HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.lDate: 31 October 2011
Item No. I i
APPROVAL OF THE DRIVER FEEDBACK SIGN POLICY
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve the driver
feedback sign policy for the City of Lakeville.
Passage of this motion establishes standardized processes and procedures for the
installation and use of driver feedback signs within the City.
Overviews
In June 2011, a Lakeville resident approached City Council with concerns over the
speed of traffic along Flagstaff Avenue between County Road 46 and Dodd Boulevard.
Flagstaff Avenue acts a major collector, moving vehicles from residential streets to
arterial streets. This section, while part of the collector system is also a residential
street with many driveways having direct access to the street.
Over the summer, staff researched viable traffic calming options, selecting one that
involved the placement of driver feedback signs along Flagstaff Avenue. The use of
driver feedback signs in this situation has a specific goal of reducing driver speeds. The
policy is designed to specify the situations in which driver feedback signs would be
useful and most likely to achieve the objective of lowering speeds through a specific
area.
The requirements outlined by the policy are intended to ensure that the driver feedback
signs will be effective following installation and not just become part of the sign
landscape within the City. Having a policy for the installation and use of driver feedback
signs is important to the City to define requirements and ensure consistent application
of the signs for speed reduction.
® Why is a policy needed? Driver feedback signs are expensive to install and
maintain and may not work in every situation. Indiscriminate use of the signs will
detract from their effectiveness.
® A copy of the Driver Feedback Sign Policy is attached.
C ristoph r . Petree
Operatio s & Maintenance Director
Financial Impact: Budgeted: Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Motes:
Policy 1.171
Department of Operations and Maintenance
DRIVER FEEDBACK SIGN POLICY
1.00 Purpose
1.01 The City of Lakeville, Minnesota finds that it is in the best interest of the City to outline
the policy and procedures for the consideration and installation of Driver Feedback (DFB)
signs.
2.00 Objective
2.01 In certain situations DFB signs can reduce speed and improve safety on some roadways.
This policy exists to outline the warrants necessary to consider the installation of DFB
signs.
3.00 General
3.01 Driver feedback signs display real time speed measurements as the vehicle approaches the
sign, advising the driver of their speed. If the approaching car is exceeding the speed
limit, and not in compliance with the posted speed, they are warned by a flashing display
of LED lights. The display prompts the driver to slow down, creating a safer environment
for pedestrians, school children, cyclists, roadway workers, and the general public.
3.02 Traffic - calming, through the installation of DFB signs, has been proven effective in:
• Schoolzones
• Transition zones
• Work zones
• Other speed critical areas
3.03 The installation of DFB signs must be approved by the City Council.
4.00 Warrant Requirements
4.01 While DFB signs have proven to be effective in most instances, it is important that
locations be evaluated against these warrants to ensure that the devices do not lose their
impact and that they are used in locations where they are cost beneficial. Therefore the
following warrants must be met before consideration will be given for the installation of
DFB signs. An engineering study may also be required prior to City Council approval.
1. Roadway Classification: Major Collector
2. Average Daily Traffic (ADT): Greater than 5,000
3. Average Speeds: Exceed Posted Speed Limit
4. Driveway Access: Greater than 10 Driveways per 1500 feet
5. Roadway History: Documented Speed and Safety Problems