Exh 3BAGENDA ITEM p36
JANtiARY' 8, 2001
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY' COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA ITEM: Stop Sign Report
DATE: October 25.2000
SL'BNIITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police,'D?S
BACKGROL?SD: The Police Department was asked to ccmpile a report for the City
Commission relative to the stop signs t:uoughout the city that aze
• unnecessary and could be removed withoutjeooardizing public
safety. Police officers identified a number of stop signs that aze
located at intersections that do not have any specific fiaw•s or
designs that make them inherently unsafe. Typically, the stop sigrs
aze located at intersectiors where there are three-way or four-way
stops.
Before continuing with this report, it is necessary to understand and
consider that many stop siens were ere:ted based on citizen
requests. In some cases, citizens presented petitions to the City
Commission, and the City Commission specincaliy approved the
installations of the signs. Although so ne people might question
stop signs being erected for "political purposes", ;he fac*, that
Atlantic Beach elected officials lister. to constituents is a desirable
quality as long as the decisions are we!1 reseazched and considered
in advance.
The removal of stop signs should be not taker. lightly or without
due consideration for the public. PeoF le alter their behaviors based
on traffic controls. When they walk tc the pazks, beaches, and
stores, they often choose routes that ht.ve intersections with stop
signs so that they can cross the roadw<:y more safely. The removal
of the stop signs will undoubtedly res;dt in protesu from people
who like to have the stop signs there.
It is notable that some stop signs were installed for reasons other
than the design of the intersections. Sometimes the stop signs were
erected to force traffic traveling at hieher speeds to slow down
while enterin_ a neiehborhood or low volume roadway. Some
were installed to allow' pedestrians ani bicyclists to cross the
roadway more safely. Some were probably erected to force traffic
to slow down on long, straight roadways. And in some cases, we
AGENDA ITEh! N36
7AYUARY 8, 2001
don': know why the stop signs were installed or who authorized
them. However, all traffic controls on Ocean Blvd., Eastcoast
Drive, Shem Drive, Saiifish Drive, Ro:;al Palms Drive, Plaza
Drive, and Seminole Road, were appro~~ed by tae Ciry
Commission. These aze ":hroueh streets". and the Cirv
Commission. zuthorized all traffic controls on these streets.
Tne following locations have been identified as having more stop
signs than necessary, based on the desiEns of the intersections:
7'" Street and Beach Ave
10'" Street and Beach Ave
11" Street and Eastcoast Drive
12`" Street and Ocean Blvd
N~~ Known History
Vo Knowm History
No Known History
Installed by City Commission
based on petitions from
residents
Pine Street and David Street
In:;talled due to requests by
residents due to pedestrians,
bicyclists, and children... no
sidewalks in the azea
West 6'" Street and Orchid No Known History
Seh•a Manna Drive and Courtr;-• Club Installed after survey
of residents supported
them, pedesL-ians,
bicycles, no sidewalks
Selva Manna Drive and Palmwood
Installed after survev
of residen's supported
them, pedestrians,
bicycles, no sidewalks
Sea Spray and Sailfish Drive
Main Street and 6`" Street
No Known History
Requested by residents due to
traffic, pedestrians, bicycles,
no sidewalks
Main Street and 9`'' Street Requested by residents due to
AGE`IDA ITEM p3B
JAAGARY 8, 2001
traf:ic ,pedestrians, bicvc!es,
no sidewalks
In general, negative conseq;tences o.`stop signs include increased noise, air po!iu[ion, and L-atfic
conges:ion. People are also prone :o increase :.^eir speeds be:•a~een caf~tc contiols, especially ii
they believe :hat a ;top sig^ was an unnecesszn obs:acie *.o ~`t~ir travel. Some stop signs might
even increase Cite crash :ztes of motorises.
Relative to t'rese :~::antic Beach stop signs, most of the step s' grs listed above have been ir. place
for many years, and motors and residents !rave adjusted to :;tese inconveniences. None of these
intersections have been pa-ucnlarly high i.^.:he number of traf5c crashes, leading us to corcbode
;hat the stop signs do rot aepea: to have ar. adverse impact on t!:e raf5c szfety.
Summary:
This !istirg is in[ended :o identity stop sieas that are rot necessary due to nay inherent designs in
the intersections. i-Iowever, it should not be inte~reted as a : ecommendation to remove or
eliminate the stop signs.
RECO`1~IE1\DATIOVS: None
ATTACI-IME\TS:
REVIEWED BY CITY :vIA?~AGER:
AGEND:~ ITEy1 Ytiv[BER: