09/08/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The memo reported public works disagreement with Board recommendations on Agate, Villard, and Donald. That disagreement was based on the Board's apparent incon- sistency in following criteria - roadside culture, 85 percent~i lt' speed, accident rate, roadway alignment, etc. - according to the memo. e Al Williams, traffic engineer, reviewed actions taken leading to receipt of the Board's recommendations. Staff presented proposed speeds to the Speed Board on the assumption that it was reasonable and realistic to expect consistent treatment of speed zoning on arterial systems. All neighborhood groups were informed of the recommended speeds with response from only the Fairmount neighborhood group. He explained the makeup of the State Speed Control Board and criteria on which it bases its recommendations. Also, the frustrations in attempting to communicate the total ramifications of problems involved in posting speed zones. He said figures do not support the popular belief that everyone will drive at the posted speed. City View between 11th and 18th was chosen as a test site, he said, to determine effects of heavy enforcement with regard to (1) relationship between actual speeds traveled and those posted (there was none); (2) effect of concentrated enforcement (85 percentile speed reduced during enforcement period, increased to same as before after test period was over). A similar test was run on Agate Street where the 85 percentile speed after the test increased to 36 mph (32 mph before). As an example of frustra- tions, he said, invariably some of those persons complaining about speeding were the first to receive citations when special enforcement was tried. And often they are people residing in the areas tested, or those least expected to violate the limits _ driver education instructors, PTA personnel, etc. Councilman Hamel left the meeting. Al Williams said that speeds would be reduced only when people themselves really decided to drive at reduced speeds; fundamentally, driver behavior was an extension of social attitudes. The majority of drivers respond in a safe and reasonable manner as demonstrated by accident rates, which he didn't feel were too bad. But it is the regulation of unreasonable behavior that is necessary, and that cannot be accomplished without the consent and compliance of the majority of the public. He thought realis- e tic speed zones were highly desirable and explained the 85 percentile measure used on a nationwide basis for determining speeds to be posted (85% of autos traveling at or below the posted speed). Neither the traffic engineering division nor the police department feels that posting higher speeds increases speeds at which cars are actually driven. Neither does posting at an unrealistic or reduced speed change what is happening. Staff feels the Speed Board recommndations on Donald, Villard, and Agate are unrealistic and not in accordance with criteria for posting speeds, and for that reason recommended discussion of those three streets with the Board at its next meeting while acce~ting the recommendations on the balance of the streets listed. Dan Childress, South University Neighborhood Association, noted packet of material distributed to Counci1members including copies of petitions from people in that neighborhood furnished to Council members with committee agenda. The petitions favored posting the 25 mph speed on Agate the entire distance between Franklin and 24th as recommended by the Speed Board. Mr. Childress, Mike Utsey, and Dick Fehnel, all living in that neighborhood, thought Agate Street should not be treated in a general nature, that the neighborhood was unique, and that streets originally con- sidered public ground shOuld be returned to that use rather than for the sole use of autos. Mr. Fehnel thought the traffic engineering division was inconsistent itself in recommending consistency in treatment of speed zoning on the one hand, then recom- mending two different speeds within an 11-block distance on one street. He also questioned the methodology used in the study reported by the traffic engineer - whether characteristics of one neighborhood were adequate bases for policy in another neighborhood, effects of weather at time of the tests, does the 8S percentile cover 10/100/1000 motorists, etc. The question of which major.ity'sinterests were being considered was raised - drivers in total, or those living within thA af- e fected neighborhood. He noted two elementary schools on Aqate and lack of sight clearance near one. Another resident of Agate Street noted two neighborhood associa- 'tions in that area were strongly opposed to increasing the posted speed to 30 mph. 9/8/75 - 11 499