AGENDA #4f
MEMORANDUM
TO: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM: George Small, P.E., Engineering Director
Kumar Neppalli, Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT: Response to Petitions Requesting All-Way Stop Control at Longleaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Longleaf Drive/Willow Drive
DATE: October 9, 2006
PURPOSE
This report responds to petitions requesting the installation of all-way stop control at the intersections of Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance authorizing installation of all-way stop control at the Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive intersections.
At its September 27, 2006 meeting, the Town Council received two petitions (Attachment 2) requesting that all-way stop control be installed at the Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive intersections.
The petitioners expressed the following concerns:
Long Leaf Drive, Churchill Drive, and Willow Drive are maintained by the Town and the posted speed limit is 25 mph on all streets. All streets are 31 feet wide with curb and gutter on both sides. A sidewalk is located on one side of Willow Drive and Churchill Drive, and another is under construction on one side of Long Leaf Drive.
Churchill Drive is designated as a “through” street at its intersection with Long Leaf Drive, and vehicles currently continue through the intersection without being required to stop. Long Leaf Drive is designated as “stop” street, and vehicles are required to stop at the existing stop sign before continuing through the intersection.
Willow Drive is designated as a “through” street at its intersection with Long Leaf Drive, and vehicles currently continue through the intersection without being required to stop. Long Leaf Drive is designated as “stop” street, and vehicles are required to stop at the existing stop sign before continuing through the intersection.
Review of two-year accident history showed four reported accidents at Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive intersection and two reported accidents at Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive intersection. We believe that at least three of the reported accidents were of the type that could potentially be corrected by the installation of stop signs as requested.
Town staff visited the site and evaluated conditions at different times of the day. We observed approximately equal traffic volume entering the subject intersections from all directions. Average daily traffic counts are presented in the area map provided in Attachment 1. We also observed a significant number of school-age children using the bus stops and crossing the intersections in the morning and afternoon.
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.
We considered the stop sign requests at Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive intersections in terms of the following criteria outlined in the Council’s policy:
#4) Intersection where a combination of high speed, restricted sight distance, and serious accident record indicates a need for control by stop sign(s).
#7) Intersection with existing irregular stop sign placement, where additional sign(s) would improve safety.
We understand that additional petitions will be submitted later this year by neighborhoods in this area of Town requesting installation of traffic calming measures on a number of streets.
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 these intersections. If the additional stop signs are authorized by the Council, we would include “Stop Ahead” warning signs and stop bars on all approaches to the intersections. We sent a copy of this report to the petitioners and several neighborhood representatives in the area.
We will continue to work with the area residents to identify and implement temporary solutions to mitigate traffic problems. Also, we will evaluate the entire area for possible traffic calming measures when we receive valid petitions.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance authorizing installation of all-way stop control at Long Leaf Drive/Churchill Drive and Long Leaf Drive/Willow Drive intersections.
