Exh 9BAGENDA ITEM 9B
MARCH 25, 2002
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Speed Limit Recommendation on Mayport Road
DATE: March 18, 2002
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
The City Commission requested a recommendation from the Police Department relative
to the speed limit on Mayport Road. The purpose of this staffreport is to provide the
recommendation for the speed limit, and to provide some historical and statistical
information for review.
Historically, Mayport Road has been the most dangerous street in the City of Atlantic
Beach for many years. In the past when statistics were compiled, staff found that
approximately 1/2 of all traffic crashes, more than 1/2 of the crashes with injuries, and
more than 1/2 of the crashes resulting in fatalities occurred on Mayport Road. For this
report, the police department did not cornpile numerous years of data because of the time
that would necessary to do so (the data is not automated or it is not timely), the fact that
FDOT already has many years of data, and because there is no reason to believe that the
numbers have changed from previous yeazs. However, 2001 statistics were reviewed to
provide up-to-date information.
For the year 2001, there were 165 traffic crashes on Mayport Road including 120 during
daytime hours, and 45 at night. Of these crashes, 4 involved pedestrians, 6 were on
bicycles, and 9 were on motorcycles. It is evident to the police and to the public that
Mayport Road is a frequent location for vehicle crashes. While a lower speed limit will
not eliminate crashes, it certainly has the potential to prevent injuries and fatalities which
aze correlated with increased speeds.
The speed limit on Mayport Road was 35 miles per hour for many yeazs. At that time,
there were raised, landscaped medians dividing the northbound and southbound traffic
lanes, and there were only two lanes of traffic in either direction. FDOT eliminated the
raised medians, added an additional travel lanes in either direction, and added a middle
tum lane. At that time, they also raised the speed limit to 45 miles per hour. The Atlantic
Beach Police Department voiced their objections, but the speed limit remains at 45 miles
per hour.
The roadway has been designated for many yeazs by FDOT at a failure rate relative to the
volume oftraffic and the design ofthe roadway. The volume aftraflxc remains high,
and the opening of the flyover may improve traffic flow, but it may also increase
vehicular speeds.
AGENDA ITEM 9B
MARC$ 25, 2002
There are numerous businesses throughout the Mayport corridor, which require motorists
to slow due to ingress and egress. The frequent variations in speeds often result in traffic
crashes. A lower speed limit may help to reduce some of these accidents.
Pedestrians must cross the roadway without the protection of walkovers or raised
medians, and visibility problems with 7 lanes oftraffic aze frequently the cause of
crashes.
A number of citizens and citizen groups have expressed their concerns for the safety of
vehicular, pedestrian, and cycling traffic on Mayport Road.
In summary, the history of the roadway, the high number of traffic crashes, the nature and
number ofthe businesses along the roadway, and the public concern for improving safety
combine to justify the recommendation for reducing the speed limit on Mayport Road.
BUDGET: The recommendation wiA not have any direct impact on the Atlantic Beach
budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To notify the FDOT of its recommendation to lower the
speed Iimit on Mayport Road in Atlantic Beach to 35 miles per hour.
ATTACHMENTS
REVIEWED BY CITY
ITEM NUMBER: