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What Harm Can A Signal Cause?
Causing traffic delay and congestion.
Obviously, a traffic
signal will cause traffic on the major road to stop at times when
it previously did not have to stop. This often contributes to traffic
congestion. In some situations, a signal also may force vehicles
on the side street to wait to cross the major road even when gaps
in the traffic stream would have allowed them to cross sooner.
Balancing safety.
Experience has shown
that, while reducing angle crashes, the installation of a traffic
signal typically will increase the frequency of rear-end collisions
that occur at an intersection. The trade-off of additional rear-end
collisions for fewer, but normally more severe, angle crashes is
acceptable where numerous angle crashes have occurred. However,
where there is no history of angle crashes to offset the likely
increase in rear-end collisions, the overall safety of the intersection
likely will deteriorate if a signal is installed.
Additional consequences.
Where a signal is not
justified, the unnecessary delay frustrates drivers. They become
more apt to disobey the signal and to increase their speeds to avoid
stopping or to make up for lost time after stopping. Noise from
traffic stopping and starting at a signal can be irritating in both
residential and commercial areas. An inappropriate signal also can
cause some drivers to use alternate routes, thereby increasing traffic
on lower volume residential streets. Additionally, a signal located
too near another signal on a two-way road prevents a beneficial
signal progression.
How Does One Request a Traffic Signal?
Keeping fingers on the traffic pulse.
Traffic engineers and
others responsible for the safe and efficient movement of traffic
are continually monitoring traffic movement and usually are among
the first to spot an intersection problem before it becomes
a major one. Public input is also quite valuable.
Seeking the correct solution.
Keep an open mind.
Simply describe the situation or problem rather than
request or demand that a signal be installed. In many instances,
other solutions will yield more favorable results. Sometimes, no
change is needed.
Who to call for help.
The SHA and the larger
local jurisdictions have traffic engineering units that routinely
address these matters. If the intersection is outside Baltimore
City and involves a MD, Interstate, or US numbered route,
contact the SHA District Office listed in this pamphlet for the
County where the intersection is located. Otherwise, contact the
local traffic engineering agency or, if none, the roads, street,
public works or law enforcement agency responsible for traffic operations
in the city or county where the intersection is situated.
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