6.4 Speed Limit CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR COMMISSION ACTION
DATE
5-18-81 '
TIME
4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION:
NO. 6
Consent
ITEM
NO. 4
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
ENGINEERING
BY: Dean Boyer
APPROVED FOR
AGENDA:
BY: ~
Re: Speed limit on South Broadway at the intersection with Sou~h Ninth Street.
The intersection of Ninth Street and Otto Avenue, which is immediately south
of the merging intersection of Broadway Boulevard and South Ninth Street, was
improved in 1980. At that time, a signal system for this intersection was
installed with a separate right turn lane for southbound traffic and a separate
left turn lane for the northbound traffic.
Drivers on Broadway Boulevard and Ninth Street realize there is a 40 to 50
per cent chance they will have to stop at the Otto Avenue intersection 'for a red
light. Therefore, the Broadway Boulevard traffic has a tendency to reduce speed
in this area. We have taken speed counts through the merging section after the
new signal system was installed and found the speed at the 85th percentile for
southbound traffic on Broadway. Boulevard was 37.5 M.P,H. and the speed'for south-
bound traffic on Ninth Street at the same time was 35 M.P.H.
Spot speed zones are surprising and annoying to many motorists. They have
a tendency to create disrespect and contempt for all speed zones that are not
really needed. It is evident at this location that the motorists are observing
the warning signs of "merging traffic" and "signal ahead" and we feel the warning
signs are superior to spot speed zones in the control of traffic.
In view of the above findings, this department recommends this request be
denied. We will, however, increase the visibility of the "signal ahead" warning
sign and remove the "40 M.P.H." sign which is now located between'the warning
signs and the Otto Avenue intersection.
COMMISSION ACTION
MOTION BY
TO:
SECOND BY