TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive staff's evaluation of traffic calming measures on Gartner Road between Washington Street and Charles Avenue
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Prousa, TED Project Manager
BACKGROUND:
In August of 2022, residents reached out to the Transportation, Engineering and Development Department (TED) with concerns regarding speeding on Gartner Road between Washington Street and Charles Avenue.
In 2023, staff installed several traffic calming measures on Gartner Road, these included:
* Yellow Banding the 25 mph speed limit signs on Gartner Road leaving Washington Street, Charles Avenue, Olesen Drive, and Naper Boulevard.
* Installing the "25 MPH" pavement marking on Gartner Road leaving Washington Street for eastbound traffic and leaving Naper Boulevard for westbound traffic.
* Installing marked parking boxes on Gartner Road between Julian Street and Charles Avenue.
* Installing a marked choker on Gartner Road between Edgewater Drive and Driftwood Court.
Attachment 1 is the 2022 Gartner Road before study agenda item for reference.
DISCUSSION:
TED staff in 2022 conducted a speed and volume study at four locations on Gartner Road between Washington Street and Charles Avenue:
* Gartner Road between Edgewater Drive and Driftwood Court
* Gartner Road between Driftwood Court and Julian Street
* Gartner Road between Julian Street and Watercress Drive
* Gartner Road between Whirlaway Avenue and Charles Avenue
When reviewing speed data on a street, the 85th percentile speed is the primary consideration. Per the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85 percent of free-flowing vehicles are traveling at or below. Use of the 85th percentile speed is based on the theory that the large majority of drivers are reasonable and prudent, do not want to have a crash, and desire to reach their destination in t...
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