About a year ago, Charles County’s Planning and Growth Management (PGM) Department conducted a traffic engineering study of the intersection at Rosewick Road and Radio Station Road. It followed the guidelines of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Section 4C, and “Traffic Control Signal Needs Studies”. The MUTCD is a document published by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT); Federal Highway Administration the MUTCD provides guidance for states and localities (such as counties) on how and where to place roadside signs (e.g. stop signs, warning signs, etc.), pavement markings, and traffic signals.
The Section of the MUTCD on traffic signals helps counties and states decide when signalization is justified at a particular intersection of two or more roadways. The justification is based on the number of people driving, walking, bicycling, and more, through the intersection throughout the day. The engineering study found that both roadways were quite busy for much of the day with lots of people making left turns, crossing one or both directions of the Rosewick Road traffic.
“I’m excited for us to be getting a new traffic light; I hope it will keep everyone safe at that intersection,” senior Karlie Kiliniski said. Drivers making left turns have to cross the same path as Rosewick Road drivers. Engineers refer to this as conflicting traffic. The conclusion of the engineering study was that the traffic signal installation was justified, and would be an appropriate form of intersection control at this location.
“The signal will be placed into what’s called an all-flashing mode (Flashing red and Flashing Yellow signals) for about one week prior to the full operation date,” Tony Puleo, the Senior Resource Planner at Charles County Planning & Growth Management (PGM) said. For a new signal the approximate price is $211,000. However, a four-way intersection or more complicated intersection configuration would likely cost $250,000 or more.
“Although construction is near to completion, there is no specific date set for the start of full signal operation. After the recently cleared snow melts from the roadside, construction managers will determine when and where digital display boards will inform drivers of the approximate date for full operation,” Puleo said.
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