Citation

Hall DL, Sinha KC, Michael HL. Transp. Res. Rec. 1978; 681: 10-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A common practice by traffic authorities is to install stop signs at low-volume rural and urban intersections. This action generally is taken to insure safety and in response to the lack of any dearly defined signing mandate. However, overuse of stop signs needlessly increases driver disobedience, travel time, and gasoline consumption. A recent research project conducted at Purdue University determined the most efficient signing policy for traffic flow through low-volume, unsignalized intersections. It examined the influence intersection conditions have on safety, travel time, fuel economy, and exhaust emissions. Computer algorithms were used in the study of emissions, fuel use, and travel time. Probability-of-conflict techniques, used in conjunction with accident records, supported the safety position of the analysis. The research showed that, given adequate right distance, yield signs are the most desirable form of control at low-volume intersections. Yield signs provide the optimal trade-off between the safety factor and the variables of travel time, gasoline consumption, and exhaust emissions. That conclusion was further substantiated by a cost-benefit analysis.