Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David Cronin, City Engineer
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer
DATE:	May 5, 2015
RE:	27^th Street Traffic Calming

Background

At the December 3, 2012 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, the Commission heard a request for TRAFFIC CALMING  on 27th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street (see attached map). Traffic data obtained during November 2012 found the overall 85th percentile speed of traffic to be 38.1 mph and the average volume of traffic to be 3315. Updated traffic data obtained April 30-May 5, 2015 found the overall 85th percentile speed of traffic to be 34.6 mph and the average volume of traffic to be 9450. The Traffic Safety Commission voted unanimously to recommend TRAFFIC CALMING on 27^th Street. At the January 22, 2013 City Commission meeting, the City Commission voted unanimously to concur with the Traffic Safety Commission recommendation, noting that funding was not currently available. At the April 28, 2015 City Commission meeting, the Commission requested that staff develop a traffic calming plan and cost estimate for 27^th Street.

Possible Traffic Calming Plan

There are many different types of traffic calming devices possible; however, traffic calming circles, speed cushions and raised crosswalks have been found to be the most effective in Lawrence. In addition, there are an infinite number of combinations of devices for a traffic calming plan. One possible plan could include the following (example photos attached):

• 27^th between Louisiana and Belle Haven, construct a speed cushion, $8,000;
• 27^th between Belle Haven and Alabama, construct a speed cushion, $8,000;
• 27^th and Alabama, construct a traffic calming circle, $50,000;
• 27^th between Alabama and Missouri, construct a speed cushion, $8,000;
• 27^th and Missouri, construct truck aprons on the NE & SW corners or realign the intersection, $20,000-$120,000;
• 27^th between Arkansas and the trail crossing, construct a speed cushion, $8,000;
• 27^th and the trail crossing, construct a raised crosswalk or pedestrian refuge island, $10,000-$12,000;
• 27^th between Manor and Knollbrook, construct a speed cushion, $8,000; and,
• 27^th and Ridge, construct a traffic calming circle, $50,000.

It should be noted that current city policy (attached) requires that seventy percent (70%) of all property owners within 300 feet of a proposed traffic calming device approve of the device and the location.

Other items that would be helpful, but are not traffic calming devices include:

· Constructing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on 27^th at the trail crossing, $60,000; and,

· Constructing a sidewalk along the north side of 27^th, between Belle Haven and Arkansas, $80,000 (construction of a sidewalk along the north side of 27^th between Arkansas and Naismith Valley Park is scheduled for this summer.)

In addition, although not a traffic calming device, a  temporary All-Way Stop was established at the intersection of 27^th and Louisiana due to the closure of Louisiana and 31^st. It is optional as to whether or not to maintain the All-Way Stop after the streets reopen; however, it can have the effect of attracting through traffic to 27^th Street and displacing traffic to 25^th, 27^th Terrace, Alabama, Arkansas, Belle Haven and Missouri Streets.

Stop Sign Application

Stop signs are not considered a traffic calming device since they do not physically require a motorist to adjust their driving; in fact, studies have shown that they can have the opposite effect by increasing mid-block speeds. The purpose of stop signs is to assign right-of-way at an intersection; their use and application are prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (see attachment), published by the Federal Highway Administration and adopted by Kansas State Law and City Ordinance.

Funding & Construction Schedule

It is estimated that traffic calming on 27^th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street will cost approximately $170,000 to $230,000 to construct; the sidewalk along the north side of 27^th Street between Belle Haven and Arkansas would cost an additional $80,000; this is currently unfunded within the current budget. If funding is approved this year, a neighborhood meeting should be held to finalize plans; once a plan is finalized, signatures would need to be obtained from property owners; once signatures are obtained, design could be started, followed by bidding and construction.

Design will take a couple months. Construction of all traffic calming devices will take several months.

Recommendation

It is recommended that City staff conduct a public meeting to obtain neighborhood input on a traffic calming plan for 27^th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street.

Action Request

Pending Commission discussion, if appropriate, provide direction to City staff on a traffic calming project for 27^th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street