AGENDA #4j
MEMORANDUM
TO: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM: George Small, P.E., Director of Engineering
Kumar Neppalli, Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT: Approval of School Zone Flashing Lights for Several Schools
DATE: September 27, 2006
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to recommend installation of school zone flashing lights for several schools using 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvement Bond funds. Please see the area maps provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize using $21,000 from 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds (earmarked for traffic calming and neighborhood pedestrian safety improvements) for installing school zone flashing lights on the following streets:
At its May 22, 2006 meeting, the Town Council received a petition (Attachment 2) from the Berryhill Homeowners’ Association and Frank Porter Graham Elementary School Governance Committee requesting that the Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro consider installing school zone flashing lights on Smith Level Road.
We also received requests from other citizens for installation of school zone flashing lights on Culbreth Road for Grey Culbreth Middle School. Additionally, the Go! Chapel Hill Active Living by Design Advisory Committee - Active Routes to School Program recommended installation of school zone flashing lights on Estes Drive (for Guy Phillips Middle School and Estes Elementary School) and on Ephesus Church Road (for Ephesus Elementary School).
The school zone flashing lights requested above would all be located on State maintained roads. School speed zones exist on these streets during mornings and afternoon hours. The State has informed us that the Town and/or schools can install school zone flashing lights at these locations on State roads, but that no State funding is available for such installations at this time. The State did agree, however, to provide funds for maintenance of the flashing lights as part of our existing traffic signal Schedule C maintenance agreement.
We think that these flashing lights, along with the existing school speed zone signs, would enhance the awareness of the motoring public when traveling near the schools. We recommend installation of “solar powered” flashing lights. If approved, Town forces would purchase and install the flashing lights and would provide the necessary maintenance services, and the State would reimburse the Town for maintenance costs it incurs. The flashing lights would be designed to be activated only during the morning and afternoon hours on school days.
The 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds include $650,000 for neighborhood safety improvements including installation of traffic calming measures, signing, lighting, and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements. The Council issued $300,000 of the bonds in fiscal year 2004-05 of which approximately $200,500 has been spent or is already authorized for several traffic calming and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements.
We think that the school zone flashing lights would increase drivers’ awareness of the school zones and would help encourage motorists to obey the school speed zone regulations. We also think that the school zone flashing lights on the requested streets are justified based on road and traffic conditions. If approved, the Town staff would purchase and install the equipment.
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize use of $21,000 from the 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds (earmarked for traffic calming and neighborhood pedestrian safety improvements) for installing of school zone flashing lights at the following locations:
