Update: Traffic Control on Michael Lane

In May, a compromise proposal developed by members of Neighborhood Action Team was presented to the Traffic Commission.  The plan included concrete pinch points, a raised crosswalk, new signage and more.  A date for a public meeting to get neighborhood comments was set.  Then a few, vocal Michael Lane residents insisted that speed bumps be added to the plan, even though the City Engineer doesn’t recommend them..  This put the planning process on hold while Michael Lane residents try to agree among themselves.

Here's a summary of current proposals:

Speed Bumps

City Engineer Tony Coe has recommended against the use of speed bumps on Michael Lane, and has said so both in front of the Traffic Commission and in a written report.  But a few, vocal Michael Lane residents insist that reducing speed to 15 mph through speed bumps is the only option they are willing to consider.

According to a report by Lafayette Traffic Engineer Tony Coe “…speed humps as currently proposed are overreaching in its objective to reduce speeds and could be construed as traffic impediments as opposed to traffic calming.”  The street is too short for effective placement of bumps and the hill limits the visibility of required warning signs.  Currently, 85% of drivers go 32 mph or less on the populated portion of Michael Lane.     

Neighbors have voiced many objections to speed bumps on Michael:

• Unwanted diversion of traffic to Burton Drive, used by walkers, bikers and schoolkids as a route to school, the pool, and the trails
• Bumping aggravates back and neck problems
• Delays  response time of emergency vehicles
• Can increase road rage, causing faster driving elsewhere in the neighborhood

City Planner Leah Greenblat said residents from other parts of Burton Valley should be included in the planning process if speed bumps are considered. 

According to Realty Magazine: “the long-term impacts of speed bumps can be disastrous” and cites various studies that say speedbumps can:

·        Increase the cost of vehicle maintenance by 50%.

·        Increase neighborhood air pollution by 48%.

·        Decrease property values and increase the length of time homes stay on the market.

See:  Traffic Calming: The Evil Speedbump at http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20030428_speedbump.htm

Pinch Points

  

Pinch point on Monroe Avenue

Pinch points are low concrete barriers that slow traffic by narrowing the lanes of travel.  The compromise plan agreed on by the Neighborhood Action Team in April and presented to the Traffic Commission in May included pinch points at the top and bottom of the Michael Lane hill.   Pinch points force drivers to maintain a reasonable speed without the drawbacks of speed humps, and have been used successfully on several streets in Lafayette.  

According to Tony Coe, “Pinch points have a demonstrated potential of reducing overall prevailing speeds. They do not impinge on freedom of movement of reasonable drivers, thus are more consistent with the principles of the traffic calming program.”

Some Michael Lane residents object to pinch points because they limit parking or they question their effectiveness .  Others don’t object to them in principle but don’t want them placed in front of their house. 

Sidewalk or Walking Path

Since the safety of children and pedestrians is a concern, the feasibility of a sidewalk or other walking path connected to the new trail along Murray Lane was explored.

Walking path near Stanley School

The city proposed the installation of a sidewalk or path along the flatter side of Michael (left side traveling from Lucas) as the easiest and least expensive alternative.  Michael Lane residents turned that proposal down, stating in a letter to the city that a walking path would change the character of the neighborhood and would not increase safety. 

At a May meeting of the Neighborhood Action Team, new interest was expressed in a sidewalk by residents on the uphill side (right side traveling from Lucas).  Tony Coe estimated that such a plan may cost up to $30,000 and said that the city would only contribute if a new sidewalk connected to the existing one at the Michael/Murray corner.  This means that all neighbors have to agree, and this is unlikely.

For more on concerns about sidewalks, and reasons to consider them, see: http://www.walkinginfo.org/faqs/answer.cfm?id=3456

What's Next?

The Neighborhood Action Team is currently at a standstill while Michael Lane residents talk about possible solutions and try to reach a consensus among themselves.  There is currently no date set for future meetings.