2025-04-14-minutes-public-works-study-session

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DISCUSSION: Initial Scoring Criteria is based on six categories ranked from 1 to 10. The rankings and a short description of each category can be found on the attached Scoring Criteria Sheet. An evaluation of road geometry indicated one horizontal curve does not meet design criteria for a 50 MPH road, but mitigation in the form of advisory curve speeds is in place. The design speed of the curve in question is 41 MPH. However, road width, grade, and shoulders all support a faster speed. Existing Speed data from Public Works' standard traffic counts in 2024 show an 85t" percentile speed of 47.7 MPH at MP 1.06 just outside the City limits. In prior years, 851" percentile speeds of 47.9 and 49.2 were measured at MP 1.52 directly prior to the school zone. There have been several changes in land use near the road segment in question including a solar farm, a landscaping company, and a large grocery distribution center is currently being constructed just inside the city limits. All these land uses are commercial/industrial in nature and contribute an increase in truck traffic. Large trucks traveling on and entering the roadway increase variability in travel speeds on the road. Historically, ADT is similar to what was observed in this speed study, but truck percentage is notably higher. Public Works has noted seven reported accidents in the previous five years. Accidents are primarily related to weather and animal crossings near the river. Additionally, new guidance from FHWA suggests that speed changes of 25 MPH or greater should consider a speed transition zone. Specific guidance is not provided, but examples for how to effectively manage a transition zone include visual cues like landscaping and lane narrowing, as well as regulatory signage. The Sheriff's Office provided comments on the request indicating that patrols do regularly ticket offenders in the area, but unfortunately the ticketing doesn't seem to produce a change in driver behavior. The School District has engaged many members of the community including neighboring residents, local business, City of Ellensburg Parks, and volunteer groups. Additionally, school staff and students' parents have voiced their support for the change in the speed limit. The speed study resulted in an 85th percentile speed of 49.4 mph at MP 1.13 and 49.7 mph at MP 1.79 which are both slightly lower than the operating speed of the current speed limit. The County is currently meeting the federal guidelines for establishing speed limits by setting the speed limit within 5 MPH of the 85th percentile speed of free -flowing traffic. However, new guidelines do allow jurisdictions to consider additional factors including land use, safety, and community input.