Pennsylvania Ave Speed Limit_JFK to NW ArterialTHE CITY OF
DUB ~ E MEMORANDUM
.Masterpiece nn the Mississippi
November 13, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Pennsylvania Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to IA 32 (Northwest
Arterial)
The City of Dubuque recently worked with the Dubuque Community School District to
review the traffic conditions on Pennsylvania Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to
the Northwest Arterial, specifically in the area of Stephen Hempstead High School.
In 1981, the City conducted a comprehensive speed analysis of arterial streets. As a
result of that study, the speed limit on Pennsylvania from John F. Kennedy Road west
was increased from 25 to 35 miles per hour.
In November, 1993, Hempstead Booster Club requested the City to conduct a traffic
study to determine if conditions warranted the installation of traffic signals at the main
Pennsylvania Avenue entrance of Hempstead High School. In 1994, the DCSD
assumed the expense of this installation.
Dubuque Community School District representatives, City representatives (Legal
Services, Police, and Engineering), and a private consultant retained by the City have
been meeting to determine if traffic conditions warrant a change in the Pennsylvania
Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to the Northwest Arterial corridor.
Currently Pennsylvania Avenue from John F. Kennedy Road to Vizaleea Drive is striped
for one eastbound and one westbound lane with a combination of exclusive left-turn
lanes and two-way left turn lanes in the center.
From Vizaleea Drive to the Northwest Arterial, Pennsylvania Avenue is striped with two
lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound.
In the 3-lane section east of Hempstead, the 85th percentile speeds ranged from 35.2 to
38.9 mph.
In the 4-lane section in front of Hempstead High School, the 85th percentile speeds
ranged from 41.5 mph to 42.0 mph.
A change in the existing lane configuration from 4-lanes to 3-lanes beginning 100' (feet)
west of Vizaleea Drive to Alicia Street is recommended. It is felt that this change will
provide a "calming" effect to the traffic so that the desired speed of 25 mph will be
attainable during periods of arrival and dismissal.
In addition to the existing traffic signalization at the main entrance of Hempstead High
School on Pennsylvania Avenue, it is proposed that four yellow flashing lights with 25
mph speed limit signs be installed: one light/sign near the east property line of
Hempstead High School for westbound traffic; one light/sign approximately 100' (feet)
west of Rosemont Street for eastbound traffic and two additional flashing lights/signs
would be installed on each side of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the school building
as a reminder to motorists traveling through the corridor as well as those who enter
Pennsylvania from side streets and driveways of the reduced posted speed. The
flashers would be automated to alert vehicles to reduce speed from 35 mph to 25 mph
at the following times: 7 - 8 AM (40 minutes prior to school arrival and 20 minutes after
school arrival) and 2 - 3 PM (20 minutes before school dismissal and 40 minutes after
school dismissal).
The actual speeds in this section of the corridor were 41.5 mph for eastbound and 42.0
mph for westbound traffic. With this speed reduction to 25 mph during school hours, a
40% speed reduction could be realized. The Police Department would monitor these
speed limit conditions until such time that the desired speeds have established during
normal Hempstead arrival and dismissal times.
The Police Department has conducted pedestrian counts at the westerly pick-up/drop-
off zone in front of Hempstead. The study concluded that on a daily basis an average of
55 students were not utilizing the crosswalk area to gain access to the side streets.
The majority of these students were walking to vehicles, while others were walking to
their homes or visiting others in the neighborhood.
The westerly pick-up/drop-off zone in front of Hempstead will continue to be monitored.
If conditions warrant, the installation of a pedestrian/traffic signal will be recommended
at an upcoming Council meeting.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~~'
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
John Burgart, Superintendent, Dubuque Community School District
THE CTI"Y OF
DUB ~ E
Masterpiece o~n the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
November 13, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
SUBJECT: Pennsylvania Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to IA 32 (Northwest
Arterial)
INTRODUCTION
The following is in response to the recent inquiries of citizens and the Dubuque
Community School District (DCSD) to review the traffic conditions on Pennsylvania
Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to the Northwest Arterial, specifically in the area of
Stephen Hempstead High School (3715 Pennsylvania Avenue).
BACKGROUND
Pennsylvania Avenue is an arterial street in the City's system of street networks; and,
as a general rule, such streets are wider and have a higher speed limit to facilitate the
movement of traffic.
In 1981, the City conducted a comprehensive speed analysis of arterial streets. As a
result of that study, the speed limit on Pennsylvania from John F. Kennedy Road west
was increased from 25 to 35 miles per hour. This recommendation was based on the
widely-accepted methodology of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) for establishing speed limits at the 85th percentile of actual traffic flow.
It should be noted that the City's speed studies taken after speed limit increases have
shown that speeds do not increase simply because speed limits are raised. Invariably,
studies point out that drivers tend to travel at what they consider to be a reasonable rate
of speed for a given area, street type and width, and traffic volume, despite posted legal
speed limit designations.
In November, 1993, Hempstead Booster Club requested the City to conduct a traffic
study to determine if conditions warranted the installation of traffic signals at the main
Pennsylvania Avenue entrance of Hempstead High School. In 1994, the DCSD
assumed the expense of this installation.
DISCUSSION
Dubuque Community School District representatives, City representatives (Legal
Services, Police, and Engineering), and a private consultant retained by the City have
been meeting to determine if traffic conditions warrant a change in the Pennsylvania
Avenue, from John F. Kennedy Road to the Northwest Arterial corridor.
During the evaluation process, consideration was also given to other City public and
private schools, particularly with those that abut arterial or collector streets with a speed
limit in excess of 25 mph. Also, the representatives considered such short- and long-
term options as additional pedestrian crossings, overpass/tunnel infrastructures, bus
movement, and variable arrival/dismissal schedules.
A recent speed study indicated the following on Pennsylvania Avenue, from John F.
Kennedy Road to the Northwest Arterial corridor:
Posted and Measured (85% Percentile) Speed
Location Current
Posted
S eed Measured
Speed
(85% Percentile)
East of Hem stead 35 Eastbound 38.9
35 Westbound 35.2
In front of Hem stead 35 Eastbound 41.5
35 Westbound 42.0
West of Hem stead 35 Eastbound 43.2
35 Westbound 40.1
Currently Pennsylvania Avenue from John F. Kennedy Road to Vizaleea Drive is striped
for one eastbound and one westbound lane with a combination of exclusive left-turn
lanes and two-way left turn lanes in the center. (3-lane section.)
From Vizaleea Drive to the Northwest Arterial, Pennsylvania Avenue is striped with two
lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound. (4-lane section.)
In the 3-lane section east of Hempstead, the 85th percentile speeds ranged from 35.2 to
38.9 mph.
In the 4-lane section in front of Hempstead High School, the 85th percentile speeds
ranged from 41.5 mph to 42.0 mph.
A change in the existing lane configuration from 4-lanes to 3-lanes beginning 100' (feet)
west of Vizaleea Drive to Alicia Street is recommended. It is felt that this change will
provide a "calming" effect to the traffic so that the desired speed of 25 mph will be
attainable during periods of arrival and dismissal. (Weather permitting, these pavement
marking changes could be completed by year-end.)
School Zone Speed Reduction
In addition to the existing traffic signalization at the main entrance of Hempstead High
School on Pennsylvania Avenue, it is proposed that four yellow flashing lights with 25
mph speed limit signs be installed: one light/sign near the east property line of
Hempstead High School for westbound traffic; one light/sign approximately 100' (feet)
west of Rosemont Street for eastbound traffic and two additional flashing lights/signs
would be installed on each side of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the school building
as a reminder to motorists traveling through the corridor as well as those enter
Pennsylvania from side streets and driveways of the reduced posted speed. The
flashers would be automated to alert vehicles to reduce speed from 35 mph to 25 mph
at the following times: 7 - 8 AM (40 minutes prior to school arrival and 20 minutes after
school arrival) and 2 - 3 PM (20 minutes before school dismissal and 40 minutes after
school dismissal). In addition, the City would also adjust these flashers based on
DCSD's input of other Hempstead activities (holidays, sport venues, scheduled late
arrivals and early dismissals, etc.).
As noted in the referenced table, the actual speeds in this section of the corridor were
41.5 mph for eastbound and 42.0 mph for westbound traffic. With this speed reduction
to 25 mph during school hours, a 40% speed reduction could be realized. The Police
Department would monitor these speed limit conditions until such time that the desired
speeds have established during normal Hempstead arrival and dismissal times.
Pedestrian Traffic
The Police Department has conducted pedestrian counts at westerly pick-up/drop-off
zone in front of Hempstead. The study concluded that on a daily basis an average of 55
students were not utilizing the crosswalk area to gain access to the side streets. The
majority of these students were walking to vehicles, while others were walking to their
homes or visiting others in the neighborhood.
The westerly pick-up/drop-off zone in front of Hempstead will continue to be monitored.
If conditions warrant, the installation of a pedestrian/traffic signal will be recommended
at an upcoming Council meeting. If City Council approves this pedestrian traffic signal
installation, it could be completed during the 2008 construction season.
BUDGET IMPACT
The estimate of probable cost of these recommendations of restriping Pennsylvania
Avenue and reducing speed limits during the above-mentioned times would be as
follows:
Lane Modifications (Restriping) $ 5,000
Flashing Yellow Traffic signalization 12,000
Total Estimate of Probably Cost $17,000
It is the intent of the City to apply for funds from the Governors Traffic Safety Bureau
through the Dubuque County Multidisciplinary Safety Team. Based on the Grant award,
the City will request that DCSD provide one-half the remaining cost.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
It is recommended that the following changes on Pennsylvania Avenue, from John F.
Kennedy Road to IA 32 (Northwest Arterial) be approved by City Council:
Lane Configuration:
- Three lanes (eastbound, westbound, center) from 100' west of Vizaleea Drive to
Alicia Street.
Speed Limit:
- 25 mph: When yellow flashing lights are activated.
- 35 mph: All remaining times.
Speed Limit Sign Beacons:
- Westbound -one flashing beacon near the east property line of Hempstead High
School.
- Westbound -one flashing beacon in front of the school building.
- Eastbound -one flashing beacon approximately 100' (feet) west of Rosemont.
- Eastbound -one flashing beacon in front of the school building.
Also, the attached ordinance would need to be adopted by the City Council to approve
the speed limit change for the school zone.
cc: Dubuque Community School District: John Burgart, Kris Hall, David Olson
Neil Hawkins, Traffic Consultant
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Kim Wadding, Police Chief
David Ness, PE
Bill Schlickman, Traffic Engineering Assistant
Preparers Crenna M. Brumwell Address: Suite 330 300 Main Street Dubuque, IA 52001
Telephone: X563) 589-4381
ORDINANCE NO. 59-07
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 32 MOTOR
VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC BY REVISING SECTION 32-321.285(c) LIMITS
GENERALLY, REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE IN THE
VICINITY OF STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE ACTIVATION
OF YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section 32-321.285(c)
Limits Generally, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 32-321.285(c). Limits Generally:
Pennsylvania Avenue, from the east property line of Stephen Hempstead
High School to a point approximately one hundred feet (100') west of
Rosemont Street when yellow flashing lights are activated. The yellow
lights shall be coordinated to coincide with the school's calendar.
Pennsylvania Avenue, J.F. Kennedy Road to westerly city limits except
from the east property line of Stephen Hempstead High School to a point
approximately one hundred feet (100') west of Rosemont Street when
yellow flashing lights are activated. The yellow lights shall be coordinated
to coincide with the school's calendar and when such lights are flashing
the speed limit shall be reduced to twenty-five miles per hour.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take>>effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted this 19th day of November, 2007.
Patricia A. Cline, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Kevi S. Firnstahl, Assistant City Clerk
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
Sec. 32-321.285. Limits Generally:
(a) Any person driving a motor vehicle on any street of this city shall drive the same
at a careful and prudent speed not greater than or less than is reasonable and proper,
having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the streets and of any other
conditions then existing, and no person shall drive any vehicle at a speed greater than
will permit such person to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead,
such driver having the right to assume, however, that all persons using such streets will
observe the law.
(b) The following shall be lawful speeds except as otherwise provided in subsection
(c) of this section or elsewhere in this code or other ordinance of the city, and any speed
in excess thereof shall be unlawful:
(1) Twenty (20) miles per hour in any business district.
(2) Twenty five (25) miles per hour in any residential or school district.
(3) Forty (40) miles per hour for any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle in any
district or on any street where the lawful speed is in excess of forty (40) miles per hour,
except when otherwise specified under section 321.285 of the state code.
(4) Forty five (45) miles per hour in any suburban district.
(c) When signs are erected giving notice thereof, the following shall be the lawful
speed on the streets or portions thereof designated herein:
FIFTEEN (15) MILES PER HOUR
Streets and roadways in all city parks.
TWENTY FIVE (25) MILES PER HOUR
Admiral Sheehy Drive, U.S. Highway 61-151 to its terminus.
Airport Road, from a point two thousand three hundred feet (2,300') west of U.S.
Highway 61 to its westerly terminus.
Bryant Street, from Grandview Avenue to the centerline of U.S. Highway 20.
Central Avenue, Thirty Second Street to its southerly terminus.
Fremont Avenue, from Simpson Street to U.S. Highway 20.
Greyhound Park Drive, U.S. Highway 61-151 to its terminus.
Hill Street, from Ninth Street to the centerline of U.S. Highway 20.
Main Street, South, Fifth Street to Jones Street.
Pennsylvania Avenue, from University Avenue to Hickson Street.
Pennsylvania Avenue, from the east property line of Stephen Hempstead High School
to a point approximately one hundred feet (100') west of Rosemont Street when yellow
flashing lights are activated. The yellow lights shall be coordinated to coincide with the
school's calendar.
Ramp connector, eastbound from Fremont Avenue to Grandview Avenue.
Ramp connector, westbound from Grandview Avenue to Lombard Street.
White Street, Fourth Street to Twelfth Street.
THIRTY (30) MILES PER HOUR
Ninth Street, Bluff Street to University Avenue.
Thirty Second Street, West, Highland Park to J.F. Kennedy Road.
Asbury Road, University Avenue to a point five hundred feet (500') west of St. John's
Drive.
Cedar Cross Road, U.S. Highway 20 to a point eight hundred feet (800') east of Ace
Avenue.
Central Avenue, Thirty Second Street to Ruby Street.
Chavenelle Road, from Associates Drive to its westerly terminus, from Seippel Road to
its easterly terminus, and from Seippel Road to its westerly terminus.
Fremont Avenue, from North Cascade Road to Simpson Street.
J.F. Kennedy Road, Sunset Park Circle to city limits.
Kaufman Avenue, J.F. Kennedy Road to Central Avenue.
Locust Street, West, Clarke Drive to Sixteenth Street.
Loras Boulevard, Bluff Street to University Avenue.
Pennsylvania Avenue, from Hickson Street to John F. Kennedy Road.
Peru Road, from a point 700 feet east of Jackson to Sheridan Road.
Rhomberg Avenue, Elm Street to its northeasterly terminus.
Shiras Avenue, Rhomberg Avenue to its northerly terminus.
University Avenue, Ninth Street to Prysi Street.
Windsor Avenue, East Twenty Fourth Street to its northerly terminus.
THIRTY FIVE (35) MILES PER HOUR
Sixteenth Street, East, Kerper Boulevard to Sycamore Street.
Thirty Second Street, West, Grandview Avenue to Highland Park.
Airport Road, from U.S. Highway 61 to a point two thousand three hundred feet (2,300')
west of U.S. Highway 61.
Asbury Road, from a point five hundred feet (500') west of St. John's Drive to city limits.
Cedar Cross Road, Fremont Street to a point eight hundred feet (800') east of Ace
Avenue.
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), from Locust Street to a point one thousand five
hundred thirty feet (1,530') east of Locust Street.
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), Locust Street to a point one thousand one hundred
feet (1,100') west of Locust Street.
Grandview Avenue, Balboa Street to Thirty Second Street.
Grandview Avenue, from a point approximately four hundred feet (400') north of Ungs
Street to Kaufman Avenue.
J.F. Kennedy Road, Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20) to Sunset Park Circle.
Kerper Boulevard, Pine Street to Hawthorne Street.
Pennsylvania Avenue, J.F. Kennedy Road to westerly city limits except from the east
property line of Stephen Hempstead High School to a point approximately one hundred
feet (100') west of Rosemont Street when yellow flashing lights are activated. The
yellow lights shall be coordinated to coincide with the school's calendar and when such
lights are flashing the speed limit shall be reduced to twenty-five miles per hour.
Peru Road, Sheridan Road to Roosevelt Road (Valley Road).
Radford Road, city limits to city limits from Chavenelle Road to the northerly city limits.
Roosevelt Road (Valley Road and Pebman Road), Peru Road to a point five hundred
feet (500') north of Amelia Drive.
Seippel Road, Old Highway Road to the northerly city limits.
University Avenue, Prysi Street to J.F. Kennedy Road.
Wacker Drive, Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20) to J.F. Kennedy Road.
FORTY (40) MILES PER HOUR
Central Avenue, Ruby Street to Olympic Heights Road.
FORTY FIVE (45) MILES PER HOUR
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), from a point one thousand five hundred thirty feet
(1,530') east of Locust Street to the easterly city limits on the Julien Dubuque Bridge.
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), from a point one thousand one hundred feet (1,100')
west of Locust Street to a point five hundred feet (500') east of Crescent Ridge Road.
Locust Street ramps to U.S. 52/61/151, from Locust Street to U.S. 52/61/151.
Northwest Arterial (IA 32), U.S. Highway 20 to U.S. Highway 52.
Peru Road, Roosevelt Road (Valley Road) to northerly city limits.
Seippel Road, U.S. Highway 20 to Old Highway Road.
U.S. 61/151/52, from a point one hundred fifty feet (150') north of Fifth Street to a point
one thousand one hundred feet (1,100') south of the Julien Dubuque Bridge.
FIFTY (50) MILES PER HOUR
Central Avenue, Olympic Heights Road to northerly city limits.
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), from a point five hundred feet (500') east of Crescent
Ridge Road to the westerly city limits.
Northwest Arterial (IA 32), from Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20) to the northerly city
limits.
FIFTY FIVE (55) MILES PER HOUR
Dodge Street (U.S. Highway 20), from a point one thousand sixty feet (1,060') west of
Old Highway Road to the westerly city limits.
U.S. 61/151/52, from a point one hundred fifty feet (150') north of Fifth Street to the
northerly city limits on the Dubuque/Wisconsin bridge, and from a point one thousand
one hundred feet (1,100') south of the Julien Dubuque bridge to the southerly city limits.
(d) Scheduled fines are established pursuant to Iowa Code Section 805.6(6).
Excessive speed in zones 55 mph or less
(1) 1 through 5 over
(2) 6 through 10 over
(3) 11 through 15 over
(4) 16 through 20 over
(5) Over 20 mph over (plus $2 for each mile in excess of 20 mph over limit)
Excessive speed in zones greater than 55 mph
(6) 1 through 5 over
(7) 6 through 10 over
(8) 11 through 15 over
(9) 16 through 20 over
(10) Over 20 mph over (plus $2 for each mile in excess of 20 mph over limit)