AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2015
TITLE:
Title
Radar Speed Signs
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposal to install radar speed signs on Carrsbrook Drive, Huntington Road, Northfield Road and Old Brooke Road.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Graham, Benish and Gatobu
PRESENTER (S): Gerald Gatobu
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The Board directed staff to evaluate use of radar speed signs as a traffic calming measure in neighborhoods experiencing excessive speeding on local residential streets. A radar speed sign is a changeable message sign that displays to approaching drivers the speed at which they are traveling, and may be installed in conjunction with a Speed Limit sign.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 2. Critical Infrastructure. Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: Research indicates that radar speed signs often achieve their objective of a reduction in speeds. Depending on the application and problem being addressed, reductions in speeds ranged from small to significantly large. The long-term impact of such signage varied; in some cases it was reported to have a positive impact over time (e.g., many months), while in other cases radar speed signs were reported to lose effectiveness within weeks of their deployment.
Reasons, or warrants, for the placement of radar speed signs are related to mean speeds, 85th percentile speeds, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), speed limit compliance issues, accident history, pedestrian presence, and posted speed limits. A second level of warrants is related to location-specific applications of radar speed signage, which includes school and park zones, locations where street conditions such as transition areas, curves, etc., are a concern, and work zones. This can include local neighborhood streets. Speed limit compliance issues have been raised in Carrsbrook and neighboring communities, therefore radar speed signs along their neighborhood streets are warranted pursuant to the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Section 2B.13 of the MUTCD addresses the location of speed limit signs. Although this section does not discuss radar speed signs in detail, it does provide a standard relative to where such signs should be placed. Specifically, the text indicates that the placement of radar speed signs should follow the convention set forth for ordinary stationary signage. In other words, radar speed signs (either post mounted or mobile) should be placed where speed changes occur (e.g., school zones, neighborhood streets, municipal boundaries, etc.). This would indicate that such devices should be placed where other existing speed limit signage is present rather than in a random location.
In order for VDOT to fund the acquisition, installation and maintenance of radar speed signs, approval through the traffic calming program is required. With the Board’s direction, County staff will initiate and take the lead role in coordinating the traffic calming process (radar speed sign installation), and VDOT staff will provide technical support. Local residential streets experiencing speed limit compliance issues include Carrsbrook Drive, Huntington Road, Northfield Road and Old Brooke Road. Staff is certain that Carrsbrook Drive (State Route 854) will qualify under the traffic calming program for signage. It is uncertain if the other roads will qualify. Board direction is requested on the number of radar speed signs to be installed.
Some general items that should be planned for when considering radar speed sign deployment include:
• Plan and budget for routine maintenance work and parts replacement (Installation and maintenance costs to be worked out with VDOT)
• Plan and budget for occasional heavy maintenance needs. Accuracy checks on vehicle speeds being measured by radar need to be conducted with the help of the manufacturer (maintenance to be worked out with VDOT).
• Avoid or minimize deployment in areas of excessive tree canopy cover when using solar power.
• Consider visibility of the sign to motorists, particularly in areas of visual clutter (significant signage, tree branches, etc.).
• Consider the potential for vandalism and address accordingly through increased police patrols or other measures.
• Consider the performance capabilities and maintenance needs of battery power, either as a primary or backup power source.
The radar speed sign located in the City of Charlottesville at the McIntire Road/John Warner Parkway Interchange cost $7,710.30:
Labor: $1778.20
Equipment: $1050.00
Solar Sign w/ Concrete Base: $4882.10
Staff believes that installing a similar radar speed sign would cost approximately the same amount.
BUDGET IMPACT: If the Board decides to pursue the installation of radar speed signs on any of the four roads, VDOT would fund the acquisition, installation and maintenance of the signs if they are approved through the traffic calming program. If a road does not qualify through the traffic calming program or if the Board decides to bypass that process and fund the signs, the cost is estimated at $7,710 per sign on each road, for a maximum total cost of $61,680 for eight signs on four roads.
Funding is available in the County’s FY 16 Reserve for Contingencies account established for unanticipated priority needs. After the Board approves the appropriation requests included on the November 4 agenda, the FY 16 Reserve for Contingency Account is anticipated to have a balance of $195,123, of which $50,000 has been reserved for a potential FY 16 primary election.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment A) to initiate the traffic calming process on Carrsbrook Drive. If Carrsbrook Drive qualifies under the program, staff will monitor the success of the radar speed signs and will report back to the Board in 2016 with a recommendation regarding the installation of signs on Huntington Road, Northfield Road and Old Brooke Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution
B - VDOT Traffic Calming Guide for Local Residential Streets
C - Radar Sign Photo