HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Council Action Form dated August 14, 1990 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item # .J
Date: August 14, 1990
SUBJECT: Old Town Area's Traffic Study.
BACKGROUND:
During the June 12th Council meeting Ames City Council requested a
traffic study for an area bounded by Duff Avenue, Grand Avenue, 6th
Street, and 13th Street from City staff. Staff has concluded this study
and has detected traffic problems, especially along north and south
streets. The Old Town Area Traffic Study Report discusses in detail
these problems and traffic control strategies to reduce speeds, volumes,
and accident on these neighborhood streets.
The traffic problems in the Old Town Area can be alleviated by reducing
the through traffic volume. This through traffic consists of more than
half of the volume on the north/south streets of Clark, Burnett, and
Kellogg Avenue. Traffic volumes on these streets range from 1,300 to
2,600 vehicles a day and are considered heavy for residential streets.
Through traffic in the Old Town Area is contributing to heavy volumes,
higher speeds, and high accident rates.
Traffic control strategies to reduce through traffic consists of either heavy
speed enforcement, blocking streets, and/or alternating the intersection
control signs. Alternating the traffic control would be the simplest and
least costly measure which would least inconvenience local traffic. The
alternating sign strategy would place stop/yield controls at an alternating
sequence which would not allow more than a two-block continuous flow at
all but one length in the neighborhood. There is one three block
east/west flow on 8th Street between Wilson and Douglas Avenue. This
alternating stop/yield control scheme would discourage through traffic by
introducing delay and discomfort. By interrupting this now, through
traffic would tend to travel on the north/south arterial streets of Duff and
Grand Avenue.
The report also identifies accident problems at ten intersections. These
intersections currently have yield signs, however, warrants are met for
stop signs at eight of these intersections. Listed are the intersections
which warrant stop signs
llth Street and Kellogg Avenue
8th Street and Kellogg Avenue
7th Street and Kellogg Avenue
8th Street and Burnett Avenue
7th Street and Burnett Avenue
12th Street and Clark Avenue
8th Street and Clark Avenue
loth Street and Wilson Avenue
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CAF - Old Town Study
August 14, 1990
Page 2
Two intersections, 11th Street and Clark Avenue and 11th Street and
Burnett Avenue have higher accident numbers and have similar roadway
conditions as these listed intersections. Stop signs are also recommended
at these intersections since it's highly possible that future warrants would
be met.
The signing strategy also emphasizes stop controls on Clark and Kellogg
Avenue. Since these streets have the predominant through traffic, stop
controls are placed to stop traffic on 12th, 10th, and 7th Street. Stop
signs are placed stopping motorists on Douglas, Burnett, and Wilson at
11th and 8th Street.
This signing plan will reduce the through traffic in the Old Town Area
which is recommended by consistent traffic engineering standards.
Through traffic in this area is causing higher speeds, accidents, and
volumes in these neighborhoods. The signing scheme with the stop sign
changes is shown on the attached sheet.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the recommended #2 alternate signing scheme with the stop
sign changes in the Old Town Area.
2. Approve another alternative included in the traffic study (Alternates
#1, #3, and #4) with the stop sign changes.
3. Reject the alternating signing schemes and approve the stop sign
changes at the ten intersections.
4. Reject the signing schemes and the stop sign changes.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alter-
native number 1 and approve the alternate signing scheme and the stop
sign changes in the Old Town Area, and direct the City Attorney to
prepare an ordinance with the signing changes.
COUNCIL ACTION•
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