We have a meeting each month where we take a break from our work and practice brainstorming about ways to improve everyday items. We thought an appropriate name for this meeting was "Build a better mousetrap," but as it invariably happens to long titles, we shortened it to "Mousetrap."

This Month's Challenging Topic: Build a Better Four Way Stop

Tribester Responses

Place sensors within the street that mark when a car has arrived at the intersection. The same sensors should be placed in cross walks and bike lanes to account for pedestrians and bicycle riders. The sensor is tied to the stop sign and displays a stop signal giving go priority to whoever came to the intersection first.
-- Tony Passero

Adding sensors to detect who has right away is a good idea. Perhaps these would also have a timing component which would ensure a vehicle stopped completely for the required amount of time. The stop signs could have a small single signal light at the top which would signal green when all parameters have been met.
-- Joe Kaput

I think the timing problems found at most four way stops are usually due to people being inconsiderate and impatient. I also think that automobile drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are all equally to blame for the confusion found at these intersections. I'd like to see signs posted at intersections that say 'Work Together, Take Your Turn' and feature car, bike and pedestrian icons. Maybe then a pedestrian will let a car go first in order to preserve the overall flow at the intersection or a bicyclist will stop at the stop sign so as not to intimidate a pedestrian or a car will make sure to not stop in the crossing lane. By being considerate we'd probably all get where we're going just as fast.
-- Andy Owens