This chapter is intended to ensure that all intersections, nonresidential driveways, and marked crosswalks shall have an unobstructed sight distance along any approach to an intersecting roadway or crosswalk. A vision clearance triangle shall be created sufficient to allow drivers to avoid vehicle conflicts for all approaching vehicles traveling at or less than the maximum speed limit.
(Ord. 10-86 § 1.11; Ord. 41-15 § 1; Ord. 59-17 § 1)
The required vision clearance triangle shall be a sight distance as specified in Table 12.11.020, Vision Clearance Triangle – Minimum Dimensions. The standard dimensions from the table shall be used unless a striped bike lane or legal on-street parking is present, in which case the alternate dimensions may be used. At signalized intersections, Dimensions B and C shall be as provided in Table 12.11.020, using the rows for right-turns only. The minimum standard in Table 12.11.020 may be increased or decreased by the public works director upon recommendation by the traffic engineer for locations where horizontal curvature along the main roadway is present such that a site-specific calculation is necessary to establish a safe sight distance. In these cases, the vision clearance triangle will be established based upon the guidelines in the 2011 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Edition of "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets," Chapter 9, with driver setbacks of 14.5 feet as well as driver and object heights of three and one-half feet each.
For marked crosswalks, available sight distance between an approaching vehicle and pedestrians at a crosswalk shall be required to be at least the stopping sight distance (SSD) for approaching vehicles as identified in Table 12.11.020 and measured from the back of sidewalk at the pedestrian ramp(s) to the drivers' eye position on the roadway approach.
Standard vision clearance triangles for roundabouts shall be defined by a line drawn from the back of sidewalk at the pedestrian ramp on the roundabout approach leg to the back of sidewalk at the pedestrian ramp on the immediate downstream departure leg which also encompasses the entire flat landing areas for the pedestrian ramps. Variances to increase or decrease the standard roundabout vision clearance triangle may be required or allowed by the public works director upon recommendation of the traffic engineer. Typically, these recommendations would be based on required stopping sight distance using guidelines established in the 2011 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Edition of "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets," Chapter 3, using a brake reaction time of 1.0 seconds since the driver should be in an alerted state due to entering a controlled intersection.
Table 12.11.020
Vision Clearance Triangle - Minimum Dimensions
MPH
Number of Thru Approach Lanes from the Left
Standard Vision Clearance Dimensions
Measured from Curb Line or Edge of Pavement
Alternate Vision Clearance Dimensions When Parking or Bike Lane Is Present
Measured from Curb Line or Edge of Pavement
Stopping Sight Distance (SSD)
A
B
C
A
B
C
25
Right-Turns Only
13
155
50
8
95
50
155
1
180
110
110
70
2
190
85
120
55
3
205
70
125
45
30
Right-Turns Only
13
185
50
8
115
50
200
1
215
135
135
85
2
230
105
145
65
3
245
85
155
55
35
Right-Turns Only
13
220
50
8
135
50
250
1
255
155
160
100
2
270
120
170
75
3
290
100
180
65
40
Right-Turns Only
13
250
50
8
155
50
305
1
295
180
180
110
2
315
140
195
85
3
335
115
205
75
45
Right-Turns Only
13
285
50
8
175
50
360
1
330
205
205
125
2
355
155
220
100
3
375
130
230
80
(Ord. 10-86 § 1.11; Ord. 41-15 § 1; Ord. 59-17 § 1)
Between a height of three feet and eight feet, as measured from the edge of the adjoining roadway (at the gutter line), a required vision clearance triangle shall be free of all structures, fences, vegetation, signs, retaining walls, cut slopes and any other sight obstructions. Legally parked vehicles, utility poles, streetlight poles, and traffic control devices shall not be considered sight obstructions in the vision clearance triangle. Additional objects 12 inches in diameter and smaller (including tree trunks and sign posts) may be allowed within sight distance areas if located individually or in combination so as not to substantially restrict the driver's view of approaching traffic or pedestrians. If there is vertical curvature on the primary roadway within 500 feet of the driveway or minor roadway, then the clearance heights may require adjustments based on an engineering evaluation. The public works director, upon recommendation of the traffic engineer, shall determine what objects, if any, are allowed within sight distance triangles and if any height modifications are required.
(Ord. 10-86 § 1.11; Ord. 41-15 § 1; Ord. 59-17 § 1)
The city may require an owner of property to remove any and all sight obstruction necessary to meet the required unobstructed sight distance as specified. In the event an owner of property refuses to remove the sight obstruction upon request, the city may remove the sight obstruction with city forces or by contract and bill the owner of the property for any and all expenses incurred. The city shall be under no obligation to reimburse the owners of said property for any loss or damage resulting from said removal.
(Ord. 10-86 § 1.11; Ord. 41-15 § 1; Ord. 59-17 § 1)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, no person may install, set out, or maintain any fence, hedge, shrubbery, natural growth, or other obstruction which impedes the view of a vehicle operator of any traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign. Traffic signals, stop signs, and yield signs must be completely and continuously visible from a point of nine feet from the right edge of the travel lane and at a minimum distance in advance of the traffic control devices listed in Table 12.11.050. If it is impractical to achieve the necessary sight distance in advance of a traffic control device, the public works director may consider alternative mitigations based upon recommendations by the traffic engineer.
Table 12.11.050
Sight Distances in Advance of Traffic Signals, Stop, and Yield Signs
Posted Speed Limit (mph)
Distance in Advance of Traffic Control Device (feet)
25
215
30
270
35
325
40
390
50
460
55
625
Other city-owned traffic signs, not including traffic signals, stop, or yield signs, must be completely and continuously visible from a point of nine feet from the right edge of the travel lane and at a minimum distance in advance of the signs of 100 feet.
(Ord. 59-17 § 1)
Any person who has violated any provision of this chapter shall have committed a civil infraction subject to a civil penalty as set forth in RMC § 10.02.050(E).
Provided, if the same violator has been found to have committed an infraction violation for the same or similar conduct two separate times, with the violations occurring at the same location and involving the same or similar sections of the Richland Municipal Code or other similar codes, the third or subsequent violation shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in RMC § 1.30.010 for criminal offenses.
(Ord. 10-86 § 1.11; Ord. 06-10 § 1.23; Ord. 41-15 § 1; Ord. 59-17 § 1; Formerly 12.11.050)