University of - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Department of Transportation Research Nebraska LTAP Reports

5-2010 Safety and Driver Behavior Studies at Multiple Lane Approaches to Stop-Controlled Intersections Karen Schurr University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected]

Daniel Sitorius University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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Schurr, Karen and Sitorius, Daniel, "Safety and Driver Behavior Studies at Multiple Lane Approaches to Stop-Controlled Intersections" (2010). Nebraska Department of Transportation Research Reports. 68. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ndor/68

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska LTAP at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Department of Transportation Research Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. NDOR Research Project Number SPR-P1(05) P574 Transportation Research Studies

Safety and Driver Behavior Studies at Multiple Lane Approaches to Stop-Controlled Intersections

Final Report

Karen S. Schurr Daniel Sitorius

Nebraska Transportation Center Department of Civil Engineering College of Engineering University of Nebraska-Lincoln

330 Whittier Building 2200 Vine Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0851 Telephone (402) 472-1974 FAX (402) 472-0859

Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Roads 1500 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4567 Telephone (402) 479-4337 FAX (402) 479-3975

May 2010

Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. SPR-P1(05) P574 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date May 2010 Safety and Driver Behavior Studies at Multiple Lane Approaches to Stop- 6. Performing Organization Code Controlled Intersections SPR-P1(05) P574 7. Author/s 8. Performing Organization Report Karen S. Schurr, Daniel L. Sitorius No. 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No. SPR-P1(05) P574 12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period U.S. Department of Transportation Covered Research and Special Programs Administration th Final Report 400 7 Street, SW May 2010 Washington, DC 20590-0001 15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract Multiple-lane approaches (MLAs) controlled by stop signs are becoming increasingly common in Nebraska. Installation of MLAs occurs when a single approach lane can no longer adequately serve the minor road traffic volume, and a signal is unwarranted because Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants are not satisfied (7, FHWA, 2003). A common example of a location at which MLA stop-controlled intersections can occur in Nebraska is the rural intersection of two state or federal highways. Forty such intersections in Nebraska were available for study in this research. Additionally, such intersections are often located in suburban areas of Nebraska municipalities where the local-collector network of a residential development connects to an arterial roadway. The objective of this research was to investigate driver safety and behavior at two-way stop-controlled MLA intersections. The reason for the investigation is to gain a better understanding of potential sight distance limitations due to side-by-side stopped vehicles at stop signs, as described earlier. Below is a summary of recommendations based upon safety study aspects of the project:  Results of the before-after comparison group safety studies concerning crash frequency indicated that signalization of MLA-type intersections results in improved safety, however no statistically significant difference was found at the 95 percent confidence level.  Results of the before-after comparison group safety stu