HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/31/2011 RECEIVED
Transportation Advisory Committee MAR 0 4 2011
Special Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 31, 2011 CIIYSECRETARY'S OFFICE
Call Meeting to Order - Ms. Karen Beard called the meeting to order at 2:43 p.m.
II. Presentations and Discussions -
a. Discussion to increase the speed limit on Yorktown Blvd. between Weber Rd.
and Everhart Rd. from 35 mph to 40 mph at all times with possible action to be
taken: Mr. Cardenas stated this has been a pressing issue for several months and
said almost a year ago a study was conducted on Yorktown Blvd. between Weber
Rd. and Everhart Rd. He said the purpose of this item and discussion is to increase
the speed limit on Yorktown Blvd. between Everhart Rd. and Weber Rd. based on
current traffic conditions. Currently, this section of Yorktown Blvd. is posted for
35 mph. This is a rebuilt section and maybe about five to six years ago the speed
limit was increased from 30 mph to 35 mph. Mr. Cardenas said Yorktown Blvd.
actually is now classified as an arterial street and it is starting to have that kind of
capacity. He said it is similar to arterial streets such as Saratoga Blvd., Holly Rd.,
Everhart Rd. and Weber Rd. due to development on the south side. Mr. Cardenas
said another characteristic of Yorktown Blvd. being an arterial street is the number
of lanes and the number of driveways or entrances to Yorktown Blvd. and it is very
limited. There is Sun Valley Dr., Oso Parkway, just to name a couple that cross
Yorktown Blvd. in this area. He said a speed study was conducted last May 2010,
prior to school letting out.
Mr. Cardenas explained the speed study to the members and said in Traffic
Engineering the speeds are set by the 85th percentile. The peak times and the
number of vehicles going through there are also looked at. Of course, there is
going to be a very small number of vehicles going past 50 mph and it is usually in
the late evening. However, throughout all the days the speed limit is posted 35
mph, the 85th percentile is over 40 mph. Mr. Cardenas stated once roadways are
being designed, the flow of traffic needs to be accommodated and yes, it is a
speeding problem but it is a traffic flow issue in this case. He said sometimes
when there is a new roadway, like Cimarron Blvd., it is a perfect example, of a one
lane in one direction and then it is expanded to two lanes in each direction, a lot
wider and smoother, speed will go up. Same thing has happened here in Yorktown
Blvd. and it has been happening for a while. Therefore, it is staff proposal to
increase the speed limit on Yorktown Blvd. between Everhart Rd. and Weber Rd.
from 35 mph to 40 mph. Ms. Beard asked Capt. Vesely what he thought about
raising the speed limit in this area. Capt. Vesely stated that the Police Dept.
would do enforcement on whatever speed is there. He said that looking at this,
although; the 85th percentile is closer to 40 mph than 35 mph, there are plenty of
people that are doing speeds greater than this. These people are the ones that we
would like to get. Therefore, if we are raising it another 5 mph, it is not going to
make that much difference on the enforcement part because we usually get people
going 10 mph over the speed limit. Ms. Beard asked if there are any school zones
that cross over this area. Mr. Cardenas responded there is a school zone near the
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vicinity, Grant Middle School on Sun Valley Dr. He said there are also some
churches nearby on Everhart Rd. Mr. Cardenas said an accident history was
conducted in this area and it is very low and is not severe at all. He said for the
most part it is controlled driving, just going a little bit past the speed limit. Mr.
Cardenas stated Aaron Dr. and Weber Rd. have been signalized, therefore; there is
less traffic flow going through Yorktown Blvd. because people are now taking the
signalized intersection or would rather be protected by a signalized intersection.
He informed the committee this year there would be a traffic signal installed at
Weber Rd. and Yorktown Blvd. He said this would also help to regulate the traffic
flow in this area as well. Ms. Cudd inquired about the speed limit on Yorktown
Blvd. before you get to Everhart Rd. Mr. Cardenas stated that it is 40 mph. Ms.
Cudd asked if there are any plans to install a traffic signal at Everhart Rd. and
Yorktown Blvd. Mr. Cardenas said the warrant studies have been done for this
location but they have not been warranted in the last five years. He said once
construction is completed, this location might warrant a signal.
III. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations/
Actions -
a. Motion to increase the speed limit on Yorktown Blvd. between Weber Rd. and
Everhart Rd. from 35 mph to 40 mph at all times with possible action to be
taken: Mr. Price motioned to approve. Ms. Cudd seconded. Motion passed.
IV. Public Comment - None
V. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
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