Exh 3DAGENDA ITEM 3D
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Speed Bumps in the 300 Block of Plaza
DATE: February 3, 2003
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
The 300 block of Plaza Road is being repaved as part of the Core City project. Several
residents living in that block have asked the City not to replace the speed bumps that
were located there in the past. Other residents have asked that the speed bumps be
replaced back to the same design as in the past. The plans for repaving the. street call for
three (3) speed "humps" on Eastbound and Westbound traffic lanes. Since there are
diverse opinions among interested parties, the City Commission asked the Police
Department to provide some information relative to the speed bumps in the 300 block of
Plaza Road.
History: In 1989-91, the Police Department received complaints of speeding vehicles in
the 300 block of Plaza Road. The Police Department did not have a computerized traffic
counter at that time, so they positioned police officers in unmarked cars, running radar on
the traffic at that location. Police officers recognized that there was no significant history
of traffic crashes at that location, but surprisingly, they determined that there was
significant speeding.
The 300 block of Plaza Road was a highly traveled roadway for people traveling to and
from Eastcoast Drive, Ocean Boulevard, and other areas near the oceanfront. The traffic
was also prone to travel well above the posted speed limit. Vehicles were clocked at
speeds well over 40 MPH. Both the frequency of speeding and the excessive speeds were
cause for concern.
The Police Department found that using marked patrol cazs was ineffective. The police
cazs were too visible to work in such a small area, and the motorists would see the police
cars running radar and slow down. The Police Department used unmazked cazs for radaz,
a,~ and the results were productive. Many citations were issued for speeding. However, that
type of speed enforcement is labor intensive, and it was not practical to continue it on a
long termed basis.
A request was submitted to the City Commission for speed strips in the 300 block of
Plaza Road. The Police Department advised the City Commission of the pitfalls of
~k- installing speed strips and bumps, but the Police Department did not oppose the
recommendation to install speed strips. Speed strips are typically much smaller than
speed bumps. They cause a rumbling sensation, but they don't damage cazs.
AGENDA ITENT 3D
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Speed strips were installed, and problems arose quickly. Some citizens wanted higher
speed bumps and some wanted lower speed bumps. Some wanted the speed bumps
removed, and others wanted to add more speed bumps. The speed strips were increased
in size, and several vehicles were damaged as a result. The speed bumps were eventually
lowered slightly, and they stayed in place until the Core City Project.
Citizens on neighboring streets complained of increased traffic, and they wanted speed
bumps installed on their streets. Neighbors complained of increased noise created by
vehicles driving over the speed bumps. Some motorists ran up onto curbs in an attempt
to get around the speed bumps. Some motorists increased their speeds between the speed
bumps, prompting requests for additional speed bumps.
Emergency vehicles learned to avoid driving through the 300 block of Plaza Road.
Police, Fire, and EMS vehicles sought other routes to their destinations so that they could
avoid the speed bumps.
In the final analysis, people adjusted to the speed bumps by making changes in their
driving patterns. Sometimes this resulted in a safer street. Sometimes it actually
increased the speeds on the street. Often, it affected neighboring streets.
Current Situation:
The Police Department has no up-to-date data on speeding in the 300 block of Plaza
Road. Traffic crashes in the 300 block of Plaza Road aze rare occurrences.
Motorists have adjusted their traffic and driving patterns, anticipating the speed bumps in
the 300 block of Plaza Road. The replacement of the speed bumps is not likely to cause
any new problems for motorists.
The proposal from the engineers on the Core City Project have designed speed "humps"
to be installed in the 300 block of Plaza Road. The speed "humps" aze much larger and
longer than speed "bumps", and we have seen them used effectively in other
communities. The "humps" have an incline up to a raised level surface 10 feet long, and
they have a decline on the other side that takes the vehicle back to grade for the roadway.
This "hump" is not neazly as jarring or irritating as a traditional speed bump. If a vehicle
slows down for the "hump", then the vehicle may actually have a smooth ride all the way
over the "hump."
If a vehicle hits a speed "hump" at or above the speed limit, the vehicle may be
significantly damaged. For this reason, it is necessary to provide signs and painted
markers to warn approaching motorists of the speed "hump."
AGENDA ITEM 3D
FEBRUARY lU, 2003
BUDGET: Unknown
RECOMMENDATIONS: None
The Police Department is unaware of any current crash data or speed data that would
necessitate speed "bumps" or speed "humps" for public safety in the 300 block of Plaza
Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes and Staff Report from August 12, 1991 City Commissi
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
AGENDAIITEM NUMBER:
AGENDA ITEM 3D
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
PAGE NINE
MINUTES
"~ AUGUST 12, 1991
Motion: Accept the bid of Tree darks of Jacksonville, in the
amount of #5,800.00 to furnish and plant forty palm
trees in the median on ,Atlantic Boulevard, said
price to include watering and one pear warrantq,
sub3ect to the Chamber of Camoterce providing at
least X4,800.00 of the cost
No discussion before the vote. The motion carried unanimously.
7. B.esolutions:
A. 8esolution No. 91-23
Mayor Gulliford presented in full, in writing, Resolution No.
91-23, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE CLERKS, DEPUTIES, AND INSPECTORS
FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH BIENNIAL ELECTION, AND SETTING THEIR
COMPENSATION
Motion: Approve passage of Resolution No. 91--23
No discussion before the vote. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Resolution No. 9i-24
~.
Mayor Gulliford presented in full, in writing, Resolution No.
91-24. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AUTHORIZING GLENN
E. COHEN, ESQUIRE, TO INITIATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN REGARD TO THE
CITY'S PURCHASE OF THE OAK HARBOR WATER AND SEWER TREATMENT PLANT,
TO RECOVER POSSIBLE DAMAGES SUFFERED BY THE CITY IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Motion: Approve passage of Resolution No. 91-24
In brief discussion, Commissioner Weldon inquired how Mr. Cohen had
been selected and Stephen Hou1d said Mr. Cohen was well known to
both him and Mr. Jensen and was an excellent litigator. 'The
question was called and the motion carried on a 4 - 1 vote with
Commissioner Edwards voting nay.
8. Few Business;
A. Discussion and related action regarding citq owned hones on
Francis Avenue
This item was acted upon earlier in the evening.
C. Discussion and related action regarding speed bumps on the 300
block of Plaza
Chief Thompson reported about two years ago the residents on the
~ 300 block of Plaza had requested stop signs in an effort to curb
speeding on that block. He reported there was an ongoing problem
with speeding in that block and even though the Police Department
NAME OF
COMMRS.
M
S V
Y V
N
COO1C Y
Eeiwards a z.
Tucker a
i~Ieldon g a
Gulliford a
Coak a a
Edwards a
Tacker a x
Weldon x
Gulliford g
Cook a
Edwards a
Tucker a a
iieldon a a
Gulliford a
AGENDA ITEM 3D
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
PAGE TEN
MINUTES
~~ AUGUST 12, 1991
had written several citations, the problem still existed. He
suggested the City Commission may wish to consider the request for
speed strips.
Megan Reily, 370. Plaza, said the high volume of commercial and
private vehicles using this block of Plaza made it hazardous to the
safety and welfare of children, joggers, etc. in the area. She
presented a diagram illustrating a suggested design for the speed
strips and indicating the areas where the residents had requested
the speed strips be placed. Michael Fogg, 366 Plaza, also
supported the request for speed strips and urged the City
Commission to grant their request. Mr. Fogg provided a copy of a
petition which had been presented the the Citiy Commission in 1989
requesting stop signs in the area.
Ziotion: Approve the request subject to approval of the
design of the speed strips by the the Police Chief
No further discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Discussion and related action regarding drainage problems:
(1) Drainage on Third Street
,~..Mr. Kosoy reported the Public Works Department had discovered a
clogged drainage line. This had been cleared and drainage in the
area had significantly improved.
(2) Jerome Sternberg, 1244 Linkside Drive
Mr. Kosoy reported he, the City Manager,~and the Building Official
had met with Louis MacDonnel, the developer of the adjoining
property. It was decided the most appropriate course of action
would be for the city to expedite drainage improvements at the water
plant to relieve the drainage problem at the rear of the
properties. It was hoped a drainage plan could be prepared within
the aext few weeks.
(3} Edgar, George, Yark ~ Levy Streets
Mr. Kosoy reported Connelly and Wicker had prepared plans for
drainage improvements at the northern end of the Edgar/George
Street area and also drainage improvements on Levy Road. Neither
of these plans would address the entire area. Connelly and Wicker
had presented a proposal to undertake a complete. study of the area
for $2,000.00 and he felt this approach would be better than
partial drainage projects at the north and south ends of the area.
(4) Seminole Road area
~'Mr. Kosoy reported that the Seminole Road drainage project in the
°~~° vicinity of 19th Street was under design and would relieve many of
the problems on the east side of Seminole Road.
NAME OF
COMMHS.
M
S V
Y V
N
Cook $
Edwards s s
Tucker z
iTeldan g g
Gulli.f ord a
.;
R '
~d- ~_~,~
y
~.
y. ~.
.... }.
Y." '
,~ CITY OF AT~ANIIC BEACH
^? CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
,;
.~
~'y~16ENDR ITETt: SPEED STRIP REQUESTS ON PLAZA DRIVE
' 4{ -
.- SUBpITTED 8Y: DAVID E. THOMPSON. CH,T.EF OF POLICE
~ DATF: G7/18/91
AGENDA ITEM 3D
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
,~ gACKGR0UN0: Citiz~rns living in the 300 block of Plaza Drive have requested the
* installation of speed strips on the roadway in front of their houses..
In 1988. a petition was presented to the Police Department concerning the
" ipepding in the 300 block of Plaza Drive. A traffic study conducted by the
r.' Poi1Ce 0apartmcr,r indicated that there was in tact a problem with vehicles
•~~~lxcweding the speed limit on that stretcF. of roadway.
.4 Cffieers were assigned to that area, and they wrote numerous traffic citations
`'for sy~epding violations. Officers used marked and unmarked cars to identity and
c3:te speeders.
R~Cent ubservationsvhave demonstrated that there continues to be a speeding
':prablam tit that lotat,ion. The roadway is heavily traveled as a through street.
'~~ and the block is very long. Vehicles park on both sides of the roadway, anC
visibility far pedestrian crossing is poor.
~~ Y+uu may al¢o note that there are sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, and
,.•~ there is a pedestrian Crossing an the r,~estend of the street.
ti
"=i{;
~...., _
°! ~'~COMt1Et10ATI0N: The City Commission may want to .consider the request for speed
strips suggested by citizens living in the ,300 block ofi .Plaza Orive.
_~
` ' '3 iIFTACHMtNTS:
`' ~
~~ AEVIE4f: BY CITY MANAGER: -del--~'--
~, ~.
~ "~~~ s AGENDA i1•EM ND.
F" ~S :
i ~~
~ ~~
;., f
['~ '~~
:,q°'~ ~~
.,
~_
",~.~ .
.f
~ ;' . a
.;',` ~
;F'
.7:
~~ .
`:,~
,, ..ae
~c.