AGENDA #4n

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Traffic Calming Measures on Mason Farm Road

 

DATE:             November 26, 2001

 

This report responds to the Town Council’s direction to develop a traffic calming plan for the Mason Farm Road corridor.

 

Adoption of the attached resolution and ordinances would authorize the Manager to implement several traffic calming measures on Mason Farm Road.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Town Council, at their October 3, 2001 meeting directed the Town Manager to develop a traffic calming plan for Mason Farm Road.  Town staff conducted traffic studies on Mason Farm Road and the results of the studies are provided in the following table. We counted 1600 to 2300 vehicles per day in both directions on Mason Farm Road. Northbound traffic volume (coming from Fordham Boulevard) was higher than the southbound traffic volume. Speeding was observed at several locations between Purefoy Road and Fordham Boulevard.  Mason Farm Road between Purefoy Road and Fordham Boulevard is 20 feet wide, paved, with no curb and gutter. The posted speed limit is 25 mph.

 

TRAFFIC STUDIES ON MASON FARM ROAD

Date of Study Wednesday, October 31, 2001

 

Town staff developed a traffic calming plan and discussed the plan at a meeting with Mason Farm Road area residents on November 7^th. Ten residents attended the meeting as listed on Attachment 2. Several residents who were unable to attend the meeting sent their comments via e-mail (Attachment 3). All the residents except one supported the traffic calming plan developed and presented by the Town staff.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The details of the proposed traffic calming plan are described below. A map of the proposed traffic calming plan is presented on Attachment 1.

 

1) Multi-way Stop Signs:

 

We recommend multi-way stop control at the following two locations:

Ø      Mason Farm Road and Purefoy Road

Ø      Mason Farm Road and Oteys Road

 

Stop sign installations can control speeding at and in the vicinity of intersections, however, they will not reduce speeding on the remaining portion of the street. If the additional stop signs are authorized by the Council, the Town would include “stop ahead” warning signs and “stop bars” on the approaches to the intersection. 

 

2) Speed Humps:

 

We recommend installation of speed humps at two locations as shown on the Attachment 1. The exact location of the speed humps will be determined in coordination with residents. Speed 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

Ø      A typical speed hump is shown on Figure 1.

 

The Public Works Department has expressed a concern about elevating the roadway surface for a speed hump 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 the 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 pedestrian movements, such as bumping out curbs. Although we recognize the concerns expressed by the Public Works Department, we continue to believe that the traffic calming benefits afforded by speed humps in this case outweigh the potential difficulties which may be encountered during infrequent snow removal operations.

 

3) Traffic Control Sign Improvements:

 

Residents complained that existing speed limit signs are blocked by tree limbs and are not visible. Speed limit signs will be relocated to an appropriate location as necessary for better visibility. Speed limit signs on both entrances to the Mason farm Road will be supplemented by orange flags. Several pedestrian warning signs will also be installed. All sign and marking work will be performed by Town forces.

 

4) Periodic Law Enforcement for all traffic violations in the neighborhoods:

 

The Police Department 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 has been directed to continue traffic enforcement efforts in these neighborhoods to the extent possible with available resources.

 

5) Sidewalks on Mason farm Road:

 

Several residents requested that sidewalks be constructed on both sides of Mason Farm Road. The University of North Carolina is required to build a sidewalk on north side of Mason Farm Road as part of its development plan. Also, Mason Farm Road is included in the Town sidewalk project list funding consideration to construct a sidewalk on south side. There is presently no timetable for this sidewalk.                                                                             

 

FUNDING

 

The following table summarizes the improvements we recommend and their estimated costs:

 

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 expect that the implementation of Glen Lennox, Little Creek, and The Oaks I recommendations, if approved by the Council, will leave no funding for additional traffic calming measures this year. We recommend that the funding source for this project be the Council’s Contingency Fund, in the amount of $6,000.

 

CONCLUSION

 

We think that the proposed traffic calming measures on Mason Farm Road would benefit the neighborhood by managing traffic and allowing Mason Farm Road to function more effectively and safely for both vehicular and non-vehicular users.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution and ordinances approving traffic management measures on Mason Farm Road and funding these improvements from the Town Council’s Contingency Fund.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.                  Proposed Traffic Calming Plan for Mason Farm Road (p. 8).

2.                  List of the Residents who Attended the Meeting (p. 9).

3.                  Comments Received from Residents through E-mail (p. 10).

4.                  Figure 1 (p. 12).

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON MASON FARM ROAD IN CHAPEL HILL (2001-11-26/R-10)

 

WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill is concerned about vehicular and non-vehicular safety and mobility on Town streets; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council has received a report from Town staff and comments from residents about proposed traffic calming measures on Mason Farm Road.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council endorses the following traffic calming measures on Mason Farm Road:

 

1)      Multi-way stop signs at the following locations:

·        Mason Farm Road and Purefoy Road

·        Mason Farm Road and Oteys Road

 

2)      Two Speed Humps

 

3)      Traffic Control Sign Improvements

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to implement the above traffic calming measures within the next four months, and authorizes use Council’s Contingency Fund to complete the work estimated to cost approximately $6,000.

 

This the 26^th day of November, 2001.

 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING STOP REGULATIONS (2001-11-26/0-6a)

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:

Section 1.         Section 21-13(a) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by deleting the following:

“Through Streets                                Stop Streets

Mason Farm Road                               Purefoy Road

 

            Mason Farm Road                               Oteys Road

 

Section 2.  Section 21-13(c) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by inserting the following, in appropriate alphabetical order:

“Intersection(s)

            Mason Farm Road and Purefoy Road

 

            Mason Farm Road and Oteys Road

 

Section 3.  This ordinance shall become effective December 17, 2001.

This the 26^th day of November, 2001.

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2001” (2001-11-26/0-6b)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2001” as duly adopted on June 25, 2001, be and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

                                                Current                                                 Revised

APPROPRIATIONS               Budget            Increase           Decrease          Budget

 

GENERAL FUND

            Non-Departmental

                        Contingency       30,565                                   6,000                 24,565

 

            Engineering                   969,148           6,000                                       975,148

 

 

This is the 26^th day of November, 2001.