HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Policy In-Street Pedestrian Crossing
☒City Council Approved: 8/2/2005
☐City-Wide Revised:
☐Department
IN-STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGN
PURPOSE: Both pedestrians and motorists in the State of Minnesota have rights and responsibilities
on the roadway. Statistics and public response continue to reveal that the rights of
pedestrians are not very well respected by motorists. This fact increases the potential
for accidents and pedestrian injury at crosswalks.
The purpose of this policy is to allow the usage of and give guidance for the installation
of the In-Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign (R1-6b) in accordance with the Federal Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). The In-Street
Pedestrian Crossing sign (R1-6b) may be used to remind road users of the Minnesota
State law that requires the driver of a vehicle to stop to yield the right-of-way to a
pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk. It should be noted that
studies show that excessive use of signs and pavement markings can substantially reduce
the effectiveness of such devices. Therefore, a consistent application of this policy will
serve both the motorist and pedestrian within the City.
PROCESS: The staff member you have contacted will formalize your traffic safety concern or
request. That person will work with you and gather the pertinent facts to help clearly
define the problem and seek a solution. City staff will review those facts, determine if
the request is warranted and will share this determination with you. If you disagree with
the recommendation or can bring for the additional information and/or facts that are
persuasive as related to the City warrants/policies for the requested issue, you may
request that the Traffic Safety Committee review the issue.
POLICY: The following guidelines are standards and warrants for the use of In-Street Pedestrian
Crossing Signs (R1-6b):
1. The provisions of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) shall be followed.
2. Relevant speed, volumes, accident records, pedestrian counts, sight obstructions
and demographic analysis shall be reviewed when considering In-Street Pedestrian
Crossing Sign installations.
3. The sign shall not be used at intersections whose approaches are controlled by
either stop signs or traffic control signals.
4. The sign should only be used at key locations, such as high pedestrian volume
crosswalks, to avoid overuse.
5. The sign shall only be used at existing crosswalk locations.
6. The sign shall only be used as an in-street sign, not on the outside shoulder or
parking lane. When installed, the sign shall not impede or obstruct any traffic
movement including through or turning movements.
7. When the sign is used at or in advance of a school crossing to supplement the
ground mounted school warning signs, the sign shall include the SCHOOL plaque.
8. The sign shall be used seasonally due to safety issues with the use of the sign during
the winter and to prevent damage during the winter because of plowing operations.
9. A maximum of ten qualifying locations shall be signed at one time throughout the
City on a rotating basis, which shall help avoid overuse of the sign.
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10. The sign shall only be installed on City Streets on a temporary basis and maintained
by the City of Edina at qualifying locations that are determined and prioritized by
staff.
11. The sign shall only be used in 35 mph or lower speed zones.
12. The sign shall only be used on streets with vehicle traffic volumes that exceed
1,500 vehicles per day.
13. Only one sign structure shall be used per approach at marked crosswalks.
14. Any of the following supplemental conditions may warrant the signs installation:
a. Those locations adjacent to and along established pedestrian routes to and
from a school.
b. Locations adjacent to community centers, libraries, and other high use
public facilities.
c. Locations adjacent to public parks.
d. Locations where accident records, sight obstructions and/or pedestrian
volume warrants the installation.
e. Locations where significant numbers of handicapped persons cross a street.
f. Locations where significant numbers of senior citizens cross a street.
Note: The Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2003 edition approved use of In-Street
Pedestrian Crossing Signs. Minnesota will be adding this sign as an option in the 2005 edition of the MN
MUTCD. Until this sign is incorporated into the MN MUTCD, Technical Memorandum No. 04-11-T-02
documents the approval of this device when installed under the preceding guidelines.