AGENDA # 6a
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Traffic Calming Devices on Sweeten Creek Road in the Chandler’s Green Neighborhood
DATE: August 26, 2002
This report responds to a petition by the Chandler’s Green Homeowners’ Association requesting traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road. Attachment #1 is a copy of the petition.
Adoption of the attached resolution and ordinance would authorize the Manager to implement the following traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road:
Ø Three speed humps
Ø Multi-way stop signs at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane
Ø Traffic Circle at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane, if follow-up studies after the first two efforts show that a traffic circle is necessary at this intersection
The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices in their FY 2002-03 budget and the Manager recommends that the Town Council approve $13,000 for implementing traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road.
The Town Council, at its March 25, 2002 meeting, received a petition from the Chandler’s Green Homeowners Association requesting traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road. The Council received staff reports on this petition at their May 13 and May 29th meetings. On May 29th, the Manager recommended that the Council defer action on the petition until funding for traffic calming devices could be identified and made available. At its July 26, 2002 meeting, the Council approved $44,000 for the installation of traffic calming devices Townwide in the FY 2002-03 budget.
TRAFFIC STUDIES
Town staff performed a traffic study on Sweeten Creek Road in the Chandler’s Green neighborhood in September 2001. The results of the study are provided in Table 1 (Attachment #2) and are summarized below:
Ø Traffic volume on weekdays: 600 – 850 vehicles/day, Average: 725 vehicles/day
Ø Traffic volume on weekends: 300 – 670 vehicles/day, Average: 500 vehicles/day
Ø Average speed: 26 to 29 mph
Ø 85 % speed: 32 – 34 mph
Ø Highest speed: 40 – 55 mph
Traffic volumes are well below the capacity of Sweeten Creek Road and are typical for similar streets in other parts of the community. Although a portion of the traffic on Sweeten Creek Road includes vehicles from outside the Chandler’s Green neighborhood, the total traffic volume does not suggest that a significant volume of cut-through traffic is using this road.
Speeding does appear to be a problem on Sweeten Creek Road based on the average speed and 85th percentile speed studies. Based on our typical evaluation criteria, we believe that Sweeten Creek Road could benefit from the installation of traffic calming devices to control vehicle speeds and that it is an appropriate candidate street for the installation of traffic calming measures.
TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN
Town staff met with the Chandler’s Green Homeowners Association and developed a proposed traffic calming plan that could address the speeding problem. The proposed neighborhood and staff recommended traffic calming plans are shown on the attached maps (Attachment #3 & #4). The staff recommended traffic calming plan contains the following elements:
Phase I:
1. We recommend installation of speed humps at three locations on Sweeten Creek Road as shown on Attachment #4. The exact location of the speed humps would be determined in coordination with residents.
2. We recommend installation of multi-way stop signs at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane.
Phase II:
FUNDING
The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices Townwide in their FY 2002-03 budget. The following table summarizes the improvements we recommend in the Chandler’s Green neighborhood and the estimated costs:
COST ESTIMATES FOR TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
|
Traffic Calming Device |
Quantity |
Estimated Cost per each |
Total Estimated Cost |
|
1. Speed Humps |
3 |
$2,500 |
$7,500 |
|
2. Multi-way Stop Signs |
At one location |
$500 |
$500 |
|
3. Traffic Circle, If necessary |
1 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
$13,000 |
That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution and ordinance authorizing the installation of traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road and expenditure of not to exceed $13,000 for construction.
1. Petition from Chandler’s Green Association (p. 6).
2. Table 1: Traffic Studies on Sweeten Creek Road (p. 7).
3. Neighborhood Recommended Traffic Calming Plan for Sweeten Creek Road (p. 8).
4. Staff Recommended Traffic Calming Plan for Sweeten Creek Road (p. 9).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF CERTAIN TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON SWEETEN CREEK ROAD IN CHAPEL HILL (2002-08-26/R-11)
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 petition from the Chandler’s Green Homeowners’ Association and a report from Town staff about proposed traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the installation of the following traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road:
1) Multi-way stop signs at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane
2) Three Speed Humps at specified locations
3) Traffic Circle at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane, if follow-up studies show that a traffic circle is necessary at this intersection
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the installation of a traffic circle at the intersection of Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane if, following study of the intersection performance under the above authorized multi-way stop conditions, a traffic circle is found to be necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorized the expenditure of not to exceed $13,000 for traffic calming measures on Sweeten Creek Road.
This the 26th day of August, 2002.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING STOP REGULATIONS (2002-08-26/0-4)
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
Sweeten
Creek Road
Amesbury lane
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)
Sweeten Creek Road and Amesbury Lane
Section 3. This ordinance shall become effective October 1, 2002.
This the 26th day of August, 2002.
