TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: October 30, 2015
SUBJECT:title
A Traffic Study for the View Street and Garfield Avenue intersection. Ward 4, Alderman Donnell.
body
PURPOSE:
To determine the warrants for changing the View Street and Garfield Avenue intersection from a 2-way to a 4-way Stop.
BACKGROUND:
A Resident submitted an E-mail (October 5, 2015) requesting that the View Street and Garfield Avenue intersection be changed from a 2-way to a 4-way Stop in order to reduce any speeding on View Street.
DISCUSSION:
As a reminder, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices expressively states in Section 2B.04 'yield or stop signs should not be used for speed control'. A review of the accidents at this intersection does not indicate a required mitigation due to crash history. Garfield Avenue is classified as a Minor Collector, while View Street is classified as a Major Collector. Garfield Avenue has stop signage approaching View Street. There is a significant grade northbound on View Street approaching Garfield Avenue.
Speed Limit for the northbound approach of View Street is 30 mph. Speed Limits for the southbound approach of View Street is 25 mph. Garfield Avenue has a Speed Limit of 25 mph on both approaches. There is 4-way Stop intersection about 450-ft to the north at View Street and Downer Place. Both roadways have single dashed yellow centerlines. Both roadways are about 35-ft. wide. All approaches have Yellow Curb denoting NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER of the normal length, except the northbound approach which has an extended 65-ft. of Yellow Curb and NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER signage.
Traffic counters placed at midblock for five weekdays revealed an ADT on View Street of 4,300 vpd. Measured average speed was 31 mph going south, and 34 mph north. The 85th percentile speed was found to be 35 mph north and 38 mph south. Speed and volume qualify View Street for traffic calming consideration.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact due to no action.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends denial of always Stop signage.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Franco
Alderman Mervine, Alternate