TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Robert Greene, PE, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: 10/23/18 18-0948
SUBJECT:title
Traffic Study for the intersection of Kensington Place and Calumet Avenue. Ward 4, Alderman Donnell.
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PURPOSE:
Traffic Study for the intersection of Kensington Place and Calumet Avenue, to determine further parking restrictions, proper traffic control.
BACKGROUND:
Resident email received expressing parking and safety concerns at the intersection.
DISCUSSION:
Kensington Place and Calumet Avenue are classified as residential roadways, approximately 30 feet in width, with a 25 MPH speed limit. The intersection has 2-Way Stop control, with stop signs on the Calumet Avenue approaches and has yellow curb extending from the crosswalks, approximately 30 feet away from the intersection.
A manual traffic count was conducted at the intersection (to obtain both vehicle and pedestrian counts) and crash data was requested from APD. The count and crash data was compared to All-Way Stop control warrant criteria, defined by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The intersection does not have enough traffic volume or crashes to warrant the installation of All-Way Stop control. One crash has occurred at the intersection, in the last 3 years.
Unwarranted All-Way Stop control does introduce the following negatives: lack of respect for stop signs by motorist (creating a false sense of security that motorist will stop for pedestrians and other vehicles), likely increase in intersection crash frequency (especially rear-end crashes), increased noise from vehicle decelerating/braking and accelerating, increased fuel consumption/pollution and increased motorist speed (to make up for lost time between stop signs or other traffic control devices).
Field observation and data does suggest replacing the existing stop signs, with new stop signs, for the Calumet Avenue approaches and extending the existing yellow curb paint an additional 20 feet, along the south curb of Kensington Place, west of Calumet Avenue, along with possible tree trimming for intersection approaches, would enhance motorist sight distance.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Street Department & APD Resources
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends maintaining 2-Way Stop Control but install new stop signs, for the Calumet Avenue approaches and extending the existing yellow curb paint an additional 20 feet, along the south curb of Kensington Place, west of Calumet Avenue, along with possible tree trimming for intersection approaches. Also recommend random, selective parking enforcement by APD.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Lofchie
Alderman Franco, Alternate