[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
This article is enacted pursuant to the provisions of G.S. § 7-148 et seq., as amended and chapter V of the Town of Windham Charter, and, unless otherwise prescribed herein, is to be read and construed consistent with the provisions of chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Windham.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
The Board of Selectmen finds that in many neighborhoods residents
are concerned about their safety and quality of life as a result of
vehicle noise, speeding and cut-through traffic, limited availability
of curb parking, and the attendant exhaust emissions, traffic-induced
residential vibrations. Many of these roads are used by bicyclers
and pedestrians. The town is committed to reducing the negative impact
of traffic and to ensuring the overall safety and livability of residential
neighborhoods, and is interested in maintaining, regulating and promoting
sound roadway use and safety on the town roads and streets.
The Board of Selectmen finds that based upon the report and
recommendations of the ad hoc traffic safety committee, created and
charged in accordance with Board of Selectmen Resolution No. 2385,
that traffic control measures known as traffic calming measures, whether
passive or otherwise, will have a beneficial effect by managing and
controlling traffic patterns, speeds, and by creating community awareness
and an interactive process among citizens and the Board of Selectmen
in selecting the locations for such measures and in evaluating their
effectiveness.
The Board of Selectmen has therefore determined that it is in
the public interest to adopt an ordinance that establishes a policy
that (a) fosters new and periodic examinations of public roadways
in order to determine traffic volumes, vehicular speeds, parking activity
and pedestrian usage; (b) encourages motor vehicle drivers to travel
an appropriate speed; (c) redirects inappropriate local street and
"cut-through" traffic to a designated arterial or collector roadway;
(d) maintains the livability and environmental quality of the town's
neighborhoods while ensuring the safe, efficient and economical movement
of persons and goods; (e) involves residents, property owners, drivers,
police, fire and emergency personnel, in the decision-making processes
in all phases of traffic calming activities; (f) meets the goals,
objectives and policies contained in the town's transportation plan;
and (g) promotes conditions that provide safe neighborhoods for motorists,
bicyclists, pedestrians and residents while maintaining levels of
access and services, including emergency services, to the neighborhoods.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
The board of selectman may implement traffic calming devices and measures as described in this article. In an effort to achieve the objectives of this policy, a variety of traffic-calming techniques, including physical devices and operational measures, set forth in Section 8-57 of this article, may be employed by the Board of Selectmen.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
A committee that shall be known as the Windham Traffic Calming
Committee is hereby created. It will be referred to in this article
as the "WTCC." Membership shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen
in accordance with the provisions of the Town Charter. The WTCC shall
consist of seven members: Town Manager, Town Engineer, Fire Department
representative, Police Department representative, public works representative,
two residents at large from electors or voters within the Town of
Windham.
The purpose and powers of the WTCC will be to consider requests
for the installation, modification or removal of traffic calming measures,
to gather evidence that is pertinent to traffic calming within the
Town of Windham, and to make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen
for the installation, modification or removal of traffic calming measures
on the town's public roadways.
In furtherance of its charges, the WTCC may collect evidence
and data, conduct evaluations and gather pertinent information from
the public and other sources.
Recommendations by the WTCC for the installation, modification
or removal of traffic calming measures shall be based upon the provisions
and guidelines in this article.
[Ord. No. 2451, § 9-1-09]
As used in this article, the following words or terms shall
have the meanings set forth here:
Roadways that conduct vehicular traffic between collector
streets and highways.
Typically streets that provide access between local streets
and arterial streets. Collector streets often carry some amounts of
through-traffic. To be considered under this policy, a collector street
must be primarily residential. As a general guideline, "primarily
residential" means that at least 75% of the properties with frontage
on the street are in residential zoning or have existing land use
that is residential.
Through traffic diverted from arterial and collector streets
onto local residential streets to avoid congestion or to short-cut.
A qualitative measure describing operational conditions within
a traffic stream, generally in terms of such factors as speed and
travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and;
|
Level of Service
|
General Operating Conditions
|
|---|---|
|
A
|
Free flow
|
|
B
|
Reasonable free flow
|
|
C
|
Stable flow
|
|
D
|
Approaching unstable flow
|
|
NOTE — Specific definitions of Levels of Service A through
F vary by facility type.
|
Methods used to reduce vehicular speed and volume and increase
the sharing of streets by pedestrians and other users. Generally refers
to physical measures and roadway design changes, but enforcement and
education can be components.
An element of a traffic-calming plan selected from available
and appropriate devices.
An appraisal of traffic conditions and the development of
a plan for implementing one or more traffic calming devices.
The speed at or below which 85% of the vehicles are moving.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
The following physical traffic calming measures and devices,
defined below, may be used or installed in residential neighborhoods
in town. In addition, the Board of Selectmen/Council may consider
using other measures that include turn prohibitions, striping, addition
of bicycle lanes, etc. The board may use one or any combination of
the devices and measures:
An extension of a curb in the form of a bulb, usually at
an intersection, that narrows the vehicular pathway and inhibits fast
turns. Also called curb extension or neck down.
A series of fixed objects, usually extensions of the curb,
which alter a straight roadway into a zigzag or serpentine path to
slow vehicles.
A narrowing of the fixed street, often in mid-block and sometimes
near an intersection. May be done with curb extensions, landscaping
or islands in the street.
A small circular island, usually less than 26 feet in diameter,
used in the middle of intersections and intended to force vehicular
traffic to slow and negotiate around it. When used in residential
areas, they can be landscaped for aesthetic or barrier purposes and
may have mountable curbs to facilitate movement of emergency vehicles.
Full street closures are barriers placed across an entire
width of street to completely close the street to through-traffic,
usually leaving only sidewalks open. They are also referred to as
cul-de-sacs or dead-ends.
A partition that connects two diagonally opposite curbs,
bisecting the intersections, to force motor vehicles to slow down
and turn. A traversable barrier allows emergency vehicles, as well
as bicyclists and pedestrians, to cross over.
These are islands used on approaches to an intersection that
force drivers to turn to only one direction (usually right).
Also known as entry treatments; may involve alterations in
the pavement surface, with bricks, stamped concrete, or other colored
materials intended to signal to drivers that they are entering a neighborhood
or community that requires lower speeds. Pillars and archways are
sometimes used to compliment gateways.
These are barriers that block travel in one direction for
a short distance on an otherwise two-way street. Also called semidiverters.
These are narrow islands constructed between travel lanes
through an intersection. They are intended to prevent left turns from
the major street and through movements along the minor street.
Passive control measures are encouraged, especially when
the average speed is only five mph faster than the speed limit. These
include:
Police enforcement. Periodic radar enforcement.
Speed notification sign board. This device displays a motorist's
speed as they approach the sign board, raising driver consciousness
of inappropriate speed.
Neighborhood mailings. A letter sent to local residents asking
for assistance to help control the speed by observing the speed limit.
Adopt-a-cone. A voluntary program in which traffic cones are
placed on the roadway in front of their residence during each day.
The cones are coordinated within the neighborhood.
A traditional pedestrian crossing area purposely raised above
the normal pavement surface level in order to give motorists and pedestrians
a better view of the crossing area.
Pavement surface treatments intended to cause drivers to
experience vehicular vibrations signaling the drivers to slow down.
Narrow mountable obstructions installed on the pavement surface,
across the traveled lanes, and intended to cause vehicles to slow.
Speed bumps are usually less than 14 inches wide and four inches high.
They are similar to speed bumps but utilize larger vertical
radii that result in wider widths and a gentler crossing by vehicles.
Wide mountable obstructions installed on the pavement surface
across the travel lanes, and intended to cause vehicles to slow. They
are similar to speed humps, except for the flat-topped section located
between the approach and far edges. Speed tables are generally wider
than speed humps and are gentler on vehicles.
Speed cushions have several distinct advantages. Designed
as three small speed humps, speed cushions effectively slow cars down.
However, the wider axle of emergency vehicles allows them to pass
without slowing down. In addition, speed cushions are more affordable
then speed humps or tables since they require less materials.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
A rating system, as outlined in table 1, will be utilized by
the WTCC to enable competing traffic calming projects to be ranked
in relation to budget constraints, and anticipated benefits. This
ranking system will consider total points and project costs if multiple
projects compete for traffic calming funds. Each roadway will be analyzed
individually within the study area according to the criteria listed
below, and the WTCC shall prepare a report for the Board of Selectmen/Council.
WTCC shall rank streets and neighborhoods in its report, based
upon the rating system. Only the traffic calming projects which have
been approved for implementation will be ranked. WTCA will use its
discretion to:
(1)Â
Select a project for implementation based on the rating system in
table 1 below;
(2)Â
Balance projects within the Town of Windham;
(3)Â
Rank projects which involve the installation of physical measures
in areas under construction of physical measures in areas under construction
or programmed for construction within a reasonable time frame.
|
Table 1
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Criteria for Rating Projects
| |||
|
Criteria
|
Maximum Points
|
Basis
| |
|
Speed (85% tile)
|
30
|
5 pts. For every 5 mph over posted speed limit
| |
|
Volume
|
20
|
ADT divided by 100 Average Daily Traffic
| |
|
Accident
|
15
|
1 pt for each crash/year at one location
| |
|
School crossing
|
10
|
2 pts if children must cross street to go to school
| |
|
Residential density
|
10
|
1 pt for every 150 dwelling units/sq mile of study area
| |
|
Pedestrian generators
|
5
|
1 pt each for up to five pedestrian-generating facilities
| |
|
No sidewalks
|
10
|
5 pts if no continuous sidewalk, and 5 pts if pedestrian traffic
volume is considered high
| |
|
Total possible points
|
100
| ||
|
In addition to the rating process, the WTCC shall consider:
| |||
|
(1)
|
Seasonal traffic calming measures during peak athletic, bicycle,
and or pedestrian usage.
| ||
|
(2)
|
Where speeding is determined to be a problem, traffic calming
measures should be designed to reduce speeds.
| ||
|
(3)
|
The location of traffic calming measures.
| ||
|
(4)
|
The requirements of pedestrians, senior citizens, children and
local residents.
| ||
|
(5)
|
Traffic calming measures should not result in a significant
reduction of the capacity of intersections and roadways where they
are placed.
| ||
|
(6)
|
Traffic calming solutions for identified problems should be
cost effective.
| ||
|
(7)
|
Traffic calming measures may conform to engineering and procedural
standards.
| ||
|
(8)
|
A traffic calming measure on a trial basis. In installed, all
such deployments should be evaluated for effectiveness within three
months of installation.
| ||
|
(9)
|
Traffic calming measures implemented at intersections and on
roadways shall not result in lowering the overall level of service
below "D".
| ||
|
(10)
|
Collector streets may be considered by on a case-by-case basis.
| ||
|
(11)
|
Physical traffic calming measures (such as speed bumps/humps)
should generally not be considered on:
| ||
|
a.
|
Emergency and evacuation routes;
| ||
|
b.
|
Roadways with grades of 7% or more;
| ||
|
c.
|
Through truck routes.
| ||
|
(12)
|
The impact or effect on fire, police, ambulance and other emergency
response times and quality. Ingress and egress of police, fire and
other emergency vehicles must be maintained.
| ||
|
(13)
|
Crash (accident) data for the most recent three years should
be analyzed by type, severity, location, roadway condition, and time
of crash. Accident rates should be considered significant when there
are three or more reported cases involving pedestrian, bicycle and
automobiles along a local residential street within a one-year period.
| ||
|
(14)
|
In cases where parking may have to be removed, the effect(s)
on businesses and other parking facilities within the neighborhood,
as well as alterations to traffic patterns.
| ||
|
(15)
|
When the eighty-fifth percentile speed on a street segment exceeds
the posted speed limit by at least 10 mph, traffic calming measures
should be considered.
| ||
|
(16)
|
The need to promote a sequence through the hierarchy of streets,
such as residential to collector, arterial to highway and then back
down the hierarchy.
| ||
|
Periodically, the WTCC will review these guidelines to determine
whether they are appropriate for current conditions, and make recommendations
to change this article to the Board of Selectmen.
| |
|
The WTCC shall conduct a traffic calming study if the majority
of residents in the problem area petition for such a request.
|
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
(a)Â
Requests for a traffic calming study by the WTCA may be initiated
by the WTCC, the Board of Selectmen/Council, or by a petition request
of the majority of the electors who reside on the street(s) where
the device is requested. The WTCC may prepare and use a form to facilitate
such a community request, may place the petition form on the town's
website, and may provide for the location where the form shall be
delivered. Any petition shall be referred to the Town Engineer for
comment.
(b)Â
Within approximately four weeks of a petition or a decision to initiate
a study by the WTCC or the Board of Selectmen/Council, the WTCC shall
organize a neighborhood meeting where traffic problems, issues and
solutions shall be discussed. Failure to meet the deadline does not
nullify any action or recommendation made by the WTCC.
(c)Â
A traffic engineering study shall be conducted, where practical,
by WTCC or a consultant appointed by WTCC. This shall involve study
area determination, data collection and analyses. A report summarizing
findings on the following parameters should be submitted to WTCC for
review:
|
•
|
Vehicular volume;
| |
|
•
|
Speeds;
| |
|
•
|
Cut-through traffic;
| |
|
•
|
Crash rates;
| |
|
•
|
Road alignment and grade;
| |
|
•
|
Street or segment classification;
| |
|
•
|
Parking;
| |
|
•
|
Pedestrian activities;
| |
|
•
|
Other physical conditions on roadway or segment.
|
|
The report should also contain recommendations on traffic calming
solutions.
|
(d)Â
The WTCC shall present its conclusions and recommendations in a community
meeting for the residents in the affected area. The recommendations
may include solution(s) not requested, but which are warranted based
on the factors surrounding each case, additional solutions, or none
at all.
(e)Â
The WTCC may thereafter in its discretion amend its plan based upon
the community meeting.
(f)Â
The WTCC shall thereafter submit the report and its recommendations
to the Board of Selectmen.
(g)Â
A removal or modification to a traffic calming measure shall occur
in the same manner.
[Ord. No. 2451, 9-1-2009]
References to the Board of Selectmen prescribed herein shall
become references to the Town Council after the election of the Town
Council in November, 2009 and the seating thereof.
