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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, June, and November 2008. To this date 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.
The Approach
- Collect Data through observation of traffic identifying HR resident, non-resident and commercial vehicles.
- Measure speed of all observed vehicles using the HOA radar gun.
- Data was collected over a six day period, including a Saturday
- Data collected at several time periods, morning and late afternoon.
- Teams of two persons collected the data at three locations.
- Data collection did not consistently identify owner status.
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
· 731 vehicles were clocked during the survey.
· 83% of the clocked vehicles were traveling at speeds of 29 MPH or less.
· 46% were clocked at 25 MPH or less.
- 16% were clocked at 30 - 34 MPH
· 1% of the vehicles were clocked at more than 35 MPH
Vehicles Exceeding 35 MPH
· 731 vehicles were clocked.
· 7 vehicles exceeded 35 MPH
Conclusion
· The data indicates that approximately 83% of the total traffic surveyed was operating within an acceptable speed range. This compares to approximately 84% in the January survey and 89% in the June survey.
· Approximately 17% of the total traffic surveyed is operating at clearly excessive speeds.
· The increase in speeds of 26-34 MPH may suggest that residents have identified the level of tolerance for speed and are thesting that level.
- The percentage of residents, visitors and commercial vehicles was not quantified by speed due to insufficient data.
- The percent of non-residents in the survey decreased due to the hours of data collection.
- The survey indicates that speeding occurs but the level is less then the perception.
· 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, June, and November 2008. To this date 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.
The Approach
- Collect Data through observation of traffic identifying HR resident, non-resident and commercial vehicles.
- Measure speed of all observed vehicles using the HOA radar gun.
- Data was collected over a six day period, including a Saturday
- Data collected at several time periods, morning and late afternoon.
- Teams of two persons collected the data at three locations.
- Data collection did not consistently identify owner status.
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
· 731 vehicles were clocked during the survey.
· 83% of the clocked vehicles were traveling at speeds of 29 MPH or less.
· 46% were clocked at 25 MPH or less.
- 16% were clocked at 30 - 34 MPH
· 1% of the vehicles were clocked at more than 35 MPH
Vehicles Exceeding 35 MPH
· 731 vehicles were clocked.
· 7 vehicles exceeded 35 MPH
Conclusion
· The data indicates that approximately 83% of the total traffic surveyed was operating within an acceptable speed range. This compares to approximately 84% in the January survey and 89% in the June survey.
· Approximately 17% of the total traffic surveyed is operating at clearly excessive speeds.
· The increase in speeds of 26-34 MPH may suggest that residents have identified the level of tolerance for speed and are thesting that level.
- The percentage of residents, visitors and commercial vehicles was not quantified by speed due to insufficient data.
- The percent of non-residents in the survey decreased due to the hours of data collection.
- The survey indicates that speeding occurs but the level is less then the perception.
Traffic Speed Control Analysis for Heritage Ranch
Prepared by the Health and Safety Committee
November 2008
Prepared by the Health and Safety Committee
November 2008