UPCOMING BLUEFIELDS TRAFFIC CALMING MEETING
When: May 29th ,2024 - 6:00 pm
Where: Hermitage Police Precinct - 3701 James Kay Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076 (Google Maps)
Attending: Councilman Jeff Gregg, Diana Alarcon, head of NDOT.
Subject: Alternative Traffic Calming solutions for Bluefield Ave.
Although the last NDOT meeting was by NDOT invitation only, this is a public meeting and ALL are welcome.
Virtual Link & Meeting Details
https://nashville.webex.com/nashville/j.php?MTID=m4af22d26c7de1e1d8688809cb2f4c428
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 6:00 PM | 2 hours | (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2508 172 9041
Password: Pu8Qnmik9F8
Agenda: This meeting is to discuss and explore non-speed cushion options.
Representatives from NDOT will be in attendance at the meeting to answer any questions.
The physical meeting will be held at the Hermitage Police Precinct - 37013 James Kay Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076
Join by phone
+1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Denver)
+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)
Access code: 250 817 29041
Additional Resources:
Traffic Survey Results Provided to Bluefields by NDOT
Daily Traffic Counts were collected on 4/12/2022. The 85th Percentile Speed was 37mph and the Average Speed was 32mph. The daily volume recorded was 1660 vehicles per day.
Bluefield Ave - Meeting 1 & 2 Traffic Calming Concept (View PDF)
Presented by NDOT Vendor - Harrison Turner, Kimley-Horn - (View Traffic Calming Options)
Raised concerns documentated in Meeting 2 - Provided by Gary Conn, Chair, Bluefields Traffic Calming Committee:
- NDOT has nothing in place for Neighborhoods to remove this solution or to measure results after installation.
- Unsightly industrial appearance does not align with the aesthetic and design of our historic neighborhood's streetscapes.
- Proposal included 2 large yellow warnings signs per table (total of 10 signs along Bluefield Ave).
- Solution allows drivers to drive into yards via road shoulder to avoid speed cushion (forcing residents to respond by putting their own streetside barriers).
- Too many tables were proposed for length of Bluefields Ave even after request for a reduction of tables in meeting 1.
- Documentation * provided by neighbhorhood Realtor that speed cushions may impact property values.
* A bump in the road: speed bumps’ impact on property values, Emerald Insight.
FINAL NOTE: Councilman Gregg confirmed with Harris Turner at the completion of the 2nd meeting that there is no deadline or timeline for Bluefields to make a decision on the Speed Cushion Traffic Calming Concept.
Traffic Calming Options Below:
Presented by Bluefields Traffic Calming Committee, Chair Gary Conn & Peter Beare (Walkability)
Pro's and Con's (generated by ChatGPT)
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Traffic Circles / Round Abouts
Pros:
- Traffic Calming:Slows down vehicles, reducing the risk of high-speed collisions.
- Aesthetics: Can be landscaped to enhance the visual appeal of an area.
- Navigability: Generally suitable for larger vehicles due to wider lanes.
Cons:
- Confusion: Can be confusing for drivers, leading to increased risk of accidents
- Space Requirements: Requires more land compared to other intersection types.
- Pedestrian Safety: Can be challenging for pedestrians to navigate safely.
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Chicanes
Pros:
- Traffic Calming: Effectively slows down vehicles by requiring them to navigate a series of tight turns.
- Improved Safety: Reduces the likelihood of high-speed accidents, particularly in residential areas.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Can be landscaped to improve the visual appeal of the street.
- Cost-Effective: Often cheaper to implement than speed bumps or other physical traffic calming measures.
Cons:
- Confusion: Can be confusing for drivers, leading to increased risk of accidents.
- Space Requirements: Requires more land compared to other intersection types.
- Pedestrian Safety: Can be challenging for pedestrians to navigate safely.
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Speed Cushions
Pros:
- Traffic Calming: Effectively reduces vehicle speeds, enhancing safety in residential areas.
- Emergency Vehicle Access: Designed to allow wider wheelbase vehicles, like ambulances and fire trucks, to pass through with minimal impact on speed.
- Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive to install and maintain compared to other traffic calming measures.
- Reduced Noise: Causes less noise compared to traditional speed bumps as vehicles pass over them more smoothly.
Cons:
- Discomfort: Can be uncomfortable for drivers and passengers, particularly in smaller vehicles.
- Wear and Tear: May cause increased wear and tear on vehicles, particularly for frequent users.
- Road Maintenance: Can complicate road maintenance tasks that include during snow and ice events.
- Cyclist Impact: Can be challenging for cyclists to navigate, potentially leading to safety concerns if not designed with bike lanes in mind.
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Radar Speed Signs
Pros:
- Effective Speed Reduction: Visually alerts drivers of their current speed, encouraging them to slow down if they are exceeding the limit.
- Real-Time Feedback: Provides immediate feedback, which can be more effective in changing driver behavior than static signs.
- Data Collection: Can collect data on vehicle speeds and traffic patterns, useful for traffic analysis and planning.
- Visibility: Highly visible and can be used in various locations, including school zones and residential areas, enhancing overall road safety.
Cons:
- Limited Enforcement: While they can encourage speed reduction, they do not enforce speed limits or issue fines.
- Initial Cost: Can be expensive to purchase and install, though generally lower cost than more permanent measures like speed bumps.
- Effectiveness Over Time: Drivers may become accustomed to the signs, reducing their effectiveness over time if not combined with other measures.
- Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance to ensure functionality and readability, which can add to long-term costs.
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Curb Extensions
Pros:
- Pedestrian Safety: Shortens crossing distance, making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the street.
- Traffic Calming: Narrows the roadway, encouraging drivers to reduce their speed.
- Visibility: Improves visibility of pedestrians for drivers, especially at intersections
- Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped to enhance the visual appeal of the street and neighborhood.
- Parking Management: Helps manage parking by preventing illegal parking near intersections and crosswalks.
Cons:
- Cost: Higher initial installation costs compared to other traffic calming measures.
- Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance, especially if landscaped.
- Emergency Vehicles: Can potentially slow down emergency vehicles due to the reduced road width.
- Cyclist Impact: May pose challenges for cyclists if not designed with bike lanes or sufficient space.
- Drainage Issues: Can affect drainage patterns and may require additional infrastructure to manage water runoff effectively.
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Raised Median
Pros:
- Traffic Safety: Separates opposing lanes of traffic, reducing head-on collisions and improving overall road safety.
- Pedestrian Safety: Provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing the street, particularly on wide roads.
- Access Management: Controls left-turn movements, reducing conflict points and improving traffic flow.
- Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped, enhancing the visual appeal of the roadway and surrounding area.
- Reduced Speed: Encourages lower speeds by narrowing the effective width of the road, contributing to traffic calming.
Cons:
- Access Limitation: Limits direct access to properties and businesses, potentially causing inconvenience for drivers and affecting business visibility.
- Construction Cost: Higher initial construction costs compared to painted or flush medians.
- Maintenance: Requires ongoing maintenance, particularly if landscaped, which can add to long-term costs.
- Emergency Response: Can hinder emergency vehicle access and movement if not properly designed with breaks or crossings.
- Driver Frustration: May lead to driver frustration or non-compliance if drivers find the access limitations inconvenient.
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Raised Stop Sign Intersection
Pros:
- Enhanced Visibility: Elevated stop signs are more visible to drivers, reducing the likelihood of running through the intersection.
- Traffic Calming: The raised platform slows down vehicles as they approach and navigate the intersection, enhancing safety.
- Pedestrian Safety: Improved pedestrian safety due to reduced vehicle speeds and better visibility of crosswalks.
- Accident Reduction: Can significantly reduce the number and severity of accidents at intersections by ensuring drivers stop completely.
Cons:
- Construction Cost: Higher initial cost compared to standard stop sign installations due to the need for elevation and potential road modifications.
- Maintenance: May require more maintenance than traditional intersections, especially if the raised platform is damaged.
- Discomfort: Can cause discomfort for drivers and passengers, particularly if not well-marked or if vehicles travel over them at higher speeds.
- Emergency Vehicle Impact: Can slow down emergency response vehicles, potentially affecting response times.
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Median Islands
Pros:
- Pedestrian Safety: Provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing wide streets, allowing them to navigate one direction of traffic at a time.
- Traffic Calming: Narrows lanes and can slow down traffic, improving overall safety.
- Accident Reduction: Reduces the likelihood of head-on collisions by separating opposing lanes of traffic.
- Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped, enhancing the visual appeal of the roadway and the surrounding area.
- Access Control: Helps manage left-turn movements, reducing conflict points and improving traffic flow.
Cons:
- Access Limitation: Limits direct access to properties and businesses, potentially causing inconvenience for drivers and impacting business visibility.
- Construction Cost: Higher initial construction costs compared to simple painted lines or flush medians.
- Maintenance: Requires ongoing maintenance, particularly if landscaped, which can add to long-term costs.
- Emergency Vehicle Impact: Can hinder emergency vehicle access and movement if not properly designed with breaks or crossings.
- Driver Frustration: May lead to driver frustration or non-compliance if drivers find the access limitations inconvenient.
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