PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the first reading of an ordinance to create Section 126-153 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels to set the speed limit on Goodwin Lane and Conrads Lane.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff received a request to evaluate the speed limit on Goodwin Lane due to concerns about an inappropriate speed limit near the intersection with FM 306 after the intersection was converted to all-way stop control. The attached traffic study summary details the engineering study completed to evaluate the appropriate speed limits on Goodwin Lane and Conrads Lane.
Speed limits on Texas roads, including city streets, are set by statute in Section 545.352 of the Texas Transportation Code. The current speed limit on most city residential streets is 30 mph. The statute includes the following prima facie speed limits:
• Street in Urban District - 30 mph
• Alley in Urban District - 15 mph
Speed limits are set to inform motorists of appropriate driving speeds under favorable conditions. Regardless of the posted speed limit some drivers will operate at speeds where they feel comfortable, given the design of the road and development/activity along the roadside. The overall goal of setting the speed limit is almost always to increase safety within the context of retaining reasonable mobility for motorists.
Traffic data collection, review of crash history and a site investigation were conducted for Goodwin Lane and Conrads Lane in Summer 2023. The data collection points were selected to represent the differing adjacent land uses along different segments of these roadways. There were 38 total reported crashes between both roadways for October 2020 through October 2023, 14 of which were speeding related.
Based on the site investigation and collected speed data, it is recommended that the regulatory speed on Goodwin Lane be revised to 35 mph from the intersection with FM 306 to the northern intersection with Conrads Lane. The measured 85th percentile speeds in the 36-44 mph range do not support a speed limit of 30 mph. However, the direct residential driveway access and pedestrian activity around the school with scarce pedestrian facilities are conditions for which a 40 mph speed limit is not suitable. The regulatory speed on both segments of Conrads Lane is recommended to be maintained at 40 mph. This area has high 85th percentile speeds between 43 and 45 mph and very few direct access driveways or pedestrian activity. It is important to note that national and local research and data have shown that reducing the posted speed limit has little to no effect in reducing operating speeds.
The only instance in which a city may lower a speed limit without a traffic study, to as low as 25 miles per hour, is if the road is in an urban district, is less than four lanes, and is not a state highway.
ISSUE:
City staff received a request to evaluate the speed limit on Goodwin Lane due to speeding and safety concerns.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2024 approved streets and drainage budget.Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board recommended approval (3-1) at their October 20, 2023, meeting.
Staff
Staff recommends the following regulatory speed limits:
• Goodwin Lane from the intersection with FM 306 to the northern intersection with Conrads Lane- 35 mph
• Conrads Lane from IH 35 to FM 1102- 40 mph