Introduction

The City of Wauwatosa has created a policy to establish a consistent and standardized process to evaluate requests for the installation of a stop sign within the City of Wauwatosa. The policy is intended to provide a procedure for the review and approval or denial of a stop sign request and is included on the Stop Sign Installation Policy.

General Overview

All road users must follow the Rules of the Road found in Wisconsin Statute 346.18.

The type of traffic control used at an intersection should be the least restrictive control that provides appropriate levels of safety and efficiency for all users. The primary types of control in order of least restrictive to most restrictive are listed below.

• No control
• Yield control
• Minor road stop control
• All-way stop control

Engineers consider traffic volumes, intersection angles of approach, sight distances, and crash experience in determining the least restrictive control that provides the appropriate level of safety and efficiency.

Per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), “yield and stop signs shall not be used for speed control”. If you are concerned about controlling traffic speeds on your neighborhood street please consider reviewing the City of Wauwatosa Neighborhood Traffic Calming Application.

Stop Sign Considerations

When considering whether to request a stop sign, please know that that your request must meet one of the conditions as outlined in the MUTCD. Stop sign requests will be evaluated based on the following conditions.

Minor Road Stop Control

Stop control on the minor-road approach or approaches to an intersection may be considered, but are not required, when engineering judgment indicates that one or more of the following conditions exist:

1. A restricted view exists that requires road users to stop in order to adequately observe conflicting traffic on the through street or highway.

    

2. Crash records indicate that:
   1. For a four-leg intersection, there are three or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or six or more reported crashes in a 36-month period. The crashes should be susceptible to correction by installation of minor-road stop control.

       

   2. For a three-leg intersection, there are three or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or five or more reported crashes in a 36-month period. The crashes should be susceptible to correction by installation of minor-road stop control.

       

3. The intersection is of a lower functional classification road with a higher functional classification road.

    

4. Conditions that previously supported the installation of all-way stop control no longer exist.

All-Way Stop Control

All-way stop control at an intersection may be considered when engineering judgment indicates that one or more of the following conditions exist:

1. For a four-leg intersection, there are five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or six or more reported crashes in a 36-month period that were of a type susceptible to correction by the installation of all-way stop control.

    

2. For a three-leg intersection, there are four or more reported crashes in a 12-month period or five or more reported crashes in a 36-month period that were of a type susceptible to correction by the installation of all-way stop control.

    

3. Sight distance on the minor-road approaches controlled by a STOP sign is not adequate for a vehicle to turn onto or cross the major (uncontrolled) road. At such a location, a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop.

    

4. The combined motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from the major-street approaches is at least 300 units per hour for each of any 8 hours of a typical day; and the combined motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from the minor-street approaches is at least 200 units per hour for each of any of the same 8 hours.

Data Collection

Sight distance is often measured using aerial photography and/or a visit to the intersection. If an obstruction exists, consideration will be given to having the obstruction removed as an alternative to installing stop signs.

Crash data is collected using a Wisconsin Department of Transportation database of all reported crashes in the City. Engineers have access to the crash reports and will review them to identify if a pattern exists that is correctable by the installation of stop signs. If such a pattern exists, consideration may be given to other solutions as an alternative to installing stop signs.

Traffic data is collected, if necessary, using various tools such as radar units and camera detectors.

Functional roadway classification data is documented by WisDOT at this link.

Are Stop Signs Required?

No, meeting a condition for stop sign control is not a legal requirement for its installation. The City of Wauwatosa reserves the right to consider alternative solutions.

Stop Sign Application

Do you believe your intersection of concern may meet one or more of the conditions for minor road stop control or all way stop control (see above)? Please read the Stop Sign Installation Policy and complete your request using the form below.  If you have questions please contact Michael May, Senior Civil Engineer, at 414-479-8930 or mmay@wauwatosa.net.