AGENDA #5e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition Requesting Installation of Multi-way Stop Signs at the Intersection of Meadowmont Lane, Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street
DATE: October 27, 2004
The following report responds to a petition from the Transportation Board requesting installation of stop signs on Meadowmont Lane at its intersection with Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street. Attachment 1 is a map showing the requested stop sign location.
The Manager recommends making no changes in existing traffic control signs at the intersection of Meadowmont Lane, Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street. However, if the Council wishes to have stop signs installed as requested by the Transportation Board, the attached ordinance could be enacted.
At its September 27, 2004 meeting, the Council received a petition from the Transportation Board requesting installation of stop signs on Meadowmont Lane at its intersection with Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street. A copy of the petition is provided in Attachment 2. In its petition, the Board indicated that the traffic volume is steadily increasing as the number of residents at the Cedars increases and several residents of the Cedars have expressed concern that exiting Cedar Club Circle onto Meadowmont Lane is difficult without stop signs on Meadowmont Lane.
Meadowmont Lane is a multi-lane facility with striped bike lanes on both sides, two through-lanes in each direction and left-turn lanes at its intersection with Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Lane. The width of Meadowmont Lane at this intersection is 79 feet, including the median. Meadowmont Lane is classified as collector street under the current Town street classification. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. Geometric conditions of the intersection are provided in Attachment 3. Under current conditions, traffic on Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street must stop at existing stop signs before entering Meadowmont Lane.
DISCUSSION
Town staff visited the intersection and evaluated conditions on several occasions at different times of day. We observed that traffic volumes on the side streets are very low compared to the traffic volume on Meadowmont Lane, which suggests that the assignment of stop streets and through streets is appropriate. We are not aware of a significant speeding problem on Meadowmont Lane, nor have we observed confusion on the part of drivers regarding the stop and through movements at the intersections. Intersection sight distances are adequate for drivers and pedestrians.
In 1989, the Town Council adopted a policy for the placement of stop signs and assignment of speed limits. 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. A copy of the policy is provided in Attachment 4.
Multi-way stop control can be useful as a safety measure where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is approximately equal. Meadowmont Lane functions as a major arterial to the Meadowmont subdivision and also provides access to the school located at the end of the street. Daily traffic volume on Meadowmont Lane is approximately 5,000 vehicles at this intersection and a significant increase in volume is expected with full development of subdivisions within the area.
The request for stop signs on Meadowmont Lane does not meet any of the criteria presented in the Town’s Policy for placement of stop signs. Also, the requested stop signs are not warranted based on the criteria in Manual on Uniform traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). We are concerned that installing unwarranted stop signs on Meadowmont Lane could increase the number of accidents and would reduce the level of service of the intersection.
Due to the geometric conditions of the intersection and expected increase in vehicular/pedestrian volumes, we will monitor the intersection of Meadowmont Lane, Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street for possible installation of a traffic signal in the future if and when conditions warrant it.
CONCLUSION
The requested stop signs on Meadowmont Lane do not meet any of the criteria outlined in the Council’s policy and MUTCD. We are concerned that the installation of stop signs as requested would not meet drivers’ expectations for this intersection and could result in an increased number of rear-end collisions due to unexpected stops on Meadowmont Lane.
We will continue to monitor the intersection and plan to conduct a traffic signal study next year at this intersection to determine if a traffic signal is warranted.
RECOMMENDATION
The Manager recommends making no changes in existing traffic control signs at the intersection of Meadowmont Lane, Cedar Club Circle and Sprunt Street. However, if the Council wishes to have stop signs installed as requested by the Transportation Board, the attached ordinance could be enacted.
2. Copy of the Petition form the Transportation Board (p. 6).
3. Geometric Conditions of the Intersection (p. 7).
4. Town’s Policy on Placement of Stop Signs (p. 8).
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING STOP REGULATIONS (2004-10-27/O-6)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-13(a) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by deleting the following:
“Through Streets Stop Streets
Meadowmont Lane
Cedar Club Circle/Sprunt Street”
Section 2. Section 21-13(c) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by inserting the following, in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Intersection(s)
Meadowmont Lane and Cedar Club Circle/Sprunt Street”
Section 3. This ordinance shall become effective November 22, 2004.
This the 27th day of October, 2004.