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Public Works Committee 5. 1. <br />Meeting Date: 05/17/2022 <br />By: Grant Riemer, Engineering/Public <br />Works <br />Title: <br />Review Non -Conforming Traffic Sign Policy <br />Purpose/Background: <br />Background: <br />Staff received a request to install a sign referencing that an autistic child lives in the neighborhood. The sign was <br />requested based on the approval of a home occupancy permit in the neighborhood. The assumption was that the <br />business would increase traffic in the neighborhood, thus posing a greater threat to all children in the neighborhood. <br />Staff located a speed trailer, in the neighborhood, that had the ability to record vehicle counts and speed. The trailer <br />was left in place for two weeks. The first week the display is turned off , so vehicle speed is not affected by the <br />flashing display, and the second week the display is turned on so the driver can see their current speed. Over the <br />course of two weeks, 1312 cars passed the speed trailer with the average speed recorded being 21-22 mph, with the <br />85 percentile speed being 26 mph. The posted speed for a residential neighborhood is 30 mph. <br />Timeframe: <br />15 minutes <br />Observations/Alternatives: <br />Our policy is to follow the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This manual is the national <br />standard by which all traffic engineering is designed around. Traffic signs are used to give motorists clear <br />directions or warn about unusual road conditions ahead. Signs such as "Slow Deaf Child Area", "Slow Children at <br />Play", "Watch for Children", Etc. are no longer recognized by the manual. These signs are vague in their <br />description and don't provide drivers with clear directions. When drivers are traveling in a residential area, they <br />should be aware of children, as this would be a common condition for the area. Any child near the road is a cause <br />for concern and the driver should react accordingly. We have followed this policy for approximately 15 years. <br />Funding Source: <br />N/A <br />Recommendation: <br />The staff recommendation is to continue our practice of following the MUTCD and not install what are considered <br />non -conforming traffic signs. <br />Action: <br />The motion to the Committee is to continue our practice of following the MUTCD and not install what are <br />considered non -conforming traffic signs. <br />Attachments <br />177th Ln Speed Study <br />Information Sheet <br />Council Case and Minutes <br />