Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Jessica Perry, Graduate Engineer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - jperry@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of the installation of speed humps on Broadway Drive between Rusk Street and Flushing.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Council Districts: 4 & 5
Citizens submitted a request for the installation of speed humps on Broadway Drive between Rusk Street and Flushing. Broadway Drive is classified as a minor collector in the City of New Braunfels 2012 Regional Transportation Plan with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. The request was evaluated based on petition, operational and geometric requirements established in the City of New Braunfels Speed Hump Policy approved in 1999.
Twelve (12) signatures were required to meet the two-thirds requirement, and 12 signatures were received. An operational requirement in the policy is that the 85th percentile speed must be at least 5 mph over the regulatory speed limit of 30 mph. Traffic data collected on February 10, 2021 showed an 85th percentile speed of 35 mph which does meet the speed criteria in the Speed Hump Policy. Another operational requirement in the policy is an average daily traffic volume of at least 800 vehicles. The data collected in February 2021 counted 394 vehicles per day which does not meet the volume criteria in the Speed Hump Policy. These requirements are listed in the attachment to this report.
The Speed Hump Policy also requires proposed speed humps on a street to be approved by the emergency services departments. The New Braunfels Fire Department and the New Braunfels Police Department approve of the installation of speed humps on the requested street.
This portion of Broadway Drive does not have curbs, so curb extensions will need to be installed with the speed humps to ensure that drivers do not circumvent the speed humps.
If the request is approved, the street will be placed on the list of streets eligible for speed hump installation for up to three years. Speed hump projects will be prioritized according to the criteria established in the Speed Hump Policy. The Speed Hump Policy also states that the alteration or removal of speed humps requires the same petition process as the installation request, with at least two-thirds of all adjacent households and businesses in favor of speed hump removal. The city will not provide any funding for the removal of speed humps if it is requested.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Envision New Braunfels Strategy 7: Connect All: Action 7.16: Develop a program and process for consideration of citizen requests for neighborhood traffic calming.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Speed hump installation cost including speed cushions, signing and pavement markings for three sets of speed humps costs approximately $21,000 to $27,000 depending on location. The cost of the required curb extensions is estimated to be approximately $1,200 for each set of speed humps. Funding for speed humps are included in the FY 2021 streets division operating budget and sufficient funds are currently available.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff does not recommend approval of speed humps on Broadway Drive between Rusk Street and Flushing as it does not meet the volume criteria established in the Speed Hump Policy.