TO: Chair and Members of the City Traffic Commission
THRU: Larry Tay, Deputy Public Works Director/Traffic Engineer
FROM: Maria Flores, Assistant Engineer
1. Subject
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Request to install speed cushions on Maple Avenue between Main Street and Batavia Street.
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2. Summary
The City has received recurring requests for speed humps on Maple Avenue. Based on the history of complaints and the street’s traffic characteristics, speed cushions, rather than speed humps, are being considered for recommendation.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Consider the installation of speed cushions on Maple Avenue between Main Street and Batavia Street and forward the resulting recommendation to City Council.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None. The cost of the speed cushions can be accommodated within the approved FY 26 budget.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
Background:
Maple Avenue between Main and Batavia Streets is a two-lane residential street with a curb-to-curb width that varies from 36 to 38 feet. Parking is supported on both sides and the land use is comprised of single-family residential dwellings. Moreover, painted edge lines (shoulder stripe) have been installed as a traffic calming feature.
Despite the prior traffic calming effort, the City continues to receive expressed concerns over vehicle speeds. In response to the concerns, City staff conducted an initial traffic study to gather the 85th percentile speed and the average daily traffic volume on Maple Avenue. The study showed that the average daily traffic is 692 vehicles, travelling at an 85th percentile speed of 31 MPH. These values are below those at which speed humps are typically considered, based on the City’s approved Residential Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (RNTMP).
Notwithstanding the above and in light of continuing concerns, staff determined that it could be appropriate to consider a pilot program to implement speed cushions on the street. Speed cushions are similar to speed humps in that they are raised roadway features designed to slow vehicles down. Unlike traditional speed humps, these speed cushions are prefabricated, can be bolted down, and are divided into segments with gaps that allow emergency vehicles to straddle the cushions. Due to the street’s proximity to a fire station and location on the local network, staff consulted with Orange Fire Department on the design and configuration of the speed cushions.
While the speed cushions are the first of their kind in Orange, they are portable and removable. And, if installed, they would serve as the basis of a pilot program, by providing an opportunity to assess their effectiveness, as well as long-term durability and desirability.
Petition Phase:
To identify the level of neighborhood support, a petition was circulated to residents of the affected blocks. To ensure residents were fully informed, the petition was accompanied by a Tentative Speed Cushion Location Map and a Speed Cushion Information Sheet, both of which are included as attachments to this report. These materials provided detailed information on the proposed installation sites, the function of speed cushions, and their anticipated benefits in encouraging slower vehicle speeds.
The table below shows the petition results and indicates a majority of the residents on Maple Avenue are in support of speed cushions.
|
Street Segment |
Homes In Favor |
Homes Opposed |
Unresponsive |
|
Maple Avenue |
19 |
55% |
6 |
17% |
9 |
28% |
Findings:
Based on the above, staff recommends that the City Traffic Commission consider the installation of speed cushions on Maple Avenue between Main Street and Batavia Street and forward the matter to the City Council for approval. The cost to furnish and install the speed cushions is estimated between $15,000 and $20,000; and can be funded within the approved FY 26 budget.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Area Map
• Tentative Speed Cushion Location Map
• Speed Cushion Information Sheet
• Notification Letter