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
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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: