|
|
The Issue
· The Board of Directors periodically receives complaints from residents regarding excessive speed.
· Speeding complaints received by the Board reflect resident perception rather then measured fact. It is likely that instances of excessive speed have occurred. Specific data is needed to measure the magnitude of violations or the type of violator and an effective, defensible policy must evolve from and evaluation of those factors.
· An objective study using radar measurement of traffic was conducted in January 2008. The results indicated that the degree of speeding occurring within Heritage Ranch did not warrant a formal enforcement program; however, the Board directed the Health and safety Committee to conduct periodic surveys in order to maintain a database on traffic speed limit compliance.
Speed Classification - All vehicles passing the observation points were clocked and the vehicle speeds were grouped into four categories.
· 25 and less MPH - within the speed limit
· 26 to 29 MPH - exceeding the posted limit but typically not cited by enforcement agencies
· 30 to 35 MPH - exceeding the posted limit and enforceable.
· 35+ MPH - flagrantly excessive speed.
All Vehicles Speed Range
· 995 vehicles were clocked during the survey.
· 90% of the clocked vehicles were traveling at speeds of 29 MPH or less.
· 62% were clocked at 25 MPH or less.
· The fastest speed clocked was 37 MPH. Two vehicles were clocked at that speed.
Vehicles Exceeding 35 MPH
· 995 vehicles were clocked.
· 9 vehicles exceeded 35 MPH
Who is Exceeding 25 MPH?
· 78% of the vehicles clocked between 26 and 29 MPH were operated by HR residents.
· 68% of the vehicles clocked between 30 and 34 MPH were operated by HR residents.
· 44% of the vehicles driven over 35 MPH were operated by HR residents.
Non-resident Violations
· 27% of the violators exceeding 30 MPH were non-residents (28 Vehicles).
· 7% of those exceeding 30 MPH were commercial vehicles (7 Vehicles).
· 5% of the non-resident and commercial vehicles exceeded 35 MPH (5 Vehicles).
Conclusion
· The data indicates that approximately 89% of the total traffic surveyed was operating within an acceptable speed range. This compares to approximately 84% in the January survey.
· Approximately 10% of the total traffic surveyed was operating in excess of 30 MPH, while 0.9% of the total traffic was recorded at more than 35 MPH (9vehicles). In comparison, in January 2008, approximately 14% of the recorded traffic was exceeding 30 MPH with 11 vehicles recorded at more than 35 MPH.
· The volume of excessive speeding (over 30 MPH) suggests that the recommendations presented following the January survey remain valid and that a formal enforcement program is not warranted.
Action
The June survey further supports the findings in January that excess speed occurs but the level is less then the perception. It further shows that the level has not increased. Consequently, it is recommended that no action relative to speed control be taken and that the radar survey be repeated in January 2009.
· The Board of Directors periodically receives complaints from residents regarding excessive speed.
· Speeding complaints received by the Board reflect resident perception rather then measured fact. It is likely that instances of excessive speed have occurred. Specific data is needed to measure the magnitude of violations or the type of violator and an effective, defensible policy must evolve from and evaluation of those factors.
· An objective study using radar measurement of traffic was conducted in January 2008. The results indicated that the degree of speeding occurring within Heritage Ranch did not warrant a formal enforcement program; however, the Board directed the Health and safety Committee to conduct periodic surveys in order to maintain a database on traffic speed limit compliance.
Speed Classification - All vehicles passing the observation points were clocked and the vehicle speeds were grouped into four categories.
· 25 and less MPH - within the speed limit
· 26 to 29 MPH - exceeding the posted limit but typically not cited by enforcement agencies
· 30 to 35 MPH - exceeding the posted limit and enforceable.
· 35+ MPH - flagrantly excessive speed.
All Vehicles Speed Range
· 995 vehicles were clocked during the survey.
· 90% of the clocked vehicles were traveling at speeds of 29 MPH or less.
· 62% were clocked at 25 MPH or less.
· The fastest speed clocked was 37 MPH. Two vehicles were clocked at that speed.
Vehicles Exceeding 35 MPH
· 995 vehicles were clocked.
· 9 vehicles exceeded 35 MPH
Who is Exceeding 25 MPH?
· 78% of the vehicles clocked between 26 and 29 MPH were operated by HR residents.
· 68% of the vehicles clocked between 30 and 34 MPH were operated by HR residents.
· 44% of the vehicles driven over 35 MPH were operated by HR residents.
Non-resident Violations
· 27% of the violators exceeding 30 MPH were non-residents (28 Vehicles).
· 7% of those exceeding 30 MPH were commercial vehicles (7 Vehicles).
· 5% of the non-resident and commercial vehicles exceeded 35 MPH (5 Vehicles).
Conclusion
· The data indicates that approximately 89% of the total traffic surveyed was operating within an acceptable speed range. This compares to approximately 84% in the January survey.
· Approximately 10% of the total traffic surveyed was operating in excess of 30 MPH, while 0.9% of the total traffic was recorded at more than 35 MPH (9vehicles). In comparison, in January 2008, approximately 14% of the recorded traffic was exceeding 30 MPH with 11 vehicles recorded at more than 35 MPH.
· The volume of excessive speeding (over 30 MPH) suggests that the recommendations presented following the January survey remain valid and that a formal enforcement program is not warranted.
Action
The June survey further supports the findings in January that excess speed occurs but the level is less then the perception. It further shows that the level has not increased. Consequently, it is recommended that no action relative to speed control be taken and that the radar survey be repeated in January 2009.
Traffic Speed Control Analysis for Heritage Ranch
Prepared by the Health and Safety Committee
June 2008
Prepared by the Health and Safety Committee
June 2008