Agenda - Council - 02/11/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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! I STREET CLOSURE I I I I I I TYPE TYPE Z A street closure, for the purpose of the Residential Neighborhood Traffic Control Tool Box, is defined as closing a street either at one end or the other, or at a mid-block location. The purpose is to eliminate wanted through traffic. Street closing is a fairly common traffic con- trol technique. It is we//documented/_n the "Residential Street Design & Traffic Control" published by Prentice Hail (1989). There are two basic types of closure to consider. Type 1 is defined as being near to the main street. The closed street can no longer gain access to or from the main s~eet. Type 2 is defined as being a far closure. The closed street can only ."ga. in' access to the main street. Type 1 is most effective at reducing through traffic volumes. Effects Volumes. The impact on traffic volume is drastic, reducing traffic volume to that which is generated by the land use on the abutti.ng properties. To be most effective/the closure must be visible to the drivers, so that the driver does not run onto the street and then finds it to be a dead-end. A "dead-end" sign may be needed. Sufficient capacity on the alternative route is also needed. Speed. Again, the impact is drastic, reducing the speed to that normally associated with short dead-end residential streets. Traffic Noise, Air Quality and Energy Con- sumptiom There should be a dramatic reduction in noise directly related to the reduction in traffic volumes. This is also complished w/th an increase in air quality. Energy Consuznption. No change in energy consumption is expected since vehicle trips are not eliminated, but merely rerouted to main streets. Traffic Safety. There is a substantial increase in traffic safety. The neighborhood abutting the closed street has less traffic and the traffic that remains ks all local, usually welt known amongst themselves. There is also a safety improvement to the main street. Traffic entering or exiting the main street is e//minated at the dose. d street and relocated at adjacent intersection with better .traffic con- trol. This portion of traffic safety has been the driving force in the majority of street closures described in the case study section. Community Reaction. Reaction from people who live on the street is usually very positive. It is important to have aH the residents in- 141 Neighborhood Traffic Control January 1994 20-1