Michael Roeder

I present this page as an example of how to get your city government to work for you.

Michael Roeder
San Francisco, CA

October 18, 2002

Traffic Engineering Division
25 Van Ness Ave.
Suite 345
San Francisco, CA 94102

Introduction

I would like to request that the City of San Francisco install a Stop Sign on Eastbound Joost Ave. at the corner of Gennessee St.

In this letter I present information about myself, the present traffic control signs at this intersection, the problems commonly seen at this intersection, and various proposed solutions.

About Myself

I have lived on Gennessee Street for two years now. I have heard and seen a number of accidents, and been involved in a few close calls.

The Intersection: Gennessee and Joost

The intersection of Gennessee St. and Joost Ave. is one block north of Monterey Boulevard. The intersection of Monterey Boulevard and Gennessee St. has a traffic light. The section of Gennessee St. between Monterey Blvd. and Joost Ave. is one way northbound, away from Monterey Blvd. into the intersection in question. The section of Joost Ave. east of the intersection is one way eastbound, away from the intersection in question. As you can see in the pictures that follow, there are no Stop or Yield signs at the intersection.

View North up Gennessee St.:

Traffic control signs are "Two Way Traffic Ahead" and  "One Way" to the right into Joost St. eastbound. Notice the limited visiblity to the left.

View South down Gennessee St.:

There are two "Do No Enter" signs for Gennessee St. southbound (straight ahead) and a "One Way" sign for Joost St. to the left, eastbound.

View East down Joost:

There is only one traffic control sign here: "No Right Turn" into Gennessee St. Notice the limited visibility to the right.

View West up Joost:

Since this view is against traffic, there are no traffic control signs here.

Site Map

Problems at this Intersection

1. Drivers coming up Gennessee and down Joost cannot see each other and neither one has a Stop or Yield sign. As a result, there are frequent collisions and near-misses.

From my vatange on Gennessee, I frequently hear and sometimes see these accidents. My neighbors and I make a point of slowing down when approaching this intersection. However, the three restaurants at the corner of Monterey Ave. and Gennessee St. generate a lot of traffic: people not familiar with the neighborhood look for places to park their cars and cross this intersection without knowing the danger.

In the two years that I have lived here, this intersection has seen at least half a dozen fender-benders. These accidents must represent thousands of dollars in repair costs to San Franicsco taxpayers. Moreover, a number of these result in hit-and-run violations. (At dinner I sometimes hear a crash followed by the sound of cars driving away quickly. Unfortunately, there's no way to get license plate information fast enough.)

2. The 500 block of Gennessee St. is fairly narrow, and traffic coming down that street (southbound) must sometimes contend with traffic coming from the west on Joost and from the south on Gennessee. That traffic must turn left or right; it cannot go straight ahead.

Possible Solutions

1. 1. Stop sign at Joost. This would make eastbound traffic stop and check for traffic before crossing the intersection, but allow northbound traffic from Gennessee to continue without hindrance. There might still be minor contention between that traffic and cars already on Gennessee southbound or Joost eastbound on these narrow streets.
2. 2. Stop sign at Gennessee northbound. This would make northbound traffic stop and check for traffic. This may unduly hinder traffic coming from Gennesee, and there would still be contention between traffic on Gennessee southbound and Joost eastbound, which could be problematic for there is limited visibility here for traffic that isn't slowing down or stopping.
3. 3. Stop signs at Joost and Gennessee northbound. This would solve all traffic contention problems, but be inconsistent with other intersections. There would be confusion over who had to stop and who didn't. Not recommended.
4. 4. Stop signs on Gennessee in both directions. This would be consistent with other intersections. However, I believe there is more traffic coming up and down Gennessee than down Joost. This may unduly hinder traffic coming from Gennesee.
5. 5. Stop signs at all three feeder streets. This would be consistent with other intersections, but it may be overkill.
6. 6. Yield sign at Joost or Gennessee northbound. If people actually knew what they were supposed to do at Yield signs, this might have some hope of working. But people treat Stop signs as Yield signs and seem to ignore Yield signs entirely, so this would not work. Not recommended.

My first recommendation would be option #1, a stop sign on Joost. My second recommendation would be stop signs all around.

Conclusion

I hope this report and recommendation is useful to you. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Michael Roeder

After a few months I received a letter from the city government. They appreciated the thoroughness of my report. A few weeks later they installed three stop signs (Gennessee in both directions and Joost Eastbound) and painted limit lines.

The result is a peaceful and safe intersection. I have heard no more crashes and squealing tires since.