Other: You currently have 2 police cruisers hiding at the intersection of E Allendale and S Westminster pulling people over for rolling through the stop signs on E. Allendale. The reason everyone rolls through those stop signs is because it's a stupid place to have a stop sign. It's widely understood in traffic engineering that when the majority of drivers disregard a speed limit or traffic device, the speed limit or traffic device is the problem. I'm requesting a traffic study to determine whether stop signs are appropriate on E Allendale and consistent with the MUTCD. There should be a stop sign for traffic approaching Allendale from S. Westminster, but there should be no stop signs on E. Allendale. I am certain a traffic study would bear this out and we could quit wasting police officer's time pulling drivers over for committing traffic "infractions" that are entirely safe. The MUTCD explicitly states "YIELD or STOP signs shall not be used for speed control" (MUTCD 2B.06 para 06) MUTCD Section 2B.11 states: Minor Road Stop Control Guidance: 01 Stop control on the minor-road approach or approaches to an intersection should be considered when engineering judgment indicates that one or more of the following conditions exist: A. A restricted view exists that requires road users to stop in order to adequately observe conflicting traffic on the through street or highway. B. Crash records indicate that: 1. For a four-leg intersection, there are three or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or six or more reported crashes in a 36-month period. The crashes should be susceptible to correction by installation of minor-road stop control. 2. For a three-leg intersection, there are three or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or five or more reported crashes in a 36-month period. The crashes should be susceptible to correction by installation of minor-road stop control. C. The intersection is of a lower functional classification road with a higher functional classification road. D. Conditions that previously supported the installation of all-way stop control no longer exist. See also MUTCD sSection 2B.12 All-Way Stop Control: The decision to establish all-way stop control at an unsignalized intersection should be based on an engineering study. The engineering study for all-way stop control should include an analysis of factors related to the existing operation and safety at the intersection, the potential to improve these conditions, and the applicable factors contained in the following all-way stop control warrants: A. All-Way Stop Control Warrant A: Crash Experience (see Section 2B.13) B. All-Way Stop Control Warrant B: Sight Distance (see Section 2B.14) C. All-Way Stop Control Warrant C: Transition to Signal Control or Transition to Yield Control at a Circular Intersection (see Section 2B.15) D. All-Way Stop Control Warrant D: 8-Hour Volume (Vehicles, Pedestrians, Bicycles) (see Section 2B.16) E. All-Way Stop Control Warrant E: Other Factors (see Section 2B.17) https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Edition/mutcd11thedition.pdf "Stop compliance is poor at unwarranted multi-way STOP signs. An unwarranted STOP is defined as a STOP sign which does not meet the warrants of the MUTCD. Drivers do not stop because they feel that the signs have no traffic control purpose. Drivers believe there is little reason to yield the right-of-way when there are usually no vehicles on the minor street. " GUIDELINES FOR REMOVAL OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES IN RURAL AREAS, Iowa State University (available at: https://publications.iowa.gov/3629/1/signs_removal.pdf) " situations having high violation rates include ignoring speed limit signs, disregarding STOP signs, and not stopping before turning right at red traffic signals. However, the limited data taken over the years did not indicate the violation rates were increasing. Driver interview studies found motorists often violate control devices when they determined "no risk" is involved. It is concluded that traffic control devices should be installed only where they are reasonable, and they should not unduly restrict the motorist. If high violation rates are observed, it is an indication the control device is not being properly applied by the traffic engineer or there is a lack of driver understanding. Heavy enforcement is not usually a practical solution." Motorist Compliance With Standard Traffic Control Devices Publication No. FHWA-RD-89-103 (available at https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25685/dot_25685_DS1.pdf)
Responded to resident and explained that staff will review the basis for the existing stop control and whether it remains appropriate under current conditions.
Thank you for the detailed comments and references. You are correct that stop signs should not be installed primarily for speed control, and their continued use should be supported by the operation and conditions at the intersection. We can take another look at Allendale and Westminster, including the history of the existing stop control and whether the current configuration remains appropriate. I have also observed some of the backup at this location, so I think it is reasonable for us to review how the intersection is operating today before determining whether any change should be considered.
| City | Bloomington |
|---|---|
| State | IN |
| Latitude | 39.130878448486 |
| Longitude | -86.521507263184 |
| Status | Case Date | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|
| closed | 2/3/2025 | Potholes, Other Street Repair |