By Scott Babcock
In October, Ray Allen, president of the Bellevue-Hale neighborhood association and I sent a joint letter to Denver City Councilwomen Marcia Johnson (District 5) and Jeanne Robb (District 10), with copies to the City’s Traffic Engineering Department and Denver Police District 3, expressing ongoing traffic-related concerns. We also wanted to understand the city’s long-range transportation plans for our neighborhoods. The following is a summary of the concern we expressed in our letter, as well as the response from David Weaver, Engineering Supervisor, Denver Traffic Engineering Services.
Consider Installation of Dynamic Speed Displays: An August 2008 survey of Mayfair and Bellevue-Hale residents indicated that 66 percent are “concerned” or “very concerned” about speeding. Major commuting arteries such as 8th, 13th and 14th Avenues, continue to bear a significant share of the area’s car traffic and speeding that often results in serious accidents. Mayfair and Bellevue-Hale neighborhoods suggested installation of digital speed display devices along one or more of these routes to reduce speeding.
Response: Speed studies conducted over the last twenty years demonstrate that about 85 percent of Denver drivers have a strong propensity to travel approximately 7 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit. As a part of a speed management test program, the City studied 16 locations where there was a history of citizen complaint, crashes, and speed exceeding the posted speeds. The dynamic speed displays (e.g., along eastbound 17th Avenue at Grape) now in place were the result of this effort.
Although other communities have had some documented
success in reducing vehicle speeds using dynamic speed
signs at spot locations for relatively brief durations,
longer-term benefits have been questionable. Our pilot
program is designed to proceed in a cautious, comprehensive,
and technically defensible manner, looking at the speed
impacts in the immediate vicinity, as well as at some
distance beyond the signs to see if the speeds remain
closer to the posted speed limits or if drivers have
resumed their pre-sign speed profile. Safety data in
terms of accident experience will take a longer period
to collect due to the statistical variability of this
type of data.
The data so far, however, does indicate that the devices
may be useful in specific, potentially hazardous situations
such as the reverse curves on York at 9th (Botanic
Gardens). Drivers are better be able to make the connection
between the dynamic speed sign (or other sign enhancements
such as flashing beacons) and a situation where traveling
at or near the posted speed limit offers the benefit
of some risk avoidance.
In summary, the City is experiencing mixed results
with the speed signs. They are expensive ($10,000 per
installation), and we are evaluating the effectiveness
of the signs installed by the pilot program before
we decide to install additional signs. The City considered
the section of 13th Avenue between Jersey and Fairfax,
but rejected it because the crash rate did not meet
the minimum requirements. Currently, all pilot locations
are or will soon be in place with no additional locations
planned.
I understand that you have been in contact with Tony
Burkhardt at DPD and discussed additional enforcement.
With the many streets within your neighborhood that
could be possible speeding locations, an active, multi-location
enforcement program is likely the best solution.
Consider limiting access to vehicles exceeding 7,000 pounds along Krameria Street between 8th and 13th Avenues: Regular commercial truck traffic along Krameria between 8th and 13th is out of character with the neighborhood. Enforce the restriction and place appropriate signage (similar to those along Krameria south of 8th) to notify drivers of the change.
Response:The City code covering restrictions on trucks traveling on city streets (Sec. 54-647, 648) allows considerable flexibility to delivery vehicle drivers to choose a route to/from their destinations. I have requested that truck prohibition signs be installed on Krameria between 8th and 13th. Please note that enforcement of the signs is generally not a high priority with DPD, but we are optimistic that the signs will deter at least some of the truck traffic.
Consider marking bike lanes and routes in our neighborhoods similar to those along Montview in Park Hill, and improving safety of pedestrian crosswalk at 12th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard intersection:
The poor design of this extremely busy intersection is a hazard for bikers and pedestrians. Improvements will increase safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and automobiles.
Response: Marking an exclusive bike lane (Route D-10) on 12th Avenue east of Colorado Boulevard is problematic due to limit width. I have asked that the possibility of a narrow lane (4 feet including gutter width) be examined, but this location may be more appropriate for “sharrows,” (on road markings), which are intended to reinforce the share the road concept between cyclists and motorists. A bike lane or sharrows would be a part of our 2009 work program.
I have reconsidered my initial reaction that moving the crosswalks from the north side of the 12th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard intersection to the south side. As a rule of thumb, having pedestrians cross left turning traffic is considered more risky than crossing right turning traffic and this location has double left turns which are, in our judgment, even more risky, but each situation is unique and I have asked that new vehicle turning movement and pedestrian counts be obtained. We will then reevaluate the options. In the mean time, I have asked that the crosswalks at this location be examined and renewed if needed.
We will continue to work with the city to monitor Mayfair traffic and pedestrian issues. If you have additional concerns you would like addressed with the city, please contact me at info@mayfairneighbors.org, or bring them to our next general meeting on April 14.
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