Traffic Calming

UPCOMING BLUEFIELDS TRAFFIC CALMING MEETING

When: May 29^th 6 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.

Additional Resources:

Traffic Survey Results Provided to Bluefields by NDOT
Daily Traffic Counts were collected on 4/12/2022. The 85^th 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)

Bluefield Traffic Calming Options Below:

Presented by Bluefields Traffic Calming Committee, Chair Gary Conn & Peter Beare (Walkability)
Pro's and Con's (generated by Chat GPT)

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.
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. 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 Extenions 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 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.