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Differences in goals and processes Differences in goals and processes ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Control or Traffic Calming? y Traffic Control y Intended to assign right‐of‐way in otherwise confusing y Intended to assign right‐of‐way in otherwise confusing circumstances y In absence of signals or signs, right‐of‐way is assigned by statutory rules of the road T ffi C l i y Traffic Calming y Intended to modify driver behaviors with the result of slowing vehicles or decreasing cut‐through traffic slowing vehicles or decreasing cut through traffic ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Control y Traffic Control Devices y Traffic Signals y Traffic Signals y Stop Signs y Yield Signs g y Application of Devices y Warrants for use are in Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is a national law y MUTCD is legally adopted by State of Wisconsin Cit li f t i t d i i t t ith l y City policy for stop sign study is consistent with laws ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Control y Laws and standards recognize that traffic control devices have negative consequences, and should only be devices have negative consequences, and should only be applied where their benefits outweigh their problems y Traffic control devices should only be applied following an engineering study y Extensive research and continuing study support the l i h h i h MUTCD i h conclusion that the warrants in the MUTCD are in the best public interest ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Control y Negative consequences of traffic control devices include: include: y Increased crashes y Increased delay y Increased fuel consumption y Increased noise from deceleration and acceleration y Increased vehicle emissions ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Stop Signs y Stop signs are a valuable and effective traffic control device when used under the right conditions g y When stop signs are applied without warrant: y Drivers often don’t stop completely, perceiving that the sign isn’t necessar sign isnt necessary y Intersections can actually be made less safe as drivers train themselves not to stop for certain stop signs y Drivers often increase their speed to make up for lost time if they feel they have been unnecessarily delayed y Even though the original problems aren’t addressed y Even though the original problems arent addressed, police are tasked with trying to enforce the stop sign ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Unwarranted Stop Signs y Most drivers are reasonable and prudent y When faced with a perceived unreasonable restriction y When faced with a perceived unreasonable restriction, flagrant violations have been observed y Unwarranted stop signs can lead to driver contempt at U p g p the same time they contribute to a sense of safety for pedestrians y These two conflicting attitudes can lead to tragic consequences ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Calming y Research overwhelmingly shows that stop signs do not control speeds control speeds y In many circumstances, other measures are needed to maintain safety y Parking restrictions y Tree and shrub trimming y Speed enforcement y Pavement markings T ffi l i y Traffic calming measures ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Calming y Traffic calming devices may be installed as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) y Information on the NTMP is available on the City of Middleton web site www.ci.middleton.wi.us ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Middleton City of Middleton Traffic Control or Traffic Calming? y To help determine which solution might best address your concern, contact the City Engineer: your concern, contact the City Engineer: Shawn Stauske [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] 827‐1081