TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: September 5, 2014
SUBJECT:title
A Traffic Study at the Palace Street and Colorado Avenue intersection. Ward 6, Alderman Saville
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PURPOSE:
To study the Speed and Volume of traffic on Palace Street near Colorado Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
A Resident submitted ACR Case ID 98138 requesting Speed and Volume information regarding northbound and southbound traffic on Palace Street near Colorado Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
A Speed Limit sign is posted less than 100-ft south of the intersection for 25 mph on Palace Street. Another 25 mph sign is located less than 100-ft north of the intersection for northbound Palace Street. There is a YIELD sign on the eastbound approach of Colorado Avenue, but no corresponding sign for the exit/entrance to the Northfield Mall. Southbound traffic was found to have an average speed of 30 mph, a mode speed of 27 mph, and an 85th percentile speed of 37 mph. Northbound traffic was found to have an average speed of 32 mph, a mode speed of 30 mph, and an 85th percentile speed of 39 mph. The combined ADT was about 950 vehicles per day.
While based on speed and volume the roadway appears to qualify for traffic calming, staff is hesitant to recommend moving forward. The section in question has no houses fronting the roadway and limited access. This would explain the high speeds for this section. Staff would recommend a stop sign replace the existing yield sign and an additional stop sign for the corresponding approach from the shopping center.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Operations will be required to install two stop signs.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends installation of two stop signs. The first replaces an existing yield sign on the Colorado approach to Palace. The second stop sign would be a new install for the corresponding approach from the shopping center.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Mervine, Alternate