multi-way stop controls

All,

This email is in response to the request for the Department to determine if multi-way stop controls are warranted at the following intersections in the Brookland Terrace community:
1) Ohio Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue
2) Brookland Avenue and Armstrong Avenue
3) Armstrong Avenue and Maryland Avenue
4) Hillside Avenue and Maine Avenue
Our traffic section has reviewed the area and is informing you that the proposed intersections do not warrant multi-way stop controls at this time.

Decisions on whether to install a multi-way stop control must be based on an engineering study. The Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states criteria that should be met in order to consider a multi-way stop sign installation. Multi-way stop controls are placed to establish who has the right of way and to improve traffic operational characteristics at an intersection. These locations are typical of
most residential intersections in that the side street approaches are controlled by stop signs and must stop for traffic on the main road. Our field study showed that the intersections are presently controlled by
stop controls on the side street approaches. The Brookland Terrance Community is properly signed with 25 MPH speed limit signs, “watch for children” signs, and school warning signs. Based on the information we collected, multi-way stop controls are not warranted at the above intersections.

However, the Department has determined that stop signs will be installed in the eastbound direction on Maine Ave at the Armstrong Ave and Hillside Ave intersections. Currently these approaches have not signage directing which approach has the right or way. While performing the field study, the school warning signs located on Rhode Island Ave were faded. At this time, we also recommend replacing these signs with our approved "School Children Walk Along this Road" sign. All the proposed signage improvements have been added to our New Castle County Signage Supervisor's work schedule. Please allow a few weeks for the
signs to be installed due to fabrication, scheduling, and weather conditions.

Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest in traffic safety on Delaware’s highways.

Sincerely,
Peter R Haag Jr
Traffic Studies Engineer
Delaware Department of Transportation