HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated March 23, 1993 1
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COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item # O
Date: ch 23, 1993
SUBJECT: 20th Street/Kellogg Avenue school crossing concerns.
BACKGROUND:
A request has been received from Anne Southern, 2012 Burnett Avenue,
concerning the safety at the 20th/Kellogg school crossing for children
crossing 20th Street. Currently this crossing is controlled by a school
crossing guard who must stop traffic by holding up a stop sign paddle.
The parent was concerned about the traffic that is approaching the inter-
section at higher rates of speed, and has observed a near accident last
year when a vehicle stopped too late and skidded past the crossing. In
her correspondence, she requests that a permanent stop sign be placed on
20th Street for this crossing. Currently, a stop sign is posted on the
Kellogg approach.
An evaluation was completed and it concluded that warrants aren't met for
placing a multiway stop control at the intersection. For placing multiway
stop controls, the City relies on the standards outlined in the Federal
Highway Administrations "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices"
(MUTCD). There are three thresholds adopted in the MUTCD for placing
a multiway stop control at an intersection. These are:
1. Five or more reported accidents of a type susceptible to correc-
tion by a multiway stop installation in a 12 month period.
2. A total of 500 vehicular volumes entering the intersection from
all approaches for an average 8 hour period.
3. The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor
street or highway must average at least 200 units per hour for
the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicu-
lar traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum
hour.
The study results indicated that the traffic volumes, vehicular accidents,
and vehicular and pedestrian units are significantly under the thresholds
for placing a multiway stop control at the intersection. According to the
police accident records, there have been no reported accidents at the
intersection in the past six years. Also, vehicular volumes at the inter-
section average 150 vehicles per hour for the highest eight hours in the
day. Compared with the minimum thresholds of 500 vehicles per hour, this
is one-third of the traffic volume needed for placing a multiway stop.
Also, the vehicular and pedestrian units are significantly less than the
threshold volumes. The total number of units are less than 60 per hour,
whereas the minimum threshold is 200. According to these volumes and
accidents, a multiway stop control is not warranted.
-CAF - 20th/Kellogg
March 23, 1993
Page 2
In the evaluation, alternatives were considered for enhancing safety at the
crossing. After conducting this study, it was determined that safety
could be enhanced by placing a 20 mph speed limit zone on 20th Street
during school crossing periods. This will lower traffic speeds in this area
and reduce the likelihood of traffic and pedestrian conflicts. This speed
limit would be similar to ones utilized on Duff Avenue (at O'Neil Drive),
and on South Dakota (at Todd) for school crossings at these intersections.
This 20 mph speed limit has been in effect at these crossings for approxi-
mately two years with considerable success. Attached is a diagram show-
ing the type of flashing beacon and sign that would be placed on 20th
Street in advance of the Kellogg Avenue intersection.
Staff has discussed the results of the study with Meeker School, and PTA
officials. All officials concur that the 20 mph speed limit on 20th Street
during crossing periods should enhance safety at the crossing. Anne
Southern has been contacted and also is in agreement with this measure.
Plans are to install the devices for the 20 mph speed limit zone in June
after the school session. Costs will be approximately $900 for the two
poles with the flashing beacons and operating equipment. The speed limit
will be posted on 20th Street approximately 200 feet in advance to the
crossing at Kellogg Avenue. The 20 mph speed limit will be in effect
during morning, noon, and afternoon school crossing periods.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Designate a 20 mph speed limit zone, during school crossing periods,
on 20th Street within 200 feet of the crosswalk at Kellogg Avenue.
2. Modify the proposed measure.
3. Implement a four-way stop at the intersection.
4. Do nothing.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alter-
native number 1 above, thereby designating a 20 mph speed limit zone,
during school crossing periods, on 20th Street within 200 feet of the
school crosswalk at Kellogg Avenue.
COUNCIL ACTION
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