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 136-153 to reduce the speed limit within the Park Ridge Estates subdivision.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2 & 6
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
At their meeting on September 12, 2022, City Council voted to postpone the item to September 26, 2022, at the request of the Park Ridge Estates Homeowners Association.
Staff received a request from the Park Ridge Estates Homeowners Association (HOA) to lower the speed limit within the Park Ridge Estates subdivision from the existing posted 30 mph to 20 mph. Park Ridge Estates is a subdivision located off the south side of W County Line Road between S Walnut Avenue and FM 725.
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 multiple streets within the Park Ridge Estates subdivision in November 2021. The specific locations and results of the traffic data collection are shown in the attached traffic study summary. There were four reported crashes within the entire subdivision for 2019 through May 2022, one of which was speeding related.
The site investigation found the roadside environment includes single-family residences along each local road with on-street parking available. There is some pedestrian activity within the subdivision, with sidewalks located on both sides of each street.
Based on the site investigation and collected speed data, it is recommended that the regulatory speed limit within the Park Ridge Estates subdivision be maintained at 30 mph at this time. 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:
The Park Ridge Estates HOA contacted the City with a request to reduce the speed limit in the Park Ridge Estates Subdivision due to speeding and safety concerns.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Traffic control signs cost approximately $150 each. Sufficient funding is available in the FY 2023 approved Streets and Drainage budget.Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board
The Transportation and Traffic Advisory Board unanimously recommended denial at their August 11, 2022 meeting.
Staff
Staff recommends maintaining the existing 30 mph speed limit throughout the Park Ridge Estates subdivision at this time.