AGENDA #12
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Staff Report on Recommendations for Traffic Management Opportunities in Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I Neighborhoods
DATE: November 26, 2001
This report responds to the recommendations of a citizens’ committee established by the Council to study traffic management opportunities in Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I neighborhoods.
The attached resolution would endorse several of the Committee’s recommendations and would authorize the Manager to implement measures for managing vehicular traffic in the neighborhoods.
In February 2000, the Town Council approved a process for conducting an area-wide traffic management study of the Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I neighborhoods. As part of the process, the Council established a committee comprised of four members from each of the three neighborhoods included in the study area, in addition to one at-large member, and one member each representing the Transportation Board, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC).
The Committee’s charge was to “identify and evaluate opportunities for managing vehicular traffic while maintaining reasonable mobility and access for residents and service providers.” The final report of the Committee was to be a set of recommendations which would be feasible and effective.
The Committee held a total of 12 meetings between October 2000 and May 2001. Staff assisted the Committee by providing technical input and administrative support. At the June 25, 2001 Town Council meeting, members of the Committee presented the attached report and recommendations, which the Council received and referred to the Town Manager for evaluation and comment. The following report presents our comments on the Committee’s recommendations, including estimated construction costs where applicable. Traffic counts in the neighborhoods, without the semi-diverters in place, are presented on Figure 1, as requested by a Council Member. We have attached a copy of a letter recently received from Mr. Peter Liao, # 5 Oakwood Drive, opposing semi-diverters on Oakwood Drive.
The Town Traffic Engineer was assigned to the Committee as staff liaison to provide information and resources as needed. The following information identifies and discusses the Committee’s recommendations:
SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Speed Humps on several streets in the neighborhoods
Committee Recommendation: That a total of eight speed humps be installed on several streets, as discussed in the attached Committee report.
Comment: Speeds humps can have a positive effect on reducing both traffic volume and speed. Studies indicate that speed humps may reduce average traffic speed by 10 to 20 percent and traffic volume by as much as 18 percent. Details of speed humps are provided below:
Description and Cost of Speed Humps:
Ø Rounded raised areas of pavement typically 12 to 14 feet in length and 3 to 4 inches in height
Ø Speed hump shapes include parabolic, circular, and sinusoidal
Ø Often placed in a series (typically spaced 300 to 600 feet)
Ø Midblock placement, not at an intersection
Ø Advance warning signs and pavement markings on the hump
Ø Concern over jarring of emergency rescue vehicles
Ø Approximate delay of between 3 and 5 seconds per humpfor fire trucks and up to 10 seconds for ambulance with patient
Ø Typical Cost approximately $2,500 per hump
The Public Works Department has expressed a concern about elevating the roadway surface for a speed hump or a raised pedestrian crosswalk (as included in recommendation #4) because of the difficulty that a raised surface presents during snow removal operations. Elevated roadway surfaces, hidden by snow or ice, can be mistaken by snowplow operators as packed snow or ice. Damage to roadway surface and snow removal equipment is sometimes encountered in these situations. The Public Works Department suggests consideration of an alternative means to slow traffic and aid pedestrians movements such as bumping out curbs. Although we recognize these concerns, we continue to believe that the traffic calming benefits afforded by speed hump or raised pedestrian crosswalk in this case outweigh the potential difficulties which may be encountered during infrequent snow removal operations. In addition, we would install pavement markings and signs to identify for all drivers, including snow plow operators, the presence of speed humps or raised crosswalks.
Recommendation: We recommend installation of speed humps at six of the eight locations recommended by the Committee, as shown on the attached Figure 2. An example of a speed hump is presented on the attached Figure 3. We think that the Committee recommendation of two humps each on Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive is not needed. These streets already include semi-diverters (please see recommendation 3 below) and multi-way stop sign installations at several intersections. The total cost of six speed humps is approximately $15,000.
2) Traffic Circle at the Intersection of Burning Tree Drive and Canterbury Lane
Committee Recommendation: That a traffic circle be constructed at the intersection of Burning Tree Drive and Canterbury Lane to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic problems.
Comment: Currently, multi-way stop signs exist at this intersection which require traffic from all four directions to come to a full stop at the intersection. As such, these stop signs create stricter controls on traffic at the intersection than would a traffic circle. Additionally, an effective traffic circle could not be constructed at this relatively small intersection without removing and widening all four corners of the intersection to create adequate lane width for traffic to move around the circle.
Recommendation: We think that the existing stop signs provide effective traffic management at this intersection. They were installed several years ago at the request of residents in the area. We do not think that construction of a traffic circle would significantly improve traffic management at this location.
3) Permanent Semi-diverters on Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive at Raleigh Road
Committee Recommendation: That the temporary semi-diverters on Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive be made permanent to reduce cut-through traffic volumes in the neighborhoods.
Comment: Currently, temporary semi-diverters are in place at the intersections of Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive with NC-54. We have reviewed the accident records for these locations and find several accidents reported between January 1998 and September 2001 which are provided in Attachment 3. Of the total of six accidents found, none resulted from the semi-diverters. Studies indicate that semi-diverters can be effective in reducing traffic volumes in situations such as this.
Recommendation: We recommend installation of permanent semi-diverters on Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive at NC-54.A typical semi-diverter is shown in Figure 4. The cost of a typical semi-diverter is approximately $3,500. If permanent diverters are approved by the Council, we will work with the neighbors to determine what landscaping materials are desired, subject to an agreement from the neighborhood association to maintain any plantings other than grass.
4) Raised Crosswalk on Cleland Drive at Hamilton Road
Committee Recommendation: That a raised crosswalk be installed on Cleland Drive at Hamilton Road, to provide visual signals to drivers approaching the intersection.
Comment: Cleland Drive carries approximately 1000 vehicles per day and the posted speed limit is 25 mph. A raised crosswalk or speed table can be effective in slowing traffic and making drivers more aware of a crosswalk location. This location is of particular interest due to the relatively high pedestrian activity associated with the Rainbow Soccer fields nearby.
Ø Typically preferred by fire departments compared to speed humps
Ø Generally less than 3 seconds of delay per table for fire trucks
Recommendation: We recommend installation of a raised asphalt crosswalk (speed table) on Cleland Drive at Hamilton Road. A typical raised crosswalk is shown in Figure 5, and the cost is approximately $3,000.
5) Periodic Law Enforcement for all traffic violations in the neighborhoods:
Committee Recommendation: That the Town conduct periodic enforcement to reduce traffic violations in the neighborhoods.
Comment: The Police Department’s Traffic Squad regularly schedules this area for patrol and enforcement of traffic regulations. However, time spent in this area by the Traffic Squad and regular patrol officers is subject to demands in other areas of Chapel Hill. The Police Department spends as much time as possible in these neighborhoods, which have been identified as potential traffic problem areas.
RECOMMENDATION: The Police Department has been directed to continue traffic enforcement efforts in these neighborhoods to the extent possible with available resources.
6) Paint no parking zone and bus stops at the intersection of Berkley Drive and Hamilton Road
Committee Recommendation: That Town paint no parking and bus stop areas on Hamilton Road near its intersection with Berkley Road, to restrict on-street parking which blocks intersection sight distances.
Comment: The Public Works Department will perform the necessary paint work, which should be completed within the next 45 days. Additionally, we have installed several no parking signs on Hamilton Road to appropriately restrict on-street parking at problem locations, as authorized by general Town ordinances.
Recommendation: We concur with the Committee recommendation and Town forces will perform the necessary work within 45 days.
7) Updating the damaged and/or old traffic control signs in all three neighborhoods:
Committee Recommendation: That all damaged and old traffic control signs in the neighborhoods be replaced as necessary to improve visibility and reflectivity of the signs.
Comment: We have reviewed the traffic control signs in these neighborhood areas and replaced or cleaned them as required to bring all signs to acceptable standards for visibility and reflectivity.
We concur with the Committee recommendation and have completed the associated sign improvements.
The Committee decided to focus its efforts on improvements which could be implemented by the Town in a relatively short period of time. The Committee also identified the following long-term improvements (many of which would involve NCDOT) for consideration at a later date by another work group/committee, should the Council so desire:
These long-term recommendations vary from discrete to general in nature. We will include installation of sidewalks in these neighborhoods on the Townwide list of potential sidewalk projects for the Council’s annual consideration, as requested by a Council Member. We will ask NCDOT to conduct a traffic signal investigation on Fordham Boulevard at the intersections of Cleland Drive and Brandon Road. We also will work with NCDOT to review the traffic problems on NC 54 at US 15-501.
The following table summarizes the improvements we recommend and their estimated costs:
|
Recommendation |
Quantity |
Estimated Cost per each |
Total Estimated Cost |
|
1. Speed Humps |
6 |
$2,500 |
$15,000 |
|
2. Semi Diverters |
2 |
$3,500 |
$7,000 |
|
3. Raised Crosswalk |
1 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
Total |
|
|
$25,000 |
We recommend funding improvements authorized by the Council from the Town’s Capital Improvement Program in which approximately $25,000 is currently available for “traffic calming” projects Townwide. We are currently evaluating several requests from other neighborhoods for traffic calming measures, which will be reported to the Council at a later date. We have explained to each neighborhood that we expect that the implementation of Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I recommendations will leave no funding for additional traffic calming measures this year.
CONCLUSION
We think that the Committee has prepared a comprehensive list of potential traffic management improvements to benefit all three neighborhoods. Implementation of these improvements could be expected to make the neighborhood streets function more effectively and safely for both vehicular and nonvehicular users. We agree with the Committee that implementation of the recommended traffic management measures would enhance the quality of life in this area of Town not only by providing increased protection for children, pedestrians, and bicyclists, but also by making these neighborhoods more social and pleasant places to live.
That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution approving traffic management measures in Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I neighborhoods and that the funding source for these improvements be from the Traffic Calming line item of the Capital Improvement Program.
1. Committee Report, June 25, 2001 (begin new page 1).
2. Letter from Mr. Peter Liao, 5 Oakwood Drive (p. 35).
3. Accident Report on Raleigh Road at Rogerson Drive and Oakwood Drive (p. 36).
4. Figure 1 (p. 54).
5. Figure 2 (p. 55).
6. Figure 3 (p. 56).
7. Figure 4 (p. 57).
8. Figure 5 (p. 58).
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN GLEN LENNOX, LITTLE CREEK, AND THE OAKS I NEIGHBORHOODS IN CHAPEL HILL (2001-11-26/R-19)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill is concerned about vehicular and nonvehicular safety and mobility in Town neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Council has received recommendations from a Committee assigned to study traffic management opportunities in Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I neighborhoods and to propose measures to mitigate area residents’ concerns about vehicular and nonvehicular safety and mobility; and
WHEREAS, the Council has received a report including Town staff comments about the Committee recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council endorses the following traffic calming measures in Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I neighborhoods:
1) Six Speed Humps (One on Rogerson Drive, One on Oakwood Drive, One on Hamilton
Road, two on Burning Tree Drive, and one on Cleland Road)
2) Two Semi-diverters (one on Rogerson Drive and one on Oakwood Drive)
3) One Raised Crosswalk (speed table) on Cleland Drive at Hamilton Road
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to implement the above traffic calming measures within the next six months, and authorizes use of Capital Improvements Program funds to complete the work estimated to cost approximately $25,000.
This the 26th day of November, 2001.