10-02-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Collecting speeds in this manner is typically done with a hand held radar unit, giving the operator the discretion of whether or not to include the vehicle’s speed based on actual observed free flow conditions. Only those vehicles traveling at free flow speeds are recorded and evaluated. This method of collecting speed data most closely matches that used to set speed limits. This type of analysis was reserved for this stage in the process due to the increased cost of collecting the data. From the collected data, the 85th Percentile Speed and the Pace will again be determined and evaluated. For a formal speed study, the City’s established threshold for a speeding problem is an 85th percentile speed equal to or greater than 33 miles per hour on a street posted at 30 miles per hour. If the street is deemed to have a speeding problem, the City will begin development of traffic calming alternatives to address the specific situation. Development / Implementation of Traffic Calming Measure(s): The City’s Traffic Calming Program has defined three standard objectives. These objectives will be included in all traffic calming measure alternatives in addition to any other traffic goals the neighborhood residents may want Staff to consider. These objectives will provide the City staff direction and a standard to measure the success of the calming measure. Staff will include the residents’ suggestions in the conceptual plans wherever feasible. If alternative solutions are presented, discussion of the positives and negatives of each alternative will be presented. Petition No. 2: Following the selection of a traffic calming measure(s), a second petition describing the proposed improvement will need to be signed by residents living in the affected area. In order for the improvement to proceed, 85 percent of the households in both the affected area and on the affected street need to sign the petition. Council Approval and Funding of Project: Upon the recommendation of City staff and approval by the City Council, the traffic calming device(s) will be installed. Funding allocated by the City Council will be based on the cost of the traffic calming device(s). Funding sources may consist of: • Inclusion in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) • Special request from the City Council • Assessment process Nine Month Review: Following the installation of the traffic calming device(s), an evaluation will be conducted for up to nine months to measure its effectiveness and to determine if the objectives were met. The evaluation will be based on the following criteria: • Speed data will be collected to determine if overall traffic speeds were reduced. • A review of the accident history will be conducted to identify any adverse impacts the traffic calming devices may have caused. By slowing traffic, eliminating conflicting movements, and sharpening driver attention, installation of traffic calming devices may reduce the number of accidents.