Traffic Engineering

Stop Signs

A stop sign is an effective traffic control device when used at the proper place under appropriate conditions. A stop sign is used at an intersection to assist drivers and pedestrians in determining who has the right-of-way. Multiway stop signs are used at intersections when traffic volumes on all approaches are approximately equal and at intersections where safety is a concern.
 
Multiway stops are not to be used for speed control or to arbitrarily interrupt traffic. When multiway stop signs are installed at locations where they are not warranted, there is a high incidence of motorists disregarding the traffic control devices. Well-developed, nationally accepted guidelines outlined in the Texas MUTCD consider the amount of traffic at an intersection, the length of time traffic must wait to enter an intersection, and the safety of an intersection to determine if a multiway stop installation is warranted.

Traffic Calming

Speeding is a large concern for residents in the city, and speed limit changes and traffic calming are the most common traffic requests received by city staff. Studies demonstrate that changing the posted speed does little to circumvent speeding, but research has shown that traffic calming measures which alter the geometric characteristics of a roadway and/or the road user’s perception induce slower speeds. In order for traffic calming to be effective, their use should be in accordance with established transportation and traffic engineering criteria, documented facts, and engineering judgement. As is the case with all traffic control devices, proper use will encourage compliance and safe driving practices while maintaining responsible allocation of city resources.

The City of New Braunfels has adopted a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy which specifies the procedure for traffic calming requests, from request initiation through construction. Residents can request a street be evaluated for traffic calming by submitting a complete application with the attached petition. The petition requires signatures from at least two-thirds of the properties adjacent to the street segment that the traffic calming investigation is being requested for.

• Traffic Calming Investigation Form and Evidence of Neighborhood Support (PDF)
• Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy (PDF)

No Parking Zones

Outside of general parking restrictions in the City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances and State Law that apply to all public streets in the city, specific no parking areas on public streets can be established by ordinance and are enforceable so long as they are properly posted with the correct regulatory signs. No parking zones can be implemented for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to traffic flow, emergency vehicle access, visibility obstructions, maintenance issues, and drainage conveyance. If a request for a no parking zone is received, an engineering evaluation is performed to determine if restricting parking would be beneficial to safety, traffic operations, and maintenance. Parking restrictions require a public hearing before City Council, and the affected property owners adjacent to the proposed parking restriction receive notice of the public hearing.

Speed limits on Texas roads, including City of New Braunfels streets, are generally set by statute (TEX. TRANSP. CODE § 545.352). The statute includes the following speed limits:

• Street in Urban District – 30 miles per hour
• Alley in Urban District – 15 miles per hour

The speed limit on most city streets is 30 miles per hour unless designated by ordinance and posted. A city may lower the state-mandated speed limit by performing an engineering and traffic investigation and determining that the state-mandated speed limit is unreasonable or unsafe for that road. The only instance in which a city may lower a speed limit without a traffic study, to as low as 25 miles per hour, is if the road is in an urban district, is less than four lanes, and is not a state highway. Requests to reduce or increase speed limits are evaluated in accordance with State law and the Texas MUTCD. Factors considered when establishing or reevaluating speed limits are the following:

• Speed distribution, including the 85th percentile speed, 50th (median) percentile speed, and pace speed;
• Road characteristics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance;
• Roadside development and environment;
•  Parking practices and pedestrian activity; and
• Reported crashes over a 12-month period.

There are many opinions on the effect of lowering speed limits; however, research and local experience show that there is no guarantee that a speed limit will have any effect on driving behavior. Motorists tend to drive at speeds they feel comfortable with regardless of speed limit signs. Enforcement and street design are most effective in reducing speeds. Observing speed limits means more than driving faster or slower than the posted speed. It means driving to conditions. For instance, when it is raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when traffic is heavy, when road construction is ahead, when pedestrians or bicyclists are near the road, adjust your speed accordingly

Parking by Permit

New Braunfels established the Parking by Permit Program in 2005, whereby vehicles bearing a valid parking permit may be parked within a designated parking permit area. It is the intent to provide a greater opportunity for residents to establish parking restrictions within their neighborhoods, ensure adequate issuance of parking permits, and to promote a cooperative effort among neighbors in dealing with issues related to neighborhood parking. A designated parking by permit area is established by City Council in accordance with City of New Braunfels Code of Ordinances Section 126-354. Requests are reviewed and processed by the Engineering Division. Residents can request a street be evaluated for a parking by permit area by submitting a complete application with the attached petition. The petition requires signatures from at least two-thirds of the properties adjacent to the street(s) that parking by permit is being requested for.

• Parking by Permit Application (PDF)

Establishing, amending, or removing a parking by permit area requires a public hearing before City Council, and the affected property owners within a 300-foot radius of the subject parking by permit area receive notice of the public hearing.

Traffic Signals

The purpose of a traffic signal is to provide safe and efficient movements for all roadway users through an intersection. Traffic signals assign the right-of-way to the various traffic movements and have profound influence on traffic flow. The City of New Braunfels currently maintains and operates over 40 traffic signals on city and state roadways within the city limits. TxDOT maintains and operates the traffic signals on the IH 35 and Loop 337 access roads. It is the City’s responsibility to evaluate requests for new traffic signals on city and state roadways within the city limits. Any citizen can request a traffic signal as a standard traffic request. The investigation for a new traffic signal requires an extensive engineering study in accordance with the Texas MUTCD. The investigation of the need for a traffic signal shall include an analysis of factors related to the existing operation and safety at the study location and the potential to improve these conditions, and the applicable factors contained in the following traffic signal warrants:

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 Railroad Grade Crossing

It is important to note that the satisfaction of a traffic signal warrant or warrants shall not in itself require the installation of a traffic control signal. Traffic signals require a large capital investment and can take a significant time to evaluate, fund, design, and construct.

No Through Trucks

In some instances, restricting through trucks from using a segment of a primary or secondary roadway will reduce potential conflicts, creating a safer environment and one that is in accord with the current use of the roadway. Travel by any class of vehicle on any class of highway should be restricted only upon demonstration that it will promote the health, safety, and welfare of the public without creating an undue hardship on any of the users of the transportation system. The following standard engineering requirements must be met for the restriction of through truck traffic on residential streets:

• The roadway is residential or is functionally classified as a local or collector street;
• The character and/or frequency of truck traffic is not compatible with the affected area; and
• A reasonable alternate route is available for truck traffic

Residents wishing to initiate an engineering evaluation of designating a street as a no through truck route must provide visual documentation of the through truck activity (photo/video) and the days of the week and times of day the issue has been observed

A crosswalk is defined as the portion of the roadway designated as a pedestrian crossing either by surface markings or the extension of a sidewalk across intersecting roadways. In order for a crosswalk to be marked, curb ramps meeting ADA standards must be installed for each end of the crossing. At uncontrolled intersections or mid-block between intersections, installation of a marked crosswalk should be based on multiple factors, including volume, adjacent land uses, present and future demand, pedestrian compliance, speed, safety, and crash history. The presence of a marked crosswalk does not, in and of itself, render a street safe. Based on roadway geometry, surrounding context, pedestrian and vehicular volumes, and speeds, installation of marked crosswalks may also require additional safety measures such as refuge islands, signals, or traffic calming. The investigation for enhanced pedestrian crossings requires an extensive engineering study in accordance with the Texas MUTCD and TxDOT Roadway Design Manual

National standards, Texas law and the City of New Braunfels do not recognize the "Children at Play" signs for these reasons: Warning signs are designed and intended to advise motorists of an unusual or unexpected physical roadway condition ahead. Signs such as this give the wrong message to both children and parents, fostering a false sense of security. There is no evidence to show that these signs help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents or lower travel speeds.

 Federal standards do not support these signs because the signs are suggesting that it is acceptable behavior for children to play in the streets. It is the driver's responsibility to adjust speed for conditions, and to act reasonable and prudent when encountering conditions that occur in all residential areas.