CR 03-057 Stop Sign Request Hobby Acres
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CITY OF
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March 27, 2003
HOPKINS I
Council Report 2003-057
Consider Hobby Acres Neighborhood Association Stop Sign Request
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council approve
the installation of vield sions at the followino Hobbv Acres neiohborhood
locations: Althea Lane where it intersects Farmdale and Wayside Roads and the
addition of center line and edoe stripino at certain intersections.
Overview.
Staff received a request submitted by the Hobby Acres Speeding Committee for
the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersections of Farmdale Rd & Althea
Lane, Farmdale Rd & Campbell Rd and Althea Lane & Wayside Road. The
committee's request states that over 95% of the residents of Hobby Acres have
signed a petition for the stop signs. The neighborhood committee contends that
a speeding problem exists which threatens pedestrian safety. The Mayor and
City staff; including the City Manager, Police Chief and Public Works Director;
met with the neighborhood committee on January 15 and January 29 of this year.
At the meeting, we discussed the neighborhood road system specifics, resident
concerns and the results of traffic counts taken by city staff at various locations in
, the neighborhood. We could not come to agreement that the traffic conditions
warranted the requested all-way stop signs. Staff contends that stop signs
should not be installed to control speed and that, if installed, they will influence
vehicle speeds in a very small area near the intersections only, while increasing
speeds in other areas and also increasing vehicle noise and pollution.
Primary Issues to Consider.
. Staff review of traffic count and accident data
. Traffic calming in the Hobby Acres neighborhood
. Options and recommendation
Supportino Information
. Hobby Acres Association Request for Stop Sign Installation - 3/10/2003
. Traffic Count information
. Intersection sketches, neighborhood maps, photographs
. Publication excerpts
~
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director
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f
Council Report 2003-057
Page 2
Analvsis of Issues
. Staff review of traffic count data and accident data (Counts were. taken
December 9 - 13, 2002)
There have been no accidents for the past 2 years - see attached Police Dept.
memo.
Summary of Station 3 speed data:
Total # vehicles counted over the five days = 2,017
Total # vehicles with speed at or below 30 mph = 1,943 (96.3%)
Summary of Station 3 traffic volume data:
Average daily traffic volume = 504
The hourly average traffic volume during the morning, midday and
afternoon peak traffic periods were in the range of 27 - 35/hour. The
other stations were about half of this number of vehicles. This is light
traffic (one vehicle every 90 - 120 seconds at station 3) and an expected
total volume given the 171 homes in the area. There is no evidence of
cut-through traffic.
. Traffic calming in the Hobby Acres neighborhood
Staff understands the neighborhood concerns to be vehicle speeds,
pedestrian safety and general"walkability" of the streets. The traffic
counts have shown that the traffic volumes and speeds are very
reasonable. The neighborhood was developed with 30' wide streets, no
sidewalks and large sweeping-curve intersections such as the
Campbell/Farmdale and Althea/Farmdale intersections. Of course, the
optimal way to address the neighborhood concerns is to separate
pedestrian traffic from the roadway with sidewalks. However, constructing
sidewalks now would be very difficult, expensive and probably not
acceptable to the residents. Narrowing the lane width for vehicles is one
method sometimes used to slow vehicles. This can be done with center
medians, chokers, or general street pavement narrowing. This is
expensive, can cause drainage problems and can compromise bicycle
and pedestrian safety due to the narrower pavement section. Speed
humps have been used to reduce vehicles speeds but results are mixed.
Unless spaced throughout the area of concern, the speed influence is only
. at the speed hump location, plus traffic may be diverted to other streets
within the neighborhood. '
Council Report 2003-057
Page 3
The addition of all-way stop signs is not an effective way to reduce speeds
and increase pedestrian safety in the neighborhood. Staff's attached
three separate publications stating that stop signs should not be used to
control vehicle speeds. One publication entitled "Neighborhood Traffic
Control" states that after stop signs are installed vehicle speed in the mid-
block areas, where most accidents involving young pedestrians occur,
frequently increases.
One advantage of the Hobby Acres/Campbell neighborhood areas is the
relatively wide pavement. The streets are 30' wide. This provides for
adequate space for vehicles and pedestrians to share the roadway. This
is in contrast to the narrow 20' - 22' street widths in the Bellgrove and
Knollwood neighborhoods. However, the large, open, sweeping-curve
intersection areas can cause some drivers to maintain speed through the
turning movement by using the entire width of the road.
.
Staff understands the pedestrian safety concerns of the neighborhood and
feels that the best way to address them is to slow vehicle speed and better
show pedestrian areas through the more heavily traveled intersections
along Farmdale Road. Adding double yellow centerline striping and white
edge striping along 150' of each approach street would do this. Most
motorists will try to stay within the driving lanes and, as a result, slow
down. The edge marking also clearly shows the parking/pedestrian areas.
In addition, staff proposes to add yield signs at the Althea/Wayside and
Althea/Farmdale intersections. These would help motorists understand
that Farmdale and Wayside traffic has the right-of-way. In addition, there
are sight obstructions at these intersections and the yield signs will tend to
slow the approaching motorists as they check for cross-traffic.
. Options:
1. Do nothing.
2. Approve installation of centerline and pavement edge striping and yield
signs as described in report. This is the staff recommendation.
3. Direct staff to obtain input/feedback from the Campbell Addition
neighborhood area regarding the Hobby Acres neighborhood request for
all-way stop signs. Report back to City Council with results.
4. Approve installation of all-way stop signs at the three intersections, as
requested by the Hobby Acres neighborhood speeding committee.
5. Direct staff to continue to work with the Hobby Acres neighborhood
speeding committee and Campbell Addition neighborhood on ways to
calm traffic in this residential area.
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nODDY Acres f\.SSUClauuu
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Request for Stop Sign lnstallation
March 10,2003
Petition to the City:
To reduce car speeds and improve pedestrian safety in the neighborhood, Hobby Acres is requesting the
installation of aU way stop signs at the intersections of Fanndale & Althea, Fanndale & Campbell, and
Althea & Wayside.
Background:
The Hobby Acres Association has over fifty children in the area ranging in age from infants to twenty years
old, with an estimated sixty plus children living in the adjoining Campbell Addition neighborhood. We
also have two individuals confined to wheelchairs that use the streets withm the area.
In recent years, the speeds (and at times the volumes) of cars passing through the neighborhood has
increased, as has the amount of pedestrian traffic. Correspondingly, complaints by pedestrians being forced
off ofthe roads aJ:ld concerns for safety in the neighborhood have increased.
In 2002, the Hobby Acres Association established a Speeding Committee to develop a strategy to resolve a
continuing concern ofthe neighborhood with regard to pedestrian safety on our streets. The first objective
of the committee was to detennine if speeding cars were a universal concern of the neighborhood. The
Committee drafted a petition that stated:
We, the residents of Hobby Acres, agree that a speeding problem exists in our neighborhood.
Being a neighborhood of walkers, joggers, cyclists, young children, and citizens confined to
wheelchairs, we are concerned about the safety of our community.
We, the undersigned, fonnally request that the city of Hopkins partner with us to find a solution
for this ongoing problem.
The petition was signed by over 95% ofthe residents of Hobby Acres.
The Committee then met with the City to communicate our issues and discuss possible solutions. A
number of solutions were explored and the City did an analysis of traffic and speed counts in different
sections ofthe neigbborhood. Based on the statistics, the City contends that there is not necessarily a
speeding problem and that 30 mph is an appropriate speed for the neighborhood.
The Speeding Committee disagrees with the City's view: 1) The intersections are not 90 degree square.
The design of intersections at Fanndale/Althea and Fanndale/Campbell allows and encourages cars to
travel through the intersections with minimal to no braking. 2)'There are no sidewalks. Many times
pedestrians must jump off the street to avoid a car traveling 25-35+ mph. Furthermore, there are additional
safety issues created when walking/biking with kids. Also, because the intersections facilitate driving
without braking, an approaching car can come upon a pedestrian much quicker and with less warning.
Finally, without sidewalks or some kind of natural separation from the cars, a car's speed and a pedestrian's
sense of danger are magnified. 3) Other neighborhoods that have a 30 mph speed limit tend to have many
stop signs (i.e. Interlachen Park). Neither Hobby Acres nor Campbell Addition have even one stop sign.
Based on our discussions with the City, it is the Committee's opinion that the most cost effective solution
to address our neighborhood's, speeding problem is to add stop signs at the three key intersections noted
above. The stop signs will, at a miitimwn, slow cars to speeds that are more acceptable to pedestrians as
well as enhance their sense of safety while walking, biking, or riding in a wheelchair.
Respectfully Submitted By,
The Hobby Acres Speeding Committee
Tad Gullickson, Chair
Dick Brubacher
Steve Jaffee
Leroy Owens
Kathy Rolf
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TRAFFIC CITATIONS & ACCIDENTS
HOBBY ACRES
01/01/2001 - 01/29/2003
Accidents:
2000
1 Property Damage Hit & Run on Althea Lane
1 Property Damage on Althea Lane
1 Property Damage on Wayside Road
2001
2002
2003
None
None
None
(This does not include 2 Property Damage Hit & Run Accidents that
occurred on Herman Terrace in 2000.)
.
Traffic Citations:
2001 1 Vehicle Registration/License Plate Expiration on
Wayside Road
2002 1 Vehicle Registration/License Plate Expiration on
Althea Lane
1 Vehicle Parked on Street Over 24 Hrs/City
Ordinance Violation on Wayside Road
2003 1 Vehicle Parked on Street Over 24 hrs/City
Ordinance Violation on Althea Way
(This does not include 1 Vehicle Registration/License Plate Expiration
on Campbell Drive & 2 on Herman Terrace in 2002.)
There were no speeding citations written in Hobby Acres.
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Hobby Acres 2 Hour
Turning Movement Counts
AM 7:00 - 9:00 PM 4:00 - 6:00
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Chapter 2B.
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2B.l Application of Regulatory Signs
IIIIiiI1mI
Regulatory signs shall be used to inform road users of
selected traffic laws or regulations and indicate the applica-
bility of the legal requirements.
Regulatory signs shall be installed at or near where the
regulations apply. The signs shall clearly indicate the
requirements imposed by the regulations and shall be
designed and installed to provide adequate visibility and
legibility in order to obtain compliance.
Regulatory signs shall be retroreflective or illuminated to
show the same shape and similar color by both day and
night, unless specifically stated otherwise in the text
discussion of a particular sign or group of signs (see Section
2A.S).
The requirements for sign illumination shall not be
considered to be satisfied by street, highway, or strobe
lighting.
2B.2 Design of Regulatory Signs
I SUPPORT: I
Most regulatory signs are rectangular, with the longer
dimension vertical. The shapes and colors of regulatory
signs are listed in Tables 2A-3 and 2A-4, respectively.
Exceptions are specifically noted in the following Sections.
The use of educational plaques to supplement symbol
signs is described in Section 2A.13.
2B.3 Size of Regulatory Signs
I SUPPORT: I
The Mn/DOT "Standard Signs Manual" 1 and the Federal
"Standard Highway Signs" 2 book contains sign sizes and
letter heights for regulatory signs used on c~nventional
roads, expressways, freeways, an:d low-volume roads, and
under special conditions.
~~I~
The sizes for regulatory signs shall be as shown in
Appendix C at the back of this Manual.
Regulatory Signs
t:GIfri)~~E:~1
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The Expressway and Freeway sizes should be used for
higher-speed applications to provide larger signs for
increased visibility and recognition.
I OPTION: I
The Minimum size may be used on low-speed roadways
where reduced legend size would be adequate for the
regulation or where physical conditions preclude the use of
the other sizes.
The Oversized size may be used for those special appli-
cations that require increased emphasis, improved
recognition, or increased legibility.
2B.4 . STOP Sign (Rl-l)
IBDJ ~
ALL WAY
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R1-1
750 x 750 mm
30" x 30"
R1-3
300 x 150 mm
12" x 6"
R1-4
450 x 150 mm
18" x 6"
~
When a sign is used to indicate that traffic is always
required to stop, a STOP (RI-I) sign shall be used.
The STOP sign shall be an octagon with a white legend
and border on a red background. Secondary legends shall not
be used on STOP sign .faces. If appropriate, a supplemental
plaque (RI-3 or RI-4) shall be used to display a secondary
legend. Such plaques shall have a white legend and border
on a red background. If the number of approach legs
controlled by STOP signs at an intersection is three or more,
the numeral on the supplemental plaque, if used, shall
correspond to the actual number ofIegs controlled by STOP
signs.
~
I Available from Minnesota Department ofTr~sportation, Office of Systems and Support Services, Map & Manual Sales Unit, see page ii.
2 Available from the Government Printing Office, see page ii.
2B-l
December, 2001
At intersections where all approaches are controlled by
STOP signs (see Section 2B.7), a supplemental plaque
(Rl-3 or Rl-4) shall be mounted below each STOP sign.
I OPTION: I
The ALL WAY (Rl-4) supplemental plaque may be used
instead of the 4-WAY (Rl-3) supplemental plaque.
I SUPPORT: I
The design and application of Stop Beacons are described
in Section 4K.5.
2B.4.1 CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT
STOP Plaque (R1-X2)
CROSS TRAffiC
. ~
DOES NOT STOP
R1-X2
600 x 450 mm
24" x 18"
.
I OPTION: I
The CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP sign may be
used at intersections where geometric, topographic or other
conditions exist and motorists approaching a STOP sign
may expect cross traffic to stop. When used, it shall be
installed on the same structure as the STOP sign beneath
all other supplemental plaques.
IIZIiImI
Its use shall be limited to those intersections where an
engineering and traffic investigation indicate a need.
28.5 STOP Sign Applications
! GpIDANCE: I
STOP signs should not be used unless engineering
judgment indicates that one or more of the following
conditions exist:
A. 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 reasonably safe
operation;
B. Street entering a through highway or street;
C. Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area; and/or
D. High speeds, restricted view, or crash records that
indicate a need for control by the STOP sign.
DZIiImI
Because the potential for conflicting commands could
create driver confusion, STOP signs shall not be installed at
December, 2001
intersections where traffic control signals are installed and
operating.
Portable or part-time STOP signs shall not be used except
for emergency and temporary traffic control zone purposes.
(
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STOP signs should not be used for speed control.
STOP signs should be installed in a manner that
minimizes the numbers of yehicles having to stop. At inter-
sections where a full stop is not necessary at all times, con-
sideration should be given to using less restrictive measures
such as YIELD signs (see Section 2B.8).
Once the decision has been made to install two-way stop
control, the decision regarding the appropriate street to stop
should be based on engineering judgment. In most cases, the
street carrying the lowest volume of traffic should be
stopped.
A STOP sign should not be installed on the major street
unless justified by a traffic engineering study.
I SUPPORT: I
The following are considerations that might influence the
decision regarding the appropriate street upon which to
install a STOP sign where two streets with relatively equal
volumes and/or characteristics intersect:
A. Stopping the direction that conflicts the most with
established pedestrian crossing activity or school
walking routes;
B. Stopping the direction that has obscured vision, dips,
or bumps that already require drivers to use lower
operating speeds; ,
C. Stopping the direction that has the longest distance of
uninterrupted flow approaching the intersection; and
D. Stopping the ,direction that has the best sight distance
to conflicting traffic.
The use of the STOP sign at highway-railroad grade
crossings is described in Section 8B.7.
(
2B.6 STOP Sign Placement
IIIIlImI
The STOP sign shall be installed on the correct side of the
traffic lane to which it applies. When the STOP sign is
installed at this required location and the sign visibility is
restricted, a Stop Ahead sign (see Section 2C.26) shall be
installed in advance of the STOP sign. .
The STOP sign shall be located as close as practical to the
intersection it regulates, while optimizing its visibility to the
road user it is intended to regulate.
STOP signs and YIELD signs shall not be mounted on the
same post.
(
2B-2
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Review of Effi tive T raffle Calming
tions and Implementation
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Road fhtS~iH(h
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. Stop Signs
Stop signs can be a very effective way to control traffic if used properly. As indicated by various traffic
studies, they should not be used to control speeding. An excessive use of stop signs may cause drivers to
speed up in between the stop signs as they try to compensate for the time they lost having to come to a
stop at each stop sign. Reductions in speed may only occur in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign
since some ~ivers may accelerate rapidly after stopping, creating an even more dangerous situation. And
if there are too many stop signs, drivers may choose to ignore them.
Stop signs can also create a false sense of security in pedestrians who assume vehicles will stop. For that
reason, it is recommended that stop signs be used to help drivers determine who has the right-of-way and
should be installed only where justified or "warranted."
I
I
According to the set of warrants given in the Manual o'n Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), stop signs may be warranted at an
intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where
application of the normal right-of-way rule is unduly hazardous.
2. Street entering a through highway or street.
3. Unsignalized intersection in: a signalized area.
4. Other intersections where a combination of high speed,
restricted view, arid serious accident records indicates a need for
control by the STOP sign.
': ~ : !
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The MUTCD should be referenced for further important details and conditions. Also found in the manual
are additional warrants for installing all-way or 4-way stops. The installation of an all-way stop is based
upon interim use pending signal installation, accident history, or traffic volumes.
I,
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An alternative to stop signs may be to install yield signs, which are also intended to assist drivers with
determining who has the right-of-way at intersections. Studies have found that yield signs have little
effect on traffic volumes and can reduce vehicle speeds within approximately 50 feet of the intersection.
The installation of a yield sign should be carefully analyzed and installed only if warranted by the
MUTeD.
~
Neighborhood Traffic Control
.
---, ----------------- '-
\,
NelTE
NORTH CENTRAL SECTION
INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS
January 1994
'ALL-WAY STOPS
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTeD) and Traffic Engineers
Handbook (TEH) have established specific
warrants for installation of 4 way or all way
stops. These warrants were developed to
assist in determining whether or not 4 way
stop signs could help assign right of way at
higher volume intersections reduce an acci-
dent problem, or fill in as an interim measure
until traffic signals could be installed. Con-
siderations outside established warrants are
restricted intersection sight distances, and
school crossings. Studies have shown that 4
way stop signs are not an effective technique
for controlling speeds and should not be
used to reduce traffic volumes, or simply to
satisfy citizen demands. It should be remem-
bered that stop signs constitute one of the
most significant means of separating and
controlling traffic movements and should be
carefully considered.
Effects
Volumes. Four-way stop signs produce no
net reduction of traffic volumes if traffic is
primarily local in make-up. Where there is
existing shortcutting thru traffic, stop signs
may reduce volumes; however, the effective-
ness of the 4-way stop as a deterrent to thru
traffic is dependent on stop sign saturation,
heavy enforcement and the availability of
useful alternative routes. Often the alterna-
tive route is another adjacent residential
street, and problem traffic is merely dis-
. placed, not eliminated.
Neighborhood Traffic Control
January 1994
1
CHAPTER 15
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Speeds. Studies have typically shown 4-way
stop~ do not have a significant impact on
vehicular speeds. Overall area speeds have
shown mh-urnal reductions near the intersec-
tion. In midblock areas, where most acci-
dents involving young pedestrians occur,
speed increases are frequently the result.
Safety. It is not clear whether 4-way stop
signs will improve safety when they do not
meet established warrants. In some cases
accidents actually increase, possibly due to
the stop signs being unexpected or deemed
unnecessary thereby encouraging rolling
stops, or by instilling a false sense of security
in crossing motorists and pedestrians.
Studies have shown that stop signs that do
not meet warrants are basically ignored by
many drivers. Also as mentioned bef~re,
speeds tend to increase in the mid block areas
where most young pedestrian accidents
occur. However, if warrants are met or
where sight distances are poor - an all way
stop may increase safety.
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