AGENDA #4d

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Proposed Traffic Calming Devices on Lonebrook Drive

 

DATE:             January 27, 2003

 

 

This report responds to a petition from the Parkside and Northwood neighborhoods requesting traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive.  Attachment #1 is a copy of the petition.

 

Adoption of the attached resolution and enactment of the attached ordinance would authorize the Manager to implement the following traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive and expenditure of not to exceed $9,000 for construction:

 

·        Three speed humps on Lonebrook Drive

·        Multi-way stop signs at:

§         Lonebrook Drive and Tremont Circle

§         Lonebrook Drive and Glenmore Road

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

At its November 25, 2002 meeting, the Town Council received a petition from Mr. Larry Nobles representing the Parkside and Northwood Neighborhoods requesting traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive.  Attachment #2 is a map of the area in question.  The petition includes the following comments and concerns:

 

·        Lonebrook Drive is a main street within the Parkside and Northwood neighborhoods and it carries a significant amount of traffic frequently traveling above the posted speed limit.

·        There are several school bus stops along Lonebrook Drive.

·        Visibility is limited at side streets intersecting with Lonebrook Drive due to curves, hills, shrubs and cars parked on the street.

·        The installation of speed humps could increase driver awareness of speeding.

 

Lonebrook Drive is a 27-foot wide paved road with curb/gutter and the posted speed limit is 25 mph.  On-street parking is allowed on both sides of Lonebrook Drive.

 

TRAFFIC STUDIES

Town staff performed a traffic study on Lonebrook Drive December 2 and 3, 2002. The results of the study are provided in the following table:

 

 

 

 

Location

Daily

Traffic Volume

Average Speed (mph)

 

85% Speed

(mph)

Highest Speed (mph)

Recorded

 

1.      Between Glenmore Road and

Tremont Circle

 

578

 

26

 

33

 

50

 

2.   Near 507 Lonebrook Drive

 

365

 

26

 

32

 

45

 

 

Traffic volumes are well below the capacity of Lonebrook Drive and are typical for similar streets in other parts of the community.  Speeding appears to be a problem, based on the 85th percentile speed.  Applying our typical evaluation criteria, we believe that Lonebrook Drive could benefit from the installation of traffic calming devices to control vehicle speeds.

 

TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN

Town staff worked with representatives from the neighborhoods to develop a traffic calming plan (Attachment #2) that includes installation of three speed humps and placement of multi-way stop signs at two intersections on Lonebrook Drive.  The neighborhood representatives have accepted this plan, and requested that we present the plan to the Town Council for consideration (please see the Attachment #3).

 

FUNDING

The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices Townwide in the FY 2002-03 budget and $28,634 was spent on implementing traffic calming measures in several neighborhoods as directed by the Council.  $15,366 remains available from funds designated for traffic calming projects.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated cost of traffic calming devices we recommend in the Parkside and Northwood neighborhoods:

 

COST ESTIMATES FOR TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES

 

 

Traffic Calming Device

 

Quantity

Estimated Cost per each

Total Estimated Cost

 

1. Speed Humps

 

3

 

$2,700

 

$8,100

 

2. Multi-way Stop Signs

 

2 locations

 

$900

(cost of stop signs and stop bars)

 

$900

 

 

Total

$9,000

 

We are currently working with several neighborhoods to develop traffic calming plans.  However, the Parkside/Northwood neighborhood plan is the only plan that is complete and has been accepted by the residents for installation.  Therefore, we suggest that the Council approve $9,000 of the remaining $15,366 traffic calming budget for implementing the following traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive as presented below:

 

1. Three speed humps on Lonebrook Drive

2.   Multi-way stop signs at:

§         Lonebrook Drive and Tremont Circle

§         Lonebrook Drive and Glenmore Road

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution and enact the attached ordinance authorizing the installation of  traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive and expenditure of not to exceed $9,000 for construction.

 

Because portable speed humps were considered and not recommended for this neighborhood, we include the attached report (Attachment 4).

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      Petition and Neighborhood Recommended Traffic Calming Plan (p. 6).

2.   Recommended Traffic Calming Plan (p. 13).

3.   Copy of E-mail Letter from the Neighborhood Association (p. 14).

4.   Report on Portable Speed Humps, January 27, 2003 (p. 15).

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF CERTAIN TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON LONEBROOK DRIVE IN CHAPEL HILL (2003-01-27/R-4)

 

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 Parkside and Northwood neighborhoods and a report from Town staff regarding proposed traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council endorses installation of the following traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive:

      1.  Three speed humps on Lonebrook Drive

2.         Multi-way stop signs at:

§         Lonebrook Drive and Tremont Circle

§         Lonebrook Drive and Glenmore Road

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the expenditure of not to exceed $9,000 for construction/installation of the above noted traffic calming measures on Lonebrook Drive.

 

This the 27th day of January, 2003.

 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING STOP REGULATIONS (2003-01-27/O-1)

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

Lonebrook Drive                           Tremont Circle

Lonebrook Drive                           Glenmore 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)

            Lonebrook Drive and Tremont Circle

            Lonebrook Drive and Glenmore Road”

 

Section 3.  This ordinance shall become effective March 1, 2003.

This the 27th day of January, 2003.