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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012RESOLUTION NO. 2OL2 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, repealing Resolution No. L8L7 and adopting a new Residential Traffic Calming Program to better address quality of life concerns related to traffic in residential neighborhoods by considering traffic speeds and cut-through traffic as well as other neighborhood factors. RECITALS A. Residential streets within the City of Kent have measurable safety and community character impacts due to the speed and volume of through traffic. Through Resolution No. 1546, adopted on July 6, 1999, the City has addressed these impacts by the Residential Traffic Calming Program (*RTCP"). The City has made adjustments to the RTCP at various times, most recently with the adoption of Resolution I8t7, adopted on October 20,2009. B. The Mayor and City Council recognize the need to update and revise the means by which residential traffic impacts are addressed, and have directed the City's Public Works Department to consider proven solutions that include resident involvement. In response, the Department conducted research on residential traffic calming efforts throughout the United States and developed the RTCP. Reside nti a I Traffic Ca I m i n g Program Page | 7 C. The RTCP is general in nature, establishing overall policies and approaches, but leaves the specific details of implementation to the Public Works Director, in order to adapt program implementation to meet neighborhood needs on a more flexible case-by-case basis. This program is designed to evaluate a wide variety of factors that negatively impact the safety and quality of residential environments. These factors include traffic speed, volume, crash history, pedestrian facilities, and prominent neighborhood features. This program will allow residents to identify problems and solutions specific to their neighborhoods with the help of City staff. If a neighborhood qualifies, potential traffic calming measures will be considered, including the construction of physical devices to reduce traffic volumes and speeds. Installation of physical devices shall be based upon sound engineering and transportation planning principles and with regard to neighborhood aesthetics. The RTCP will provide for periodic evaluation of the solutions as implemented and may include follow-up surveys to determine project effectiveness and resident satisfaction. D. The updated RTCP creates a more stream-lined and responsive approach by eliminating the two-phase program. Phase one of the current two-phase program requires resident involvement that may impact personal safety and does not reduce traffic speeds long-term. This phase also requires additional data collection and analysis that delays formal evaluation and creates additional steps for residents that discourages further participation in the program. This new approach maintains transparency, while allowing discretion and flexibility when warranted. The result is a process that is data driven, prompt, and more user-friendly. E. On March 24, 2O2O, the Committee of the Whole heard a presentation regarding the RTCP. On May 26, 2O2O the Committee of the Residential Traffic Calmi ng Program Page | 2 Whole reviewed the RTCP in its final form and recommended its adoption by resolution. NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: I RESOLUTION SECTION 7. - Repealer - Resolution No. 7877. Resolution No. LBLT is hereby repealed in its entirety. SECTION 2. - Program Adopted. The City Council hereby adopts the RTCP attached as Exhibit A. SECTION 3, - Public Works Director Authorized. The Public Works Director is hereby authorized to implement the RTCP and to adopt procedures and standard construction plans consistent with the principles set forth in this resolution and to deviate from specific standards when special circumstances so warrant. SECTION 4, - Availability of Program Details. A copy of the RTCP shall be kept on file with the City Clerk and the Public Works Department. Brochures summarizing the RTCP will be made available to the public. SECTION 5, - Severability. If any one or more section, subsection, or sentence of this resolution is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution and the same shall remain in full force and effect, SECTION 6. - Ratification Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective date of this resolution is hereby ratified and affirmed. SECTION 7. - Corrections by City Clerk Upon approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk is authorized to make necessary corrections to this Page | 3 Residential Traffic Ca lming Program resolution, including the correction of clerical errors; resolution, section, or subsection numberingi or references to other local, state, or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations. SECTION 8. - Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage. DANA RALPH, M June 2, 2020 Date Approved ST KIMBERLEY KOMOTO, C RK APP ED K, CITY ATTORNEY June 2. 2020 Date Adopted Residentia I Traffic Ca lm i ng Program Page | 4 EXHIBIT A RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM The City of Kent Residential Traffic Calming Program (RTCP) was first adopted in July of 1999. The program was established to guide City officials and inform residents about the processes for implementing traffic calming on residential streets. It has been more than a decade since the program was last updated in 2009 (Resolution 1817). Since then there has been a concerted effort to continue to streamline these processes. The 2020 update eliminates the need for the two-phase approach previously used in which a variety of passive control devices were first employed and then physical alterations to the street were considered. Instead, the update establishes clearly defined decision points and thresholds. This new approach maintains transparency, while allowing discretion and flexibility when warranted. The result is a process that is data driven, prompt, and more user-friendly. Program Elements 1. Eligibility The RTCP is designed to address neighborhood traffic concerns on residential streets, both local streets and residential collector streets. Request for Action Residents may contact City staff via letter, phone, email, or an online form such as the Residential Traffic Calming Citizen Action Request Form to request the installation of traffic calming measures. Gathering Support Early neighborhood engagement is key. A minimum of five residents are required to initiate the process by filling out an online form or contacting City staff directly. 2 3 4 5 City Response to Request for Action City staff will follow-up with the residents that initiated the request for action, typically within 48 hours, to discuss next steps. Data Collection and Evaluation In consultation with the residents, the City Traffic Engineer will define the study area. The City will then conduct a traffic study to determine if the minimum requirements are met to qualify for the installation of traffic calming devices. As part of the traffic study, points will be awarded based on characteristics of each street as outlined in Table 1, which assigns points based on the following factors: a a a a Traffic Speeds: The 8Sth-percentile of all vehicles in both directions over a 7-day minimum period, points awarded by the number of mph over the posted speed limit. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) Volumes: The average number of vehicles per day in both directions over a 7- day minimum period. Cut-Through Traffic: A measured imbalance where the ADT in one direction is 2.5 times greater than the other direction. Crash History: The most recent 5-year crash data from the WSDOT Crash Data Portal; points awarded for each crash. Pedestrian Facilities: The typical presence of sidewalks or separated shoulder walkways. Park, School (K-Lz), or Transit Stop: The presence or proximity of these features or presence of a school walking route on the study street. Use the highest scoring criteria from this section. a a A minimum total score of 50 points is required to move forward with consideration of traffic calming measures. If the total score is less than 50 points, the City will work with the neighborhood to identify appropriate education and enforcement strategies. Validation of Traffic Study Results If the minimum point threshold is met, a minimum of two speed studies, conducted at least 8 weeks apart, are required before moving forward with engineering recommendations. Traffic speeds and volumes in the second study must be within 10 percent of the original study to validate the results. If the speeds and volumes of the second study are not within 10 percent, a final third study will be conducted. Reconsideration of Requests for Action Requests for action that were not successfully implemented in previous attempts will only be reconsidered in the following instances: . The proposal was not implemented due to budget constraints and the minimum points required continue to be met. . Traffic conditions have changed due to roadway improvements or land use changes, as determined by the City Traffic Engineer. o At least 36 months have passed since the previous request for action that failed to meet the minimum points required. Table 1: Residential Traffic Calming Program (RTCP) Scoring Criteria Criteria Possible Points Traffic Speedsl Lower than the posted speed 0 - 0.9 over 1,0 - 1.9 over 2.0 - 2.9 over 3.0 - 3.9 over 4.0 - 4.9 over 5.0 - 5.9 over 6.0 - 6.9 over 7.0 - 7.9 over 8.0 - 8.9 over 9.0 - 9.9 over 10.0+ over 0 0 2 5 9 15 23 31 37 42 46 50 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) Volumes Local Street 0-400 ADT 401-600 ADT 601-800 ADT 801-1,000 ADT 1,001+ ADT Residentia I Collector Street 0-1,000 ADT 1,001-1,500 ADT 1,501-2,000 ADT 2,OOL-2,5O0 ADT 2.501+ ADT 1 5 10 15 20 1 5 10 15 20 Cut-Through Traffic Average Daily Traffic in one direction is 2.5 times the other direction. 15 Crash History2 Property Damage Only/No Apparent Injury Possible Injury Minor Injury Serious Injury Fatality 3 6 9 15 30 Pedestrian Facilities No sidewalks Sidewalks only on one side of the street Sidewalks on both sides of the street 5 3 0 Park, School (K-12), or Transit Stop3 Street borders or features one of these Street is on a designated school walk route Not on a walk route, but within 1/q milea of these 5 3 1 6. Implementation 1 85th percentile of all vehicles in both directions, over a 7 day period. The number of mph over the posted speed. 2 WSDOT Crash Data Portal most recent 5 year range. Points awarded for each crash, 3 Take the highest scoring criteria from this section. a Distance to a park property, school property, or transit stop; measured along the street centerline Staff will share the results of the traffic study with the residents and discuss strategies and next steps. Strategies include a combination of education, enforcement, and engineering. If the request for action meets the minimum points requirement and qualifies for traffic calming measures, the City will hold a neighborhood meeting to help determine the preferred types of traffic calming devices and their approximate location. Education and Enforcement . Neighborhood Speed Watch Program . Radar Speed Trailer . Traffic Enforcement . Vegetation Code Enforcement (trim or remove) o Chicanes/Slow Points . Closure (full or paftial) . Curb Extensions o Diverters o Lane Striping . Medians . Mini roundabout . Neighborhood EntranceTreatments o Partial Closure o Raised Crosswalks . Blue Residential Area Signs . Slow Points Chokers . Speed Dots . Speed Cushions s Must meet the requirements of Resolution 1931 - Adopting A Policy For Addressing Installation And Maintenance Of Crosswalk Markings Throughout The City Of Kent. Engineering 7 . Speed Limit Pavement Markings . Stationary Radar Sign . Traffic Circles . Turn/Access Restrictions o General Parking Modifications All traffic calming measures are subject to approval by the City Traffic Engineer, School District Transportation Department, Kent Police Department, and the Fire Marshall. The Public Works Director has the discretion to move an application forward or to address safety issues discovered outside of the RTCP process. Neighborhood Voting and Notification After the meeting, the City will mail a ballot to affected residents within the study area, allowing those residents to vote on the traffic calming measures the City recommends be installed. The City requires a 50o/o ballot return rate and a two-thirds majority approval of the returned ballots is required before any traffic calming measures will be installed. Residents will be notified of the ballot results and if applicable, the approximate construction timeline. Installation City engineering staff will design the traffic calming measures and develop a plan to install them. Evaluation and Follow-up A follow-up study should occur at least 6 months after installation. Traffic speed and volume data should be collected and any change in traffic volumes and speeds on the treated streets documented. 8 9