;
D. Sight distance available on each approach; and
E. Reported crash experience.
YIELD or STOP signs should be used at an intersection if
one or more of the following conditions exist:
A.An intersection of a less important road with a main
road where application of the normal right -of -way
rule would not be expected to provide reasonable
compliance with the law;
-B. A street entering a designated through highway or
street; and/or
C. An unsignalized intersection in a signalized area.
In addition, the use of YIELD or STOP signs should be
considered at the intersection of two minor streets or local
roads where the intersection has more than three approaches
and where one or more of the following conditions exist:
A. The combined vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian
volume entering the intersection from all approaches
averages more than 2,000 units per day;
B. The ability to see conflicting traffic on an approach is
not sufficient to allow a road user to stop or yield in
compliance with the normal right -of -way rule if such
stopping or yielding is necessary; and/or
C. Crash records indicate that five or more crashes that
involve the failure to yield the right -of -way at the
intersection under the normal right -of -way rule have
been reported within a 3 -year period, or that three or
more such crashes have been reported within a 2 -year
period.
YIELD or STOP signs should not be used for speed
control.
SUPPORT:
Section 2B.7 contains provisions regarding the
application of multi -way STOP control at an intersection.
GUIDANCE: j
Once the decision has been made to control an intersec-
tion, the decision regarding the appropriate roadway to
control should be based on engineering judgment. In most
cases, the roadway carrying the lowest volume of traffic
should be controlled.
A YIELD or STOP sign should not be installed on the
higher volume roadway unless justified by an engineering
study.
2B -7 December, 2011