>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 06/24/05 12:22 PM asked: What wrong with a 4-stop sign >>> on Glenway St. at the bike path (other than drivers don't like to stop) >>> anyway? I still think that would be the best way to calm the traffic and prevent crashes as well. >>>
Pleasse see http://www.ci.troy.mi.us/TrafficEngineering/Multiway.htm for a summary of the traffic engineering research on this topic. Here is the Abstract and the Introduction Arthur Ross Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator *------- Multi-way Stops - The Research Shows the MUTCD is Correct! W. Martin Bretherton Jr., P.E.(M) Abstract This paper reviewed over 70 technical papers covering all-way stops (or multi-way stops) and their success and failure as traffic control devices in residential areas. This study is the most comprehensive found on multi-way stop signs The study looked at how multi-way stop signs have been used as traffic calming measures to control speed. There have been 23 hypotheses studied using multi-way stop as speed control. The research found an additional 9 hypotheses studied showing the effect multi way stops have on other traffic engineering problems. The research found that, overwhelmingly, multi-way stop signs do NOT control speed except under very limited conditions. The research shows that the concerns about unwarranted stop signs are well founded. Introduction Many elected officials, citizens and some traffic engineering professionals feel that multi-way stop signs should be used as traffic calming devices. Many times unwarranted stop signs are installed to control traffic. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)(16) describes warrants for installing multi-way stop signs. However, it does not describe many of the problems caused by the installation of unwarranted stop signs. These problems include concerns like liability issues, traffic noise, automobile pollution, traffic enforcement and driver behavior. This paper is a result of searching over 70 technical papers about multi-way stop signs. The study concentrated on their use as traffic calming devices and their relative effectiveness in controlling speeds in residential neighborhoods. The references found 23 hypotheses on their relative effectiveness as traffic calming devices. One study analyzed the economic cost of installing a multi-way stop at an intersection. The reference search also found 9 hypotheses about traffic operations on residential streets. The literature search found 85 papers on the subject of multi-way stops. There are probably many more references available on this very popular subject. The seventy-one references are shown in Appendix A. There was a problem finding the 14 papers found in literature searches. The 14 papers are listed in Appendix B for information only. Most of the papers were from old sources and are probably out of print. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
