City of Lawrence

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Mike Wildgen, City Manager

FROM:         Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

DATE:           31 March 2005

SUBJECT:     City Commission Agenda Item

                   Traffic Calming Policy

                   Traffic Calming Project Priority Ranking System

During the past year, the City Commission has requested that a Traffic Calming Policy and Traffic Calming Project Priority Ranking System be developed.

The Traffic Safety Commission recommended approval of the Draft Traffic Calming Policy at their August 2004 meeting, after adding “arterial” streets to the “collector” street requirements.  This change was made because pedestrian refuge islands had been constructed on Louisiana Street which is designated as a “minor arterial.”  Staff feels that “arterial” streets should not be included in the policy because most traffic calming devices are not appropriate for arterial streets and the City Commission has the authority to permit pedestrian refuge islands on arterial streets where needed or desired (revised draft attached).

The City Commission reviewed the recommended policy at their 31 August 2004 meeting and requested an additional condition that would permit traffic calming device installation if a high percentage of any two conditions were met, but neither was met 100%.  That has been added as 2D and 3E and states, “Where no single condition is satisfied but where any two of A, B, or C (or D) are satisfied to the extent of 80 percent or more of the stated values.”

The Traffic Safety Commission recommended approval of the Draft Traffic Calming Project Priority Ranking System (attached) at their March 2005 meeting, after reviewing how it would apply to traffic calming projects currently approved but not funded (summary attached).

It is recommended that both the Draft Traffic Calming Policy and the Draft Traffic Calming Project Priority Ranking System be approved and established by resolution.