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<br /> <br /> <br />50 <br /> <br />In order to test the-Task Force assumption andto determine the, proper speed, the <br />Task Force suggested, and Iv1n!DOT conducted, a number of speed studies 011 <br />representative Rural Residential District roadways. The individual roadway studies <br />exhibited a broad range of average and 85th percentile speeds. These data were <br />further exam1neciwith the understanding that for the sake of uniformity the intent was <br />toestabUsha single statutory speed for the entire categolj' ofruralresidential roads. <br />Also; a major consideration was that the, selected' ~peed be appro_priate and safe in the <br />densest ofthe rural residential areas. Bl;sed on these analyses, the recomniended- <br />statutory speed limit for all rural residential roadways should be 35 !v1PH. Aswith <br />_ other roadwaytypes, if that statutory speed does not appear reasonable for a specific <br />,condition, the~road authority may request a speed study. . <br /> <br />If the 35 Iv1PHRural Residential speed limit were to be adopted., it was the view of <br />the Task Force that it would need to be signed. Since it is a different value than the <br />Urban District speed limit, it could not be covered in a blanket statement addressing <br />all statutory 30 MPH zones. Similarly, it was thought that it would not be practical to <br />expect motorists to distinguish a Rural Residential zone, and to know that the <br />statutory speed limit is 35, if signing of the 35 MPH area were not provided. <br /> <br />An option was considered that required the road authQrity to adopt the 35 MPH zone <br />for the Rural Residential District (and post appropriate signing). In this option, a <br />Rural ResidentialPistrict road would have to be adopted by a formal process, so only <br />roads that really needed the speed control could be selected. If not selected, a road <br />would remain at a st'B.tutory 55 MPH limit or could be addressed through a speed <br />. zoning study request Task Force members felt strOllg1ythat this option deviated <br />,from the core principle of uniformity and consistency statewide. Placing an optional <br />decision in the authority of the local governments suggests that interpretation and <br />application of the Rural Residential District could vary from'city to city. This option <br />did not advance'beyond initial discussions within the Task Force. <br /> <br />4.2.2 Recommended Statute Text <br /> <br />The Task Force recommends adding provision Subd. 2(a)(8) to the speed limit <br />statute: <br /> <br />(8)' 3 5 miles per hour in a Rural Residential District and speed limit signs shall be <br />erected upon entering the Rural Residential District. <br /> <br />Page 23 <br />