Good idea.
On Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 12:05 PM Dvidutis <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
An overhead flashing red light would be the inly way to assure people are
fully aware of this new stop.
Having lived on PBR (albeit between Philadelphia and Eastern) for 35
years, I welcome any traffic calming device.
Side streets may get a little additional traffic, but they’ll never get
the tractor trailers, buses, and 60 mph roaring speeders that we do.
Diana Vidutis
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On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 9:03 PM, Michael Sitar <
michaelasitar@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Am wondering if the speed camera that is still nearby, could be calibrated
to photograph non-stoppers...
On Wed, Oct 20, 2021, 12:12 PM Kimberly Morgan <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I was just almost hit by a car whose driver decided to accelerate through
the intersection even though I was halfway across Piney Branch and in the
crosswalk. I have just written to SHA to urge them to find the money to put
a traffic light before someone gets splattered across the road. I hope
others will consider sending them the same message.
Thanks, Ben, for sharing the email address of the person to contact:
SHAD3TrafficTeam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, Oct 19, 2021 at 9:37 AM Marissa Haynie <marissa.haynie@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
There are solar-powered flashing stop signs at Erskine and 13th street
(just off of New Hampshire); they seem to be more attention-grabbing than
the regular ones. Maybe the SHA would consider that as an intermediate
solution before graduating to a regular light.
The email for SHA is
mailto:SHAD3TrafficTeam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
—Marissa on Piney Branch
On Tue, Oct 19, 2021 at 9:25 AM Paul Chrostowski <
paul.chrostowski@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Happens right here at Takoma and New York and Fenton and New York on a
very regular basis. Doesn’t need to be a state highway
Paul C
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On Oct 19, 2021, at 9:06 AM, edwin stromberg <edstromberg@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I have seen cars drive thru the stop-signs--in both directions--so this is
harddly a rare experience, however you define "rare'. and it only takes
one...
Ed S
*Sent:* Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 8:24 AM
*From:* "lrsapin" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*To:* north-takoma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [north-takoma] Re: Fwd: Stop sign on Ritchie and Piney Branch
Another near miss yesterday at this intersection. While at the stop sign
heading S on PB and waiting for a car to cross the intersection, I saw a
car speeding up PB barely miss this car as he apparently didn’t notice the
stop sign despite sight lines/signage, etc. - this is the third near miss
I’ve seen - each one from cars moving north at high speed on PB, blazing
right through intersection. Some drivers may not expect a stop sign on this
busy state highway. Worrisome. Be careful out there…
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On Monday, October 18, 2021, 11:39 AM, Ben Rempell <benrempell@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
The response I got back from SHA on the stop sign at Ritchie.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: *SHA D3TrafficTeam* <SHAD3TrafficTeam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, Oct 18, 2021 at 11:33 AM
Subject: RE: Stop sign on Ritchie and Piney Branch
To: Ben Rempell <benrempell@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: SHA D3TrafficTeam <SHAD3TrafficTeam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Ben Rempell:
This is in response to your traffic and safety concerns at the above
subject location in Montgomery County. The Maryland Department of
Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) District Three
traffic engineering staff appreciates the opportunity to be of assistance.
The MDOT SHA follows the nationally accepted Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD) as a guideline to determine when and where traffic
control devices should be installed. These guidelines are nationwide in
scope and are promulgated by the Federal Highway Administration. As a
highway operation agency, MDOT SHA assumes an obligation to follow the
guidelines defined by the MUTCD.
While MDOT SHA previously reviewed MD 320 (Piney Branch Road) and Ritchie
Avenue for pedestrian and vehicular safety improvements, it was recommended
and approved to install a traffic signal. Under current conditions with our
statewide traffic signal construction program schedule for this improvement
is currently unavailable. Our MDOT SHA District Three Traffic engineering
staff re-evaluated the location for other near-term traffic safety measures
and found that the location met conditions for a multi-way stop as an
interim measure to control traffic. A project to implement an all-way stop
control regulatory condition was recently approved by our MDOT SHA Office
of Traffic and Safety (OOTS).
In response to stop sign concerns at MD 320 (Piney Branch Road) and
Ritchie Road. Our office recently analyzed sight lines, analyzed
intersection geometry, analyzed existing signage, analyzed existing
pavement markings, analyzed existing pedestrian treatments, analyzed
corridor geometry, analyzed crash history, analyzed vehicular and
pedestrian turning movements, and conducted onsite field observations. In
addition, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Official’s (AASHTO) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets
was used to review the roadway geometrics, including evaluating sight
distance. Motorists have to obey the traffic control device in place which
is “STOP” coming to a complete stop.
Upon completion of our review on two separate days (AM peak) and (PM peak)
at the intersection of MD 320 at Ritchie Avenue we noticed an “All Way Stop
Control” was that recently implemented and installed correctly with stop
signs and lines, advance warning signs, and portable variable message
signs. Pedestrians and bicyclists acknowledged during our field review
their appreciation for the new “All Way Stop Control” which enabled them to
cross.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns. If you have any additional
questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-749-0737 or
301-513-7300. We will be happy to assist.
Sincerely,
SHA D3 Traffic Team
Traffic Engineering Section
MDOT SHA- Montgomery County
Fairland Area
--
Kimberly Morgan
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
Director, European and Eurasian Studies program
George Washington University
2115 G Street NW, Fourth Floor
Washington DC 20052
https://politicalscience.columbian.gwu.edu/kimberly-j-morgan
