2jFrom: Calas, Esther (PWD)
To: 'Anido, Bill'
Cc: Whittaker, Homer (DIST7); 'Nelson, Ron' ; 'oaluko @miamigov.com' ; 'Mitchell, Francis' ; Shen, Joan
(PWD); Cohen, Jeff (PWD); Williams, Robert (PWD); Suarez, Angela (PWD); De La Torre, Angel (PWD)
Sent: Tue Feb 02 15:44:37 2010
Subject: South Grove Traffic Calming Meeting (SR# 2009144261)
In response to the request for removing "Stop Ahead" signs throughout the South Grove area,
please be advised that Miami -Dade County Public Works Department (PWD) staff conducted a
field investigation. As a result, it was determined to remove "Stop Ahead" warning signs and
dual stop signs from several intersections in this area. These intersections have adequate
visibility of the stop condition in advance, and such signs can be removed without compromising
safety. This work will be accomplished by PWD's Traffic Signals and Signs Division within the
next two (2) weeks.
The speed limit throughout the county along residential or business district streets is 30 mph
and does not need to be posted to be enforced. However, raising or lowering the speed limit
does require the posting of speed limit signage for enforcement; and prior to such posting, a
study must be conducted to determine if such a change is reasonable and in conformity to the
criteria promulgated by the Florida Department of Transportation. This is necessary to ensure
that speed limits are appropriate to the roadway and neighborhood conditions and to avoid
creating "speed traps."
Concerning the lowering of speed limit along local municipal streets of City of Miami, it should
be noted that the County offers the following alternatives to the City:
Alternative 1: Lower the speed limit to 25 mph along local streets on a neighborhood wide
basis. This could be enforced by placing 25 mph signs on every street at the
neighborhood limits perimeter, with appropriate language posted on the signs.
Additionally, those roads within those boundaries which currently contain speed
limits signs, need to be removed to be consistent with the new speed limit signs.
Alternative 2: Lower the speed limit to 25 mph on a street -by- street basis by posting standard
25 mph speed limit signs on each selected street. This option has the advantage
of setting speed zones per the conditions of the individual street, as opposed to
having the need for the entire area to meet the speed zone criteria.
Alternative 2 has the lowest initial cost, in that the City could begin with a smaller area and a
selected number of streets. This is also advantageous for testing purposes to determine the
level of motorist compliance with the lowered posted speed.
Should the City desire to assume responsibility for speed control along the City's streets; the
County has no objections, provided the City assumes responsibility for the installation and
maintenance of these signs and a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) between the City and the
County is developed.
As you know, the City has embarked on a program to change the physical characteristics of a
number of municipal roadways by providing traffic calming measures. Although traffic calming
measures are expensive long -term investments, they do provide the most effective method of
speed control, generally obtaining voluntary motorist compliance with lower speeds and
requiring the least amount of police enforcement. This alternative can also be implemented as
a part of a comprehensive City zoning initiative that would address streets and streetscape.
As stated earlier, the unposted statutory speed limit on all residential streets is 30 mph. The
PWD normally performs traffic engineering services, with speed analysis and posting of speed
limit signs along individual streets, on an as- needed basis. That is, our staff conducts traffic
studies on individual streets to determine whether the statutory 30 mph speed limit is
appropriate and posts different speed limits if necessary. However, to convert the speed limit
on a complete neighborhood is a significant undertaking which not only involves the cost of the
initial installations along all of the neighborhood streets but also the maintenance of the sign
network once installed. Therefore, as previously stated, if the City wishes to utilize its resources
by assuming the responsibility of installation and maintenance of such signs the County has no
objections.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to
contact Dr. Joan Shen, P.E., PTOE, Manager, Traffic Engineering Division at (305) 375 -2030.
Esther Calas, P.E., Director
Public Works Department
111 NW First Street, Suite 1610
Miami, Florida 33128
Phone: (305) 375-2960
Fax: (305) 375-3070
ecalas @miamidade.gov
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