The Effect of Stop Control on Ultra Low Volume Intersection Safety

Download or read book The Effect of Stop Control on Ultra Low Volume Intersection Safety written by Ryan John Tenges and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is commonly regarded that the over-use of traffic control devices desensitizes drivers and leads to disrespect, especially for low volume secondary roads with limited enforcement. The maintenance of traffic signs is also a tort liability concern, exacerbated by unnecessary signs. The Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Institute of Transportation Engineer's Traffic Control Devices Handbook provide guidance for the implementation of STOP signs based on expected compliance with right-of-way rules, provision of through traffic flow, context (proximity to other controlled intersections), speed, sight distance, and crash history. The approaches to stop are left to engineering judgment and are usually dependent on traffic volume or functional class/continuity of system. Although presently being considered by the National Committee on Traffic Control Devices, traffic volume is not given as a criterion for implementation in the MUTCD. STOP signs have been installed at many locations for various reasons which no longer meet engineering needs. If in fact the presence of STOP signs does not increase safety, removal should be considered. To date, however, no guidance exists for the removal of STOP signs at two-way stop controlled intersections. The scope of this research is ultra low volume (