Agenda - Public Works Committee - 11/16/2004

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REVIEW WARNING SIGN PLACEMENT AT 169T" AVENUE AND NEON STREET By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer CASE Background: At the September 21, 2004 Public Works Committee meeting a traffic concern regarding vehicles leaving the roadway at this ninety de~ee bend resulted in the placement of warning signage alerting motorists to this situation. Additionally there was concern over the speed at which drivers were approaching this intersection and it was felt that the warning si=o-ns may have an affect on slowing traffic. Warning signs were posted as illustrated in Figure 1 and speed surveys were taken before and after the posting of the warning signs utilizing the Police department's "Smart Trailer." Staff has also received a request from Mr. Scott Baunagartner ;vho resides at 5850 169tl` Avenue, which is located at the southeast corner of the tee intersection of 169t~' Avenue and Neon Street, to reconsider the placement of the si=maage citing aesthetic conocIq'IS. A comparison of the speed studies before.and after the siDfing shows a decrease oftl~'ee miles per hour m average maximum speed following the posting. Although this data suggests that the sigmage may have a positive effect on reducing speed, further studies should be-conducted to determine whether this is a long term change. The information supplied by the second study also confirms that a very small percentage (1%) of motorists continue to travel at an um'easonably high speed of gq'eater than 40 miles per hour. I have attached a figure illustrating the placement of si=m~age in the area of the intersection. Also ~tttached are three pages from the Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices wtfich discuss the use of warning si~as which are available for this situation. Sig~ WI-1 is an advance warning sign which has been posted on the north leg of this intersection. Spacing requirements preclude this sign fi'om being placed on the east leg as it would need to be located in TH 47. There would be a choice of warning si~as available for placement at the curve itself, the large arrow, W1-6, or the chevron, W ] -8, could be used. The guidance section relating to the use of chevrons states that at least two chevrons ~hould be in view'until the change in ali~ent eliminates the need for the signs. l~ecomlnendation: Staff' will be reviewing the requirements for posting of the chevrons to determine whether the number used can be reduced fi'om the cun'ent number posted. Action: Based upon discussion. Reviewed by: Pub lic Works Director/Fire Chief Assistant ?ublic Works Director/Principal Engineer Street Maintenance Supervisor Police Chief t~V,/: ] 11!6/,94 35