WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager
Title
CROSSWALK REQUEST AT ARNOLD PALMER DRIVE ACROSS FROM LONDON COURT
Background
This request first came before the September 5, 2017 Traffic Commission meeting during open forum. Two residents from London Court expressed their concern over the difficulty of pedestrians trying to cross Arnold Palmer Drive from London Court. They said that south bound traffic on Arnold Palmer Drive cuts the curve and that it is difficult to access the sidewalk on the west side of Arnold Palmer Drive. Residents from London Court that utilize a scooter or push a stroller have to stay in the street until they get to the Deacons Park driveway on Arnold Palmer Drive to access the sidewalk or park. The residents asked for a cut out in the west curb of Arnold Palmer Drive, striping to identify the center of the road so drivers will stop crossing over the center and additional speed limit signs.
The following information was prepared for the November 8, 2017 Traffic Commission report:
The City Engineer met with two of the London Court residents on September 28, 2017 to review the traffic concerns they had raised. She observed cars going north and south on Arnold Palmer Drive cutting the curve just north of London Court and the poor visibility of the area for residents crossing Arnold Palmer Drive from London Court to get to the sidewalk on the west side of the street. Trees have filled out from the rear yards of London Court and block visibility of south bound drivers on Arnold Palmer Drive. The trees could be trimmed on the east side of the right of way to help improve visibility in this area.
The City Engineer explained to the residents that adding a curb opening on Arnold Palmer Drive across from London Court would not be recommended, as drivers would not anticipate people crossing mid-block. Residents should cross Arnold Palmer Drive at an existing intersection where drivers might expect to see people crossing like 113th Avenue or Tournament Players Parkway. With no sidewalk on the east side of Arnold Palmer Drive, residents would have to walk in the grass boulevard or still travel in the road to get to existing intersections. A sidewalk could be constructed on the east side of Arnold Palmer Drive to either 113th Avenue or Tournament Players Parkway. The residents of London Court said they would travel on a sidewalk to 113th Avenue, but not to Tournament Players Parkway. The cost of the sidewalk extension to 113th Avenue, including curb cuts, could be petitioned for by the Association. The City Council would then consider whether to construct the sidewalk and assess the cost to property owners on London Court over five years.
Centerline striping could be added to Arnold Palmer Drive to help educate drivers on not cutting the curve south of 113th Avenue. The striping could be added to the 2018 striping contract. In addition, there is no “playground ahead” signage on Arnold Palmer Drive. Signs could be added as an indication to drivers that there may be pedestrian activity in the area of Deacons Park.
Traffic counts, vehicle speeds, existing signage, and accident information were reviewed and are summarized as follows:
• The average daily traffic count was taken on Arnold Palmer Drive south of London Court in October of 2017 and there was 1335 vehicles per day. Arnold Palmer Drive serves as the local collector street in this TPC area, so the traffic counts are representative of this neighborhood use.
• The 85th percentile speed was 32 mph in the northbound direction and 29 mph in the southbound direction (85% of vehicles are at or below these speeds).
• There are existing 30 mph signs on Arnold Palmer Drive northbound from Tournament Players Parkway and westbound from Radisson Road.
• Over the last three years, there was only one incident reported in this area. In January of 2015, a vehicle slid through the stop sign on London Court and hit a tree.
At the November 8, 2017 Traffic Commission meeting, the Commission approved the following recommendations for City Council consideration:
1. The cost of the sidewalk extension to 113th Avenue, including curb cuts, could be petitioned for by the Association. The City Council would then consider whether to construct the sidewalk and assess the cost to property owners on London Court over five years.
2. Add centerline striping to Arnold Palmer Drive to help educate drivers on not cutting the curve south of 113th Avenue. The striping would be added to the 2018 striping contract.
3. Add a south bound “playground ahead” sign on Arnold Palmer Drive, north of Deacons Park, as an indication to drivers that there may be pedestrian activity in the area of the park.
The City Council approved the Traffic Commission recommendations at their December 7, 2017 City Council meeting. A sidewalk petition was prepared for the Arnold Palmer Drive sidewalk from London Court to 113th Avenue and was sent to the residents. The residents on London Court have not been able to secure enough signatures on the petition to bring it forward for City Council consideration. The residents asked City Council to discuss this at a Workshop meeting.
Staff does not support a curb opening on Arnold Palmer Drive directly across from London Court due to safety concerns of a midblock crosswalk with poor visibility.