AGENDA DATE: 9/6/2023
TITLE:
Title
Initiate Traffic Calming Process Along Park Ridge Drive
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: To Request a Speed Study and Traffic Count of Park Ridge Drive between Eastern Avenue and Raven Stone Road
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Herrick, Filardo, McDermott, Hersh-Ballering
PRESENTER (S): Jessica Hersh-Ballering
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Multiple residents have expressed concern regarding vehicle speeds and pedestrian safety along Park Ridge Drive, a local street with posted speeds of 25 miles per hour. An initial speed assessment by Albemarle County Police Department using radar speed feedback signage in late June 2023 found evidence of speeding with an 85th percentile speed of 31.3 miles per hour. The most recent traffic count in 2021 indicates Park Ridge Drive serves approximately 1,800 vehicles per day.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) specifies eligibility for traffic calming measures and outlines the process for implementing them in its Traffic Calming Guide for Neighborhood Streets (Attachment A). Park Ridge Drive meets basic eligibility requirements for traffic calming, as outlined in Step 1 of the Traffic Calming Guide (page 4).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure & Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: According to the Traffic Calming Guide, to ultimately implement traffic calming measures along Park Ridge Drive, the next step is to conduct an engineering study that includes a speed study and traffic count. The VDOT District Office is willing to complete an official speed study and traffic count for Albemarle County, provided that this action is requested by a resolution from the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.
The official speed study must find the 85th percentile speed to be 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit (25 mph) in order to advance to Step 4 of the Traffic Calming Guide. Further, the traffic count must find traffic volumes of 600 vehicles per day or greater to be eligible for consideration of the full range of traffic calming measures in the Traffic Calming Guide.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact associated with this item. VDOT would complete the official speed study and traffic count along Park Ridge Road at no cost to Albemarle County.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Resolution (Attachment B) to Request a Speed Study and Traffic Count of Park Ridge Drive between Eastern Avenue and Raven Stone Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - VDOT Traffic Calming Guide for Neighborhood Streets
B - Resolution to Request Speed Study and Traffic Count of Park Ridge Drive between Eastern Avenue and Raven Stone Road