West U to potentially invest in traffic stop study after speeding concerns

Siercks said there could also be unintended consequences for putting stop signs in when not warranted, such as people who might roll through them without coming to a complete stop, which could be more dangerous for pedestrians.

There is also the risk for “speed compensation,” where mid-block speeds increase, usually due to a driver’s frustration with the stop sign, she said.

How it works

Before adding signs, traffic engineers study the areas where they are proposed to be installed to determine whether the signs are actually needed, Siercks said.

Council member Clay Brett questioned whether the city was legally bound by engineering standards or simply advised by them. City Attorney Loren Smith said it is not an official state law, but that they are used because the engineering opinions can help the city make better-informed decisions.

“Let’s assume worst-case scenario, I think you’re very exposed if you put [a stop sign in] without manual study, and turns out the manual would recommend not installing,” Smith said. “And if it comes up in court, there will definitely be engineers involved.”

What are the options?

Council member John Bertini offered alternative solutions that could help with speeding and traffic concerns.

“You could have roadway designs where you narrow roadways,” he said. “I’m not endorsing the vertical elevations or speed bumps, but there are modifications of that that can work.”

Signs that tell drivers their speed as they are driving have also been successful, he said.

“You may kill somebody with a stop sign,” Bertini said. “Most of the stop signs in West U have a political story behind them, and... once they get in, they can’t be extracted.”

Next steps

Siercks agreed to return to the council with costs to do a wider study of traffic stops in West U at a later date. However, any changes would likely not take effect until after those proposed studies are complete, which could take months before the next steps are made, she said.