City of Aurora - File #: 13-00681

• File #: 13-00681
• Version: 1
• Type: Reports/Studies
• Status: Filed
• File created: 9/18/2013
• In control: Government Operations Committee
• On agenda: 9/24/2013
• Final action: 10/1/2013
• Title: A Traffic Study to consider a 20 MPH School Zone on Benton Street near SciTech. Ward 6 Alderman Saville/Ward 4 Alderman Donnell
• Sponsors: Eric Gallt

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/1/2013	1	Committee of the Whole	(INFORMATION ONLY)
9/24/2013	1	Government Operations Committee	recommended for denial (information only)	Pass

TO:      Mayor Thomas J. Weisner

FROM:      Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer

DATE:      September 19,  2013

SUBJECT: title

A Traffic  Study to consider a 20 MPH School Zone on Benton Street near SciTech.  Ward 6 Alderman Saville/Ward 4 Alderman Donnell

body

PURPOSE:

To investigate the appropriateness of installing a 20 MPH School Zone on Benton Street from River Street to Stolp Avenue for SciTech.

BACKGROUND:

Representatives of SciTech requested the City consider a 20MPH School Zone for the facility.  The concern was in regard to the number of buses and children seen by the facility during the year and the perceived speed of traffic on Benton Street.   While a museum would not qualify for a school zone by Illinois Vehicle Code, SciTech mentioned that they run a small daycare facility out the museum; the presence of this program makes it eligible for consideration of a school zone.

DISCUSSION:

A traffic study was performed for this area of Benton Street.   The results of the study indicated a average daily traffic volume of approximately 3500 veh/day.   The directional split was excessively favoring the eastbound movement.  This was expected due to the relative newness of two way traffic on Benton Street.  The eastbound 85% speed was 28MPH while the westbound was found to be 25MPH.   The roadway is not currently adequately posted but the speed limit is 30MPH.

It should be noted that while the speed limit is not posted between Lake Street and Broadway the 85^th% speeds are below the assumed speed limit.   It is staff's opinion that a 20MPH school zone will have little effect on the 85^th% speeds.   In addition, the city has not traditionally recognized daycare/preschool facilities for school zones.  It is estimated that there are over 100 daycare facilities in the City of Aurora to begin establishing school zones for these type facilities would undermine the effectiveness of school zones.

IMPACT STATEMENT:

No Impact base on staff recommendation

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Staff recommends denial

cc:      Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman

      Alderman Johnson

      Alderman Mesiacos

      Alderman Mervine, Alternate