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1. Interact with the requester to explain the process, verify the scope of the request, <br />and set initial expectations. <br />2. Install traffic tubes on the roadway in an appropriate location to ensure accurate <br />data is collected. Typically, data is collected for 7 full days and equipment is then <br />picked up sometime on day 8. <br />3. Data is transferred to staff to be processed and condensed into a reasonable <br />format. <br />4. Accident data from the previous 5 years is pulled to identify a safety concern, if it <br />exists. <br />5. Roadway geometry is evaluated to determine if the design speed for the roadway <br />matches the posted speed limit. <br />6. Data is presented to the Board of County Commissioners to determine if an <br />engineer's report should be prepared, and a Public Hearing should be set. <br />This process can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish depending on staff <br />and equipment availability, and preliminary estimates indicate the study may cost <br />approximately $500 including labor and equipment rental. Currently, Public Works does <br />not charge a fee to make a request, nor is the number of requests limited by applicant or <br />road. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Public Works is interested in streamlining the process to provide an improved response <br />time to County residents. In an effort to be responsive, PW has investigated various <br />methods used around the State to determine the need for Speed Studies. An example is <br />Grant County which utilizes a scoring sheet with 10 categories (Exhibit 1) to help <br />identify whether a road is likely to receive support from the BOCC. PW also considered <br />alternatives such as speed limits based on road classification and developed areas. These <br />alternatives were not pursued as they did not provide consistency for drivers. Public <br />Works has prepared a draft scoring sheet (Exhibit 2) which could be utilized to help <br />communicate the speed data criteria and filter out unlikely Speed Studies, limiting time <br />and resources spent on Speed Studies. Criteria includes: <br />o Road Geometry <br />o Existing speed data <br />o Change in land -use within the immediate vicinity <br />o Public Works Safety Concern <br />o Sherrif s Office Safety Concern <br />o Community Support <br />These topics are found to be most effective when setting speed on rural roadways. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />Public Works estimates that by utilizing scoring criteria, the number of speed studies <br />brought before the BOCC may be reduced by as much as 75%. This would result in a cost <br />savings of approximately $2,600 per year. <br />