HomeMy WebLinkAboutRight on Red signs STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. 11788
February 26, 2002
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich
Chairman, Southold Transportation Commission
Town Hall
53095 Main Road
Southold; New York 119'/1-0959
Dear Mr. Brashich:
JOSEPH H. BOARDMAN
'SUPE:!w,S ----
Crosswalk/'2qo Right on Red" Sign Requests
Route 25 at New Suffolk or Bay Avenue
Route 25 at Youngs Avenue
Mattituck/Southold
Our Case No. 0091038TC
We have completed our investigation to determine if the installation of a marked crosswalk
would improve safety and traffic operations in Mattituck on Route 25 at the school, library, Love
Lane, New Suffolk Avenue or Bay Avenue or in Southold near the Southold Pharmacy. Our
investigation included pedestrian counts and field observations of the area.
For your information, there are existing marked crosswalks with the appropriate warning signs on
Route 25 near the Mattituck Library and Mattituck High School. There are also marked
crosswalks with the appropriate warning signs on Route 25 at the Feather Hill stores and at the
municipal parking lot in Southold which are in close proximity to the Southold Pharmacy. These
crosswalks and warning signs are in good condition at this time.
Pedestrian counts were taken on typical weekdays along Route 25 in both Mattituck and
Southold between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Our counts showed low pedestrian activity at
these locations. These figures are below those normally associated with the installation of
additional marked crosswalks.
The New York Vehicle and Traffic Law states that a crosswalk exists at all intersections. Some
of these crosswalks are marked with painted lines, but most of them are not. Pedestrian
crosswalk marking is a method of encouraging pedestrians to use a particular crossing location.
Hoxvever, crosswalks installed at non-signalized or midblock locations can provide pedestrians
with a false sense of security. Two painted lines do not provide protection from an oncoming
vehicle and the real burden of safety has to be on the pedestrian to be alert and cautious while
crossing any street. Therefore, crosswalks should be marked only where necessary for the
guidance and control of pedestrians to direct them to the safest of several potential routes.
For these reasons, we feel the installation of additional pedestrian crosswalks at these locations
would not be appropriate at this time.
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich
February 26, 2003
Page 2 '
However, we will install permanent ground mounted "State Law Yield to Pedestrians In
Crosswalk" signs on Route 25 in advance of the marked crosswalks at the Mattituck High School
and Library, and in advance of the marked crosswalks within the business area of Southold.
These signs will be installed by our Maintenance Group as soon as their work schedule permits.
We have also completed an investigation to determine if the addition of a "No Turn on Red"
regulation would significantly improve safety and traffic operations on Route 25 at Youngs
Avenue. Our study included an accident analysis as well as field observations of the area.
Our accident analysis also reviewed the most current three years of data available from the
Department of Motor Vehicles. Our analysis did not show a pattern of accidents that would be
correctable by the installation of a right turn on red restriction for any of the four directions at
Route 25 and Youngs Avenue.
Field observations showed moderate to heavy traffic movements in all four directions.
Therefore, restricting right turns on red would increase motorist delay and create a back-up of
vehicles, thereby creating operational problems for the entire intersection. Furthermore, the sight
distance for eastbound and westbound motorists on Route 25 as viewed to the north and south
along Youngs Avenue, and the sight distance for northbound and southbound motorists on
Youngs Avenue as viewed to the east and west along Route 25, is adequate for the subject
intersection's geometry and the posted speed limits to allow right turns on red.
In keeping with the national policy of conserving energy through minimizing vehicular delay
while ensuring the highest levels of safety and efficiency, we have established guidelines
governing the posting of an intersection tbr "No Turn on Red" restrictions. Our investigation has
shown that this intersection does not fall within any of the established guidelines, nor is any
problem evident at this location. Therefore, it is not appropriate to install such a restriction at
this time.
The present state law dictates that any vehicles attempting to make a right turn on red, shall come
to a full stop and shall yield to any pedestrian or vehicular traffic in the intersection. If you feel
there is a certain time of day this law is being ignored, please contact the Southold Police
Department for increased enforcement.
If you have any questions regarding these studies or safety at any of our other intersections,
please contact Mr. Richard B. Causin of my staff, at (631) 952-6020.
Thank you tbr your interest in this traffic safety matter.
Very truly yours,
FRANK PEARSON, P.E.
Acting Regional Traffic Engineer
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