Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Garry Ford, City Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - gford@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of the first reading of an ordinance to restore the speed limit of 30 mph on Fredericksburg Road.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council District: 3
On March 9, 2015, New Braunfels City Council issued an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on Fredericksburg Road from 30 mph to 25 mph. The reduction was in response to increased traffic on Fredericksburg Road due to construction activities on Walnut Avenue from Kerlick Lane to Landa Street.
Now that the construction activities on Walnut Avenue no longer restrict traffic on that roadway, this speed limit reduction was reviewed by staff to determine if it is still necessary. Speed limits on Texas roads, including city streets, are set by statute in Section 545.352 of the Texas Transportation Code. The statute includes the following prima facie speed limits:
• Street in Urban District - 30 mph
• Alley in Urban District - 15 mph
The current speed limit on most city residential streets is 30 mph. In Section 545.356 of the Texas Transportation Code, a city may lower the state-mandated speed limit by performing an engineering and traffic investigation and determining that the prima facie speed limit is unreasonable or unsafe. A city may lower the state-mandated speed limit without a traffic investigation to as low as 25 mph if the governing body determines that the prima facie speed is unreasonable or unsafe.
Speed studies were conducted in two locations on Fredericksburg Road (near Wood Road and Deer Trot). One speed study was conducted in 2015, prior to the reduced 25 mph speed limit; the second study was conducted in 2015, after the speed limit was reduced to 25 mph; and another study was conducted in spring 2017, after the construction on Walnut Avenue no longer restricted traffic on that roadway. The results of these speed studies are shown below.
85th percentile speed, 2015 (30 mph posted):
• Deer Trot Street = 30 mph
• Wood Road = 33 mph
85th percentile speed, 2015 (25 mph posted):
• Deer Trot Street = 28 mph
• Wood Road = 32 mph
85th percentile speed, 2017 (25 mph posted):
• Deer Trot Street = 30 mph
• Wood Road = 29 mph
It is recommended that the speed limit on Fredericksburg Road be restored to 30 mph based on the speed data, characteristics of the street, and the fact that Fredericksburg Road functions as a residential collector. Other than Kentucky Boulevard which is posted at 20 mph, local streets connecting to Fredericksburg Road have a speed limit of 30 mph.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
2006 Comprehensive Plan: Transportation Goal 21: Provide a system of convenient and safe transportation facilities through comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation system planning and development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $135 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY16-17 approved streets and drainage budget.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously approved the recommendation to restore the speed limit of 30 mph on Fredericksburg Road on February 9, 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of restoring the speed limit of 30 mph on Fredericksburg Road.