Public understanding of the function of stop signs and traffic signals is one of the most critical elements in reducing traffic accidents. The following information explains our policies with regard to intersection traffic controls, and the correct use of stop signs and traffic signals.

Speed Control

Each year, the City of Englewood receives many requests to install stop signs or traffic signals to reduce speeding. However, studies show that such installations are not effective in reducing speeding violations. The purpose of stop signs and traffic signals is to assign right-of-way at an intersection.

Installation Policies

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is the national standard that dictates the size, shape, and color of all traffic signs. This manual provides guidelines for installing signs and traffic signals, creating uniformity from state to state.

The City of Englewood is required by state law to comply with the guidelines of the Manual. Stop signs are installed at an intersection after an engineering evaluation of existing conditions indicates sign installation is appropriate. Overuse of stop signs reduces their effectiveness. If stop signs are installed where they aren't justified, drivers tend to ignore the signs or speed up between stop sign-controlled intersections.

The MUTCD provides guidance on how to uniformly look at intersections and the use of traffic control. If there are questions or concerns about how an intersection is functioning and if traffic control is needed, an engineering study will often be conducted. The study, at a minimum, will include:

• Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic volumes on all approaches
  • This information helps determine if the intersection is over capacity, resulting in delays or unsafe traffic conditions.
•  Number and angle of approaches
  • Understanding the configuration of the intersection is important to determine the appropriate traffic control to implement.
•  Approach speeds
  • Traffic speed data is compared to the posted speed in order to determine if there is a pattern of speeding.
•  Visibility (sight distance) available on each approach
  • Locations where a road user cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop often warrant traffic control improvements.
•  Reported crash experience
  • Crash records are reviewed to determine if accidents are susceptible to correction by traffic control improvements.
•  Land uses adjacent to the intersection
  • Land use information helps provide a complete picture of traffic conditions and can indicate where vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles are likely traveling to and from.

 The guidance provided in the MUTCD for stop sign applications on the minor-street approaches is as follows:

The use of STOP signs on the minor-street approaches should be considered if engineering judgement indicates that a stop is always required because of one or more of the following conditions:

1. The vehicular traffic volumes on the through street or highway exceed 6,000 vehicles per day;

2. A restricted view exists that requires road users to stop in order to adequately observe conflicting traffic on the through street or highway; and/or

3. Crash records indicate that three or more crashes that are susceptible to correction by the installation of a STOP sign have been reported within a 12-month period, or that five or more such crashes have been reported within a 2-year period. Such crashes include right-angle collisions involving road users on the minor-street approach failing to yield the right-of-way to traffic on the through street or highway.

An all-way stop is defined as a condition where all legs entering an intersection are stopped controlled. This can be in the form of a 3-way or 4-way stop. Chapter 2B of the MUTCD addresses warrants, or decision criteria, as follows:

Multi-way stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersection if certain traffic conditions exist. Safety concerns associated with multi-way stops include pedestrians, bicyclists, and all road users expecting other road users to stop. Multi-way stop control is used where the volume of traffic on the intersection roads is approximately equal.

The decision to install multi-way stop control should be based on an engineering study. The following criteria should be considered in the engineering study for a multi-way STOP sign installation:

1. Where traffic control signals are justified, the multi-way stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the installation of the traffic control signal.

2. Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions.

3. Minimum volumes:

   1. The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and

   2. The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering the intersection from the minor street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor-street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour; but

   3. If the 85th-percentile approach speed of the major-street traffic exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrants are 70 percent of the values provided in Items 1 and 2.

4. Where no single criterion is satisfied, but where Criteria B, C.1, and C.2 are all satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Criterion C.3 is excluded from this condition.

Option: Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study include:

1. The need to control left-turn conflicts;

2. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes;

3. Locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and

4. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection.

To request evaluation of a potential stop sign installation, please submit a service request.