AGENDA # 6d

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Proposed Traffic Calming Devices on Ashley Forest Road

 

DATE:             August 26, 2002

 

This report responds to a petition by the Ashley Forest Owner’s Association requesting traffic calming measures on Ashley Forest Road.  Attachment #1 is a copy of the petition.

 

Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Manager to install one speed hump on Ashley Forest Road.  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 $2,500 for implementing a speed hump on Ashley Forest Road.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

The Town Council, at its March 25, 2002 meeting, received a petition from the Ashley Forest Owner’s Association requesting traffic calming measures on Ashley Forest Road. The Council received a staff report on this petition at their May 29th meeting.  On May 29th, the Manager recommended that the Council defer action on the petition 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 Town-wide in the FY 2002-03 budget.

 

TRAFFIC STUDIES

 

Town staff performed a traffic study on Ashley Forest Road in fall of 2001. The results of the study are summarized below: 

 

Ř      Traffic volume: 300 vehicles per day

Ř      Average speed: 24 to 28 mph

Ř      85 % speed: 29 – 34 mph

Ř      Highest speed: 44 mph

  

Speeding appears to be a problem on Ashley Forest Road based on the 85th percentile speed.  Based on our typical evaluation criteria, we believe that Ashley Forest Road could benefit from the installation of traffic calming devices to control speeds and that it is an appropriate candidate street for the installation of traffic calming measures.


 

TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN

 

Town staff contacted the neighborhood association and developed a traffic calming plan which consists one speed hump on Ashley Forest Road.  A map showing the approximate location of the speed hump is provided in Attachment #2.  The president of the Ashley Forest Home Owner’s Association has said the Association concurs with the staff proposal. 

 

FUNDING

 

The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices Town-wide in their FY 2002-03 budget.   We suggest that the Council approve $2,500 for implementing a speed hump on Ashley Forest Road.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the installation of a speed hump on Ashley Forest Road and the expenditure of not to exceed $2,500 for construction.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.                  Petition from Ashley Forest Owner’s Association (p. 5).

2.         Staff/Neighborhood Recommended Traffic Calming Plan (p. 6).

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF A SPEED HUMP ON ASHLEY FOREST ROAD IN CHAPEL HILL (2002-08-26/R-14)

 

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 Ashley Forest Owner’s Association and a report from Town staff about proposed traffic calming measures on Ashley Forest Road;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the installation of one speed hump on Ashley Forest Road.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the expenditure of not to exceed $2,500 for traffic calming measures Ashley Forest Road.

 

This the 26th day of August, 2002.