Town Traffic Calming Study Summary

Introduction

In May 2023, the Town Council contracted with Simmons & White to perform a Traffic Calming Study. The purpose of this Town wide Traffic Calming Study was to evaluate the Town’s existing roadway characteristics including traffic control and calming devices, the Town’s existing informal traffic calming policy, existing traffic data, and make recommendations to the Town regarding a formal traffic calming policy. The policy provides a process for identifying and addressing issues related to excessive speeding, cut-through traffic, and safety concerns on neighborhood streets. Traffic calming may generally be described as the use of physical measures to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for nonmotorized street users. Traffic calming can have several positive impacts and has been shown to reduce vehicle speeding and cut-through traffic when installed appropriately. However, traffic calming can have negative impacts to the roadway network as well. Therefore, it is important that traffic studies are conducted to determine the applicability of traffic calming devices and the overall impact to the community. The procedures and policies identified in the study serve as a template for how the studies are conducted and when traffic calming should be implemented. Engineering judgement should also be applied in each case.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Simmons & White, Inc. has performed a comprehensive analysis of the existing Town of Lake Clarke Shores roadway system pertaining to traffic control and traffic calming devices. The existing traffic data provided by the Town demonstrated vehicular speeds were at reasonable levels and there is not a Town wide speeding issue. This can be contributed to the design, existing traffic calming infrastructure, and police enforcement throughout the Town.

Therefore, it is recommended the Town should keep the majority of existing traffic calming devices but replace existing speed humps with speed tables along with upgraded approach signing and marking whenever future road projects are conducted. Additionally, the two speed humps on Venetian Way in close proximity are unnecessary and one can be removed. If the 6-foot rubber temporary speed hump location is desired to remain, it should be replaced with a standard speed table. It is recommended the Town continue police enforcement of vehicular speeding as this provides a significant impact on the existing speeds being within reasonable levels. Finally, the Town should consider adopting an official traffic calming policy such as or similar to the recommended policy outlined in this report.

If you would like a copy of the Traffic Calming Study, contact Deputy Town Manager Emilie Pearson Moore at epearson@lakeclarke.org.