2019-06-10-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: June Wh' 2019 TOPIC: Tipton Road Speed Study Results ACTION REQUESTED: Schedule a Public Hearing LEAD STAFF: Mark R. Cook RECOMMENDATION: Schedule a public hearing receiving the results from the requested speed study of Tipton Road from the Public Works Director/Interim County Engineer. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Speed study requested by Tipton Road resident • Study was conducted on 05-07-2019 through 05-14-2019 • 85% speed is approximately 40 MPH (unsigned 50 MPH) • Percentage of truck traffic during the study period was 21 % BACKGROUND: Tipton Road is a BST roadway that supports 11 foot lanes from Look Road and widens to 14 feet at MP 0.70. The road transitions to gravel at MP 0.70. 2017 truck percentage was 18%. 2019 truck percentage (speed study) is recorded at 21 %. There is a large aggregate producing surface mine at the end of Tipton Road. DISCUSSION: Residents report robust truck traffic during peak construction season. Residents report that our speed study (intended to capture the peak season) was late this year. It appears that the peak season occurred prior to our speed study. The front portion of Tipton Road is relatively narrow when considering modern dump truck size. Residents report truck traveling on the road edge when passing one another. The 85" percentile speed suggests that drivers are not comfortable traveling the unposted allowable speed of 50 MPH. Given anticipated increasing truck percentage, the narrow front section of the road and the results of our speed study; the Interim County Engineer recommends the Board consider setting the speed limit for Tipton Road at 35 MPH. FISCAL IMPACTS: The cost of requested speed studies is budgeted in PW annual traffic budget. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Speed study results Page 1 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT