AGENDA DATE: 8/5/2015
TITLE:
Title
Enhanced Speeding Fines on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road, and Huntington Road
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution requesting VDOT to install signs to establish maximum penalty for exceeding posted speed limit on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Graham, Benish and Gatobu
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Residents of the Carrsbrook Subdivision have expressed concern about cut through traffic and speeding in the subdivision. In an effort to evaluate and resolve speeding issues in the subdivision, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted speed/traffic studies on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road, and Huntington Road, which concluded that there is a speeding problem on all three neighborhood roads. Based on the study results, residents of the subdivision have requested that staff bring forward to the Board for its consideration a request for VDOT to install sign(s) on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road, and Huntington Road alerting motorists that there will be a fine of up to $200 for exceeding the established speed limit pursuant to Virginia Code § 46.2-878.2.
Virginia Code § 46.2-878.2 (see Attachment A) provides that “Operation of any motor vehicle in excess of a maximum speed limit established for a highway in a residence district of a County, City, or Town, when indicated by appropriately placed signs displaying the maximum speed limit and the penalty for violations, shall be unlawful and constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $200, in addition to other penalties provided by law.”
It is the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s policy (Attachment A) that VDOT, upon a formal request from the local governing body, will install signs on local residential streets, collector streets, and minor arterial streets with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or lower advising motorists of a maximum punishment of $200, in addition to other penalties provided by law, for exceeding the speed limit in certain residence districts.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
1. Successfully engage citizens so that local government reflects their values and aspirations
2. Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road are paved two (2) lane residential roadways with 30 miles per hour (mph) posted speed limits. VDOT conducted speed/traffic studies on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road on Tuesday June 23, 2015 through Wednesday June 24, 2015. Traffic was monitored in both Northbound and Southbound directions. The speed studies on all three roads found that vehicles at the study locations exceeded the posted speed limits with varying 85th percentile speeds (Attachments C, D, and E). Based on the count data results, VDOT found evidence of a speeding problem on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road. Additional speed studies on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road, lasting several days, will be conducted in the near future by the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) to confirm the data to justify additional fines along the three roads. Enhanced speeding signs shall not be placed along the three roadways until ACPD speed data is collected and reviewed to ascertain and corroborate already existing VDOT data that indicates a speeding problem exists.
To qualify for sign installation, a highway must meet the following criteria:
1. Meet the definition of local residential, collector, or minor arterial street as defined by VDOT (see Attachment A); and
2. Have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or lower.
Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road satisfy the above criteria. To establish an enhanced maximum fine on all three neighborhood roads, Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road and Huntington Road, the County must first request, by Resolution of the Board, that VDOT install the appropriate signs as required by Virginia Code § 46.2-878.2. The Resolution (Attachment F) and the following supporting data would then be submitted to VDOT:
1. Identification of the neighborhood and specific highway(s) where the signs are requested to be installed; 2. Confirmation that the highway(s) meet the definitions of local residential, collector, or minor arterial streets as defined by VDOT; and
3. Notification that a speeding problem exists and that the increased penalty has community support.
The requested sign(s) would be installed within 60 days after VDOT’s approval.
BUDGET IMPACT: VDOT will pay for providing and installing the signs. The ACPD will be responsible for enforcement, and ACPD staff estimates that this will have no impact on ACPD’s staffing or budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment F) requesting that VDOT install signs to establish an additional maximum $200 fine for exceeding the established speed limit on Northfield Road, Old Brooke Road, and Huntington Road, pursuant to Virginia Code § 46.2-878.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. VDOT Policy
B. Area Map
C. Northfield Road Speed Study Results
D. Huntington Road Speed Study Results
E. Old Brook Road Speed Study Results
F. Resolution