Stop sign with traffic control features

A system for controlling traffic at an intersection, said system comprising:

• a number of traffic control devices, each associated with one of a number of stop areas of said intersection and comprising:
• a stop sign;
• a traffic signaling device configured to selectively provide a wait and a proceed signal;
• a vehicle detection device configured to monitor a first area forward or adjacent to the stop sign;
• a cross-traffic vehicle detection device configured to monitor a second area rearward of the stop sign;
• and
• a controller in electronic communication with the traffic signaling device, the vehicle detection device, and the cross-traffic vehicle detection device, wherein said controller is configured to:
• cause said traffic signaling device to normally provide the wait signal;
• receive data from the vehicle detection device indicating a presence of non-presences of one or more vehicles within the first area;
• following receipt of data indicating at least one vehicle within the first area, cause the cross-traffic vehicle detection device to check the second area for a presence or non-presence of one or more vehicles;
• following receipt of data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating the non-presence of any vehicles within the second area, command the traffic signaling device to temporarily provide the proceed signal instead of the wait signal;
• each of said number of traffic control devices comprise a timing device;
• said controller is configured to electronically record an arrival time determined by said timing device following receipt of the data from the vehicle detection device indicating the vehicle within the first area;
• and
• said controller is configured to electronically transmit said arrival time to a command center remote from, but in electronic communication with, each of the number of traffic control devices;
• said command center is configured to:
• electronically receive said arrival times from said number of traffic control devices;
• determine an earliest one of said received arrival times;
• and
• command a respective one of said number of traffic control devices from which said earliest one of said received arrival times is received to temporarily set said traffic signaling device to proceed.

A method for controlling traffic at an intersection, said method comprising the steps of:

• commanding a traffic signaling device associated with a stop sign and associated with a stop area of the intersection to provide a wait signal;
• electronically receiving data from a vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a vehicle within a first area forward of the stop sign;
• electronically receiving data from a cross-traffic vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a presence of one or more vehicles within a second area rearward of the stop sign;
• commanding the traffic signaling device to continue providing the wait signal;
• electronically receiving data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device indicating a non-presence of any vehicles within the second area;
• and
• commanding the traffic signaling device to temporarily provide a proceed signal;
• electronically receiving data from the vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a second vehicle within the first area forward of the stop sign;
• electronically receiving data from the cross-traffic vehicle detection device associated with the stop sign indicating a presence of a third vehicle within the second area rearward of the stop sign;
• commanding the traffic signaling device to provide the wait signal;
• electronically receiving data from a vehicle control system of the second vehicle indicating movement or intended movement of the second vehicle;
• and
• electronically commanding, by way of the vehicle control system of the second vehicle, to cease movement or not permit movement of the second vehicle.