2023-07-10-minutes-public-works-study-session

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From: pat kelleher <psk98926@vahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2023 1:46 PM To: Mark Cook <mark.cook@co.kittitas.wa.us>; Caleb Sprous <csprous@kvnews.com>; pat kelleher <psk98926jpyahoo.com> Subject: Citizen request to increase speed limit from 35 mph to 50 mph on Wilson Creek Road CAUTION: This email originated from outside the Kittitas County network. Do not click links, open attachments, fulfill requests, or follow guidance unless you recognize the sender and have verified the content is safe. Mark I would like to request an increase of the speed limit from 35 mph to 50 mph on Wilson Creek Road from Game Farm Road to Judge Ronald Road. The speed limits on county roads are 50 mph unless otherwise posted. This is the speed limit persons expect to drive on county roads in rural areas unless conditions or hazards require reduced speeds. Traffic studies show that simply lowering posted speed limits has little effect on actual speeds. Lowering posted speeds usually only reduces the prevailing speeds by one to two miles per hour and increases the difference in speeds, which is a common cause of crashes. In general, drivers choose their speed based on what they think is safe and reasonable for the conditions present. An unreasonable posted speed gets little consideration from drivers. A variety of factors are considered when determining safe and reasonable speed limits. The prevailing speed is a major consideration in setting speed limits. Engineers recommend setting limits where 86% of the freely flowing traffic travels at or below that speed. (the 85th percentile). Another consideration is the highest safe speed for which the road was designed. This takes into account road type, road geometry and adjacent land use. Other factors include presence of non vehicular road users, driver or vehicle characteristics, enforcement capability , and public attitudes. I suspect a speed study on Wilson Creek Road with the counter placed south of the Game Farm Road end 35 mph speed limit sign will yield an 85th percentile speed well in excess of the posted limit and more aligned with the RCW 46.61.400 (2) (b) maximum limit for county roads. Thank you for your consideration Pat Kelleher 6530 Wilson Creek Road Ellensburg, Wa 98926 The information transmitted by this email is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed This email may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, be aware that any use, review, retransmission, distribution, or reproduction is strictly prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the material from all devices. message id'. 38eb45916c6dcbdac24bb8719d004al4