Traffic Issues

One of the most frequent requests from constituents involves the desire to slow traffic on their streets. Often, the recommended solution involves the placement of a new stop sign or a 4-way stop sign.

"The results are presented of recent studies which suggest that placing stop signs for speed control tends to increase peak speeds. The studies also showed a high disobedience rate for these signs. The studies concluded that stop signs are not effective in controlling speeds on residential areas."
–"Stop Signs For Speed Control?" from "Traffic Engineering," Vol. 46 No. 11

Stop signs can be placed at intersections only by meeting what are called "warrants" (see right). These are guidelines that specify where stop signs are warranted. Research shows that unwarranted stop signs reduce the effectiveness of warranted stop signs. Further, research shows that stop signs that are perceived as unneccesary are often ignored and have little effectiveness in reducing speeding. Conversely, they actually reduce safety because the 150 feet following a stop sign is the most dangerous for pedestrians. Accelerating cars are the slowest to react to an emergency need to brake (for example, a child darting into the street). Finally, for those concerned about our carbon footprint, stops signs, while costing about $800 to install, cost us as a society about $2,500 a year in increased fuel use and time loss.

The following is from the introduction of Speed Control in Residential Areas [pdf]

The perception of speeding on local streets is probably the most persistent problem facing residents and traffic officials, alike. Although local or residential streets carry the lowest traffic volumes and suffer the fewest traffic crashes, they are the single largest consumer of a traffic engineer's time and energy. Residents observe vehicles being driven at speeds they perceive are too fast and conclude that the speeds would decrease if stop signs were installed. Speeds considered excessive by residents are considered reasonable by these same persons when they are driving in another neighborhood. Every traffic engineer has been shaken by these same residents who announce "if something is not done about the traffic problem on my street, someone is going to be killed and it will be your fault." This is usually followed by a demand for various traffic control measures and often backed up with petitions from residents. Traffic officials then must focus their attention on responding to these pressures, often diverting resources that could be dedicated to solving major capacity and traffic crash problems on other streets.

Residents' complaints are usually accompanied by a proposed solution to the speeding problem...stop signs. Traffic officials respond that stop signs installed to control speeding: (a) don't work, (b) are frequently violated, (c) are detrimental to safety, (d) are not warranted and, (e) actually increase speeds between stop signs. When residents are told that stop signs are not the answer to the speeding problem, they feel they must fight city hall to get them installed. A confrontational relationship is established between residents and traffic officials and the stop sign becomes a "trophy" which is awarded to the winner of the confrontation. Solving the speeding problem becomes secondary to winning the "trophy". The end results of this process are: (1) unhappy citizens, (2) continued complaints and requests for more stop signs, (3) increased political pressure and, (4) often, approval of stop sign installations to bring the controversy, temporarily, to an end. However, experience shows the speeding problem is usually not solved. Before and after studies show that stop signs usually increase mid-block speeds and create violators of the stop controls.

Please, feel free to contact me with your traffic concerns. I will work with you and township staff to help find a solution. A traffic study can be conducted to determine the extent of the problem. If it is determined that the problem is real, then we will ask the Police Chief to make a recommendation to the full Board of Commissioners.

One simple thing you and your neighbors can do is request from the township free signs you can place on your yard.

Our safety is of the utmost importance. Let's cooperate to make a safe Springfield. By the way, studies show that local drivers are often the worst offenders. So, talk up the problem with your neighbors and vow to drive responsibly on your own streets.