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Exh 3BAGENDA ITEM #3B JANUARY 2h, ?004 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Traffic Calming for 300 Block of Plaza Drive DATE: Januazy 19, 2004 iltii SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompso , Chief of Police/DPS BACKGROUND: During the Core City Project, the 300 Block of Plaza Drive was repaved, and the speed bumps on the roadway were removed. When the paving was completed, the issue was raised as to whether or not the speed bumps should be replaced. A speed study was conducted to assess the level of speeding in the 300 block of Plaza Drive, and it was determined that the incidence of speeding remains high (close to 10%). This is consistent with historical information relative to speeding on this roadway. A review of the traffic crash data, on the same roadway, indicates that crashes are very raze. However, this may also be a consequence of the fact that the 300 block of Plaza Drive has had speed bumps for many yeazs. We do not have several yeazs of recent data, without speed bumps, with which we can make comparisons. The 300 block of Plaza Drive is unique in its chazacter. It has a public pazk separating the east and west bound lanes of traffic, and the traffic lanes are very wide. The residential lots aze small, and the residents along Plaza Drive have very limited parking and they typically use the roadway for parking vehicles. These chazacteristics of the roadway and neighborhood tend to increase vehiculaz speeds, while encouraging pedestrians to compete with the moving vehicles. This combination creates a perception of endangerment for those who live on Plaza Drive. At the January 12, 2004 City Commission Meeting, a traffic engineering firm discussed the roadway and the concept of traffic calming. It was recognized that although the number of crashes on Plaza Drive are very rare, there is a dramatic relationship between the speeds of vehicles and the fatality rate of pedestrians struck by vehicles. Elevated speeds aze cause for concern, especially when pedestrians aze involved. Traffic calming is a cost effective way to lower speeds and improve safety on a roadway. This may be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms, as discussed at the January 12, 2004 City Commission Meeting. Improvements can be achieved by altering the path of the street, and by adding mazkings and landscaping to the azea. It can also be accomplished with the installation of "speed humps." AGENDA ITEM #3B JANUARY 26, 2004 Speed humps are designed with a 6' gradual incline, a 10' flat top, and a 6' gradual decline. These mechanisms provide a comfortable crossing at low speeds, and they will accommodate bicycles without too much distress and disruption. The flat top surface may also be used as "pedestrian crossings." If the City Commission is inclined to install speed humps in the 300 block of Plaza Drive, then the Police Department recommends two (2) in the east bound lane, and two (2) in the west bound lane of traffic. Note: The installation of speed humps and speed bumps typically have unintended consequences, and they can be very disruptive and counterproductive in a community. For this reason, their use should be very limited. The fact that they are effective at one location, does not mean that their use should be promoted throughout the community. They should be used very sparingly, at locations with unique characteristics. BUDGET: Speed Humps: Approximate cost: $1,500 RECOMMENDATIONS: To provide guidance and approval for traffic calming in the 300 block of Plaza Drive ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report Dated November 11, 2003 Staff Report Dated December 16, 2003 REVIEWED BY CITY ITEM NUMBER: AGENDA ITEM[#3B JANUARY 26, 2004 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Report on Traffic Calming DATE: December 16, 2003 SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS BACKGROUND: At the November 24, 2003 City Commission meeting, questions were asked relative to measures that might be considered to address the speeding traffic in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. Some of the Commissioners expressed concern with installing speed bumps, and the City Commission directed the Police Department to bring back other options and alternatives for consideration. The expertise in the Police Department is somewhat limited in this area. Although staff members are familiar with the concepts and principles of Traffic Calming, the Police Department does not have anyone on staff that has the expertise of a traffic engineer. However, through the efforts and contacts of Public Works Director Bob Kosoy, an engineering fnm with traffic expertise has offered to provide a report to the City Commission, at no cost, relative to traffic calming options in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. Volkirt & Associates is planning to present a report at the January 12, 2004 City Commission to discuss Traffic Calming options for Plaza Drive. Relative to enforcement issues, it is significant to recognize that additional police enforcement is an option for reducing speeding on Plaza Drive. However, it is also important to recognize that the Police Department i5 currently training a number of new officers, and the manpower does not exist to dedicate traffic officers on this roadway for an extended period of time. Additionally, the only way that enforcement will bring the speeds down and keep the speeds down, is with frequent, ongoing speed enforcement. With other competing demands for policing services, and considering the costs of such services, Traffic Calming strategies will probably be more cost effective than simply writing traffic citations. For information about Traffic Calming, we recommend reviewing website: httn: //www. trafficcalmin e. ore/ BUDGET: NONE RECOMMENDATIONS: NONE ATTACHMENTS: NONE REVIEWED BY CITY AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: AGENDA ITEbt #3B JANUARY 26, 2004 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Plaza Speed Bump Evaluation DATE: November 11, 2003 SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS BACKGROUND: On October 13, 2003, the Police Department submitted a report relative to the request to re-install speed bumps in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. At that time, the data from the traffic study at that location was interpreted based on a 25 MPH speed limit for that roadway. The subsequent statistical results did not appeaz to indicate a significant problem with speeding. However, the preliminary data analysis was flawed due to the fact that the speed limit in the 300 block of Plaza Drive is 20 MPH. Due to the nature of the roadway, including the residential housing and the parking on roadway, 20 MPH appeazs to be a reasonable speed limit. When the data from the speed study was corrected and revised, the analysis indicated that there was a significant incidence of speeding in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. Many yeazs ago, before the installation of the speed bumps, officers n,nning radar found significant speeding problems along this roadway. Even after the assignment of police traffic units, speeding problems continued to be a problem. With the speed bumps in place, the traffic crash data has remained very low for this section of roadway. Although the Police Department does not usually endorse the installation of speed bumps, there aze exceptional circumstances that sometime azise. After considering the history of speeding problems on this roadway, and recognizing that vehicle crashes and injuries have remained very low while the speed bumps were in place, the police department approves of the re-installation of speed bumps in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. BUDGET: The cost of the speed bumps is estimated at $1,600. RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve the re-installation of speed bumps in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. ATTACHMENTS: REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: