I read in the U.S. Traffic Calming Manual that there is general consensus in the field that stop signs are not an effective traffic calming measure. My understanding is that they are appropriate up to a point, but eventually it just becomes rediculous to ask people to stop.

I'm not very familiar with this intersection. I'll try to check it out on my bike next time I have a chance/remember, but generally when you have an intersection of two roads that are busy enough to make stop signs ineffective, but not large enough to necessitate a traffic signal (which should always be your last resort), the textbook response is to put in a mini traffic circle. Unfortunately, if you decide that's what this intersection needs, you're going to want to figure out a grant, because it'll probably cost more than the city can justify spending in a neighborhood that is already far safer for bicyclists and pedestrians than most of the rest of the city.

And before I forget, Streever, I owe you an apology. You were right on the stop sign question, or at least consistent with the best knowledge in the field.

(sorry for the excessive comments, but) Justin, when you have a chance, be sure to let me know what you all decided at the meeting at Cross (sorry I couldn't make it--I was busy with PPSF). You may as well just post it here on SCF; I'm sure I'm not the only one who's curious. As I said, the traffic circle is the textbook answer, but the in-street crosswalk signs have been working incredibly well when you consider that their cost is an order of magnitude (or two) less than traditional infrastructural changes. It's possible that removing the stop sign and adding an in-street crosswalk sign on Cold Spring might actually go a long way toward addressing this issue.

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