AgdaPkt 2010-01-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT 78 age 1 January 11, 2010 SUBJECT Traffic-Calming Measures on McGarvey Avenue RECOMMENDATION Approve, by motion, installation of permanent traffic-calming devices to include a) speed tables on McGarvey Avenue between Farm Hill Boulevard and Alameda de las Pulgas and, b) a traffic circle at McGarvey Avenue/Chesterton Avenue (east). BACKGROUND McGarvey Avenue area residents and members of the McGarvey Neighborhood Traffic Committee have asked the city to address issues of speeding and undesirable driving behavior on McGarvey Avenue. In August of 2008, staff met with area residents and together developed a traffic calming strategy. On September 27, 2008 staff recommended, and City Council approved, a traffic-calming program, for a trial period, consisting of the following. 1) Installation of temporary "speed tables" at three locations on McGarvey Avenue between Farm Hill Boulevard and Alameda de las Pulgas. 2) Installation of a temporary "traffic circle" on McGarvey Avenue at the intersection with Chesterton Avenue (east - intersection closer to Roosevelt). Please see Attachment 1 for vicinity map and Attachment 2 for location map. Both the temporary "trial" traffic tables and circle were installed in early 2009. All of the devices are composed of rubber, appear temporary in nature, and can be easily removed or relocated.. Staff proposed to permanently install the same types of devices if the temporary installations prove effective and are generally accepted by area residents. In order to measure the effectiveness of the devices in reducing traffic speeds, the city conducted speed surveys at three locations near the devices along McGarvey Avenue prior to, and subsequent to, the installations. In comparing the "before" and "after" speed measurements, the average vehicular speed decreased from approximately 28 mph (before) to 20 mph (after) the installations. Traffic volume data collected indicates that there was little if any reduction in the number of vehicles traveling on McGarvey. The city has received mostly, but not entirely, positive feedback from McGarvey area residents concerning the effect and impact of the devices. Generally, residents seem to be satisfied with the traffic-slowing effects, and are in favor of making the improvements permanent. However, other residents oppose the installations for various reasons. Some residents have reported a negative experience because of the fact that some drivers, apparently upset with the installations, had been honking as they drove over the tables. These neighbors also report that some motorists continue to speed over the tables, causing excessive noise. It's not known if this behavior is still taking place. This group of twelve neighbors has submitted a petition requesting removal of one of the