NW Mill Pond Rd - McDaniel to Engelman
Introduction
The Traffic Calming Program (TCP) undertook a streamlined
speed bump project in the summer of 1997 to address traffic problems identified
by residents along NW Mill Pond Road from McDaniel to Engleman.
The goal of the project was to enhance street safety and
livability by reducing the 85th percentile speed of vehicles using NW Mill Pond
Rd closer to the legal maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour (mph). Speed
bumps are the only devices considered for streets like NW Mill Pond Rd, which
are classified as Local Service Streets, are not transit or primary fire
response routes and have vehicle volumes between 400 and 2000 vehicles per day.
Speed bumps have proven to be effective tools to reduce vehicle speed without
affecting access. It is not an intended goal to reduce traffic volume on
low-volume Local Service Streets.
NW Mill Pond Rd serves a single family residence neighborhood.
NW McDaniel Rd, to the north, is a Local Service street. NW Engleman Street, at
NW Mill Pond Rd's south end, is a Local Service street. NW Mill Pond Road has no
sidewalks, but does have curbs.
Open House
Residents along NW Mill Pond Road were invited to an open
house in February 4, 1998, to review and comment on the proposed speed bump
installation. Twenty people attended the open house. Most of those who attended
expressed approval for the proposed project. A petition was available at the
open house for residents along NW Mill Pond Road to sign and was circulated
after the open house by a local resident. Petition results were as
follows:
Category
Number
Percent of
Total
Yes
55
70.5 percent
No
0
0 percent
No Signature
23
29.5 percent
Total
78
100
percent
Performance
|
Category |
Number |
Percent of
Total |
| Yes |
55 |
70.5 percent |
| No |
0 |
0 percent |
| No Signature |
23 |
29.5 percent |
|
Total |
78 |
100
percent |
Nine 14-foot speed bumps, at 400 to 450 foot spacing, were
constructed along the 0.81 mile length of NW Mill Pond, from McDaniel to
Engleman, on May 2, 1998, by the Bureau of Maintenance.
Vehicle Speeds
As the graph shows, vehicle speeds previously peaked ranged
between 25 to 35 mph, now the peak range between 16 to 26 mph. The average 85th
percentile vehicle speed before the project was 36 mph. Since bump construction
the average 85th percentile speed is 26 mph. Before installation of the speed
bumps 76 percent of drivers exceeded the posted speed limit of 25 mph and 15
percent exceeded the limit by 10 mph or more. Since bump construction 18 percent
of drivers exceed the posted speed limit and 0.6 percent exceed the limit by 10
mph or more.
Traffic Volume
Traffic volumes measured before bump construction averaged
1056 vehicles per day (vpd). After bump construction volumes averaged 851 vpd.
Conclusion
Traffic Calming on NW Mill Pond, from McDaniel to Engleman has
successfully reduced the average 85th percentile speed closer to the posted
speed, enhancing street safety and livability.