The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, a beloved pathway in Northern Virginia, offers a scenic escape for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians. However, its road crossings, particularly in the City of Falls Church, are governed by an array of stop signs that may be doing more harm than good. As community members, we cherish our trail and the neighborhoods it crosses, yet it's vital to address the inefficacy and potential dangers presented by these stop signs. It's time to consider a shift towards more dynamic and context-sensitive traffic control methods that could enhance safety and streamline trail interactions.
The Bike Falls Church blog has an earlier post on this topic, which led to removal of one poorly-placed stop sign in Falls Church. Since then further researach and conversations across the region and nation have brought more rigor to the intuative sense that something was "off" with these stop signs.
Understanding the Inefficacy of Current Stop Signs
At numerous intersections along the W&OD Trail, stop signs are employed with the intent of managing traffic and preventing collisions. Despite their good intentions, these signs often fall short of achieving these goals. Observations and studies suggest that many cyclists and runners either ignore these signs or are unsure of when to yield, creating a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation. This behavior is not born out of a disregard for the law but rather an instinctive response to an ineffective system.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which guides traffic control strategies across the United States, provides criteria that highlight why these stop signs may not be the best solution. According to the MUTCD, for a traffic control device to be effective, it must meet five criteria: it should fulfill a need, command attention, convey a clear and simple meaning, command respect from road users, and give adequate time for proper response. Trail stop signs often fail 3 of these criteria:
- Fulfill a Need: The fundamental purpose of a stop sign is to manage traffic flow and ensure safety at intersections where there may be significant conflict between different streams of traffic. On the W&OD Trail, the frequent placement of stop signs at every crossing regardless of actual traffic conditions does not always correspond to a real need for such stringent control. According to the Executive Director of NOVA Parks, “The goal of [W&OD intersection design] is to make the cyclist aware that they are approaching an intersection and need to be alert and cautious.” The need is caution, not stopping.
- Convey a Clear, Simple Meaning: On roads, stop signs provide clear instruction—for motorists to come to a complete stop then proceed when the way is clear. On a trail, however, the context changes; stopping is still part of the instruction, which seems simple enough, but when to go is not clear or simple – the laws for a crosswalk still apply. The bicyclist has the right of way, so long as they don’t enter the roadway “in disregard” of traffic. This gets even more confusing when road and trail meet at a 4-way stop. The 4-way stop law is roughly “yield to the car that arrived first or, if at the same time, the one your right” but this doesn’t apply because this is a crosswalk so the trail user, once stopped, has the right of way. Even more confusing, the laws for trail stop signs vary by county and by whether you are on NOVA Parks land or not.
- Command Respect from Road Users: Compliance is low among trail users, measured at 1% at N Spring and N Oak Streets, primarily because the excessive number of stop signs is seen as a purposeless interruption to the flow of their ride or run, rather than a necessary safety measure. As with children, if a command is given too often and/or if there are not consequences from ignoring the command, it ceases to get respect. Those consequences can be imposed (police, red light cameras) or natural (I don’t like the odds of getting in a crash if I run that red light). It is well studied and documented that use of stop signs where they are not warranted results in reduced compliance for all stop signs for bicyclists and drivers.
W&OD Trail users navigate a wide variety of crossing situations; midblock crossings with stop signs for the trail only are most dangerous, based on a review of all crashes 2018-2023 along the 45-mile trail.
The Case for Moving Stop Signs from Trail to Road
A more effective approach could involve relocating stop signs from the trail to the road, especially at crossings that are not heavily trafficked by vehicles. This method has been implemented in Alexandria, VA and King County, WA where it has led to improved compliance and safety (a map of Alexandria changes is the cover image of this post). It was recommended by Toole Design professional engineers for N Oak and N Spring Street to the Falls Church government and NOVA Parks in 2019. By placing the onus on motorists to stop and check for crossing trail users, this strategy acknowledges the primary use of the trail as a major regional route for non-motorized users and that motorists have the burden of operating the larger and heavier vehicle.
Furthermore, this approach aligns with the principles of "Vision Zero," a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. Prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in this way can lead to a cultural shift in how road spaces are shared and navigated.
Plus Implementing Cautionary Signs
Rather than defaulting to stop signs, implementing cautionary measures such as "Use Caution" or "Crossing Ahead" signs could significantly enhance the effectiveness of traffic control at these intersections. These signs, supported by high-visibility markings and perhaps supplemented by pedestrian-activated flashing beacons, would alert both trail users and motorists to potential crossing points without ineffective stop signs. Following the advice of the Federal Highway Administration, the National Park Service implemented this change on the Rock Creek Park trail in DC (see below for a sample sign that replaced the trail stop signs).
This method promotes a continuous flow on the trail while still prioritizing safety, encouraging both cyclists and drivers to remain alert and prepared to yield as necessary under the laws for crosswalks. It respects the dynamics of trail use, which often see higher speeds and more consistent movement compared to typical pedestrian pathways.
Regional Standardization
Developing a consistent approach to signage across the DC Metro Area would help all road users know what to expect at each crossing. This uniformity could be instrumental in reducing conflicts and enhancing the overall safety of trail-road intersections. We will all be safer if the stop signs that “fulfill a need” do indeed “command respect” and “convey and clear and simple meaning” because they are used in the right places in a consistent way across the region.
Enhancing Safety Through Design and Collaboration
In addition to changing signs, improving the physical design of crossings can also enhance safety. Raised crossings, refuge islands, and clearer sightlines can all make crossing points more visible and safer for everyone involved. NOVA Parks has spearheaded many of these improvements on the W&OD already and has more planned. Collaboration with local jurisdictions to ensure that changes are consistent and well-communicated will be essential in creating a cohesive and user-friendly environment across different sections of the trail.
A National Problem
Stop signs are so ubiquitous on American bike paths that they've been likened to "kudzu," the invasive plant that overtakes everything in its path. While our focus is on Falls Church, the W&OD, and the DC region, these same questions have been raised nationwide. Blogs, studies, and informed skeptics on trail stop sign effectiveness have found in the following cities in the course of research for this post:
- Montgomery County, MD
- Alexandria, VA
- Arlington, VA
- Fairfax County, VA
- Washington, DC
- Lewes, DE
- Oakland, FL
- Seattle, WA
- Minneapolis, MN
Conclusion
As the W&OD Trail continues to be a critical part of our community's infrastructure, it is imperative that we address the safety and efficacy of its road crossings with thoughtful, informed changes. Moving away from an over-reliance on stop signs and towards a more nuanced approach can help reduce confusion, increase compliance, and ultimately make our beloved trail safer for everyone. By rethinking how we manage these intersections, we not only improve the trail experience but also reinforce our community's commitment to safety and accessibility.
References
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) - Federal Highway Administration
- Vision Zero Network
- Case studies from Rock Creek Park, Alexandria VA, King County WA, Oakland FL
- Traffic safety and control device implementation - National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
- Studies on traffic sign effectiveness and compliance - Transportation Research Board (TRB)
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Bike Design Guide
- Toole Design assessment of W&OD crossings in Falls Church (2019)
- Multiple other blogs raising the same question nationwide: