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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 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. M. 15. 16. 17.