SUBJECT: STAFF REPORT
Title
WCR 7 Speed Limit
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Gary Behlen, Public Works Director
Russell Pennington, Deputy Director of Public Works
Matt Wiederspahn, Development Engineer
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: $0
Balance Available: $0
Budget Line Item Number: N/A
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Re-post WCR 7 speed limit between Highway 52 and a ½ mile north of WCR 4 (Town limits) to 45 MPH
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Staff performed an engineering speed study on WCR 7 to determine if the posted speed limits were appropriate. The study found the 85th percentile speeds shown in the table below. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of vehicles travel at or below and is the speed that should be used to determine speed limits.
|
Direction |
85th Percentile Speed |
|
Northbound |
54 |
|
Southbound |
53 |
|
Overall |
54 |
Conclusions / Recommendations
WCR 7 currently has a signed speed limit of 35 MPH but as the results from the speed study show, the road has a significantly higher 85th percentile speed. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2009 Edition) which governs all traffic signage and devices; “When a speed limit within a speed zone is posted, it should be within 5 mph of the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic.” It is therefore recommended that WCR 7 between Highway 52 and a ½ mile north of WCR 4 (Town limits) be re-signed at 45 MPH instead of the current 35 MPH. In reviewing the characteristics of the road, the grades, vertical curves and driveways along the road it is recommended to only post at a 45 MPH speed limit instead of 50 MPH.
To better bring the speed limit in compliance with the MUTCD, WCR 7 will be re-posted at 45 MPH, and it is recommended that the 85th-percentile speed be re-evaluated in six months for further evaluation of the speed limit.
ATTACHMENTS: N/A