CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Option 1: Pass an ordinance amending the Naperville Traffic Schedule Manual to establish a four-way stop at the intersection of West Street and Jefferson Avenue; or
Option 2: Concur with staff’s recommendation to not implement an unwarranted four-way stop at West Street and Jefferson Avenue and direct staff to implement traffic calming measures along Jefferson Avenue between River Road and Mill Street
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
On May 6, 2025, the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to establish a four-way (all-way) stop at the intersection of West Street and Jefferson Avenue.
The first reading of the ordinance was held at the June 3, 2025 City Council meeting. In addition, the City Council directed staff to provide a report on traffic calming measures that could be implemented to address vehicle speeds along Jefferson Avenue from River Road to Mill Street.
DISCUSSION:
The intersection of West Street and Jefferson Avenue is currently under two-way stop control, with the local street (West) stopping for the collector roadway (Jefferson). The City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to establish the intersection as an all-way stop, citing concerns about vehicle speeds. The ordinance is attached.
This location does not meet warrants for establishing an all-way stop, as outlined in the attached memo from November 2024.
The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) section 2B.12 (previously 2B.07) specifically states that stop signs should not be used for speed control and that the decision to install multi-way stop control should be based on an engineering study.
Further, staff does not recommend implementing an all-way stop at unwarranted locations for the following reasons:
1. Stops signs are meant to control vehicle movements and are generally ineffective at calming vehicle speeds. Drivers tend to slow down at the sign but then drive faster between intersections to make up perceived lost time.
2. Compliance at unwarranted stop signs tends to be poor. Drivers become more likely to ignore stop signs if they perceive them to be unnecessary due to low vehicle volumes on the intersecting streets. This can also lead to general disregard for stop signs in the area.
3. Unwarranted stop signs can create a false sense of security for pedestrians, particularly children, increasing the risk for conflicts at crosswalks.
4. Unwarranted stop signs may lead to unintended traffic on other roadways. Drivers may seek alternate routes on interior neighborhood streets to avoid stopping at the all-way stop.
Staff recommends Option 2, taking an alternate approach and implementing additional traffic calming measures along Jefferson Avenue between River Road and West Street.
Recommended Traffic Calming
The City’s Traffic Calming Toolkit was adopted in 2021 and provides thresholds for implementing traffic calming and measures that address various traffic concerns.
Although the measured vehicle speeds on Jefferson Avenue are below the established thresholds, the measures described below could be implemented to address concerns about vehicle speeds.
Staff recommends implementing traffic calming in a phased approach, beginning with the signage and pavement marking recommendations listed below as short-term measures.
Short-term Measures
The following measures could be implemented during fall 2025 or spring 2026:
• 25 MPH Pavement Markings:
o Eastbound leaving River Road, Stauffer Drive, Parkway Drive and West Street
o Westbound leaving Mill Street, West Street, Douglas Avenue and Stauffer Drive
• Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing Signage:
o Jefferson Avenue and Green Valley Drive (LEDs)
o Mid-block trail crossing (Dual signage)
o Jefferson Avenue and Douglas Avenue (LEDs)
o Jefferson Avenue and Parkway Drive (LEDs)
• Marked Medians:
o Jefferson Avenue and Claremont Drive
o Jefferson mid-block between Parkway Drive and West Street
• Bicycle Lane Enhancement
o Pavement marking buffer for existing bicycle lane from trail crossing to Parkway
Exhibits depicting the short-term measures are attached. Estimated costs for the identified measures are included in the following table:
|
Traffic Calming Element |
Estimated Cost |
|
25 MPH pavement marking symbols |
$5,000 |
|
Enhanced pedestrian crossing signage (Green Valley, Douglas, Parkway) |
$7,000 |
|
Jefferson and Claremont marked median |
$2,500 |
|
Mid-block median between Parkway and West |
$3,000 |
|
Buffered bike lane (trail crossing to Parkway) |
$3,000 |
|
Total Short-term Measures |
$20,500 |
Should the short-term measures not achieve the desired impact on vehicle speeds, staff would recommend implementing more advanced measures outlined below.
Advanced Measures
The following measures could be implemented in 18 to 24 months:
• Curb bulb-outs:
o Jefferson Avenue and Green Valley Drive
o Mid-block trail crossing
• Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing:
o Mid-block trail crossing (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons)
• Permanent Driver Feedback Signs
o East of Willoway Drive for eastbound traffic
o East of Parkway Drive for westbound traffic
Estimated costs for the identified measures are included in the following table:
|
Traffic Calming Element |
Estimated Cost |
|
Curb bulb-outs (Jefferson and Green Valley, Mid-block trail crossing) |
*$80,000 -$150,000 |
|
Enhanced pedestrian crossing (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon - Mid-block trail crossing) |
$25,000 |
|
Permanent driver feedback signs (East of Willoway for EB traffic, east of Parkway for WB traffic) |
$25,000 |
|
Total Advanced Measures |
$130,000 -$200,000 |
*Costs vary due to potential required stormwater improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
To be determined based on the measures implemented.