City and County of Denver, Co
Transportation Division of Public Works
Phone: 720-865-3150 FAX: 720-865-3282
STOP SIGNS
WHY DON’T THEY
PUT IN MORE STOP SIGNS?
A stop sign is one of our most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right-of-way.
Each year, the City receives many inquiries about installing additional stop signs as a way to reduce speeding. However, research shows that other traffic control strategies can be safer and more effective than installing additional stop signs. The intended purpose of stop signs is to assign right-of-way at an intersection, not to control speeding.
Many citizens perceive that speeding and other traffic safety problems can be solved by making an intersection into an all-way stop. When used properly and selectively, all-way stops can improve traffic safety. However, misuse and over use of all-way stops can negatively impact neighborhoods by creating a nuisance for area residents while increasing noise and air pollution. There is also a tendency for drivers to run through all-way stops if there is no apparent reason for them. In addition, when drivers encounter stop signs too frequently, they tend to speed up between intersections out of frustration in order to make up lost time.
For these reasons, the City has developed guidelines for the installation of all-way stops in order to avoid their overuse. The objective is to reserve all-way stops for intersections where this extra level of control is truly needed.
TRAFFIC
SIGNALS 
DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WILL BE INSTALLED?
Traffic signals don't always prevent accidents. They are not always an asset to traffic control. In some instances, total accidents and severe inquiries increased after signals were installed. Usually, in such instances, right angle collisions were reduced by the traffic signals, but the total number of collisions, especially the rear-end type, increased.
There are times when the installation of signals results in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrians feel secure with a painted crosswalk and a red light between them and an approaching vehicle. The motorist, on the other hand, is not always so quick to recognize these "barriers."
When can a traffic signal be an asset instead of a liability to safety? In order to answer this, traffic engineers have to ask and answer a series of questions:
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Are there so many cars on both streets that signal controls are necessary to clear up the confusion or relieve the congestion?
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Is the traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side street will try to cross when it is unsafe?
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Are there so many pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street that confusing, congested or hazardous conditions result?
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Are there so many school children trying to cross the street at the same time that they need special controls for their protection? If so is a traffic signal the best solution?
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Are signals at this location going to help drivers maintain a uniform pace along the route without stopping unnecessarily?
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Does the collision history indicate that signal controls will reduce the probability of collisions?
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Do two arterials intersect at this location and will a signal help improve the flow of traffic?
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Is there a combination of the above conditions which indicates that a signal will be an improvement rather than a detriment?
To aid them in answering these questions, engineers compare the existing conditions against nationally accepted minimum guidelines. These guidelines (often called "Warrants") were established from any observations at intersections throughout the country by experienced traffic engineers. Where the guidelines were met, the signals generally were operating effectively with good public compliance. Where the guidelines were not met, public compliance was reduced, and additional hazards resulted.
A traffic signal that decreases accidents and improves the flow of traffic is an asset to any community. On the other hand, an ill-advised or poorly designed signal can be a source of danger and annoyance to all who use the intersection; pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.
PEDESTRIAN
SIGNALS
Is it really necessary for me to push a button to activate the pedestrian signal can’t I just wait for the light to change?
Where buttons are available to pedestrians it's because the traffic signal is timed for cars, not for people on foot. If you don't activate the pedestrian signal by pushing the button, the traffic light won't give you enough time to safely cross the street. You only need to push the button once for it to be activated.
Why does it always say "don't walk" before I've completed crossing the street?
The flashing "don't walk" or upraised hand is warning to people who have not yet entered the intersections that it's too late to safely cross the street before the traffic signal changes allowing cars to proceed. Signals are timed to allow plenty of time for people who have already started walking to safely cross the street.
Can I count on a safe crossing if I carefully follow the pedestrian signals?
The signals assign your legal rights in the intersection, however, it is important to be cautious when crossing busy intersections.
The following suggestions are offered in the interest of safety'.
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Cross intersections defensively.
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When crossing the street, regardless of the availability of signals, cross as quickly as possible Minimize your time in the roadway.
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Always watch for turning vehicles. You have the legal right to be there, but that doesn't protect you from the carelessness of some motorists.
Why are the words "walk" and "don't walk" being replaced by symbols?
Transportation engineers world-wide are moving toward the use of symbol signs in place of word signs because they are easier for people to comprehend in a shorter amount of time. Easily recognized symbols also accommodate people who can't read English.
In the case of pedestrian signals, both "word" and "symbol" signs are currently in use. Here's what they mean:
Walk" or walking pedestrian symbol means you may begin crossing,
A flashing or steady "Don't Walk" or an upraised hand symbol means it's too late to begin crossing. Don't enter the street but finish crossing if you have already started.
CROSSWALKS
WHEN IS A CROSSWALK UNSAFE ?
Apparently, whenever it is painted on the street! 
A number of years back, the City of San Diego published some startling results of a very extensive study of the relative safety of marked and unmarked crosswalks. San Diego looked at 400 intersections for five years (without signals or four-way stops) that had a marked crosswalk on one side and an unmarked crosswalk on the other. About two and one half times as many pedestrians used the marked crosswalk, but about six times as many accidents were reported in the marked crosswalks! Long Beach studied pedestrian safety for three years (;1972 through 1974) and found eight times as many reported pedestrian accidents at intersections with marked crosswalks than at those without. One explanation of this apparent contradiction of common sense is the false security pedestrians feel at the marked crosswalk. Two painted lines do not provide protection against an oncoming vehicle and the real burden of safety has to be on the pedestrian to be alert and cautious while crossing any street. A pedestrian can stop in less than three feet while a vehicle traveling at 25MPH will require 60 feet and at 35 MPH approximately 100 feet.
The Colorado Vehicle Code says that a crosswalk exists at all intersections unless pedestrian crossing is prohibited by signs. 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. Such marked crossings may not be as safe as an unmarked crossing at the same location. 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.
CHILDREN AT
PLAY
WHY WON'T THEY PUT UP "CHILDREN AT PLAY" SIGNS?
An often heard neighborhood request concerns the posting of generalized warning signs with "SLOW-CHILDREN AT PLAY" or other similar messages. Parental concern for the safety of children in the street near home, and a misplaced but wide-spread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection often prompt these requests.
Although some other states have posted such signs widely in residential areas, no factual evidence has been presented to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds or legal liability. Studies have shown that many types of signs attempting to warn of normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If signs encourage parent and children to believe they have an added degree of protection, which the signs do not and cannot provide, a great disservice results.
Because of these serious considerations, Colorado law and Federal Standards do not recognize use of "Children at Play" signs. Specific warnings for schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities are available for use where clearly justified.
Children should not be encouraged to play within the street travel ways. The sign has long been rejected since it is a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.
SPEED
BUMPS
WHY SHOULDN'T WE HAVE SPEED BUMPS TO SLOW DOWN THE HOT RODDERS?
The control of speeding in residential neighborhoods, while maintaining acceptably safe street and roadway conditions, is a widespread concern which requires persistent law enforcement effort. The inability of posted speed limit signs to curb the intentional violator, leads to frequent demands for installation of "speed bumps" in public streets and alleys. However, actual tests of experimental designs have demonstrated the physical inability of a speed bump to control all types of light weight and heavy-weight vehicles successfully. In fact, a soft sprung sedan is encouraged to increase speed for a better ride, while some vehicles may lose control.
Courts have held public agencies liable for personal injuries resulting from faulty designs. Increased hazard to the unwary; challenges to the dare-devils; disruption of the movement of both emergency and service vehicles; and undesirable increase in noise, have caused speed bumps to be officially rejected as a standard traffic control device on public streets and alleys.
City and County of Denver
Phone numbers for common traffic problems:
To request installation of new traffic signs (ask for Area Engineer) 720-865-3150
To request consideration for a new traffic signal (ask for Signal Engineer) 720-865-3150
To report faded or vandalized traffic signs 720-865-4000
To report faded lane lines or crosswalks 720-865-4000
To report traffic signals that are not working properly 720-865-4000
To report traffic signal lamps that are burned out 720-865-4000
To report traffic signs blocked by tree branches 720-865-4000
To report trees/shrubs blocking visibility at an intersection 720-865-3200
To request a mid-block street or alley light (ask for Street Lighting Engineer) 720-865-3150
To request enforcement for illegal parking 720-913-1720
To request a petition for installing time restricted parking 720-913-1720
To request an application for on-street handicapped parking 720-913-8480
To request that intersection curb ramps be built 720-913-8491