Historic Bluefields

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)

 

Bluefields Traffic Calming Options Round Abouts Traffic Circles Traffic Calming Options for Bluefields Chicane

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.

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.
   
Traffic Calming Options for Bluefiels Speed Bumps Bluefields Traffic Calming Options Round Abouts Traffic Circles

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.

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.
 Curb Extensions Example  Raised Median Example
 

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.

 

 

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.
   
 Raised Stop Sign Intersection  Median Islands

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.

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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