All-Way Stop Signs
The Engineering Division receives a significant number of requests for all-way stop signs to be installed at intersections throughout the City as a traffic calming measure. The Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming states the following with respect to the use of stop signs for traffic calming purposes:
- "Stop signs used as a traffic calming measure may not be effective and may create compliance problems."
The guide makes further comments regarding stop signs such as:
- "Unwarranted installations require regular police enforcement"
- "When stop signs are overused and/or unwarranted, compliance may decrease"
- "When stop signs are unwarranted, vehicle speeds at mid-block locations may increase"
A recent study completed by W.Martin Bretherton, a traffic engineer in Georgia, USA, reviewed over 70 technical papers regarding all-way stops and their success and failure as traffic control devices in residential areas. Mr.Bretherton states the following in this study:
- "The research found that, overwhelmingly, multi-way stop signs do NOT control speed except under very limited conditions. The research shows that the concerns about unwarranted stop signs are well founded"
One of the most serious issues discussed by Mr.Bretherton with respect to unwarranted stop signs is related to pedestrian safety.
- "Safety of pedestrians is decreased at unwarranted multi-way stops, especially small children. It seems that pedestrians expect vehicles to stop at the stop signs but many vehicles have gotten in the habit of running the "unnecessary " stop sign".
Some research even suggests that the average speed of vehicles between intersections actually increases when unwarranted stop signs are installed as motorists try to make up for lost time.
For the above-noted reasons, the Engineering Division does not at this time support the installation of unwarranted stop signs for traffic calming related reasons. Effective September 1st, 2003, the Engineering Division has however made major changes to how the need for all-way stop control at an intersection is assessed. The new All-Way Stop Warrants are modeled after warrants currently being used by the City of Toronto and the City of Ottawa. The key change in the All-Way Stop Warrants is the addition of pedestrian volumes as an important consideration.
