Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Engineering Services
CM/ ACM: Jon Fortune
Date: February 21, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances to revise the speed limits along on W. University Drive (US 380) from IH 35 to the Westerly City limits; providing a penalty of a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00); providing a severability clause, providing for publication; and declaring an effective date. The Traffic Safety Commission recommends approval (7-0).
Body
BACKGROUND
The primary criterion used in establishing a speed limit is called the 85th percentile speed which is determined by performing a speed study for calculating the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles are traveling long a given stretch of roadway. The 85th percentile speed has been determined as being the speed at which a prudent driver, given the type of street, will drive that roadway under normal driving conditions.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently conducted a speed study (attached) to determine the 85th percentile speed along the segment of W. University Drive (US 380) between IH 35 and the Westerly City limits. Based on the results of the study, TxDOT recommends the following speed limits along various segments of W. University Drive (US 380) between IH 35 and the Westerly City limits.
From IH 35 to 500 feet west of Cindy Lane/N. Western Boulevard 45 mph
From 500 feet west of Cindy Lane/N. Western Boulevard to Masch Branch Road 50 mph
From Masch Branch Road to Western City Limits 65 mph
City staff has reviewed the TxDOT speed study and finds the overall results and recommendations acceptable and consistent with state and federal guidelines. As such, staff requests the City Council to approve the updated speed limits on W. University Drive (US 380) from IH 35 to the Westerly City limits. Traffic Safety Commission agreed on the revised speed limits and recommended 7-0 that Council co...
Click here for full text