City of Melrose, MA Article IV Traffic Signs, Signals, Markings and Zones

§ 220-44 Erection and maintenance of traffic signs and signals; when required.

A. The Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works is hereby authorized and, as to those signs and signals required hereunder, it shall be his/her duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained all official traffic signs, signals, markings and safety zones. All signs, signals, markings and safety zones must conform to the standards prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the commonwealth.

B. Sections 220-51 to 220-60 and 220-94, relating to parking, §§ 220-17 and 220-18, relating to heavy commercial vehicles, §§ 220-29 and 220-30, relating to turning movements, and § 220-41, relating to one-way streets, shall be effective only during such times as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and maintained in each block designating the provisions of such sections and located so as to be easily visible to approaching drivers.

C. Sections relating to one-way streets and bus stops shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient number of official signs are erected and maintained at each of the exits for such one-way street and at either end of such bus stop so that at least one sign will be clearly visible for a distance of at least 75 feet to drivers approaching such exit or bus stop.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-14; Ord. No. 20326, 12-3-1979; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-91)

§ 220-45 Traffic control signals.

Colors and arrow indications in traffic control signals shall have the commands ascribed to them in this section and no other meanings, and every driver of a vehicle, railway car or other conveyance shall comply therewith, except when otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful traffic regulating sign (other than a stop sign), signal or device or except as provided in § 220-39. In no case shall a driver enter or proceed through an intersection without due regard to the safety of other persons within the intersection, regardless of what indications may be given by traffic control signals.

A. Green. While the green lens is illuminated, drivers facing the signal may proceed through the intersection but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully within a crosswalk or the intersection at the time such a signal was exhibited. Drivers of vehicles making a right turn or left turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing with the flow of traffic.

B. Right, left and vertical green arrows. When a right green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing such signal may turn right. When a left green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing such signal may turn left. When a vertical green arrow is illuminated, drivers facing such signal may go straight ahead. When a green arrow is exhibited, together with a red or yellow lens, drivers may enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by the arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians proceeding from another direction on a green indication.

C. Yellow. While the yellow lens is illuminated, waiting drivers shall not proceed and any driver approaching the intersection or a marked stop line shall stop at such point unless so close to the intersection that a stop cannot be made in safety; provided, however, that if a green arrow is illuminated at the same time, drivers may enter the intersection to make the movement permitted by the arrow.

D. Red. Traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line or, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, except as allowed by MGL c. 89, § 8. No driver of a vehicle facing a circular red signal indication shall make a right turn where official traffic signs are installed and maintained prohibiting such turn at the following intersections:

(1) Lebanon Street and Upham Street:

(a) Upham Street westbound to Lebanon Street northbound.

(b) Upham Street eastbound to Lebanon Street southbound.

(c) Lebanon Street northbound to Upham Street eastbound.

(d) Lebanon Street southbound to Upham Street westbound.

(2) Lebanon Street and Grove Street:

(a) Grove Street westbound to Lebanon Street northbound.

(b) Grove Street eastbound to Lebanon Street southbound.

(c) Lebanon Street northbound to Grove Street eastbound.

(d) Lebanon Street southbound to Grove Street westbound.

(3) Lebanon Street and Porter Street:

(a) Lebanon Street northbound to Porter Street eastbound.

(4) Lebanon Street and Foster Street, East.

(5) Lebanon Street at Forest Street:

(a) Lebanon Street southeastbound to Forest Street southbound.

(b) Lebanon Street northwestbound to Forest Street northbound.

(c) Forest Street southbound to Lebanon Street northwestbound.

(d) Forest Street northbound to Lebanon Street southeastbound.

(6) Main Street and Emerson Street, East and West:

(a) Emerson Street, East, westbound to Main Street northbound.

(b) Emerson Street, West, eastbound to Main Street southbound.

(c) Main Street northbound to Emerson Street, East, eastbound.

(d) Main Street southbound to Emerson Street, West, westbound.

(7) Main Street and Foster Street, East and West:

(a) Foster Street, East, westbound to Main Street northbound.

(b) Foster Street, West, eastbound to Main Street southbound.

(c) Main Street northbound to Foster Street, East, eastbound.

(d) Main Street southbound to Foster Street, West, westbound.

(8) Main Street and Franklin Street:

(a) Franklin Street eastbound to Main Street southbound.

(b) Main Street southbound to Franklin Street westbound.

(9) Main Street and Green Street:

(a) Green Street westbound to Main Street northbound.

(b) Main Street northbound to Green Street eastbound.

(c) Green Street southwestbound to Main Street northbound.

(10) Main Street and Grove Street:

(a) Grove Street eastbound to Main Street southbound.

(b) Main Street northbound to Grove Street eastbound.

(c) Main Street southbound to Grove Street westbound.

(11) Main Street and Lebanon Street:

(a) Main Street northbound to Lebanon Street southbound.

(12) Main Street and Upham Street:

(a) Upham Street westbound to Main Street northbound.

(b) Main Street northbound to Upham Street eastbound.

(13) Main Street and Essex Street:

(a) Main Street southbound to Essex Street westbound.

(14) Main Street and Wyoming Avenue, East and West:

(a) Wyoming Avenue, East, westbound to Main Street northbound.

(b) Wyoming Avenue, West, eastbound to Main Street southbound.

(c) Main Street northbound to Wyoming Avenue, East, eastbound.

(d) Main Street southbound to Wyoming Avenue, West, westbound.

E. Red and yellow. While the red and yellow lenses are illuminated together, drivers shall not enter the intersection, and during such time the intersection shall be reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians.

F. Flashing red. A flashing red lens shall indicate those intersections at which a driver is required by law to stop before entering.

G. Flashing yellow. A flashing yellow lens shall indicate the presence of a hazard, and drivers may proceed only with caution.

H. Flashing green. A flashing green lens shall indicate an intersection or pedestrian crosswalk in use or subject to use by entering or crossing traffic. Drivers may proceed only with caution and shall be prepared to comply with a change in the signal to a red or yellow indication.

I. All new traffic lights in the City of Melrose are to be equipped with audible signals.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-15; Ord. No. 20471, 6-16-1980; Ord. No. 20471A, 3-2-1981; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-92; 8-18-1999; 4-19-2000; 5-17-2000; 6-14-2000; Ord. No. TC 07-009, 5-23-2007)

§ 220-46 Display of unauthorized signs, signals and markings.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place or maintain or to display upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal or marking which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic sign, signal or marking or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign or signal. The Chief of the Police Department is hereby empowered to remove every such prohibited sign, signal or marking or cause it to be removed without notice.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-16; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-93)

§ 220-47 Interference with signs, signals and markings.

Any person who willfully defaces, injures, moves, obstructs or interferes with any official traffic sign, signal or marking shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding $20 for each and every offense.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-17; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-94)

§ 220-48 Location of bus stops and taxicab stands.

The location of all bus stops and taxicab stands shall be specified by the Traffic Commission, and, in the case of each, the Traffic Commission shall designate who may use them as such, provided that no portion of a roadway shall be designated as a taxicab stand under this section until the owner and tenant occupant of the premises abutting thereon shall have filed with the Traffic Commission written statement assenting thereto.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-18; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-95)

§ 220-49 Obedience to traffic signs and signals.

No driver of any vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic control signal, sign, marking, marker or legend, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(Rev. Ords. 1976, § 12-19; Rev. Ords. 1989, § 10-96)