City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2008 05 27

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TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: MALCOLM FLEMING, CITY MANAGER DATE: MAY 27, 2008 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION -TRAFFIC MITIGATION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Traffic complaints continue to be one of the most difficult community problems to address. In the past, the City has responded to complaints on an individual basis without a comprehensive prearranged program in place. In order to establish a more proactive program instead of a reactive program, staff suggests that we use a "tool box" approach to identify the type and scope of traffic problems for which the City will consider ritigation, the response actions appropriate for a particular problem, the process of quanl:ifying the problem and the public involvement process associated with processing the problem. Some traffic complaints are not properly addressed by traffic mitigation programs that rely on accepted traffic engineering practices. For instance, sorrie City residents have asserted that an unacceptable safety hazard exists for pedestrians at the iintersection of Dillon and St. Andrews. However, there are relatively few pedestrians crossing this intersection and there is a safe alternative (an underpass) within a short distance (5 minutes total walking time) of the intersection. Because of the sight distance issues in this ;area, installing pedestrian-activated flashers at this location might cause an increase in rear-end accidents (and injuries) from cars stopping abruptly. It might also create the perception of a higher level of safety for pedestrians than actually exists and result in a pedestrian being hit. These potential downsides could more than offset any actual increase in safety for pedestrians ii` flashers were installed. Situations like this may require the traffic mitigation program to include a component that foregoes traffic studies and focuses more on public information issues. At Tuesday night's study session staff will present an outgine of the tool box concept used by other communities. Because traffic mitigation programs can be expensive-depending on the scope of traffic mitigation activities undertaken-we will also discuss the possible fiscal impact. ^ SUBJECT Discussion -Traffic Mitigation AGENDA ITEM