HomeMy WebLinkAboutCP 50 ■
r. LN a -oar
In
POLICY PROPOSAL
DATE FILE NUMBER SUBJECT PRIORITIZATION OF TRAFFIC PAGE 1 OF_�
3/27> 79 CP-50 SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS
PROPOSAL PROPOSED BY: QJY MANAGER' REV EW
Councilman James B. u_a
� .
Background
On March 8, 1979, in response to citizen comments and inquiries expressed to the
Council on February 27, 1979 concerning the intersection of Allen and
Mississippi, staff prepared an Informal Report outlining on—going signal
projects, the existing method used to determine the order by which projects are
scheduled, and the projected date that the signal at Allen and Mississippi is
proposed for installation. The existing scheduling criteria calls for new signal
installations to be installed according to initial date of warrant, considering
all other things equal.
I have asked Transportation staff to look at the possibility of placing higher
priorities on scheduling signal installations where children or physically
impaired pedestrians use the intersection. The staff has prepared the attached
priority rating form which makes a single child, a disabled person, or an
elderly person equal to 5 physically capable adults crossing an intersection.
This change to a previously used evaluation procedure has substantially
increased the installation priority of signals where substantial volumes of
children, elderly or handicapped persons cross the intersection.
Based on this staff suggestion, I would like to propose that the following
method of scheduling traffic signal installation and/or reconstruction projects
be used:
!� 1. Traffic signal reconstruction (or modification) that is necessary to
maintain an existing signal such that no "clear and present danger"
exists shall be given top priority.
2. Traffic signal projects that are directly associated with street
construction or reconstruction projects shall be coordinated as
necessary.
3. New traffic signal installations shall be rated according to the
attached "Traffic Signal Priority Rating" form and shall be scheduled
for installation accordingly.
4. Routine replacement and/or modification of existing traffic signal
equipment shall be scheduled when the workload permits.
LEGALITY
FISCAL NOTE
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
POLICY PROPOSAL (cont'd) 'AGE?OF 3
In order to minimize delays that may be caused by last minute rescheduling of
projects, a project's priority shall not be changed after the engineering plans
have been completed and all equipment has been ordered, except as necessitated
by equipment delivery.
At the present time staff has made commitments for the installation or modifi-
cation of signals at two intersections. They are:
1. University Drive and Old University Drive - installation promised
by August 1, 1979.
2. Pennsylvania and Summit - Modification to provide exclusive actuated
pedestrian phase promised by July 1, 1979.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Transportation Department
to adopt and use the above procedure for scheduling traffic signal installation
and reconstruction projects and that staff be authorized to install the signals
at University Drive and Old University Drive and to modify the signal at Summit
and Pennsylvania as presently scheduled.
Staff Comments
eJ For new signal installations, the "Traffic Signal Priority Rating" form contains
factors concerning vehicular volumes, pedestrian volumes, accident history and
difficulty of access from the minor street. The increased rating factor for
children and the physically impaired is accounted for in the pedestrian volume
rating factor.
On occasion, some projects may be delayed because of special conditions or factors.
Examples of such special conditions include:
1. Coordination with adjacent development and/or street construction.
2. The geometric layout of the intersection requires modification
before a properly designed signal can be installed.
3. The lack of an appropriate agreement (contract) with and/or financial
participation by an adjacent commercial developer or municipality.
Although every reasonable effort will be made to adhere to the priority scheduling
system outlined above, the actual order of installation may have to be modified
due to delivery of equipment such as controllers, pre-emptors, etc.
Fiscal Note
All projects are paid for with capital improvement bond funds or with developer
participation and this policy will have no effect on total expenditures.
CITY OF FORT WORTH
•
POLICY PROPOSAL (cont'd) PAGE_OF
Legality
Proposed procedure is acceptable, provided that immediate maintenance and repair
of malfunctioning traffic signals remains top priority at all times.
City Manager's Comment
The recommended procedure is an improvement over present practice.
mes Bags y, oun ilman
CITY 9F FORT WORTH, TEXAS �
d4qU"3'?Z1T "MT-M OF THIS M. & C. C,
FFJMT"D TO THE CITY COUNCIL
-)- 7 '? 4
WAS LPFROY D
. , �-
Cit y leoretary
CRY OF FORT WORTH