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1. What is meant by uniform control devices?

Residents of Billerica, as in many cities and towns across the nation, are becoming increasingly concerned with the excessive speed and amount of through traffic utilizing their local roadways. It is felt that this extraneous traffic presents a direct threat to children’s safety and the quality of life within the community. Oftentimes residents request that some form of traffic management measure, such as a reduced speed limit, an all way stop, or turn prohibition to be implemented to control motorists using local roads.

The following sections address the most commonly asked questions regarding the uniform use and regulation of such traffic control devices. Traffic Control devices are all signs, signals, markings, and devices placed on, or adjacent to, a street or highway by a public body having authority to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the reference that governs the design and usage of traffic control devices. The MUTCD is prepared by the Federal Highway Administration’s National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD). The standards in the manual, with certain exception, apply to all streets and highways regardless of the governmental agency having jurisdiction. The State of Massachusetts has adopted additional amendments to the National MUTCD, which serve to further regulate local municipalities.

2. How are speed limits set?

A prerequisite to establishing speed regulations and posting speed limits is a comprehensive engineering study. The purpose of the study is to establish a speed limit that is safe, reasonable and self-enforcing. MassDOT’s Procedures for Speed Zoning on State and Municipal Roadways (see link below) provides a more detailed explanation of the process.

Experience has shown that approximately 85% of the motorists drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent. In addition to the traffic study, the warrants also take into consideration the roadway characteristics as well as the reported accident rates for the prior 12-month period.

Based upon the town’s submission of information, the state determines the legal speed limit. It should also be noted that in some cases, a formal traffic study aimed at reducing the legal speed limit might actually result in a determination that an existing speed limit is too low. Instances where traffic studies result in state authorization to reduce official speed limits are rare.

Procedures for Speed Zoning

3. What effect do posted speed limits have on actual speeds?

Before and after studies consistently demonstrate that there are not significant changes in traffic speeds following the posting of new or revised speed limits. There is a common belief that the mere posting of speed limit signs will cause drivers to react accordingly. This is not true and is why posted speed limits must be realistic to receive compliance.

Unrealistically low speed limits will invite violation by responsible drivers and the enforcement of such unreasonably low limits sets up the speed trap, resulting in public antagonism toward police and poor public relations for the community.

4. What are the warrants necessary to install a stop sign?

Throughout recent years it has become apparent that residents often view the stop sign, and especially the all way stop restriction, as a panacea to all traffic concerns. Often it is believed these measures will reduce speeds, deter cut through traffic, and generally make streets safer places to walk, cycle, and play as well as improve the quality of life within the community.

However, when measured quantitatively through studies, it becomes apparent that stop restrictions have proven to be ineffective at controlling these types of problems. If implemented for the wrong reasons, they may actually generate a multitude of new concerns. Studies have revealed that unwarranted stop signs increase collisions resulting from general disobedience and provide a false sense of security to pedestrians. Only where the warrants justify stop signs do they serve their intended functions.

According to the MUTDC, stop signs should not be used unless engineering indicates one or more of the following conditions exist:

1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the


2. normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonably safe operation;


3. Streets entering a through highway or street;


4. Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area;


5. High speeds, restricted view, or accident records indicate a need for control by the stop sign.

5. What are the warrants for a multiway stop sign?

The MUTCD also lists numerous situations and conditions where all way stops (4 way and 3 way stops) may be appropriate. According to warrants, any of the following conditions may justify the installation of a multiway stop sign:

1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multiway stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation;


2. An accident problem, as indicated by 5 or more reported accidents in a 12-month period, of a type susceptible of correction by a multiway stop installation. Such accidents include right and left collisions as well as right angle collisions;


3. When minimum traffic volumes and speed requirements are met as detailed in the warrants.

Simply put, all way stops should only be used at intersections where the traffic volumes on conflicting approaches is similar and, therefore, the restriction is required to assign the right-of-way to vehicles wishing to enter the intersection. They should never be used as a means to alleviate any other type of traffic situation.

6. Can we use one way, do not enter, and turning restrictions to control people from cutting through traffic?

One Ways - The restricted or otherwise regulated one-way streets or turning movements restrictions are matters generally left for the determination of the local rule making body. In Billerica’s case, the Board of Selectmen determine, often following a study, and a recommendation from the Traffic Management Committee, as to when such restrictions are used.

Do Not Enter - Generally speaking, these type of restrictions can be used to channel vehicles to main roadways and improve the orderly flow of traffic. However, often these types of restrictions fail to alleviate problems associated with cut through traffic because problems tend to shift to adjacent roadways. This often results in a slippery slope whereby officials encounter increasing requests for restrictions until the flow of traffic in neighborhoods becomes convoluted for all.

Turning Restrictions - Before such restrictions area established, a comprehensive review of the problem should be conducted and a formal determination made as to whether such signage would resolve or merely redirect traffic problems.

7. Can streets be restricted to residents only?

As discussed previously, the shear volume of traffic in Billerica is largely due to factors outside the town’s control. Billerica’s proximity to New Hampshire and the economic development in the region as a whole subjects the town to many out-of-town commuters passing through.

Contrary to some requests, it is neither feasible nor legal to restrict our roadways from out-of-town traffic through use of “Resident Only” or “Local Traffic Only” signs. Such signage is only intended to be used for temporary situations generally associated with construction projects.

8. Can speed bumps or speed humps be deployed to control speeding vehicles?

It has been our experience that speed bumps and speed humps can cause increased problems for the town because of the following:

1. They are a liability for the town, refer to Legal Opinions from Town Counsels;


2. Some vehicles actually speed up when they see speed bumps / humps;


3. Winter hazards (they collect snow, ice, and rain run off);


4. Excessive noise annoyances to residents that live near speed bumps / humps.