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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 074t6t 7 E N G I N E E R S PLANNERS &M10691 DESIGNERS Consulting Group, Inc. Memorandum SRF No. 01383441024F To: Zach Johnson, P.E., City Engineer CITY OF LAKEVILLE From: Jeff Bednar, TOPS, Senior Traffic Engineering Specialist Date: December 31, 2014 Subject: FLAGSTAFF AVENUE/179TH STREET INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL EVALUATION UPDATE AND TRAFFIC SAFETY STUDY CITY PROJECT 14-20 Introduction As requested, SKF has completed a Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street Intersection Traffic Control Evaluation Update and Traffic Safety Study (see Figure 1). The primary purpose and objective of this study is to update and reevaluate, the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street Intersection Traffic Control Evaluation that was completed in December 2010 by SRF (as recommended in the 2010 study) and review recent traffic safety within the study area in consideration of new development and traffic safety concerns expressed by residents and as a follow-up to the 2010 study. Existing Conditions Intersection Area Characteristics The area surrounding the subject intersection is primarily low-density residential with some undeveloped land to the south and east. As was recommended in the 2010 study, the southbound intersection approach has been improved by restriping the north leg of Flagstaff Avenue to provide an exclusive southbound left -turn lane and the vegetation related sight distance restriction in the northeast corner of the subject intersection has been improved. Since the 2010 study, Flagstaff Avenue (the south leg of the intersection) has now been paved in Farmington and a new Farmington High School was constructed on Flagstaff Avenue approximately 2.6 miles south of the subject intersection. Traffic Safety/Intersection Crash Analysis Crash data provided by MnDOT and the Lakeville Police Department was reviewed as part of this traffic control evaluation and traffic safety review. Based on the available crash data reported to MnDOT for the five-year period from October 31, 2009 through October 31, 2014, there were a total of seven reported crashes at the subject intersection. One crash involved a seriously injured southbound motorcyclist colliding with a northbound left-turning/failing to yield vehicle on a Friday evening in July, 2011. Two of the reported crashes involved less serious injuries and four crashes involved property damage only. ONE CARI,SON PARKWAY, SUITE 150 1 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55447 1 763.475.0010 1 WWW.SRr-CONSULnNG.COM a 0 o � v N 7f� p0 N 1 c C N O 0 V o c o2 Zach Johnson, P.E. December 31, 2014 City of Lakeville Page 3 The crash data provided by the Lakeville Police Department includes the most recent 12 -month period from October 15, 2013 to October 15, 2014. The City's database is a "calls for service" type data base, and listed six intersection crash -related calls for service at the subject intersection over the past 12 - months. Of the six crash -related calls for service/reportable crashes, four were 179th Street stop approach rear -end collisions, one involved a construction zone closure of Flagstaff Avenue south of the intersection/winter weather related U -Turn and one involved an eastbound 179th Street vehicle, failure to yield right angle collision with a school bus (no student passengers were onboard). Another crash that involved a serious injury occurred at the subject intersection during the traffic data collection/video imaging for this study. Although a crash report is not available at this time, it appears that this crash involved a northbound left-turning/failing to yield vehicle colliding with a southbound through vehicle on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 just before 5:00 p.m. (see Figure 2). Two of the Lakeville Police Department reported crashes were included in the MnDOT reported crashes resulting in a total of 11 reported crashes at the subject intersection for the five year study period. If the crash that occurred on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 is included, there were 12 crashes at the subject intersection for the five year study period. In comparison, in the 2010 study there were five reported crashes during the study period of January 2007 through October 2010. The rate at which reported crashes are occurring at the subject intersection is 1.15 crashes per million entering vehicles. This intersection crash rate is above the critical crash rate of 0.63 crashes per million entering vehicles for similar intersections (four -legged side -street stop -controlled with similar volume collector roadways). The critical crash rate provides a statistically relevant benchmark for comparison. With a crash rate above the critical crash rate and two recent significant crashes occurring within a short time period, a thorough review of traffic safety at the subject intersection is justified. Since detailed crash reports are not available at his time, the following descriptions for the two most recent crashes at the subject intersection are based on the best anecdotal information available: October 15, 2014 — An eastbound vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign and collided with a southbound school bus. There were no student passengers onboard at the time. The vehicle sustained significant damage and both driver and passenger of the vehicle were transported to Region's Hospital and were later released with minor injuries. October 22, 2014 — A three vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Flagstaff and 179th Street when a northbound left-turning/failing to yield vehicle collided with a southbound through vehicle. These two vehicles then collided with a third eastbound right -turning vehicle stopped at the stop sign. One person was transported to HCMC with a possible broken leg and shock and another person was transported to Fairview Ridges with minor injuries. Note that this traffic control/safety review began before this crash occurred and it was captured during the data collection/video imaging for this study. A review of these crash descriptions and other information available related to these two most recent Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street intersection crashes indicates that a potential contributing factor in both crashes may be driver inattention/distraction. It does not appear that there were any intersection design or operational conditions that may have potentially contributed to these crashes. LL L Q m C) d 0) ev O CD a C O m O V i.+ 0 V t N i V r N N N L .Q O 5 I , .qc m cu LU 0 0 U U_ FE c O Zach Johnson, P.E. City of Lakeville Vehicular Traffic Volumes and Roadway Conditions December 31, 2014 Page 5 During the week of October 20th, 2014, a video camera was placed at the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street intersection to capture imaging to be used to conduct vehicular traffic volume counts at the intersection. These counts focused on the hourly intersection approach volumes (6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) to be used in an intersection traffic control warrants analysis (multi -way stop control and traffic signal control). The a.m. peak hour was 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., while the p.m. peak hour was generally 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The intersection approach peak hour traffic volumes are summarized in Table 1. Table 1. Existing Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street Intersection Peak Hour Approach Traffic Volumes Intersection Approach A.M. Peak Hour P.M. Peak Hour Northbound Flagstaff Avenue 332 244 Southbound Flagstaff Avenue 182 213 Eastbound 179th Street 26 98 Westbound 179th Street 23 16 It should be noted that, at this time, the intersection peak hour approach traffic volumes on Flagstaff Avenue are significantly higher than the volumes on 179th Street. The average daily traffic volumes at the intersection exhibit this same pattern and are summarized as follows: • Flagstaff Avenue average daily traffic volume north of 179th Street = 2,350 • Flagstaff Avenue average daily traffic volume south of 179th Street = 5,900 • 179th Street average daily traffic volume east of Flagstaff Avenue = 320 • 179th Street average daily traffic volume west of Flagstaff Avenue = 1,960 In addition to the hourly intersection approach counts, observations were completed to identify roadway characteristics within the study area (i.e. intersection sight distance, roadway geometry, posted speed limits, traffic signing, pavement markings and traffic control). Parking is prohibited on Flagstaff Avenue and 179th Street throughout the study area. The existing intersection (see Figure 3) is a four -legged, side -street stop -controlled intersection (currently the east and westbound approaches are required to stop) with multilane approaches on all four legs. The east and westbound 179th Street approaches are controlled with a single standard stop sign on the right -side of the approach. With multiple lanes of approach, an optional stop sign on the left -side of the approach (on the median) often referred to as "gate posted" stop signs, can be considered to enhance the visibility of the stop control. This is particularly effective if higher profile vehicles (trucks/buses) are in the right -turn lane and block visibility to the single right -side stop sign. A preliminary review of the existing intersection revealed a potential sight distance restriction for westbound traffic on 179th Street that involves vegetation in the northeast corner of the intersection and the high point of a crest in the vertical alignment on Flagstaff Avenue approximately 450 feet north of 179th Street. �Y. 9+ w cu CO U_ EF tB L C ca Q C O To Zach Johnson, P.E. December 31, 2014 City of Lakeville Page 7 A time -based intersection sight distance field review was conducted during the week of October 20th, 2014, to determine if there is adequate sight distance for westbound and eastbound vehicles approaching the intersection of 179th Street. The time -based sight distance is the interval in seconds from seeing headlamps of a southbound vehicle come up over crest on Flagstaff Avenue north of 179th Street, until that vehicle arrives at center of intersection. The results of this time -based intersection sight distance field review indicate that there is generally adequate intersection sight distance available for east and westbound traffic approaching Flagstaff Avenue on 179th Avenue. However, there were some southbound vehicles on Flagstaff Avenue that were traveling above the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour (mph) resulting in some gaps that were less than acceptable. The results of the time -based intersection sight distance field review are summarized as follows: • Average time -based sight distance = 8.7 seconds • Minimum time -based sight distance = 6.4 seconds • Maximum time -based sight distance = 10.8 seconds It should be noted that, based on widely accepted values, in order to be completed safely, an eastbound or westbound 179th Street left -turn requires 7.5 seconds, an eastbound or westbound 179th Street right -turn requires 6.6 seconds and a northbound or southbound Flagstaff Avenue left -turn requires 5.5 seconds. Therefore, southbound vehicles traveling at speeds above the posted speed limit may not provide adequate sight distance for the eastbound/westbound left -turns and eastbound/westbound right -turns on 179th Street at Flagstaff Avenue, to be completed safely. The posted speed limit on Flagstaff Avenue is 40 miles per hour (mph) north of 179th Street and 45 mph south of 179th Street. It should be noted that, MnDOT conducted the required speed studies to establish these posted speed limits. During the week of October 20th, 2014, a spot speed study was conducted of northbound and southbound vehicles on Flagstaff Avenue through the intersection at 179th Street. The results of this Flagstaff Avenue spot speed study are summarized in Table 2 and indicate that prevailing speeds are significantly above the posted speed limits. Table 2. Existing Flagstaff Avenue Approach to 179th Street Spot Speed Study Results Flagstaff Avenue Posted Limit Average Speed 85th Percentile Maximum Speed Minimum Speed Southbound - North of 179th Street 40 mph 46 mph 54 mph 63 mph 39 mph Northbound - South of 179th Street 45 mph 56 mph 64 mph 68 mph 39 mph Zach Johnson, P.E. December 31, 2014 City of Lakeville Page 8 Intersection Traffic Control Evaluation (Warrant Analysis) A multi -way stop control and traffic signal control warrants analysis for the subject intersection was completed based on traffic counts conducted during the week of October 20th, 2014, using the warrants and guidance provided in the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MnMUTCD). The results of this analysis (see attached Warrants Analysis table and charts) indicate that existing volumes at the subject intersection do not satisfy the warrants for either multi -way stop or traffic signal control. There were no hours that satisfied the multi -way stop control warrants (eight hours are required to be satisfied) and no hours were satisfied for the traffic signal control warrants (eight hours are also generally required to be satisfied). The MnMUTCD allows multi -way stop control to be considered at an intersection of "two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi - way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics at the intersection". Ordinarily, multi -way stop control is best suited where traffic volumes on all approaches to the intersection are approximately equal. However, since the existing traffic volume on Flagstaff Avenue is significantly higher than the volume on 179th Street, this optional multi -way stop control criteria from the MnMUTCD does not apply. A crash problem, as indicated by five or more reported crashes in a 12 -month period that are susceptible to correction by installation of multi -way stop or traffic signal control, can be used to justify installation of such traffic control. Crashes that are susceptible to correction by installation of multi -wap stop or traffic signal control include right and left -turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. Since the crash analysis revealed that only the two most recent crashes (October 15 and October 22, 2014) occurring within the past 12 -month period, may be susceptible to correction, the installation of a multi -way stop or traffic signal control at the Flagstaff Avenue and 179th Street intersection cannot be justified based on crash history. Potential Intersection Traffic Safety Improvements Identified Intersection Traffic Safety Strategies The candidate strategies identified in Table 3 may reduce the potential for severe crashes at the subject intersection and may be applicable to the study area. The identified strategies provide a range of actions contained within the current state of the practice in Minnesota relating to the design and operation of urban/suburban intersections. These strategies were evaluated as to their applicability to the study area conditions and City of Lakeville policy/practice. Zach Johnson, P.E. City of Lakeville December 31, 2014 Page 9 Table 3. Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street Intersection Safety Strategies Applicability/Evaluation Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Strategy ApplicabilityCost/Location Comment High Low Outreach/Public Information Programs ✓ Varies/Low Use City/School newsletters/websites Enhanced Traffic Law Enforcement ✓ Varies/Low Utilize reserve officers/other available Radar Speed Driver Feedback Signs ✓ $10,000 On Flagstaff Ave. N & S of 179th St. "Gate Post" Stop Signs on 179th St. ✓ $1,000 Install Stop Signs on left -side (median) Flashing Stop Signs on 179th St. ✓ $5,000 Flashing Beacon/Border Flashing LEDs Flashing Stop Ahead Signs on 179th St. ✓ $5,000 Flashing Beacon/Border Flashing LEDs Stop Ahead Pavement Markings on 179th ✓ $3,000 Regular special maintenance cost Multi -Way Stop Controlled Intersection ✓ $5,000 Not warranted/justified Traffic Signal Controlled Intersection ✓ $250,000 Not warranted/justified, high cost Summary of Findings and Conclusions Based on the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street Intersection Traffic Control Evaluation Update and Traffic Safety Study, the following findings and conclusions are offered for consideration: 1. The rate at which reported crashes are occurring at the subject intersection is 1.15 crashes per million entering vehicles. This intersection crash rate is above the critical crash rate of 0.63 crashes per million entering vehicles for similar intersections (four -legged side -street stop -controlled with similar volume collector roadways). The critical crash rate provides a statistically relevant benchmark for comparison. 2. With a crash rate above the critical crash rate and two recent significant crashes occurring within a short time period, a thorough review of traffic safety at the subject intersection is justified. A review of the crash information available related to these two most recent subject intersection crashes indicates that a potential contributing factor in both crashes may be driver inattention/distraction. It does not appear that there were any intersection design or operational conditions that may have potentially contributed to these two recent crashes. 3. Two of the Lakeville Police Department reported crashes were included in the MnDOT reported crashes resulting in a total of 11 reported crashes at the subject intersection for the five year study period. If the crash that occurred on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 is included, there were 12 crashes at the subject intersection for the five year study period. In comparison, in the 2010 study there were five reported crashes during the study period of January 2007 through October 2010. 4. At this time, the intersection peak hour approach traffic volumes on Flagstaff Avenue are significantly higher than the volumes on 179th Street. The average daily traffic volumes at the intersection exhibit this same pattern. Zach Johnson, P.E. City of Lakeville December 31, 2014 Page 10 5. The existing intersection is a four -legged, side -street stop -controlled intersection (currently the east and westbound approaches are required to stop) with multilane approaches on all four legs. The east and westbound 179th Street approaches are controlled with a single standard stop sign on the right -side of the approach. With multiple lanes of approach, an optional stop sign on the left -side of the approach (on the median) often referred to as "gate posted" stop signs, can be considered to enhance the visibility of the stop control. This is particularly effective if higher profile vehicles are often in the right -turn lane and block visibility to the single right -side stop sign. 5. The results of a time -based intersection sight distance field review indicate that, based on posted speed limit and other physical conditions, there is adequate intersection sight distance available for east and westbound traffic approaching Flagstaff Avenue on 179th Avenue. However, there were some southbound vehicles on Flagstaff Avenue that were traveling above the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour (mph) resulting in some gaps that were less than acceptable. 7. The posted speed limit on Flagstaff Avenue is 40 miles per hour (mph) north of 179th Street and 45 mph south of 179th Street (established by MnDOT speed studies). During the week of October 20th, 2014, a spot speed study was conducted of north and southbound vehicles on Flagstaff Avenue through the intersection at 179th Street. The results of this Flagstaff Avenue spot speed study indicate that prevailing speeds are significantly above the posted speed limits. 8. The results of a Warrants Analysis indicate that existing volumes at the subject intersection do not satisfy the warrants for multi -way stop or traffic signal control. There were no hours that satisfied the multi -way stop control warrants (eight hours are required to be satisfied) and no hours were satisfied for the traffic signal control warrants (eight hours are also required to be satisfied). 9. The MnMUTCD allows multi -way stop control to be considered at an intersection of "two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi -way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics at the intersection". Ordinarily, multi -way stop control is best suited where traffic volumes on all approaches to the intersection are approximately equal. However, since the existing traffic volume on Flagstaff Avenue is significantly higher than the volume on 179th Street at this time, this optional multi -way stop control criteria from the MnMUTCD does not apply. 10. A crash problem, indicated by five or more reported crashes in a 12 -month period, susceptible to correction by installation of multi -way stop or traffic signal control, can be used to justify installation of such traffic control. Crashes that are susceptible to correction by installation of multi -way stop or traffic signal control include right and left -turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. Since only the two most recent crashes occurring within the past 12 -month period, may be susceptible to correction, the installation of a multi -wap stop or traffic signal control at the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street intersection cannot be justified based on crash history. 11. Candidate intersection safety strategies were identified that may reduce the potential for severe crashes at the subject intersection and may be applicable to the study area. The identified strategies provide a range of actions contained within the current state of the practice in Minnesota relating to the design and operation of urban/suburbanintersections. These strategies were evaluated as to their applicability to the study area conditions and City of Lakeville policy/practice. Zach Johnson, P.E. December 31, 2014 City of Lakeville Page 11 Summary of Recommendations Based on the study fundings and conclusions the following actions to enhance and improve intersection safety within the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street intersection study area are recommended for your consideration (see Figure 4): 1. Install Radar Speed Driver Feedback Signs on Flagstaff Avenue for southbound drivers north of 179th Street and for northbound drivers south of 179th Street. Radar Speed Driver Feedback Signs are a proven solution to raise the speed awareness of oncoming drivers. Studies repeatedly show that when alerted by a radar sign, speeders will reduce speed up to 80 percent of the time. Radar Speed Feedback Signs can be placed temporarily and relocated to target similar locations and be more effective due to the random/intermittent feedback provided. Typical average speed reductions are 10-20 percent and overall compliance with the posted speed limit will increase by 30-60 percent. The total cost of these Radar Speed Driver Feedback Signs is estimated at $10,000. 2. Install stop signs on the left -side of the 179th Street approaches (on the median) often referred to as "gate posted" stop signs, to enhance the visibility of the stop control. This is particularly effective if higher profile vehicles (trucks/buses) are in the right -turn lane and block visibility to the single right -side stop sign. The total cost of these safety improvements is estimated at $1,000. 3. Encourage drivers to comply with traffic laws and safe driving practices (increase driver attention and awareness) at the Flagstaff Avenue/179th Street intersection and Citywide, through an outreach/public information program utilizing the City of Lakeville/Lakeville and Farmington schools periodic newsletters/websites (see attached examples of driver safety programs and information that could be placed in the City/Schools newsletters or on the City/Schools websites). 4. Consider tasking Lakeville and Farmington Police, with enhanced/stepped-up strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly laws related to speed, aggressive driving, failure to yield or stop sign compliance within the study area. 5. Following implementation or application of these strategies, the City should periodically (i.e. after new development occurs, roadway system extensions/improvements, new traffic counts are completed, every two to four years) review, evaluate, and if necessary, modify these strategies to make them more consistent with actual local conditions and system needs as conditions change (i.e. significant future traffic volume growth on 179th Street, significant vegetation growth in the northeast intersection corner). 6. Consider long range future planning and operations strategies to improve traffic operations and traffic safety at the subject intersection such as; updated Flagstaff Avenue speed study and/or completion of an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Report to include future installation of traffic signal control or reconstruction to a modern roundabout. I-I.•\Projects\8344\02.1P 179th and P1ugs1aff Kerzew\7S\Memo\ 111231_Flagrtaff_179th_8344-F.docx 1, y r.+ C E d O L Q E d m co C O v d N L CD CD d E E O V CD w a O CO A O CO _U cu cu C cu N co Q C O O cu W O C O U WE U_ FU H C O U O N C O cn t ti LL U CL C o v LLo � N j C O Cco j O l+1 u OZ t� N N C!7 c co N O C Q co cn co IN rO. U) c6 CO C O co ca7 w O C O U C) (a F— C O U N N C I a YA r N o X X X X X X X X X C O C M Z Z Z Z Z O'. 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Q � � 20 ~ w }W J 00 w o F— 0 CA2 Q W CO d' w = d Of LU Q ? a 0 LU o� Ll•�ENGINEERS PLANNERS D E S I G N E R S Consulting Group, Inc. Driver Safety Outreach A City of Lakeville Driver Safety Outreach and Public Information program may include any of the following activities or components: • Utilizing the Lakeville and Farmington City and Schools periodic newsletters/websites, provide residents with driver safety information, flyers/brochures, such as those attached. • Determine the educational needs of local drivers and assemble a list of the most important driver safety messages (targeting speeding, aggressive driving and driver distraction) and create a media campaign to get them across. Include the experiences of current local drivers as a way of personalizing the messages and lending added credibility. + Identify local driver safety advocacy groups and stakeholders to partner with to promote driver safety at local community events. Consider establishing a traffic safety coalition. • Work with local driver training instructors to identify key driver safety messages for delivery to new drivers, as well as those required to take remedial driving courses. • A wide range of additional activities can be considered dependent on the level of local commitment and funding available. ONE CARLSON PARKWAY, SUITE 150 1 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55447 1 763.475.0010 1 WWW.SRFCONSULTING.COM What costs society $44,193 a minute? (answer) ... check your speedometer as you drive home! Exceeding the posted limit or driving too fast for conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Speed is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes. Speed -related crashes cost society more than $23 billion a year.* Too few drivers view speeding as an immediate risk to their personal safety or the safety of others. Yet, speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, and it extends the distance required to stop a vehicle in emergency situations. Crash severity increases with the speed of the vehicle at impact. Inversely, the effectiveness of restraint devices like air bags and safety belts, and vehicular construction features such as crumple zones and side member beams decline as impact speed increases. The probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury grows with higher speed at impact. Such consequences double for every 10 mph over 50 mph that a vehicle travels. Many drivers don't consider this. They slow their speed in residential areas, or when the weather turns bad. To them, a few miles an hour over the posted speed limit is an acceptable risk. Their excuse -- other drivers do it. They believe the worst that can happen to them is to receive a speeding ticket. Drivers like this are wrong. Maybe even dead wrong, because driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit can kill you. * in 1994 dollars S H A T T E R S Consider These Speed -Related Facts Rural roads account for over 60 percent of all speed - related fatal crashes. Sixty six percent of speed -related crashes involved a single vehicle. Sixty percent of all speed- related fatal crashes occurred at night (6 pm to 6 am). Drivers involved in speed -related fatal crashes are more likely to have a history of traffic violations. On average, 1,000 Americans are killed every month in speed -related crashes. Youth and Speeding Of all drivers aged 15-24 years of age involved in fatal crashes, 32 percent were speeding. Of drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes, 38 percent of the male and 24 percent of the female drivers were speeding. Economic and Environmental Costs of Speeding Fuel consumption increases steadily above 45 mph with passenger cars and light trucks using approximately 50 percent more fuel traveling at 75 mph than they do at 55 mph. �� U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The success of the "Speed Shatters Life" campaign is directly correlated to the aggressiveness of individual efforts to encourage the placement of NHTSA's public service advertising (PSA) materials. There is no paid placement of any of these PSAs. "Speed Shatters Life" is a nationwide, multimedia PSA campaign designed to: • Increase awareness with the motoring public about the dangers of driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit; • Obtain the public's voluntary compliance with posted speed limits; and Provide support for law enforcement agencies actively involved in enforcement programs. Strategies for Marketing the Campaign Materials Contact media outlets in your area (newspapers, magazines, radio, broadcast and cable television, etc.) and highway safety advocates that might carry the campaign message (local businesses, state and local government agencies, religious groups, non-profit or public service organizations, schools, and 9i community groups).The following S H A information applies equally to all. The Message There are two points to be stressed with any media outlet or supportive organization: first, that today law enforcement faces difficult challenges with limited resources, increased demand for services, and frequent reassignment of police traffic enforcement assets to fight drugs and crime; secondly, research shows motorists erroneously believe that speeding is not a great risk to safety or as serious as other traffic violations. On the contrary, the consequences of excessive speed include: • Greater potential for loss of vehicle control; • Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment; • Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger; • Increased degree of crash severity leading to more disabling injuries; • The unexpected economic and even psychological implications of a speed - related crash; and • Increased fuel consumption/cost. T r E R S The "Speed Shatters Life" Campaign is equal in scope to NHTSA's other major outreach efforts, like safety belts and impaired driving. Identifying the Media campaign materials in person, which is preferable to mailing them. Such effort Identify media outlets you wish to contact by demonstrates a personal commitment to the checking the local telephone directory's yellow issue of speed and will allow you to expand pages, consulting a media directory at the upon the campaign and the PSAs. It can also library, reading a publication's masthead, or reinforce the campaign's local aspect. watching the credits after a television production. Read, listen to, or watch the outlet to obtain If you must write, in lieu of a visit, personalize further information on format, style, audience the pitch letter that accompanies the PSAs with and other public service campaigns they may the person's name (not "Dear Sir") and title. already endorse. Confirm their receipt of the material by telephone within a few days of the anticipated Contacting the Media delivery. Localization of the campaign is the key to Follow up on your contact by watching, reading, successful PSA placement. Be familiar with PSA or listening to the media to see if they use the materials that you are promoting. Know the campaign's materials. If they use your PSA, abstract data on speed -related crashes overall thank them with a short note or telephone call. and your state and region in particular so you If they do not use the spot, thank them for at can discuss the socioeconomic impact of this least considering it. If appropriate, ask for issue at any level. Contact local law feedback concerning why it was not used so enforcement agencies to determine what they that you can better plan your future materials are doing related to speed enforcement and how and campaigns. you can support them and localize the issue. Continue to monitor the local media for any Telephone the media outlet to determine the speed -related news. Note the name of the name (and correct spelling) of the public service journalist or reporter covering the story and director or editor responsible for PSAs. Before contact them to suggest a follow-on piece about telephoning, outline on a single page the key the "Speed Shatters Life" Campaign. Be points you wish to make in your conversation, prepared to offer current NHTSA and state tailored to address the particular needs and background materials to assist them in interests of the media you are dealing with; for developing a story. instance, editorial writers want the social implications and business editors the economic The media will often adopt one or two public side. Remember, the person you will be service campaigns and become closely speaking with is constantly approached by associated with them for an extended period. If spokespersons for other, equally worthy public h You -- with the support of local government, service organizations, or law enforcement service projects requesting limited air time or agencies -- can convince them of the print space. This is why you must know your importance of this issue to the community, they subject well and make a case for it in the may become involved, thereby ensuring better shortest possible time. Keep the call short and coverage of the "Speed Shatters Life" public conclude by suggesting that you will deliver the = service advertising campaign. U.S. Department of Transportation SPEED SHATTERS LIFE :M,,,.:�:� National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Minnesota Speeding Facts ■ In 2011-2013 in Minnesota, illegal or unsafe speed was a contributing factor in 212 fatal crashes resulting in 235 deaths. ■ During the same period, fatalities resulting from speed -related crashes cost Minnesota over $332 million. ■ Illegal or unsafe speed is a leading contributing factor in fatal crashes. In 2013, 76 people were killed in speed -related crashes. ■ In 2011-2013, illegal or unsafe speed was cited in 31 percent of all alcohol-related fatal crashes. ■ Over the three-year period, 2011-2013, 62 percent of the speed -related fatal crashes occurred in rural areas (less than 5,000 population). ■ In 2011-2013, illegal or unsafe speed accounted for 24 percent of the factors cited in fatal crashes for drivers under age 30, compared to only 5 percent of the factors cited for drivers age 65 and older. ■ NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reports nearly 60 percent of all drivers report seeing speeding vehicles all or most of the time when they drive on residential streets as well as highways. ■ NHTSA research shows motorists wrongly believe speeding is not a great risk to safety or as serious as other traffic violations. In reality, the consequences of excessive speeding include: o Greater potential for loss of vehicle control o Increased stopping distance o Increased crash severity leading to more numerous and severe injuries. Sources: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration June 2011 Table 8. Summary of driver responses to the countermeasures presented in the focus groups — participants' views on how and why countermeasures may be effective or ineffective in reducing speeding. Counter- Effective f Ineffective Comments I measure Higher Penalties and Increased Enforcement Higher Target habitual, deliberate speeders One-time higher bill is paid and then Would be more effective if insurance Penalties forgotten rates increased or licenses were lost Increased Seeing police officers or police cars None Erratic driving around police officers Enforcement seems to cause speed reductions; may increase; could involve a positive interaction with police officers is very action such as a free license renewal unpleasant if they've received no tickets Engineering Countermeasures Speed Cause discomfort; unavoidable; can't Can drive around them in a parking May lead to rear -end collisions due to Tables habituate lane; can find an alternate route; not unnecessary slowing always effective at higher speeds (particularly in an SUV/truck) Pavement May make noise so police can hear Seem ineffective; may cause speed None Markings that you're driving too fast increases due to their design Speed Very noticeable; more salient than Forgotten soon after passing them; Could be moved around to be in Displays regular speed limit signs; can lessen increase speed after passing them unfamiliar locations; should target or increase social pressure to reduce specific areas with many hazards speed; counter inattention Vehicle -based Countermeasures Speed Good for target populations such as None Perhaps the licenses of habitual Limiter teens or habitual speeders speeders should just be taken away; sometimes extra speed is needed to pass or avoid hazards; violates driver rights and independence Speed Limit Is useful and provides positive GPS locations are sometimes Might cause driver distraction; Display reinforcement; informs drivers of the inaccurate; drivers go with the flow of vehicles could auto -report speeders to posted speed when it's unknown or traffic anyway; if drivers have decided the police with this kind of information when signs are blocked; helps drivers to speed then they'll still speed; manage their speed choice risk redundant with the roadway signs Fuel Economy Like a game; saves drivers money; Some vehicles just get bad mileage; Might cause driver distraction Display provides real-time driving feedback wealthy drivers won't care Automated Enforcement Automatic Drivers would be unable to anticipate The fixed location cameras might just Drivers don't have a chance to state Enforcement signs in random locations lead to speed in other areas; the their case with a police officer; length of time between the infraction cameras are not always accurate and the ticket reception is too long (e.g., red light cameras); may cause driver distraction; drivers may get tickets when someone else was driving their vehicle Speed Awareness Course Speed Raises awareness of speeding Drivers don't take the courses Need a higher time or monetary cost; Awareness behavior seriously should require mandatory in-person Course attendance; should show more graphic crash footage; educational for all drivers (notjust speeders) 22 Wir% 7"A' �... � 0 s 1 � E { N� ' ,a� �� . uF �` . _ . 4 . , Q .. r � , ... r� � �� V 0 a 3� =� E Q cn oo �c ' N N 01 V CL L M M N N Ate' CL E c:W � a a s m Ln tA � i b-0 m n 4-Jm LL.°o �I- c Z 00 w '} I 0 U on PL4 C� C!� 0 v �4