Engineering Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why don't they put in more Stop Signs?
A stop sign is one of the most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right placeand under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right-of-way.

One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed as “nuisances” or “speed breakers”, there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. For these reasons, they should not be used as a speed control device.

A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to demand a stop sign to halt traffic. Now a vehicle which had been a problem for three (3) seconds while approaching and passing the intersection becomes a problem for a much longer period. A situation of indecision is created as to when to cross as a pedestrian or when to start as a motorist. Normal gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer exist. An intersection which previously was not busy now looks like a major intersection. It really isn’t -- it just looks like it. It doesn’t even look safer and it usually isn’t.

Most drivers are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations; however, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it may result in flagrant violations. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict with tragic results.

Well developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines take into consideration, among other things, the probability of vehicles arriving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities.

Q. "Slow - Children at play" signs
In the past the issue of Children Playing Signs has been brought up by residents concerned for the safety of children in the street near their home. A misplaced but widespread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection has often prompted these requests. Although these signs are used by some cities, there is no factual evidence to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds or legal liability.

Children playing signs:

• Are not enforceable (information only)
• Provide a false sense of security to residents who believe that their children are safe
• Are not noticed by drivers to the same degree that enforceable signs are (such as stop signs, speed signs)
• Are not recognized by Minnesota law and are discouraged by Federal standards
• Are expensive to install and maintain

The City has been very selective in the past so as not to encourage their use, which could set precedent for similar use elsewhere. Children playing signs have been placed near park areas, play grounds, schools and other recreational facilities where clearly justified. Children should not be encouraged to play within the street travelways. Children playing signs have long been rejected since it is a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.

Q. Requests for enforcement signs
In order for a request to be considered for enforcement signs (i.e., stop signs, yield signs, no parking signs, etc.), the resident/property owner requesting the signage must:

• Circulate a petition to all property owners within 500 feet of the requested location of the proposed enforcement sign(s).
• A minimum of seventy percent (70%) of the affected residents/property owners must sign the petition.
• Upon receipt and analysis of the petition, a traffic study will be done by the City.
• The Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be the standard to determine if an enforcement sign meets the minimum requirements.
• After the traffic study has been completed, the resident/property owner requesting the original enforcement sign will be notified of the study results.

Q. Why shouldn't we have speed bumps to slow down the hot rodders?
The control of speeding in residential neighborhoods, while maintaining acceptably safe street and roadway conditions, is a widespread concern which requires persistent law enforcement effort. The inability of posted speed limit signs to curb the intentional violator, leads to frequent demands for installation of “speed bumps” in public streets and alleys. However, actual tests of various experimental designs have demonstrated the physical inability of a speed bump to control all types of light weight and heavyweight vehicles successfully. In fact, a softsprung sedan is encouraged to increase speed for a better ride, while some vehicles may lose control. The courts have held public agencies liable for personal injuries resulting from faulty designs.

Increased hazard to the unwary; challenges to the daredevils; disruption of the movement of both emergency and service vehicles; and undesirable increase in noise, have caused speed bumps to be officially rejected as a standard traffic control device on public streets and alleys.

Q. Sight- and hearing-impaired signage
All requests for sight or hearing impaired signage may be directed to the Champlin Lions Club, Box 281, Champlin, MN 55316. The Lions are involved in assisting with, but not limited to, signage for the sight and hearing impaired

Q. When will lower speed limits be posted on my street
A common belief is that posting a speed limit will influence drivers to drive at that speed. The facts indicate otherwise.

Research conducted in many parts of this country over a span of several decades has shown that drivers are influenced more by the appearance of the highway itself and the prevailing traffic conditions than by the posted speed limit.

Minnesota’s Basic Speed Law requires that:

“No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance or on entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.”

In Minnesota, the maximum speed limit in an urban district is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. An urban district is defined as the territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more. Outside urban districts, the maximum speed limit for any passenger vehicle is currently 55 miles per hour. These speeds are not always posted but all Minnesota motorists are required to know these basic 30 and 55 mile per hour speed laws. Note that freeways and expressways may be posted between 60 and 70 mph depending upon conditions.

Under Minnesota law, intermediate speed limits (except school speed limits) between 30 and 55 miles per hour may be established on any road, including county highways and city streets, only by the State Commissioner of Transportation The commissioner must establish the speed limit upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation. This investigation includes an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records, and the prevailing speed of prudent drivers. If speed limit signs are posted for a lower limit than is needed to safely meet these conditions, many drivers will simply ignore the signs. At the same time, other drivers will stay within the posted limits. This generally increases the conflicts between faster and slower drivers, reduces the gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely and increases the difficulty for pedestrians to judge the speed of approaching vehicles. Studies have shown that where uniformity of speed is not maintained, accidents generally increase.

Q. Roundabouts