3CAGENDA ITEM #3C
OCTOBER 27, 2003
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Traffic Report on 300 Block of Plaza Drive
DATE: October 13, 2003 ~ ~
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, 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. then the paving was completed, the issue was
raised as to whether or not the speed bumps should be replaced. Consequently, the Police
Department has conducted a study to determine whether or not there is a valid, public
safety reason to install speed bumps in the 300 block of Plaza Drive.
When the speed-measuring devices were initially installed on the roadway, there were
some problems with the hoses that record the vehicle speeds. The hoses were eventually
replaced with new hoses, and the measuring devices were set up in the 300 Block of
Plaza Drive for a total of 76 hours.
During the 76 hours, a total of 1,340 vehicles were recorded in the East bound lane. Of
those vehicles, the average speed was 24 MPH. No more than 18 vehicles were recorded
at speeds of 35 MPH or higher, which represents 1.3% of the total vehicles traveling on
Plaza Drive. This represents an incidence of one caz at 35 MPH every 4.2 hours.
During the 76 hours, a total of 1,227 vehicles were recorded in the West bound lane. Of
those vehicles, the average speed was 22 MPH. No more than 15 vehicles were recorded
at speeds of 35 MPH or higher, which represents 1.2% of the total vehicles traveling on
Plaza Drive. This represents an incidence of one caz at 35 MPH every 5 hours.
The number of traffic crashes in the1300 block of Plaza Drive have been minimal. Since
the yeaz 2000, there have been thre~ (3) traffic crashes reported in the 300 block of Plaza
Drive:
08/27/03 A vehicle sustained damage from the hose of a traffic measuring device on the
roadway.
02/26/03 There was a crash at the 5 way stop when a vehicle ran into the back of a
vehicle stopping for a stop sign.
Note: There is no reason to believe that either of these accidents would have been
avoided with speed bumps.
AGENDA ITEM #3C
OCTOBER 27, 2003
10/29/02 A crash occurred at 1:18 AM when a vehicle was carjacked in Neptune Beach,
and the suspect drove too fast and recklessly on Plaza, hitting a sign and a large palm
tree. (Please note that when this accident occurred, there were speed bumps on Plaza
Drive)
BUDGET: The cost for installing speed bumps and striping is $1,600.00.
RECOMMENDATIONS: After reviewing the traffic data available on the 300 block of
Plaza Drive, the Police Department does not find any public safety justification for
adding speed bumps to the roadway.
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ~ s~
ITEM NUMBER: