Traffic Engineers from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Department of Highways are recommending four changes at the intersection of U.S. 60 and KY 109 in Sullivan. The recommendations are the result of a traffic safety field review at the site on October 18.
"Our traffic engineering team spent more than an hour at the site taking measurements and checking the locations of existing traffic control devices at the intersection using a vehicle mounted with a distance measuring instrument," Potts said. "The DMI allows us to accurately check the position of existing traffic control devices and plan the placement of any new devices that might be added as a result of the assessment."
Kentucky Department of Highways Transportation Engineering Specialist Tom Napier was asked to assist with the safety review.
The Department's traffic safety analysis indicated that there were six police reported accidents at the intersection over the last four years. All of the accidents involved vehicles failing to stop on the KY 109 approach.
"Our evaluation of the intersection found that all of the accidents occurred after dark. That observation played an important role in our recommendations. We concluded that lighting the intersection to improve visibility and adding lighting to the existing signs could enhance traffic safety at the site," Potts said.
The safety review team has submitted four recommendations for consideration: install two new streetlights at the intersection; Install rumble strips on the KY 109 approach in advance of the intersection; install an LED (light emitting diode) enhanced "Stop Ahead" sign in advance of the intersection; and install an LED (light emitting diode) enhanced "Stop" sign at the intersection.
The new solar powered LED lighted signs on KY 109 are expected to increase driver awareness of the approaching intersection and stop sign. This will be only the second use of the new LED lighted signs in the district two region.
"These new LED enhanced signs have recently been approved in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. We've used one to improve safety at a mid-block pedestrian crossing in Owensboro. We're very pleased with the results at that location. This site in Sullivan appears to be an ideal location for this type of LED enhanced sign," Potts said.
Union County Judge Larry Joe Jenkins requested the field safety review following a fatal accident at the intersection October 6. The Kentucky Department of Highways routinely conducts accident analysis reviews to determine the need for additional traffic control devices.
Following approval, Potts says the department will proceed with the installation of the new traffic control devices. Work on some of the changes could start by the end of the week, weather permitting.
