city of dania beach

SE 5TH AVENUE

TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY

DRAFT VERSION

JANUARY 2011

CITY OF DANIA BEACHCITY OF DANIA BEACHCITY OF DANIA BEACHCITY OF DANIA BEACH

Prepared by:

500 Cypress Creek Road,

Suite 410

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

954.730.0707

City of Dania Beach ii January 2011

SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1-1

2. DATA COLLECTION ........................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Traffic Data.................................................................................................... 2-1

3. DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................. 3-1

3.1 Traffic Calming.............................................................................................. 3-1

3.1.1 Traffic Thresholds............................................................................ 3-1

3.1.2 Traffic Calming Evaluation ............................................................. 3-2

3.1.3 Traffic Calming Options .................................................................. 3-2

4. APPROACH & CONCEPTUAL PHASING PLAN.............................................. 4-1

4.1 Approach........................................................................................................ 4-1

4.2 Conceptual Phasing Plan................................................................................ 4-1

City of Dania Beach iiii January 2011


LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Study Location Map Figure 2-1: Traffic Data Collected for Study Area Figure 2-2: Existing Traffic Calming Devices Figure 4-1: Conceptual Traffic Calming Plan

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1: Summary of Volumes Collected Table 2-2: Summary of Speeds Collected Table 3-1: Volume Threshold for Local Streets Table 3-2: Broward County Traffic Calming Guidelines Table 3-3: City of Coral Springs Traffic Calming Evaluation Criteria Table 3-4: Level 1 Psychological Traffic Calming Options Table 3-5: Level 2 Physical Traffic Calming Options

City of Dania Beach 1-1 January 2011


1. INTRODUCTION

The City of Dania Beach requested a traffic calming study of SE 5th Avenue between Sheridan Street and Dania Beach Boulevard to address local neighborhood traffic complaints of excessive speeds by motor vehicles. Under the original traffic calming study performed by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., roundabouts were recommended to reduce motor vehicle speeds. These roundabouts require a large amount of right-of-way and therefore are not favored by the stakeholders. At the request of the City, Chen and Associates has assessed other traffic calming options for SE 5th Avenue which are presented in this report. The options were evaluated for the following criteria:

• Impact to adjacent neighborhood streets;

• Effectiveness in addressing excessive speeds;

• Impact to adjacent residents; and

• Cost of implementation.

Figure 1-1: Study Location Map



2. DATA COLLECTION

2.1 Traffic Data

The traffic data collected was used for determining whether SE 5th Avenue warrants traffic calming treatment. Traffic volumes and speeds were collected for both directions of travel for the roadway in question during a typical weekday. Broward County Traffic Engineering staff collected traffic data with the Nu-Metrics Traffic Analyzer. The equipment was installed on SE 5th Avenue north of SE 7th Street as illustrated in Figure 2-1. The device recorded both volume and speed data at this location. A summary of the traffic volumes collected for a 24-hour period is presented in Table 2-1.

Figure 2-1: Traffic Data Collected for Study Area

Table 2-1: Summary of Volumes Collected

Location Functional

Classification1

Volume

(veh/day)

SE 5th Avenue – North of SE 7th Street City Collector 7,700

Notes: (1) Roadway classification according to Broward County Highway Functional Classifications.



Traffic data was evaluated as listed below: 1. Determine if volume/speed thresholds were exceeded; 2. Assess the existing traffic conditions in the study area; and 3. Evaluate the traffic patterns.

The traffic data collected included traffic volumes and speeds. Additionally, existing traffic calming devices located within the residential neighborhood were identified and presented in Figure 2-2. Existing conditions and related study results are provided in Table 2-1 and 2-2.

Figure 2-2: Existing Traffic Calming Devices

A summary of average and 85th -percentile speeds is presented in Table 2-2 below. The 85th-percentile speed is the speed below which 85 percent of the motorists are traveling and is often used as a measure of the upper limit of “reasonable” speeds for the prevailing conditions. A complete summary of the traffic thresholds is presented in Section 3.1.1.

Table 2-2: Summary of Speeds Collected

Location Posted Speed

Limit

(mph)

Average

Speed

(mph)

85th

– Percentile

Speed

(mph)

85th Percentile

Speed Above Posted

Speed Limit

Safety

Concern1

SE 5th Avenue – North of 7th Street

30 36 41.41 11.41 Excessive

1 Safety concern thresholds established in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual.



3. DATA ANALYSIS

The data collected, as described in Section 2, was evaluated and analyzed against standard traffic thresholds and options. The results are presented below:

3.1 Traffic Calming

3.1.1 Traffic Thresholds

Broward County Traffic Engineering reviews and monitors traffic conditions throughout the County and is the governing agency for traffic related matters. Broward County provides guidance in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual for when neighborhood traffic management (such as the installation of traffic calming devices) should be considered2. As listed in Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual, neighborhood traffic volume thresholds for local streets are defined as follows:

Table 3-1: Volume Threshold for Local Streets

Traffic Flow (vehicles/day) Environment

Below 500 Low Traffic Volume

501-1,000 Low to Moderate Traffic Volume

1,001-1,500 Moderate to High Traffic Volume

Over 1,500 High Traffic Volume

Criteria for determining when vehicular speeds warrant consideration of traffic calming devices is based on the determination of the 85th-percentile speed, as defined in Section 2.1. According to the Broward County Guidelines:

Table 3-2: Broward County Traffic Calming Guidelines

If the 85th

-percentile speed is… Recommendations

Less than 5 mph above the posted speed limit Minimal Concern - measures may not be necessary

Between 6 and 10 mph above the posted speed limit Moderate Concern - measures should be considered

11 mph or more above the posted speed limit Excessive Concern - measures should be taken to solve the problem

In review of other Broward County municipality criteria, the City of Coral Springs established evaluation criteria3 used to gauge whether a traffic calming study area warrants possible traffic calming treatment. Speed and volume thresholds for Coral Springs are shown in Table 3-3. By summing volume and speed criteria points, any street that ranks 2.5 or higher warrants traffic calming treatment, upon approval of the City’s Traffic Engineering Consultant:

2 Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual (p.13-14) 3 City of Coral Springs Traffic Calming Manual – approved June 2002 (p.6)



Table 3-3: City of Coral Spring Traffic Calming Evaluation Criteria

Points 85th speed is… above speed limit

0.5 Less than 4.6 mph Points 24 hr. volume

1.0 4.6 to 7.5 mph 0.5 500-1,100 vehs

1.5 7.6 to 10.5 mph 1.0 1,101-1,700 vehs

2.0 10.6 to 13.5 mph 1.5 1,701-2,300 vehs

2.5 13.6 to 16.5 mph 2.0 More than 2,300

3.0 More than 16.5 mph

3.1.2 Traffic Calming Evaluation

Based on the criteria specified in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual, traffic speed on SE 5th Avenue is excessive. As data collected illustrates, the 85th percentile exceeds 11mph; the data also verified that this is a high volume street for its classification. Where excessive traffic volumes and speeds are observed on local streets in residential neighborhoods, traffic calming improvements may aid in notifying motorists that they are in a residential environment thereby helping achieve a reduction in speeds and improvement in the neighborhood’s livability and quality of life.

3.1.3 Traffic Calming Options

Traffic calming options can be generally classified under two categories: psychological (i.e. Level 1) and physical (i.e. Level 2):

• Level 1 – Psychological Traffic Calming Options These measures are generally comprised of public involvement, enforcement efforts, striping, signage, and the use of the speed radar trailer. See Table 3-4.

• Level 2 – Physical Traffic Calming Options These measures generally require the alteration of the physical configuration of neighborhood streets. These measures are sometimes referred to as “physical controls.” Common characteristics of these controls are that they force or prohibit specific actions. These features are largely self-enforcing and may create a visual impression that a street is not intended for through traffic. Level 2 treatments include chokers, medians, raised intersections, and speed humps, among others. See Table 3-5 for a list of Level 2 options. While these measures have the potential to achieve the desired results, they can also present significant problems that compound the initial resident concerns. Problems can include:

� Emergency response impact � Increase noise



Table 3-4: Level 1 Psychological Traffic Calming Options

Treatment

Volume

Reduction

Speed

Reduction Noise

Emergency Vehicle

Response Impact Cost

Striping Narrower Lanes / Centerline Delineation Possible Yes No Change None $3/ linear foot

Speed Radar Trailer or Sign No Yes No Change None $10k

Pavement Messages No Possible No Change None $300 per Sign

Increase Police Enforcement Possible Yes No Change None N/A

Table 3-5: Level 2 Physical Traffic Calming Options

Treatment

Volume

Reduction

Speed

Reduction Noise

Emergency Vehicle

Response Impact Cost

Speed Humps Possible Yes Increase Yes $2-$4k per hump

Short Medians No Yes No Change None $5-$15k per location

Raised Crosswalks No Yes Increase Yes $4-$8k per location

Raised Intersection No Yes Possible None $15-$25k per location

Textured Pavements No Yes Possible None (varies)

Chicanes No Yes Possible Yes $5-$10k per location

Chokers / Bump-outs Possible Yes No Change Yes $7-$10k per location

Rumble Strips No Yes Increase None $750 per location



4. APPROACH & CONCEPTUAL PHASING PLAN

4.1 Approach

Current conditions in the SE 5th Avenue corridor warrants a review of implementing traffic calming measures based on the evaluation of data collected against current traffic calming guidelines. However, no traffic calming devices should be installed permanently without seeking comments and opinions of residents directly affected by the proposed measures. We highly recommend involving the stakeholders in this traffic calming process. Hold a community meeting to discuss the alternative traffic calming plans Meetings with the community should be held to present the alternative traffic calming plans and solicit input and comments from all affected and interested parties. Negative impacts must be identified and then weighed against the benefits of any proposed traffic calming option. Evaluate the alternatives and select a traffic calming plan The preferred resident/city staff traffic calming measures should be evaluated for effectiveness. Upon approval, Chen and Associates can develop implementation plans which can include design plans. The design must be in conformance with regulatory criteria, obtain regulatory approval, and construct improvements.

4.2 Conceptual Phasing Plan

The goal of this traffic calming study is to address excessive vehicle speeds on SE 5th Avenue. The following traffic calming alternative is recommended since the measures would not physically restrict mobility, yet would provide a measure of traffic calming intended to reduce speeds along SE 5th Avenue. This study proposed the following phased approach: Phase I – Install medians at the south and north end of SE 5th Avenue and incorporate the following Level 1 measures:

• Stripping narrower lanes (opportunity to enhance bike path), including double yellow center stripping.

The medians will allow for the installation of neighborhood identification signs. It marks the entrance to the neighborhood and helps to communicate a sense of neighborhood identity. Phase 2 – After Phase I is complete, field traffic data should be collected to determine the effectiveness and any impacts to interior streets. After a period of 60 days, should treatment prove unsatisfactory resolving the concern or should the perceived concern persist, additional treatment should be considered. Considering the recently completed linear park and neighborhood characteristics, raised intersections at SE 3rd Street and SE 10th Street would be the recommended traffic calming treatment.



Figure 4-1: Conceptual Traffic Calming Plan

city of dania beach - se 5thavenue traffic calming study - draft

Documents

traffic calming study

traffic datathe traffic

traffic volumes

traffic thresholds

original traffic calmingstudy

avenue warrantstraffic

study areafigure