Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

Traffic Engineering Division

TO:	Charles Soules, Director of Public Works
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer
CC:	Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer
Date:	April 22, 2009
RE:	April 28, 2009 City Commission Agenda Item Traffic Calming – Ousdahl Road

Background

At the March 2, 2009 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, the Commission addressed a request to construct traffic calming devices on Ousdahl Road between 25^th Street and 26^th Street.  Ousdahl Road is classified as a “local” street in a residential area with a speed limit of 30 mph and no sidewalks on either side of the street. 

Evaluation

The Traffic Engineering Division conducted an evaluation of this request in February in accordance with the city’s Traffic Calming Policy which was adopted by the City Commission on August 23, 2005.  The policy provides that traffic calming devices may be permitted on a “local” street if the 85^th percentile speed of traffic is 5 mph or greater over the speed limit, or if the 24-hour two-way traffic volume is greater than 1000.  Traffic data collected on February 4-5, 2009 found the 85^th percentile speed of traffic to range from 33.4 mph to 39.1 mph with an average of 37.2 mph; and a 24-hour two-way traffic volume of approximately 1350.  Therefore, this portion of Ousdahl road meets the minimum requirements for consideration of traffic calming devices.

Traffic Safety Commission Action

Four residents along Ousdahl Road spoke in favor of the request citing excessive speeds, unusual terrain, several curves in the road, lack of sidewalks resulting in pedestrians using the street (often with children and strollers), recent crashes (including a fatality) and difficulty backing out of driveways. No residents spoke in opposition to the request.  The Commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend construction of traffic calming devices along this portion of Ousdahl Road.

Project Funding

It is estimated that it will take 2-3 speed cushions along this portion of Ousdahl Road at an estimated cost of $15,000 each to calm the traffic appropriately.  There is currently no funding appropriated for traffic calming projects in the current year’s budget.  In addition, there are several approved, but unfunded, traffic calming projects throughout the city (see Attachment).    

Action Request

It is recommended that the City Commission approve the request for traffic calming on Ousdahl Road between 25^th Street and 26^th Street and place the project on the list of approved traffic calming projects awaiting future funding approval.