Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David Cronin, City Engineer
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer
DATE:	25 January 2016
RE:	27^th Street Traffic and Pedestrian Safety

Background

In August, 2014, temporary STOP signs were installed on Louisiana Street at 27^th Street, in order to facilitate traffic flow in the area due to the closure of Louisiana Street in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) construction of 31^st Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway.

At the May 26, 2015 City Commission meeting, the Commission received a report from the Public Works Department concerning Traffic Calming along 27^th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street, including existing parking restrictions and cost estimates for various devices. The Commission directed the following actions:

• Construct a sidewalk along the north side of 27^th Street between Belle Haven Drive and Naismith Valley Park;
• Construct a raised crosswalk on 27^th Street at the Naismith Valley Trail;
• Construct a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on 27^th Street at the Naismith Valley Trail;
• Install temporary STOP signs on 27^th Street at the Naismith Valley Trail until the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is constructed and activated; and,
• Install temporary STOP signs on 27^th Street at Ridge Court.
• Mill and overlay a section of Louisiana Street from 27^th Street south to approximately 31^st Street. This included new curb & gutter, turn lanes and medians.

All work was completed last summer and KDOT reopened Louisiana Street between 27^th Street and 31^st Street. Traffic counts were conducted during late September and early October; the results show that the traffic volumes along 27^th Street that had more than doubled have returned close to what existed prior to the closure of Louisiana Street; however, the temporary STOP signs on Louisiana Street at 27^th Street and on 27^th Street at Ridge Court are still in place.

Stop Sign Evaluation

The use and application of STOP signs are prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (see attachment), published by the Federal Highway Administration and adopted by Kansas State Law and City Ordinance. Traffic counts were obtained at 27^th Street & Louisiana Street and at 27^th Street & Ridge Court during late September and early October, and neither of the locations met the minimum criteria for consideration of an ALL-WAY STOP as prescribed by the MUTCD. 27^th Street has only fifty four percent (54%) of the required traffic at Louisiana and Ridge Court has only fifty seven percent (57%) of the required traffic.

Lawrence Public Schools staff has indicated that the STOP signs on Louisiana Street at 27^th Street back-up traffic across the only entrance to Broken Arrow Elementary School, causing considerable congestion during arrival and dismissal times, however, they have not assumed an official position as to the all way stop at 27^th and Louisiana.

Public Meeting

On November 12, 2015, a public meeting was held at South Middle School to discuss the status of traffic control and traffic calming on 27^th Street between Iowa Street and Louisiana Street, however, there was less than half as many residents in attendance as at the initial public meeting on April 22, 2015. Most of the public comments centered around their desire to keep the ALL-WAY STOP’s in place at 27^th Street & Ridge Court and at 27^th Street & Louisiana Street; there was no discussion concerning the need for any additional traffic calming along 27^th Street.

Action Request

Provide direction to City staff concerning traffic control at the intersection of 27^th Street & Louisiana Street, at 27^th Street & Ridge Court, and, additional traffic calming along 27^th Street.