CR 98-168 Consider Traffic Safety Analysis-19th Ave N/4th St N & 17th Ave N/3rd St NOctober 13, 1998
Proposed Action.
Overview.
Primary Issues to Consider.
Supporting Information.
• Sept 2" Hopki n
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Council Report 98 -168
Consider Traffic Safety Analysis —19 Avenue North /4 Street North and
17 Avenue North /3 Street North
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council accept
traffic safety investigation and approve staffs recommended actions.
At the September 1 meeting, City Council disapproved a citizen request for stop
signs at the intersections of 19 Avenue North/4 Street North and 17 Avenue
North /3 Street North. Council did direct staff to further investigate and report on
the resident's traffic /pedestrian safety at these two intersections as well
as the regional trail crossing on 17 Avenue North. A letter was sent to the
resident to inform her of Council's action. Staff has completed an investigation of
the concerns and has several recommendations. The resident was provided a
copy of this Council Report and the Council meeting date.
• Traffic safety investigation and recommended actions
• 19 Avenue North /4 Street North intersection
• 17 Avenue North/3 Street North intersection
• 17 Avenue North regional trail crossing
Iic Works letter
Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Council Report 98 -168
Page 2
Analysis of Issues.
Traffic safety investigation and recommended actions
19 Avenue North/4 Street North intersection
This is a safe intersection. However, to an unfamiliar motorist it would be helpful
to place a turn sign in advance of the intersection indicating an upcoming sharp
curve in the road. An advisory speed plate indicating 15 mph through the turn
would also be used. The above - described warning signs would be placed 150
feet in advance of the turn on both approaches (19 Avenue and 4 Street). This
recommendation is consistent with the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control
Devices guidelines on use and placement of warning signs.
Staff doesn't believe it is necessary to prohibit parking along 4 Street North just
west of the 19 Avenue intersection. The warning signs and speed advisory will
advise motorists approaching the intersection to slow down. A reasonably
competent driver will be even more cautious in the event that there is a car
parked near the intersection. Fourth Street North is 33 feet wide and can safely
accommodate parking.
Staff will request that the Elder Homestead place a stop sign at the exit from their
parking lot. It should be noted that a stop sign is not required at this parking lot
exit and would be an uncommon use considering this is a small parking lot
exiting onto a low volume residential street.
17 Avenue North /3 Street North intersection
Third Street North is a 30' wide street with frequent parking on both sides of the
street near 17 Avenue. Motorists must use caution when turning onto 3 Street
while vehicles are parked on- street. From a traffic safety perspective it would be
beneficial to prohibit parking near the intersection. However, staff spoke with a
resident who's resided at 302 17 Avenue North for 15 years. He stated that if
parking were restricted on 3 Street then the residents would park on 17
Avenue near the intersection. This would be worse than the current situation.
Staff doesn't feel it is necessary to prohibit parking on 3 Street and 17 Avenue.
When 3 Street North is reconstructed it should be widened to 35' to allow more
room for parked cars and turning vehicles.
• 17 Avenue North regional trail crossing
Staff proposes several actions to improve driver awareness of this trail crossing.
• Move the existing "Trail Ahead" sign for northbound traffic closer to the
street (between sidewalk and curb).
• Install new green fluorescent signage
• Paint pavement markings — TRAIL XING. The same as is proposed for
the 1999 regional trail crossing on 2 Street NE. This is a standard
marking for trail crossings on high - volume city streets.
Sept 2, 1998
Vida Percy
325 19 Avenue North
Hopkins, MN 55343
Dear Ms. Percy:
�opkins Public Works Department
11100 Excelsior 'Blvd. • Hopkins, c9VIN 55343 -3435 • 'Phone: 612 - 939 -1382 • , fax: 612 - 939 -1381
I'm forwarding a copy of my City Council report regarding your recent request for
stop signs. As you know, City Council did not approve the additional stop signs.
However, Council did direct staff to further investigate your concerns and report
back with recommendations to alleviate the potential safety problems.
Specifically, I will be: 1) looking into ways to warn drivers of the potential
hazards associated with the 90- degree curve at 19 Ave /4 Street; 2)
considering your suggestion to restrict parking along 4 Street just west of 19
Avenue; 3) requesting that the Elder Homestead install a stop sign at the exit
from their parking lot, 4) investigating ways to improve the visibility and safety of
turning movements at the 17 Avenue/3r Street North intersection; and 5)
investigating ways to improve driver awareness of the 17 Avenue North trail
crossing.
As mentioned, Council requested that !report back to them with my findings and
recommendations on these areas of concern. When I have completed items 1 —
5 above I will provide you a copy of my Council report prior to the Council
meeting.
Thank you for bringing your traffic/pedestrian safety concerns to the attention of ,
City staff and City Council. I believe that there probably are additional measures
we can take to improve safety.
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to call me at 939 -1338.
Sincerely,
Enc.
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director
an Equal Opportunity Employer
recommended speed on a turn to be 30 MPH or less, and this
recommended speed is equal to or less than the speed limit established by
law or by regulation for that section of highway. Where a Turn sign is
warranted, a Large Arrow sign (sec. 2C -9) may be used on the outside of
the turn. Additional protection may be provided by use of the Advisory
Speed plate (sec. 2C -35).
2C -3
W1 -2R
30" x 30"
2C -5 Curve Sign (W1 -2)
The Curve sign (W1-2R or 2L) may be used where engineering
investigations of roadway, geometric, and operating conditions show the
recommended speed on the curve to be greater than 30 miles per hour and
equal to or less than the speed limit established by law or by regulation for
that section of highway. Additional protection may be provided by use of
the Advisory Speed plate (sec. 2C -35).
2C -6 Reverse Turn Sign (W1 -3)
The Reverse Turn sign is intended for use to mark two turns or a curve
and a turn in opposite directions as defined in the warrants for Turn and
Curve signs (secs. 2C -4 and 5) that are separated by a tangent of less than
600 feet. If the first turn is to the right, a Right Reverse Turn sign(W1 -3R)
shall be used and if the first turn is to the left, a Left Reverse Turn sign
(W1-3L) shall be used.
W1 -3R W1-4R
30" x 30" 30" x 30"
Editorial
Change
Rev. 4
Editorial
Change
Rev. 4