TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: September 16, 2015
SUBJECT:title
A Traffic Study for N. Commonwealth Avenue in the 800 block. Ward 6, Alderman Saville.
body
PURPOSE:
A Traffic Study to review current parking conditions and investigate the need of parking restriction in the vicinity of Fox Valley Montessori School.
BACKGROUND:
Denise Monnier, Head of School, Fox Valley Montessori School, submitted ACR Case ID 124246 requesting an investigation of traffic conditions in front of their school at 850 Commonwealth Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
The Head of School is concerned that increases in enrollment have increased congestion while parents drop off and pick up their children in the morning and afternoon. With cars parking on both sides of the street, it leaves one lane of traffic to flow in both directions. Street widths are about 29.5-ft, which is the city standard. Per the attached photos, two-way traffic is possible, but only at reduced speeds.
The five-day Traffic Study was conducted for five weekdays. Volumes (ADT) were found to be about 990 vehicles per day (vpd). Speeds averaged 25 mph with an 85th percentile of 31 mph and a median of 26 mph, closely fitting the normal Bell curve
An investigation of current conditions appears to exhibit a lack of parking for the Montessori School. Staff is hesitant to recommend any parking restrictions in this area at this time for two reasons. One the parking demand appears to be directly attributable to the Montessori School. To restrict parking in the vicinity of the School would push the parking impact further into the neighborhood. Secondly, it is evident that the parking congestion has a significant calming aspect on the street in the near vicinity of the school. To restrict parking would increase average speeds in the vicinity.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact per recommendation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends no action
...
Click here for full text