Agenda - Public Works Committee - 06/18/2001

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PW CASE WACO STREET TRAFFIC CONCERNS By: 'Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: At the November 2000 Public Works Committee meeting, a number of residents of Waco Street were present to discuss improving traffic safety on Waco Street, specifically between 149th Avenue (Sunwood Drive) and 150th Avenue. The concerns of the citizens expressed at the meeting were: · Traffic is moving too .fast along Waco · There is limited sight distance of the trail to the east · Traffic uses Waco Street to avoid T.H. #47 . The citizen requests included the following considerations: · Place stop signs at 150th Avenue and/or 149th Avenue · Paint a crosswalk at the trail crossing on Waco Street At the time, it was suggested that a soon-to-be acquired speed trailer be employed, to warn drivers of the neighborhood speed concern and to collect speed data. In May, the results of the speed survey were shared with the public and the Committee. Earlier, in January, an analysis of cut-through traffic was prepared and distributed. The speed trailer data has been questioned by residents. Do vehicles slow down when they see the speed display trailer? Certainly that's what the desired action is if they are exceeding the posted limit. Additionally, it may be difficult to arrive at a consensus of what constitutes the "problem speeding" definition. Engineering standards suggests that 15 percent of drivers can be expected to drive faster than the upper limit of what is considered a prudent speed. This may be an engineering standard, but is it acceptable to any particular neighborhood? The issue of whether stop signs should be placed in this instance, will not be resolved by the collection of more data, unless there were to be developed a policy with some quantifiable standards. In addition, such standard would be admittedly arbitrary. The neighborhood would like closure to this issue and staff agrees. The City has done or will do the following within the next month: · Add a painted and signed crosswalk at the trail crossing Re-stripe the centerline and white fog lines · Paint "Stop" on the trail as it approaches Waco Street from both directions. The placement of stop signs along Waco Street remains the final issue. Certainly, "close calls" and the daily experience of living on the street generate understandable causes for concern. However, City policy makers must also be aware that the "may not help, but couldn't hurt" attitude toward the placement of stop signs is simply not the case. Staff will be presenting a short video, which explores the use of stop signs.