TITLE: Title
Consideration of Stage 2 Traffic Calming on Tallyho Trail
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board of Aldermen to consider the proposed design for Stage 2 traffic calming measures on Tallyho Trail.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Bergen Watterson, 919-918-7329, bwatterson@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:bwatterson@townofcarrboro.org>; Tina Moon, 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>; Trish McGuire, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>
INFORMATION: At the September 27th, 2016 meeting, the Board of Aldermen received a presentation from staff and comments from neighbors regarding traffic calming on Tallyho Trail. Traffic volume, speed, and other data collected in May 2016 indicated that Stage 2 traffic calming measures were warranted. The Board of Aldermen directed staff to create a proposal for Stage 2 traffic calming measures.
Since the September 2016 Board of Aldermen meeting, Town staff held a neighborhood meeting to discuss potential traffic calming measures and gather input; sixteen residents attended. Staff created an online survey to gather input from residents who were unable to attend. A summary of responses to the meeting comment cards and the online survey can be found in Attachment B.
Staff from the Planning and Public Works departments visited the site on several occasions and worked with Sungate Design to create a traffic calming plan for Tallyho Trail. The plan includes three speed tables, two mini-traffic circles, pavement markings and signs instructing pedestrians to walk facing traffic. Public Works will also work with property owners to ensure vegetation is trimmed so as to not impede sight distance along the road.
Tallyho Trail is a challenging road for traffic calming. It is long, narrow, windy and somewhat hilly, creating limited sight distances in some places. The road is also used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Based on these factors, staff recommends the use of speed tables because they are effective at lowering speeds, have less impact on emergency access, and were identified as the preferred device by residents who are in favor of calming traffic. For speed tables to be most effective they should be placed not more than 500 feet from one another. As this is implausible on Tallyho Trail due to the length of the road, staff is also recommending the installation of mini-traffic circles at two intersections. Mini-traffic circles require drivers to slow down and maneuver around while paying attention to their surroundings. The 9-foot radius of the traffic circles still allows for 16-foot lanes on both sides. An illustrative map of proposed traffic calming devices can be found in Attachment C. Additional details on the proposed devices will be available at the meeting.
Staff recommends a pilot installation of the mini-traffic circles with bollards and paint to test the effectiveness. Traffic volume and speed data will be collected again in 6-12 months after installation of traffic calming devices, and subject to results of the data, staff will proceed with a more permanent installation.
The Transportation Advisory Board received this information and heard from residents at the March 16th, 2017 meeting. The Board’s recommendation can be found in Attachment D.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Staff is working with Sungate Design and Public Works to finalize the cost estimates relating to the different traffic calming devices. This information will be discussed at the meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Board of Aldermen consider the resolution in Attachment A approving the proposed traffic calming plan for Tallyho Trail.