HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-28 Council Agenda Item 9:15 AM DCity of
rREPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 28, 2006
FROM: MICHAEL T. KIRN, PE, City Engineer
Public Works Department
AGENDA ITEM NO.
COUNCIL MEETING
APPROVED BY
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
CITY MANAGER
BY: BRYAN D. JONES, TE, Traffic Engineering Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic Engineering
SUBJECT: APPROVE A POLICY FOR NO NEW INSTALLATIONS OF PAVEMENT
UNDULATIONS (SPEED BUMPS) WITHIN THE CITY OF FRESNO RIGHT
OF -WAY AND PROCEDURES FOR REMOVAL OF EXISTING PAVEMENT
UNDULATIONS
KEY RESULT AREA
One Fresno
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council approve the attached Policy for no new installations of
pavement undulations (speed bumps) and the procedures for removal of existing pavement
undulations, marked Attachment "A".
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This New Pavement Undulations Policy is brought before Council to be consistent with the
"Reasonably Available Control Measures" (RACM) Resolution approved by City Council April 9,
2005, which does not allow for the installation of speed bumps. The use of speed bumps
decreases the air quality, increases the noise pollution, and is not supported by emergency
response vehicles.
KEY OBJECTIVES
Customer Service — By implementing this new policy the City will reduce "hot spots" of poor air
quality that are experienced by citizens of Fresno.
Employee Satisfaction — By implementing this new policy the City will give direction to Public
Works staff on how to respond to citizens of Fresno with a consistent approach.
Financial Management — By implementing this new policy the City will reduce the long-term
maintenance cost of pavement undulations.
BACKGROUND
Pavement undulations (speed bumps) are roadway design features that have been installed in
the past to reduce vehicle speeds and volumes on roadways. Per Article 2, Chapter 11 of the
Report to the City Council
Adoption of Policy — No New Pavement Undulations
November 28, 2006
Page 2
Fresno Municipal Code speed bumps shall be placed on public streets only by the authority of
the Public Works Director.
This New Pavement Undulations Policy is brought before Council to be consistent with the
"Reasonably Available Control Measures" (RACM) Resolution approved by City Council April 9,
2005, which does not allow for the installation Cf speed bumps. RACM are control measures that
local governments can implement to reduce ozone -forming emissions from operations and/or
services they control. Speed bumps have proven to increase vehicular emissions with the stop
and go traffic, which contributes, to a poor air quality in our valley. As a result, speed bumps are
not an available traffic control device in the City of Fresno. Studies have also shown that speed
bumps divert traffic to other neighborhood streets, thereby moving the problem rather than
solving it. The use of speed bumps also increases noise levels due to vehicle brakes, shocks,
tires, and engine noise. Speed bumps increase response =tforemergencyvehicles andthe
FresnoFireDepartment isof speed bump ion. Speed bumps also present
a potential hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists.
It costs City of Fresno, Public Works Department, Street Maintenance crews approximately
$5,000 (2006 construction dollars) to remove a speed bump and dispose of the material. There
is no current funding for the removal of speed bumps. The funding mechanism would need to
be identified prior to the Street Maintenance staff completing the work. Funding since 1998 has
generally come from Council infrastructure.
MTK/BDJ/eam
Approve Policy No New Pavement Undulations 11-28-06
Attachments: City of Fresno Pavement Undulations Policy
Petition for Pavement Undulation Removal
There shall be no new installations of pavement undulations within the City of
Fresno right-of-way.
1. A representative of the neighborhood shall first submit, in writing, a request
for removal of an existing speed bump.
2. City Council staff along with Public Works Traffic Engineering staff will
provide representative with attached petition (page 2 of this policy) and
identify the affected neighborhood.
3. A petition requesting removal and signed by 60% or more of the property
owners will -be adequate for permanent removal. Each property address
may only have one vote. Public Works will . verify petition. The original
boundary for installation will be used if available.
4. Scheduling of removal will be dependent on funding and availability of street
maintenance staff.
5. Once the speed bump has been removed by Public Works it will not be
re -installed. Removal of a speed bump is permanent.
The City may remove speed bumps at any time if they are identified as a traffic
safety hazard. The affected neighborhood (property owners) will be notified in
writing 10 business days prior to removal.
The City, immediately prior to scheduled road repair, may circulate a petition for
removal of speed bumps. A petition for removal distributed by the City must be
signed by 60% or more d the property owners on the street. The affected
neighborhood (property owners) will be notified in writing 10 business days prior to
removal.
PETITION FOR THE REMOVAL OF PAVEMENT UNDULATIONS (SPEED BUMPS)
CITY OF FRESNO PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ATTN: CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
2600 FRESNO STREET Page of Pages
FRESNO, CA 93721
We, the undersigned, do hereby request that the City of Fresno REMOVE pavement undulations on:
between and
Your signature on this petition will acknowledge that you are aware that undulations (sueed bumps) will be removed in
the immediate vicinity of your urouerty.
PRINT NAME SIGNATURE RESIDENCE
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