4.3. SR 05-20-2019 EOty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 4.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Consent May 20, 2019 Justin Femrite, P.E.,Public Works Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Technology Enhanced Traffic Control Policy Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Adopt,by motion, the Technology Enhanced Traffic Control Policy.
Background/Discussion
As reviewed at the May 6,2019, Council meeting, the attached policy has been developed to aid in our
evaluation of technology enhanced traffic control devises. Requests for these types of signs continue to
grow. The policy will help explain selection criteria and funding for these systems.
Financial Impact
NA
Attachments
■ Technology Enhanced Traffic Control Policy
The Elk River Vision
A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAMIRE1
city of
ver
Technology
Enhanced Traffic
Control Policy
Technology Enhanced Traffic Control Policy
Purpose
The City of Elk River seeks to optimize its existing traffic control measures in locations
where unique situations exist. With evolving Technology Enhanced Traffic Control devices,
it is crucial to analyze the effectiveness of each device and determine whether their use
factually increases the safety and well-being of the public.
This policy defines how devices are evaluated and recommended for application. Devices
failing to meet the guidelines established by this policy will not be considered for installation
unless they are a replacement to a previously installed, older technology system (standard
flashing beacons, etc.).
Policy
Devices considered for use include: flashing LED regulatory (stop andyield) and warning
(curve ahead, etc.) signs, digital speed feedback signs, and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons
at pedestrian crosswalks. New devices, as developed,will be considered for addition to the
Policy.
The city will follow guidance for appropriate use as provided by the Minnesota Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MN MUTCD).
Flashing LED Signs (Regulatory and Warning)
Light Emitting Diode (LED) units may be used individually within the legend of a sign
and/or the border of a sign to improve the conspicuity or to increase the legibility of sign
legends and borders.
Prior to implementing a flashing LED sign, the following conspicuity improvement
alternatives shall first be considered:
■ Install an advanced warning sign on approach to the intersection or warning
condition.
■ Increase the size of the existing signage.
■ Install a second sign of equal or lesser size on the left-hand side of the road (if
allowed by MN MUTCD).
■ Add one or more red or orange flags (cloth or retroreflective sheeting) above a
standard sign,with flags oriented at 45 degrees to the vertical.
■ Add a strip of retroreflective material to the sign support.
Flashing regulatory and warning signs shall only be considered for installation in situations
necessitating enhanced visibility of the sign not accomplished by the above treatment
techniques. The city will follow the MnDOT Traffic Engineering Manual to create premises
for use. For local road situations the manual provides instruction that use of these devices
should be limited to locations where both of the following conditions exist:
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■ Limited visibility on approach to an intersection or roadway condition requiring
warning, as determined by the sight distance criteria for Warrant 1 in Section 9-
4.02.012 in the Traffic Engineering Manual.
■ A history of crashes documented to be caused by a failure to stop or adherence to
implementation of conspicuity improvements.
warning, and deemed preventable by
Speed Feedback Signs
These signs provide a real-time dynamic display of the driver's vehicular speed at the
location where speeding and safety has been documented as a problem. When considering
use of these signs, at least four (4) of the following conditions must be met:
■ The 85"'percentile speed exceeds the posted speed limit by at least 5 MPH during
the time period of concern.
■ A speed transition area exists.
■ The area of interest is within the vicinity of a school or other high pedestrian traffic
area.
■ The posted speed is 40 MPH or less.
■ The road is under city jurisdiction.
Installation may be considered when three (3) of the above five (5) conditions are met, and
crash data and documented repeat lane departures can clearly be linked to excessive speed in
the area of interest.
Speed Feedback Signs shall also meet the following technical specifications when
implemented:
■ Installation must be used in conjunction with the traditional speed limit sign.
■ When activated, the sign display shall give drivers immediate feedback on their
individual driving speed.
■ When traveling above the posted speed limit, the sign shall rapidly flash or have
other dynamic elements.
■ When installed in association with school speed zones, the Speed Feedback Signs
shall operate only when the school speed zone is in effect.
■ The installation shall not interfere with the visibility and general effectiveness of any
other signs in the area.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)
RRFBs are user-actuated LEDs that supplement warning signs to increase awareness of a
pedestrian crossing location. They are activated by a push button which triggers the LEDs to
display an irregular flash pattern which can help alert drivers of the approaching crosswalk.
Prior to implementing RRFBs,the following conspicuity improvement alternatives shall first
be considered:
■ Add crosswalk pavement markings.
■ Install an advanced warning sign on approach to the crosswalk.
■ Increase the size of the existing signage.
■ Install a second sign of equal or lesser size on the left-hand side of the road (if
allowed by MN MUTCD).
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■ Add one or more red or orange flags (cloth or retroreflective sheeting) above a
standard sign,with flags oriented at 45 degrees to the vertical.
■ Add a strip of retroreflective material to the sign support.
■ Add an In-street Pedestrian Crossing sign.
RRFBs shall only be considered for installation in situations necessitating enhanced visibility
of the crosswalk not accomplished by the above treatment techniques.
The analysis for determining if RRFBs shall be used includes the number of pedestrians
crossing at a location,the volume and speed of crossing vehicular traffic and the length of
the crosswalk. RRFBs shall be limited in use to crosswalk locations that exist at non-
controlled intersections or other midblock locations where vehicular traffic would otherwise
not be required to stop.
Costs
Annual budgets are prepared without including installation of any new Technology
Enhanced Traffic Control devices due to the large and variable costs for each individual
system.
Requests for Technology Enhanced Traffic Control devices, found to meet the guidelines
established in this policy, shall be considered for inclusion in the following year's budget or
Capital Improvement Plan.
Requests for installation within the current budget year found to meet the guidelines
established by this policy may be considered if they are accompanied with a donation of all
costs associated with the purchase,installation and maintenance of the system. Acceptance
of the donation will be by the City Council and shall not obligate the city to future
replacement costs.
Technology Enhanced Traffic Control Policy
Policy History
Adopted by: On date Item #
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