Federal Highway Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

Refer to: HOTO-1

Mr. Michael J. Spielmann
Office of Traffic Engineering, MS 725, 2nd Floor
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899

Dear Mr. Spielmann:

This is in response to your April 2 letter requesting statewide approval to install the experimental "Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk" sign.

We are denying your request for statewide approval because the sign is still experimental. Until such time that a device is included in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the requirements of Section 1A.10 Interpretations, Experimentations, and Changes must be followed.

This summer the Federal Highway Administration will be submitting a Notice of Amendment for changes to the Manual. We plan to include this sign for comment. However, you should be aware that many traffic and safety experts have concerns with installing traffic signs along the centerline of roadways. There is fear that this sign could block a driver’s view of a short pedestrian or that the sign may be struck and knocked into a pedestrian. They also question whether devices, such as the "Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks" sign should be installed at signalized and STOP controlled approaches to intersections as your picture indicates. Based on the comments received, the proposed sign may or may not be adopted. If the sign were not to be adopted, existing signs would have to be removed.

If your have any question, please contact Mr. Ernie Huckaby at 202-366-9064.

Sincerely yours,

Shelley J. Row, P.E.
Director, Office of Transportation
Operations