Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can request a stop sign, but it must meet certain conditions and be evaluated against national standards. According to the 2009 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Section 2B.05:

"The use of STOP signs on the minor-street approaches should be considered if engineering judgment indicates that a stop is always required because of one or more of the following conditions:

1. The vehicular traffic volumes on the through street or highway exceed 6,000 vehicles per day;
2. A restricted view exists that requires road users to stop in order to adequately observe conflicting traffic on the through street or highway; and/or
3. Crash records indicate that three or more crashes that are susceptible to correction by the installation of a STOP sign have been reported within a 12-month period, or that five or more such crashes have been reported within a 2-year period. Such crashes include right-angle collisions involving road users on the minor-street approach failing to yield the right-of-way to traffic on the through street or highway."

Truck exclusions are regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and must follow both the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Massachusetts Amendments to the MUTCD.

To receive approval:

• A suitable alternate route must be available, wide and strong enough to carry the trucks.
• The alternate route must either:
  • Stay entirely within the same community,
  • Use a State Highway, or
  • Pass into a neighboring community with that community’s written approval.

Important: Numbered routes (like Route 9 or Route 20) cannot be restricted.

When is a truck exclusion justified?

MassDOT requires an engineering study, which may show that:

• Heavy truck volumes (typically 5–8% of traffic) are reducing safety or capacity, or
• The street’s pavement is deteriorating and cannot handle repeated heavy loads.

In some cases, nighttime-only exclusions may be approved in residential neighborhoods.

Exceptions

Even if approved, truck exclusions do not apply to:

• Deliveries or collections to properties on the street,
• Construction or utility vehicles, or
• Public service and emergency vehicles.

Definition of a “heavy commercial vehicle”

MassDOT defines it as any truck weighing 10,000 pounds or more gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (updated from the previous 5,000 lbs threshold to match current practice). This typically includes large box trucks, tractor-trailers, and similar vehicles—not standard pickup trucks.

Information the Town must provide to MassDOT

• 24-hour traffic counts (including truck counts by size),
• A map showing the street and the alternate route,
• Street conditions (width, pavement type, sidewalks),
• Land use and zoning along the street,
• Crash history,
• Proposed hours of exclusion, and
• A statement explaining the need, along with the Town’s agreement to install and maintain the signs.