AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition Requesting All-way Stop Control at the Intersection of Westminster Drive and Banks Drive
DATE: April 24, 2006
PURPOSE
The following report is in response to a petition requesting the installation of all-way stop control at the intersection of Westminster Drive and Banks Drive. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
Enactment of the attached ordinance would authorize installation of all-way stop control at the intersection of Westminster Drive and Banks Drive.
We recommend enactment of the attached ordinance.
At its March 27, 2006 meeting, the Town Council received a petition (Attachment 2) from Ms. Judy Roberts requesting that stop signs be installed on Westminster Drive at its intersection with Banks Drive, thus changing the intersection from two-way stop control to all-way stop control. In her petition, Ms. Roberts expressed the following concerns:
Westminster Drive and Banks Drive are maintained by the Town and the posted speed limit is 25 mph on both streets. Westminster Drive is designated as a “through” street, and vehicles currently continue through the intersection without being required to stop. Banks Drive is designated as a “stop” street, and vehicles are required to stop at the existing stop sign before continuing through the intersection.
The following table summarizes key characteristics of Westminster Drive and Banks Drive at the intersection in question:
|
Street |
Speed Limit |
Pavement Width |
Curb/Gutter |
Sidewalks |
|
Westminster Drive |
25 mph |
26 feet |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Banks Drive |
25 mph |
34 feet |
Yes |
Yes |
TRAFFIC STUDIES:
Town staff visited the site and evaluated conditions on several occasions at different times of day. The traffic volume for each street is shown below:
|
Street |
Daily Traffic Volume |
|
Westminster Drive |
2300 |
|
Banks Drive |
2170 |
We found approximately equal traffic volume entering the subject intersection from both Westminster Drive and Banks Drive. The most significant traffic movement at the intersection involves left-turns by eastbound Westminster Drive traffic onto Banks Drive. We also observed school children and local residents crossing the intersection going to and from bus stops and the shopping center/movie theater facilities.
ACCIDENT STUDIES:
Review of the past five-year accident history indicated six reported accidents at the intersection with one involving a pedestrian. Detailed accident reports are available for review in the Engineering Department.
In 1989, the Town Council adopted a policy for the placement of stop signs and assignment of speed limits. A copy of the policy is provided in Attachment 3. The policy was adopted to provide guidance and consistency in responding to requests for the installation of stop signs and the assignment of speed limits on public streets.
The policy includes a variety of conditions and situations that could warrant the installation of stop signs and/or changes in speed limits. It also includes situations in which stop sign installations or speed limit changes would not be recommended. These criteria are based on a combination of generally accepted traffic engineering principals and our observations of stop sign installations in Chapel Hill and other communities in North Carolina. Please refer to the attached policy document for more specific information.
We considered the stop sign request on Westminster Drive at its intersection with Banks Drive in terms of the following criteria outlined in the Council’s policy:
#10) Intersection of two collector streets that provide primary service to an area and carry nearly equal traffic volumes, which makes clear assignment of right-of-way difficult.
#11) Intersection adjacent to facilities such as parks, pools, schools, or other facilities which significantly increase and concentrate pedestrian and vehicular traffic in a localized area.
CONCLUSION
We think that the installation of the requested stop signs could mitigate potential conflicts and confusion for vehicular traffic, and could improve pedestrian safety at and in the vicinity of this intersection. If the additional stop signs are authorized by the Council, we would include “stop ahead” warning signs and stop bars on all approaches.
That the Council enact the attached ordinance authorizing installation of all-way stop control at the intersection of Westminster Drive and Banks Drive.
1. Area Map and Aerial Photo (p. 5).
2. Petition (p. 7).
3. Town’s Policy on Placement of Stop Signs (p. 27).
