We typically get a number of stop sign or signal requests at locations within the Village of Lemont suggesting improvements for safety concerns.  In order for signals or signs to be placed, studies need to be conducted to corroborate the safety need and to ensure that placing signalization won't increase the potential for crashes.  Below is the process for Village owned roadways. 

The Traffic Safety team made up of police and public works department personnel will do an assessment of the intersection including traffic volume and speed study.  They will also collect historical crash data for the location.  

Results are shared with engineering for a more in-depth assessment of the area.  They collect and review traffic counts, evaluate crash data, and complete a preliminary traffic signal warrant exercise for each of the locations.  

In order for traffic signals or stop signs to be recommended for installation, each location must satisfy two criteria: 

1)  Each location must meet federal warrants contained within the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in order to be considered.  Signal decisions ultimately always come down to satisfying the federal warrants.  

2)  Even if a traffic signal or stop sign(s) are warranted, the change in traffic control must solve either a safety or operational issue currently present at the intersection.  Installation of traffic signals or stop signs may increase crashes where crashes are low and/or may worsen overall traffic operations if a problem does not exist.  

If the road is an IDOT or County-owned road, that data then will go to those agencies who will conduct their own assessments against the warrants.  Seventy-five percent of the requests the Village receives is on roads owned by another jurisdiction.  

Below is a list of the nine traffic signal warrants contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD):

Warrant 1:  Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume
Warrant 2:  Four-Hour Vehicular Volume 
Warrant 3:  Peak Hour 
Warrant 4:  Pedestrian Volume
Warrant 5:  School Crossing 
Warrant 6:  Coordinated Signal System 
Warrant 7:  Crash Experience 
Warrant 8:  Roadway Network 
Warrant 9:  Intersection Near a Grade Crossing