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AGENDA ITEM # 8 D
DECEMBER 11, 2006
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STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Speed Bump Follow Up
DATE: November 30, 2006
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
At the November 13, 2006 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission discussed a
petition from the Selva Linkside I Homeowners Association relative to adding speed
humps to Linkside Drive. The Police Department expressed opposition to this, and
several questions and alternatives were raised by Commissioner for further discussion.
Question: Are there nationally recognized professional standards relative to the
installation of speed bumps/humps?
Answer: No.
~* The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the most common
reference for traffic control devices, and it does not recognize speed bumps/humps as
traffic control devices. Speed bumps/humps are considered to be geographic roadway
~' features. There was a Florida court case (Circuit Court of Sarasota County, Florida)
where a judge required the removal of speed bumps because they were not recognized as
traffic control devices under the MUTCD.
Research 'showed that many cities adopt their own standards for evaluating the need for
speed bumps/humps, and they vary greatly. Most cities rely on the same basic factors to
~"' evaluate a roadway before speed bumps/humps are considered:
Numbers of vehicles: This varies greatly. Minimums range from 50 vehicles per
day, to 1,200 per day;
Review bf Speeds: This varies greatly from one government to the other. 85th
Percentile speeds above the speed limit by at least 10 MPH, or above a specific speed
i.e. 30 MPH are common standards;
Crash Data: Showing a high incidence of correctable traffic crashes or speed related
crashes;
Available sidewalks;
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AGENDA ITEM # 8 D
DECEMBER 11, 2006
Specific Pedestrian Generators: i.e. schools, public parks, bus stops, shops, bicycle
routes, etc.
75% Approval from local residents in the area of the proposed sites.
The use of these "standards" prevents the azbitrary installation of speed bumps. For
example, in Atlanta, 436 requests were received for speed bumps/humps, and only 16
sites were approved.
Linkside Drive Statistical Data:
Based on the factors above, Linkside Drive does not warrant the installation of speed
bumps/humps. The speeding is not excessive and the crash data does not demonstrate the
need for speed bumps/humps. Over the past two yeazs, there has been 1 crash on
Linkside Drive, with no injuries and no evidence that speed was a factor. Although there
are no sidewalks, there aze no specific features creating unusual or unique hazards for
pedestrians.
Atlantic Beach Standards:
Section 19-6 of the City of Atlantic Beach code states that:
Sec. 19-6. Traffic calming devices.
The city commission shall take no action on the installation of any traffic calming
devices, such as speed bumps or stop signs, unless:
(1) The police department, or such other person as directed by the director of public
safety, has conducted proper research and declared the area where such devices are
requested to be installed a "traffic safety hazard area"; and
(2) The installation of such devices is expected to correct the situation in said area.
(Ord. No. 75-03-15, § 1, 6-9-03)
Editor's note: Ord. No. 75-03-15, § 1, adopted June 9, 2003, enacted provisions
intended for use as § 19-$. As § 19-5 was already in use at the time of codification, these
provisions have been codified herein as a new § 19-6.
The Police Department in Atlantic Beach has reviewed many requests for speed
bumps/humps in the past. The Police Department has conducted traffic studies, public
awareness, and speed enforcement activities to address azeas where speeding is a
problem. Inmost cases, the speeding problems can be adequately addressed without the
need for speed bumps/humps.
In some extreme cases, the Police Department has recommended speed bumps/humps to
address traffic problems. For example, speed bumps/rumble strips were recommended
by the police department on Royal Palms Drive approaching Plaza Drive. At one time,
there had been a total of 27 traffic crashes at that location over a period of 9 years. Most
of the crashes involved vehicles striking barricades, fences, cars, or the house across from
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AGENDA ITEM # 8 D
DECEMBER 11, 2006
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that location on Plaza. Despite law enforcement efforts, the crashes continued. When the
rumble strips were installed, the crashes were greatly reduced.
Is the number of vehicles traveling on Linkside Drive excessive?
At the November 13, 2006 City Commission Meeting, the Police Department noted an
average of approximately 900 vehicles per day on Linkside Drive traveling at an average
~„ speed of 21 MPH. This amounts to 38 vehicles per hour. Based on the percentage of
' vehicles speeding 30 MPH or above, this would amount to 1 speeding car every 2 hours.
The question emerged as to whether or not 900 vehicles per day was excessive for this
roadway. The following data is provided relative to speed studies conducted on other
city streets for comparison purposes:
Average Vehicles per Hour on Other Roadways:
300 Block of Seminole Road 242 Vehicles per hour
300 Block of Eastcoast Drive 212 Vehicles per hour
400 Block of Sherry Drive 174 Vehicles per hour
Levy Road 158 Vehicles per hour
400 Block of Ocean 110 vehicles per hour
~* 1200 Block of Beach Ave in August 66 Vehicles per hour
West 9th Street 58 Vehicles per hour
Linkside Drive
1000 Block of Rose St
38 Vehicles per hour
26 Vehicles per hour
Donner Road
25 Vehicles per hour
Sargo Road 25 Vehicles per hour
~'" 1200 Block of Main St 23 Vehicles per hour
400 Block of 20th Street 21 Vehicles per hour
1800 Block of Ocean Grove 3 Vehicles per hour
~" There are 161 Houses in Selva Linkside I and II. If they average 1.5 vehicles per
household, and they make 4 Trips/day, then they would generate 966 Vehicles per day or
40 vehicles per hour.
AGENDA ITEM[ ~ 8 D
DECEMBER l 1, 2006
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Based on these comparisons, the amount of traffic on Linkside Drive does not appear to
be excessive.
Summary: There is some inherent risk on all roadways that carry vehicular traffic.
However, unless there are features of the roadway or there is historical data that "~
demonstrates an elevated risk, the installation of speed bumps/humps is not warranted. In
this case, speed bumpslhumps are not necessary or desirable.
BUDGET: None
RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff does not recommend the installation of speed
bumps/humps on Linkside Drive.
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
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