Agenda - Council - 07/10/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Works Committee 5. 2. Meeting Date: 06/19/2018 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Title: Consider Speed Study Request for Ramsey Boulevard between Bunker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to consider a request to perform a Speed Study on Ramsey Boulevard between Bunker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive. Background: Staff received a request from a former PACT Charter School bus driver who resides in Nowthen (applicant) to reduce the speed limit on Ramsey Boulevard between Bunker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive. The applicant feels the existing pedestrian crossings for Ramsey Boulevard are unsafe for children who walk to PACT Charter School due to the existing posted speed limit of 55 mph. This segment of Ramsey Boulevard has two controlled pedestrian crossings, one at Bunker Lake Boulevard and one at Sunwood Drive. The controlled crossings consist of marked crosswalks with pedestrian actuated signals at each of the signalized intersections. The applicant is concerned that if a child crosses against a red light that vehicles will not be able to react in time to avoid hitting the child, and that a slower speed limit will provide more reaction time for drivers to help them avoid hitting the child. The applicant plans to attend the Public Works Committee meeting to explain their concerns in detail. Minnesota Statute 169.14 establishes statutory speed limits on most typical roadways under ideal conditions. All other speed limits are set by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) based upon an engineering and traffic investigation (speed study) in which the following factors are considered: • Road type and condition • Location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, etc.) • Sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum) • Existing traffic control devices (sign, signals, etc.) • Crash history traffic volume sight distances (curve, hill, etc.) • Test drive results The most common speed limits observed throughout Minnesota are: • 10 mph in alleys • 30 mph on streets in urban districts • 55 mph on other roads • 65 mph on expressways • 65 mph on urban interstate highways • 70 mph on rural interstate highways Where speed limits are not posted, these are considered the default speed limits. Local road authorities (cities, townships, and counties) can determine advisory speeds for local roads and post the roads with advisory speed signs without authorization from the MnDOT Commissioner. Local road authorities can also pass a resolution requesting a speed study investigation by MnDOT. The local road