I did a google search in quotes for “How to get a stop sign” because a visitor to City Hall, not in my Ward but a Medford citizen, asked about his application for one. Two problems appeared from his issue…one, he wanted a stop sign to solve some particular neighborhood issue and, two, he never received notice that a hearing was scheduled to hear his request so he was unable to defend his request and it was denied.
It does seem sometimes that when a citizen or business asks for a service staff doesn’t always know to focus on the issue presented rather than the problem. As a result the applicant may get refused the solution to the problem presented but then not be informed that the issue presented may be resolved with a different solution.
In this case the citizen requested a stop sign and the application was denied because the department viewed the request as a traffic speed problem (for which, apparently, stop signs are inappropriate).
It may be, however, that other solutions would have been better. Perhaps a yield sign, or a bump, or heavier stripeing at the crosswalk.
So, my search on Google…it resulted in only a few results and the pertinent ones follow.
“Warrants for Stop and Yield Signs“at www.ci.mankato.mn.us
Because the STOP sign causes a substantial inconvenience to motorists, it should be used only where warranted. A STOP sign may be warranted at an intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist:
The following is from “ How To Get A Stop Sign“ at www.ci.mil.wi.us
Residents should know that stop sign requests are not automatically approved, and there is a process that each request must go through. The purpose of a stop sign is to determine right of way and not to regulate speed. The procedure is listed below:
First a traffic study is conducted on the intersection in question. If the intersection meets the minimum standards set by the Federal Mandate on Uniform Traffic Devices, the city will recommend that a sign be installed. If the intersection does not meet the standards, traffic control will not be installed.
You know, this is exactly the kind of stuff that needs to be on a City’s web site–easily located, alternatives given and with examples and contact numbers to call.
So, after publishing this message, I thought to myself, “Maybe I’ve stopped too soon. Maybe I could Google a shorter phrase, maybe ‘get a stop sign’”. You know what, that helped a lot.
Here’s a great story about stop signs from Denver…
How do I get a stop sign installed in my neighborhood?
“A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to demand a stop sign to halt traffic. As a result, a vehicle which had been a problem for 3 seconds while approaching and passing the intersection becomes a problem for a much longer period. A situation of indecision is created as to when to cross as a pedestrian, or when to start as a motorist. Normal gaps in traffic through which crossings could have been made safely no longer exist. An intersection which previously was not busy starts to look like a major intersection. It really is not; it just looks like it. It does not look safer, and it usually is not.”
That is a good site, lots of other info on stop signs.
Then I thought to Google “slow traffic down” and I got some good hits.
“SLOW DOWN” LAWN SIGNS from Traffic and Parking Control, Inc.
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By the way, they sell the signs.
answers.google.com actually had a well researched answer to this (I’ll have to check out answers.googlel.com more often in the future).
I’m looking for ideas to give my home owners association that will help solve the problem of speeders on our residential roads. …
Definately great answers…a wide variety of solutions…check it out.
I’m more convinced now than ever that our City needs a web site with this kind of information readily available!