Residents raised concerns about the visibility obstruction at the pump station at the corner of Pine Valley and Kirby Smith.
City traffic engineers determined that while the pump station's brick fencing is within the 46-foot by 46-foot vision clearance triangle, after stopping at the stop sign, Pine Valley drivers can slowly and cautiously advance toward the intersecting street (Kirby Smith) to gain acceptable sight distance before entering the intersection.
This is typical and allowable driving practice for intersection approaches having various roadside obstructions. The vision obstruction of the intersecting street (Kirby Smith) while approaching the intersection and prior to stopping does not constitute an unsafe condition. The basic driving order-of-operations for approaching a stop sign-controlled intersection is as follows:
- Stop
- Looking for conflicting traffic (vehicles, pedestrians, bikes, etc.)
- Go when clear to do so
Frequently, drivers improperly reverse steps 1 & 2 to progress to step 3 more quickly, typically resulting in an incomplete step 1. Reversing the stop signs would alleviate this perceived obstruction to vision while also properly placing them along the minor street at the intersection (Kirby Smith) to comply with intersection traffic control standards. However, the recommended and proposed mini-roundabout will also alleviate this perceived vision obstruction issue (eliminating the need to yield to traffic from the right), while also providing traffic calming (speed reduction) for all approaches to and through the intersection.
*In the event the brick fencing is determined to be required to be modified to conform with the Land Development Code requirements, CFPUA can be contacted to initiate modification.