Rosedale Traffic Calming Project 2008-2009

Rosedale Traffic Calming Project 2008-2009 (Plan Approved!)

The City of Austin Transportation Division selected Rosedale for a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project. The City sent a survey and meeting invitation to all Rosedale property owners and tenants in early January 2008. About 80 – 100 people attended the first meeting. Transportation experts presented a slideshow demonstrating the City’s approved traffic-calming devices and then answered dozens of questions. Finally, we broke into groups based on where we lived, and each area selected Representatives and Alternates.

The Working Group met almost every 3 weeks since that first meeting, gathering feedback from neighbors, working with the engineers, and creating a plan for traffic calming. In early May 2009, the City sent that information out to all Rosedale addresses for a final vote to approve or disapprove the plan. There was an Open House on May 20, 2009 at the Rosedale School from 6:30-8:00. Ballots had to be be postmarked by May 29th, or brought to the Open House on May 20th. Since the plan was approved by 61% of respondents, the City intends to have everything implemented soon. The final plan is below.

Final Map of Proposed Traffic Calming Devices

For a printable version of this map, click here.

  rosedale_tc_final_map

Working Group Meetings & Agendas

February 27, 2008 6:30PM Central Market agenda
March 26, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School agenda
April 16, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
May 7, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
May 28, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School CoA Sidewalk presentation
June 18, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
July 9, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
July 30, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
August 20, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
September 10, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
October 1, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
November 12, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
December 3, 2008 6:30PM Rosedale School
January 21, 2009 6:30PM Rosedale School
February 18, 2009 6:30PM Rosedale School
April 1, 2009 6:30PM Rosedale School

About Speed Cushions speed_cushions

Speed cushions consist of either recycled rubber or asphalt, raised about 3 inches in height. The length of the cushion is about 10 ft. The spaces between the cushions allow emergency vehicles to partially straddle the device. Read more more on the City of Austin Web site. You can also see some firsthand on 38 1/2 St. between Cherrywood and Airport (east of IH35).

Speed & Volume Data Summary new

The City of Austin used traffic measuring devices on several Rosedale streets as a basis for decisions regarding the need and the best locations for traffic calming. A summary of some of the key data points supporting the need for traffic calming is below, additionals information can be found under “Data Details” below. Each site was measured for only one day.

  • 3900 block of Shoal Creek Blvd: 600 cars were traveling 40mph or faster. Posted speed limit is 30mph. 6 of those cars were traveling more than 50mph.
  • 4600 block of Shoal Creek Blvd: one car was clocked at between 60 and 65mph.
  • 2200 block of W. 49th: 15% of 702 cars were going 30 mph or faster.
  • 1200 block of W. 40th Str: Counted 1322 cars.
  • 1400 block of W. 39th 1/2: 15% of 789 cars were going faster than 30 mph.

Data Details

Second Informal Online Survey new

This survey will be accessible to Rosedale residents and property owners from Friday, February 27, 2009 until Friday, March 6, 2009. Click here to go to the survey Web site. [Survey closed]. The link to the survey itself is toward the bottom of that page.

Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers from the City of Austin

Q: Why can’t we use 4-way stop signs to calm traffic in Rosedale?

A: Implementation of a multiway stop (3-way or 4-way) is governed by section 2B.07 of the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (State document). To date, the only area within Rosedale that outright qualified, per outlined critera, is 39 1/2 and Med Pkwy and a 4-way stop has been implemented there. Generally speaking, criteria includes, but is not limited to (a) 5 preventable crashes in a 12-month period or (b) an 8-hr volume of 300 cars per hour on the major street and 200 cars, pedestrians, or bicycles per hour for the minor street.

Q: Can we use speed indicators to slow traffic?

A: Speed Indicators (the electronic signs that tell a driver the speed as they pass) create a maintenance issue and the data in Austin shows this is not an effective solution for reducing speed.

Q: Will speed cushions be allowed on Shoal Creek Blvd. by the EMS?

A: Speed cushions are designed to accommodate EMS vehicles. The current DRAFT Rosedale Traffic Calming plan was approved by local fire and EMS per the city.

Q: Can traffic circles be used on Shoal Creek Blvd. for traffic calming?

A: Alternatives to cushions (traffic circles) are not an option due to SCB being an Emergency Response Route.

Q: Can police enforcement be used for traffic calming on Shoal Creek Blvd?

A: Enforcement is an option we will seek through our local APD representative (FYI, we currently do not have one but will work with someone w/in APD)

Q: What does the 85% mean in traffic speed data?

A: The speed shown at the 85th percentile is the speed at which 85% of the cars are going at or below – and 15% of the cars are going faster than that speed.

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