8E Consent 2007 1001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Traffic Calming Program 2 October 1, 2007 Current NTCP Program Requirements and Highlights • A request can be made by a resident or property owner by obtaining an application from the Engineering and Transportation Department • If the roadway meets one of the minimum criteria for traffic speed, volume, pedestrian generation or collisions, then the neighborhood will be prioritized among the other requests each October • Based on current funding and existing staffing levels, typically one neighborhood will be selected for improvement each year. If a neighborhood is not selected but meets all of the criteria for speed humps, then the process for speed hump installation can be pursued separately • Staff will hold a neighborhood meeting with the selected neighborhood to specifically identify the issues and inform attendees about the NTCP process • Staff will mail out ballots to initiate the NTCP process to all residents and property owners in the neighborhood (67% approval is required) • Staff will develop traffic calming alternatives based on input from the first neighborhood meeting • Staff will hold a second neighborhood meeting to present the alternatives and identify the neighborhood's preference • If a trial project is recommended, temporary devices may be installed for six to nine months • Staff will mail out ballots to approve the final traffic calming_plan (67% approval is re uired Lessons Learned • Strengths: The NTCP process generates a high degree of neighborhood involvement. The NTCP tool box offers numerous traffic calming features that may be collectively selected to achieve the traffic calming goals. Furthermore, the process is understandable and transparent to all participants. Having made the top of the neighborhood traffic calming priority list in the 2003-2004 cycle, Broadmoor Boulevard received three sets of speed lumps since April 2006. Additional traffic calming features (e.g., bulb-outs, pedestrian crosswalks) will be installed soon. • Weaknesses: The NTCP process is time consuming, expensive, and flawed by the current voting method. In the 2004-2005 cycle, Best Avenue ranked first, but did not move into the installation stage after a lengthy and costly two-year process. The project was voted down by residents and property owners within the boundaries of San Leandro Boulevard, West Broadmoor Boulevard, East 14r~ Street, and Peralta Avenue. While almost 100% of voters on Best Avenue approved the project, voters from the surrounding streets defeated it. The failure of the Best Avenue project was mainly due to a flawed neighborhood voting method. Voters on the subject street were outnumbered by voters in the surrounding area. ANALYSIS Suggested Voting Method Staff has researched and explored options to improve the program and recommends a Composite Voting System as shown in the diagram below. The Composite Voting System would give each area a voting weight. For example, if the Focus Area receives a 90 to 100% approval rate, the