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14 - Stop Sign request for Stone Avenue and Lewis LaneItem No. 14 memorandum TO: City Council Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager FROM: Randy Tuttle, Assistant Chief of Police SUBJECT: STOP SIGN DATE: February 27, 2020 BACKGROUND: A citizen requested the Traffic Commission consider placing a stop sign at Stone Avenue and Lewis Lane stopping eastbound traffic because of perceived safety issues created by increased traffic at this intersection before and after school dismisses at North Lamar Schools. STATUS OF ISSUE: On February 04, 2020 the City of Paris Traffic Commission considered this issue and voted to request the City Council consider placing a stop sign for east bound traffic at Stone Avenue and Lewis Lane. Staff did not recommend this stop sign be installed due to issues presented in City Engineers attached memo. BUDGET: Estimated cost of $100.00 from current budget RECOMMENDATION: Deny the request to install a stop sign at this location. Carla Easton, P.E. City Engineer & Community Development Director February 6, 2020 SUMMARY OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGN AT STONE AVE BACKGROUND: A request to install a traffic stop sign on Stone Avenue at the eastbound approach to Lewis Lane was presented to the Traffic Commission on 2/4/2020 by Ms. Jennifer Morgan. She expressed her concern for drivers having difficulty entering the North Lamar campus from Stone Avenue when approaching the T- intersection northbound on Lewis Lane. Her reasoning was that high traffic volumes entering the school from Stone Ave during the morning and afternoon school rush make it difficult to enter the intersection from Lewis Ln. She prefers that traffic on Stone stop to accommodate a turn from the side street. ■ Stone Ave is the higher priority street with the through movement, and provides direct access to the NLISD campus, hospital campus and emergency room ■ Lewis Ln dead ends at Stone, creating a T -intersection ■ Panther Drive is a private road providing access to schools on the NLISD campus ■ State traffic law requires traffic approaching from the side street of an uncontrolled T - intersection to stop then yield to the through movement ■ When it is determined that an intersection needs to be controlled with traffic devices, there are guidelines provided by the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) ■ Compliance with the TMUTCD is important so that regulatory signs are installed in a manner that is familiar and consistent for drivers, otherwise they are ineffective ■ Compliance with TMUTCD also minimizes liability to the city in case of accidents resulting from unique or unexpected signage This intersection is complicated by the offset of Lewis Ln and Panther Drive. Stone Ave operates as the major street with Panther Drive and Lewis Ln being side streets creating 2 separate T -intersections within 160' of street. Below is the existing condition, green dash representing peak hour school traffic. Carla Easton, P.E. February 6, 2020 City Engineer & Community Development Director The proposed condition will stop eastbound traffic on Stone Ave at Lewis Ln as shown below. There are several concerns to stopping eastbound Stone: 1. Traffic volumes are not known, but expected to be significantly higher on Stone than Lewis. It is not typical to stop traffic for the higher volume roadway unless it meets one of the guidelines in the MUTCD for a multi -way stop. 2. Traffic to the school and to the ER will backup during peak hour, as each vehicle will have to stop regardless if there is a car on Lewis Ln. 3. The distance from the proposed stop sign for eastbound Stone to the existing stop sign for westbound Stone is over 160'. Drivers will not expect to yield to vehicles at this distance, so it is likely that more than 1 car will enter the "intersection" at a time, increasing the opportunity for conflicts. Attached are pages from the MUTCD regarding stop signs, with areas of concerns highlighted. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Deny the request to install a stop sign in this location, and encourage the school district to use traffic guards during morning and afternoon peak times to alleviate the issue. COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approve the request to install a stop sign on Stone. 2009 Edition 6 Figure 2A-3. Examples of Locations for Some Typical Signs at Intersections :-6 ft to 12 It MIN. " - ft to ft to 12 ft MIN. Vuru D C - MINOR CROSSROAD It MIN. E - DIVISIONAL ISLAND It MIN. MARKED OR UNMARKED CROSSWALK r �' SIDEWALK 4 ft MIN. _i I It 2 ft MIN. D - URBAN INTERSECTION Page 39 12 ft MIN. ft MAX. 2 ft MIN. F -WIDE THROAT INTERSECTION Note: Lateral offset is a minimum of 6 feet measured from the edge of the shoulder, or 12 feet measured from the edge of the traveled way. See Section 2A.19 for lower minimums that may be used in urban areas, or where lateral offset space is limited. December 2009 Sect. 2A.16 2009 Edition Table 2B-1. Regulatory Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 4 of 4) Page 49 ---------- .......... .._..._.. ........... ...... ............ d, ntio� nal Roa e.e ...._____ ... .. .................... . .. ........ Sign or Plaque Sin Designation Section Multi- Expressway Freeway Minimum Oversized - —n Lan Lane m SUNDAY (and times) „ ......... R10-20aP �. 2B.53 —__ 24 x 18 24 x 18— — — (2 lines) (plaque) _. .._— .-. -. . .-.-_ ..w ........ _. -- (Crosswalk, Stop on Red _ ..__ ___._. __ __.._....... R10-23 _---....._._._ 2B.53 24 x 30 _. —. 24 x 30 __. ..... .... .. _ Push Button To Turn On R10-25 2B.52 9 x 12 9 x 12 — — — — Warning Lights Left Turn Yield Flashing Red R10-27 2B.53 30 x 36 30 x 36 to Arrow After Stop XX Vehicles Per Green R10-28 2B.56 24 x 30 24 x 30 — — — XXVehicles Per Green R10 ..� 29 28.56 36 x 24 36 x 24 Lane Each—_.. __....., _ .._ ------ ...n,...... Right Turn on Red Must R10-30 26.54 { 30 x 36 30 x 36 — — — , ..... Yield to U -Turn _-...... At Signal (plaque) ,.,.., - R10-31 P -- 26.53 _ .... 24 x 9 m ._.... _24x 9 -.. --------------------------- — _--- _ - . _,..._, — Push Button for 2 Seconds for R10 -32P 2B.52 9 x 12 9 x 12 — — Extra Crossing Time Keep Off Median R11-1 2B.57 24 x 30 24 x 30 g Road Closed . 58 _. 48 x 30 48 x 30 ........� .. — _... Road Closed, Local Traffic Only R11R-3a 3b,4 26 58 60 x 30 60 x 30 rm Weight Limit . R12-1,2 . 2B.59 24 x 30 24 x 30 36 x 48 — 36 x 48 V, eight Limit ..... ..... R12-3 ...... 2B.59 —... 24 x 36 ,r... �. 24 x 36 ..... .......... Weight Limit R12-4 28.59 36 x 24 36 x 24 — — — Weight Limit R12-5 28.59 24 x 36 .... 24 x 36 ... 36 x 48 48 x 60 Weigh Station 'g R13-1 2B.60 7 x 54 72 x 54 96........ x 72 120 x 90 — — Ruck Route - 6 R14-1 2B 61 24 x 18 24 x 18 iazardous Material R14-2,3 2B.62 24 x 24 24 x 24 30 x 30 36 x 36 — — — ____ - 42 x 42 -� National Network R14-4,5 2B.63 30 x 30 30 x 80 36 x 36 36x_ 36 -- 42 x 42 Fender Bender Move Vehicles _--- -- R16-4 - — 2B.65 . . 36 x 24 —_ 36 x 24 48 x 36 - 60 x 48 — 48 x 36 (Lights On When Using R16-5,6 26.64 24 x 30 24 x 30 36 x 48 48 x 60 -- -. 36 x 48 Wipers or Raining Turn On Headlights Next XX Miles R16-7 2B.64 48 x 15 48 x 15 72 x 24 96 x 30 72 x 24 Turn On, Check Headlights _ .... R16-8,9 ...... __....., 2B.64 30 x 15 __ ._._. 30x 15 ... 48 x 24 60 x 30 48 x 24 Bi.. Se... Begin, n End Daytime Section R16-10,11 2B.64 48 x 15 48-X 15 72 x 24 96 x 30 — 72 x 24 * See Table 9B-1 for minimum size required for signs on bicycle facilities Notes: 1. Larger signs may be used when appropriate 2. Dimensions in inches are shown as width x height 07 Where side roads intersect a multi -lane street or highway that has a speed limit of 45 mph or higher, the minimum size of the STOP signs facing the side road approaches, even if the side road only has one approach lane, shall be 36 x 36 inches. 08 Where side roads intersect a multi -lane street or highway that has a speed limit of 40 MPH or lower, the minimum size of the STOP signs facing the side road approaches shall be as shown in the Single Lane or Multi -lane columns of Table 2B-1 based on the number of approach lanes on the side street approach. Guidance: 09 The minimum sizes for regulatory signs facing traffic on exit and entrance ramps should be as shown in the column of Table 2B-1 that corresponds to the mainline roadway classification (Expressway or Freeway). If a minimum size is not provided in the Freeway column, the minimumn size in the Expressway column should be used. If a minimum size is not provided in the Freeway or Expressway Column, the size in the Oversized column should be used. Section 2B.04 Right -of -Way at Intersections Support: 01 State or local laws written in accordance with the "Uniform Vehicle Code" (see Section 1A.11) establish the right-of-way rule at intersections having no regulatory traffic control signs such that the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or pedestrian already in the intersection. December 2009 Sect. 2B.03 to 2B.04 Page 50 2009 Edition When two vehicles approach an intersection from different streets or highways at approximately the same time, the right-of-way rule requires the driver of the vehicle on the left to yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. The right-of-way can be modified at through streets or highways by placing YIELD (RI -2) signs (see Sections 213.08 and 213.09) or STOP (Rl-1) signs (see Sections 213.05 through 213.07) on one or more approaches. Guidance: 02 Engineering judgment should be used to establish intersection control. The following factors should be considered: A. Vehicular, bicvcle, and pedestrian traffic volumes on all approaches; B. N7tniber and angle of approaches; C. Approach speeds; D. Sight distance available on each approach; and E. Reported crash experience. os YIELD or STOP signs should be used at an intersection if one or more of the following conditions exist. 2A. All iniersec'tioii Ufa less iliiportaiit rocid with a maili road i1'here tippli(-atioii of tl7e lioriiial right-of-wav rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance N'ith the law; B. A street entering a designated through highvtaY or street; and/or C. An unsignalized intersection in a signalized area. 04 In addition, the use of YIELD or STOP signs should be considered at the intersection of two minor streets or local roads where the intersection has more than three approaches and where one or more of the following condition' exist: A. The combined vehicular, bici•cle, and pedestrian volinne entering the intersection from all approaches averages more than 2,000 units per day; B. The ability to see conflicting traffic on an approach is not mifficient to allow a road user to stop or }Meld in compliance with the normal right-of-way ritle if sifch stopping orYielding is necessarv: and/or C. Crash records indicate that five or more crashes that involve the failitre to yield the right-of-way at the intersection under the normal right-of-way rule have been reported within a 3 -Year period, or that three or more such crashes have been reported within a 2aear period. os YIELD or STOP signs should not be used for speed control. Support: gas Section 213.07 contains provisions regarding the application of multi -way STOP control at an intersection. Guidance: A. Controlling the direction that conflicts the most with established pedestrian crossing activity or school walking routes; B. Controlling the direction that has obscured vision, dips, or bumps that already require drivers to use lower operating speeds; and C. Controlling the direction that has the best sight distance from a controlled position to observe conflicting traffic. Standard: 10 Because the potential for conflicting commands could create driver confusion, YIELD or STOP signs shall not be used in conjunction with any traffic control signal operation, except in the following cases: A. If the signal indication for an approach is a flashing red at all times; B. If a minor street or driveway is located within or adjacent to the area controlled by the traffic control signal, but does not require separate traffic signal control because an extremely low potential for conflict exists; or C. If a channelized turn lane is separated from the adjacent travel lanes by an island and the channelized turn lane is not controlled by a traffic control signal. Sect. 2B.04 December 2009 2009 Edition Page 51 11 Except as provided in Section 213.09, STOP signs and YIELD signs shall not be installed on different approaches to the same unsignalized intersection if those approaches conflict with or oppose each other. 12 Portable or part-time STOP or YIELD signs shall not be used except for emergency and temporary traffic control zone purposes. 13 A portable or part-time (folding) STOP sign that is manually placed into view and manually removed from view shall not be used during a power outage to control a signalized approach unless the maintaining agency establishes that the signal indication that will first be displayed to that approach upon restoration of power is a flashing red signal indication and that the portable STOP sign will be manually removed from view prior to stop -and -go operation of the traffic control signal. Option: 14 A portable or part-time (folding) STOP sign that is electrically or mechanically operated such that it only displays the STOP message during a power outage and ceases to display the STOP message upon restoration of power may be used during a power outage to control a signalized approach. Support: 15 Section 913.03 contains provisions regarding the assignment of priority at a shared -use path/ roadway intersection. Section 213.05 STOP Sign (R1-1) and ALL WAY Plaque (RI-3Pl Standard: 01 When it is determined that a full stop is always required on an approach to an intersection, a STOP (111-1) sign (see Figure 213-1) shall be used. 02 The STOP sign shall be an octagon with a white legend and border on a red background. 03 Secondary legends shall not be used on STOP sign faces. 04 At intersections where all approaches are controlled by STOP signs (see Section 213.07), an ALL WAY supplemental plaque (R1 -3P) shall be mounted below each STOP sign. The ALL WAY plaque (see Figure 2B-1) shall have a white legend and border on a red background. 05 The ALL WAY plaque shall only be used if all intersection approaches are controlled by STOP signs. 05 Supplemental plaques with legends such as 2 -WAY, 3 -WAY, 4 -WAY, or other numbers of ways shall not be used with STOP signs. Support: 07 The use of the CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP (W4 -4P) plaque (and other plaques with variations of this word message) is described in Section 2C.59. Guidance: 08 Plaques with the appropriate alternative messages of TRAFFIC FROM LEFT (RIGHT) DOES NOT STOP (W44aP) or ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP (W44bP) should be used at intersections where STOP signs control all but one approach to the intersection, unless the only non -stopped approach is from a one-way street. Option: 09 An EXCEPT RIGHT TURN (R1 -IOP) plaque (see Figure 213-1) may be mounted below the STOP sign if an engineering study determines that a special combination of geometry and traffic volumes is present that makes it possible for right -turning traffic on the approach to be permitted to enter the intersection without stopping. Support: 10 The design and application of Stop Beacons are described in Section 4L.05. Figure 213-1. STOP and YIELD Signs and Plaques . . ....... . ........... TO EXCEPT ONCOMING RIGHT TRAFFIC TURN R1-1 R1 -3P R1-2 R1-2aP R1 -10P December 2009 Sect. 2B.04 to 2B.05 Page 52 Section 2B.06 STOP Sign Applications Guidance: 2009 Edition Di At intersections where a full stop is not necessary at all times, consideration should first be given to using less restrictive measures such as YIELD signs (see Sections 2B. 08 and 2B.09). 02 The use of STOP signs on the minor -street approaches should be considered if engineering judgment indicates that a stop is always required because of one or more of the following conditions: A. The vehicular traffic volumes on the through street or highway exceed 6,000 vehicles per day; B. 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 C. 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. Support: 03 The use of STOP signs at grade crossings is described in Sections 8B.04 and 8B.05. Section 2B.07 Multi -Wavy Stop Applications Support: 01 Multi -way stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersections 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 intersecting roads is approximately equal. 02 The restrictions on the use of STOP signs described in Section 2B.04 also apply to multi -way stop applications. Guidance: 03 The decision to install multi -way stop control should be based on an engineering study. 04 The following criteria should be considered in the engineering study for a multi -way STOP sign installation: A. 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. B. 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. C. Minimum volumes: 1. The vehicular volume entering the intersectionfrom 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 85" -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. D. 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: 05 Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study include: A. The need to control left -turn conflicts; B. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; C. 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 D. 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. Sect. 2B.06 to 2B.07 December 2009 2009 Edition Section 2B.08 YIELD Sign (R1-12, Standard: Page 53 01 The YIELD (R1-2) sign (see Figure 2B-1) shall be a downward -pointing equilateral triangle with a wide red border and the legend YIELD in red on a white background. Support: 02 The YIELD sign assigns right-of-way to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection. Vehicles controlled by a YIELD sign need to slow down to a speed that is reasonable for the existing conditions or stop when necessary to avoid interfering with conflicting traffic. Section 2B.09 YIELD Sign Applications Option: 01 YIELD signs may be installed: A. On the approaches to a through street or highway where conditions are such that a full stop is not always required. B. At the second crossroad of a divided highway, where the median width at the intersection is 30 feet or greater. In this case, a STOP or YIELD sign may be installed at the entrance to the first roadway of a divided highway, and a YIELD sign may be installed at the entrance to the second roadway. C. For a channelized turn lane that is separated from the adjacent travel lanes by an island, even if the adjacent lanes at the intersection are controlled by a highway traffic control signal or by a STOP sign. D. At an intersection where a special problem exists and where engineering judgment indicates the problem to be susceptible to correction by the use of the YIELD sign. E. Facing the entering roadway for a merge -type movement if engineering judgment indicates that control is needed because acceleration geometry and/or sight distance is not adequate for merging traffic operation. Standard: 02 A YIELD (RI -2) sign shall be used to assign right-of-way at the entrance to a roundabout. YIELD signs at roundabouts shall be used to control the approach roadways and shall not be used to control the circulatory roadway. 08 Other than for all of the approaches to a roundabout, YIELD signs shall not be placed on all of the approaches to an intersection. Section 2B.10 STOP Sign or YIELD -,S -i ;n Placemedt Standard: 01 The STOP or YIELD sign shall be installed on the near side of the intersection on the right-hand side of the approach to which it applies. When the STOP or YIELD sign is installed at this required location and the sign visibility is restricted, a Stop Ahead sign (see Section 2C.36) shall be installed in advance of the STOP sign or a Yield Ahead sign (see Section 2C.36) shall be installed in advance of the YIELD sign. 02 The STOP or YIELD 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. us STOP signs and YIELD signs shall not be mounted on the same post. 04 No items other than inventory stickers, sign installation dates, and bar codes shall be affixed to the fronts of STOP or YIELD signs, and the placement of these items shall be in the border of the sign. 05 No items other than official traffic control signs, inventory stickers, sign installation dates, anti -vandalism stickers, and bar codes shall be mounted on the backs of STOP or YIELD signs. os No items other than retrorellective strips (see Section 2A.21) or official traffic control signs shall be mounted on the fronts or backs of STOP or YIELD signs supports. Guidance: 07 STOP or YIELD signs should not be placed farther than. 50 feet from the edge of the pavement of the intersected roadway (see Drawing F in Figure 2A-3). 08 A sign that is mounted back-to-back with a STOP or YIELD sign should stay within the edges of the STOP or YIELD sign. If necessary, the size of the STOP or YIELD sign should be increased so that any other sign installed back-to-back with a STOP or YIELD sign remains within the edges of the STOP or YIELD sign. Option: 09 Where drivers proceeding straight ahead must yield to traffic approaching from the opposite direction, such as at a one -lane bridge, a TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC (R1-2aP) plaque may be mounted below the YIELD sign. December 2009 Sect. 2B.08 to 2B.10