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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/2008 11 Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood Area Traffic Calming Project BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 1 For Meeting of: July 1, 2008 ITEM TITLE: Council Update Regarding Status of Barge- Chestnut Neighborhood Area Traffic Calming Project and Traffic Calming Program in General SUBMITTED BY: Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works Joan Davenport, Supervising Traffic Engineer CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Joan Davenport, 576 -6417 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: See attached Report Resolution Ordinance _ Contract _ Other (Specify) Report, Funding Source APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: �`� City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept Report BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: This issue has been reviewed by the Council Transit/Transportation Planning Committee with concurrence to begin the study. COUNCIL ACTION: • 1111 Yakima City Council Update Item: Barge- Chestnut Neighborhood Traffic Calming Petition & The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program To: Yakima City Council From: Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works Joan Davenport, Supervising Traffic Engineer Date: City Council Meeting of July 1, 2008 Background At the April 8, 2008 Yakima City Council Study Session staff presented a summary of the Traffic Calming Program Update and a status report on the Barge - Chestnut Neighborhood Area (BCNA) Traffic Calming Petition. City staff had completed data collection regarding traffic speed and volume on the various city street segments and summarized the findings. The BCNA petition is very expansive, requesting installation of approximately 34 traffic calming structures. III Two citizen representatives of the BCNA neighborhood were present at the Study Session, Mr. Gary Forrest and Mr. Ralph Call. Both citizens urged the Yakima City Council to consider installation of physical traffic calming devices on streets within their neighborhood area. A representative of ALS ambulance service stated he had concerns about the type of traffic calming devices that an ambulance had to drive over, such as speed bumps that impaired emergency patient care. After considerable discussion, City Council agreed the City of Yakima should fund a study for the preliminary design of the first phase of traffic calming measures in the neighborhood. Council directed staff to draft a Request for Services and hire a professional transportation firm to develop an appropriate first phase of traffic calming for the neighborhood. Progress to Date A Request for Professional Services was submitted to Kittelson & Associates of Portland Oregon to prepare a study entitled the "Barge- Chestnut Neighborhood Area Traffic Calming Petition, Phase One Implementation Plan".. The budget for the study was limited to $18,000 or less. This engineering firm was selected since they provided direction and assistance in the Yakima Urban Area Transportation Plan and has nationwide experience in neighborhood traffic calming projects. The city of Yakima is awaiting final contract documents from the consulting firm. On May 14, 2008 I contacted Gary Forrest by email to provide the Neighborhood Area with an ii update of the intent of the study authorized by City Council. Update on Traffic Calming Program and BCNA Petition . Pagelof4 Scope of Services for BCNA Study The following is the scope of study provided to Kittelson & Associates to include in the Barge - Chestnut Neighborhood Area Traffic Calming Petition, Phase One Implementation Plan. Petition and Base Data Review This review is intended to provide the City of Yakima and the BCNA with an analysis of an appropriate first phase of traffic calming for the neighborhood area. The intent of the City of Yakima is to implement the neighborhood -wide proposal in several construction phases, as deemed appropriate. Traffic circles are the preferred first phase device. • Meet with BCNA representatives to discuss current traffic issues and the overall intent of the proposed traffic - calming petition. The City of Yakima approach for this project is to identify implementation phases for the neighborhood -wide petition. • Visit the neighborhood study area and observe the existing conditions and locations for the proposed traffic calming devices. • Review the appropriateness of the proposed traffic calming devices in relation to the following: Existing/future traffic volumes; Travel speeds; Intersection and road segment crash histories; Street widths /grades; Driveway locations /on -street parking; Sight distance; and the overall neighborhood environment. • Assess the traffic impacts of the proposed traffic calming devices with respect to adjoining streets and neighborhoods, and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate locations for an initial construction phase of traffic calming measures, with a focus on feasibility of traffic circles or other low impact devices. • Provide a written assessment of the above noted task items. In order to complete the initial review the following data will be provided by City staff. • Average weekday traffic volumes and travel speed data for all major /continuous east /west and north /south streets within the neighborhood study area. • Three most recent years of crash data for all major intersections and roadway segments. • Base GIS mapping and aerial photography of the neighborhood study area. • Intersection specific dimensions as requested. Traffic Calming Measures Preliminary Design This portion of the study includes a preliminary design of the first phase traffic calming devices. The preference by the City of Yakima for Phase One is construction of traffic circles in appropriate locations. Other devices may be considered in this first phase, subject to review. • Prepare a report, including preliminary design for first phase of traffic calming devices within the Barge - Chestnut Neighborhood Area: Update on Traffic Calming Program and BCNA Petition Page 2 of 4 • • Provide a recommendation for a specification for low cost and low maintenance traffic circles. • Provide an over -view of subsequent phases of construction for traffic calming devices. In addition to the above scope of services, Kittleson & Associates will recommend appropriate monitoring processes for the City of Yakima to assist in determining if the Phase One devices are effective and specific indicators to identify that may result in pursuing additional phases of installing more physical devices. Expected Outcome of the Study In discussion with the professional staff at Kittelson & Associates, we have asked that the study identify approximately 12 intersections that would be appropriate for small -scale traffic circles. These have the dual benefit of slowing down traffic near intersections, and providing the safety benefit of eliminating broadside collisions at intersections. We have asked for specification of a "low cost, low maintenance" traffic circle. The typical traffic circle is between 12 and 20 feet in diameter, often with a landscaped interior island. We have asked for a "small" circle specification, with no irrigated landscaping in the center is the circle. There is a need for either signage, reflectors or some other vertical portion of the circle to 0 improve the visibility to drivers. This will be included in the recommendations from the consultant. City staff will provide aerial photos and other intersection specific information, after the consultant determines the best location for the Phase One project. The consultant will provide to the City of Yakima intersection specific preliminary designs for the installation of the traffic calming devices. Other City Traffic Calming Measures To improve public awareness of the community -wide concerns over neighborhood speeding and cut - through traffic, "YOUR SPEED IS" radar signs have been installed on two streets (28 Avenue and 45th Avenue). These signs were installed on April 8, 2008. Staff will conduct follow -up of average speeds on these streets. The signs will be re- installed on other neighborhood streets in July. Due to the very positive public re -action to these signs, four additional signs are on order (cost of $21,550 for 4 more signs) . This will give us a total of 8 radar equipped signs to move about in the community. Generally, we will install two signs per street, one in each direction. The concept is to move the signs after approximately 3 months in one location. The Yakima Police is now operating the portable radar speed trailer, equipped with a "YOUR SPEED IS" display (purchased in 2007 with Traffic Calming program funds). Again, the public reaction has been very positive. III Update on Traffic Calming Program and BCNA Petition Page 3 of 4 Large stickers from the "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25" non - profit, nationwide campaign have also been purchased (5,000 stickers at a cost of $4200). This are designed to be applied to refuse containers or yard waste containers. These stickers and an information brochure will be distributed free to any neighborhood that requests them. When the stickers arrive, a press release will be conducted. Our test neighborhood is North 24 and 25 Avenues, at the request of the citizens. 0 0 Update on Traffic Calming Program and BCNA Petition Page 4 of 4