Do Not Block Intersection Sign Design Guidelines

City Guidelines Regarding the Installation of “Do Not Block Intersection” (R10-7) or “Do Not Block Driveway” Signs
Traffic Services Division of the Department of Public Works

Governing Document Reference:

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 2009 or latest edition and the Overland Park Municipal Code (OPMC), Title 12 – Traffic, Chapter 12.04.

MUTCD Requirements:

The “Do Not Block Intersection” (R10-7) sign, by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), may be installed for avoidance of traffic obstructions.

City of Overland Park Guidelines for Installation:

Appropriate Sign Installation Locations:

1. On the major street at multi-way stop or signal controlled intersections where traffic queues tend to back up through the intersection from an adjacent downstream signal or stop controlled intersection. (Example: Southbound Antioch at 85th Street. From the intersection of Antioch Road and Santa Fe Drive, southbound Antioch Road traffic backs up through the intersection of 85th Street and Antioch Road.)
   
2. On a major two-lane, undivided street at a non-controlled or stop or yield sign controlled intersection where traffic queues back up from a multi-way or signal controlled intersection. (Example: Westbound 87th Street at Mackey. From the intersection of 87th Street and Antioch Road, westbound 87th Street traffic backs up through the intersection of 87th Street and Mackey.)

Inappropriate Sign Installation Locations:

1. On the major four-lane or six-lane, divided or undivided streets at a non-controlled or stop or yield controlled intersection where a traffic queue backs up from a multi-way or signal controlled intersection. (Example: Southbound Quivira Road at 105th Street.)
   
2. At any intersection where sight distance obstructions, either stationary or moving (vehicles) occur and would pose a problem for the side street vehicle.

Reasons for Not Installing Signs:

The City of Overland Park does not make it a standard practice of installing “Do Not Block Intersection” signs on multi-lane streets for several reasons:

1. The sign is difficult to enforce from a police standpoint.
2. Traffic flow can stop quickly and leave following vehicles in the middle of an intersection unintentionally. It is a greater safety issue to have the vehicle back up out of the intersection.
3. The sign also provides a false sense of security to the side street driver. Vehicles in the outside lane of the thoroughfare may stop short of the intersection to allow a driver to exit from the side street. However, there is no guarantee that a vehicle in the inside lane will stop. The stopped vehicle in the outside lane of the thoroughfare then becomes a sight distance obstruction to the side street vehicle, who may pull out across the thoroughfare lanes and become involved in a right angle accident.

The City of Overland Park does not install “Do Not Block Driveway” signs for entrances onto a public street from a private driveway. It is not a standard sign in the MUTCD.

Signing Standards:

The “Do Not Block Intersection” (R10-7) sign shall have a black legend and border, on a retro-reflectorized white background and be 24” x 30” in size.