TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
Approval of speed cushion installation on Maple Avenue between Main Street and Batavia Street.
body
2. Summary
The City has received recurring requests for speed humps on Maple Avenue. Based on the history of concerns and the street’s traffic characteristics, speed cushions were proposed. The City Traffic Commission voted to recommend that the City Council conditionally approve their installation.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Approve the installation of speed cushions on Maple Avenue between Main Street and Batavia Street.
2. Direct staff to conduct a before-and-after study as part of a pilot program.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
Background:
City staff received numerous inquiries concerning traffic speeds on Maple Avenue between Main and Batavia Streets. This portion of Maple Avenue 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 stripes) have been installed as a traffic calming feature.
Despite the prior traffic calming effort, the City continues to receive complaints 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 considering continuing concerns, staff determined that it would be appropriate to consider a pilot program to implement speed cushions on the street. Speed cushions are like 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 street 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. The cost to furnish and install the speed cushions is estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000 and can be funded within the approved FY 26 budget.
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% |
City Traffic Commission Meeting:
At the December 10, 2025, meeting, the City Traffic Commission (CTC) received public input regarding the proposed installation of speed cushions on Maple Avenue. Residents expressed both support and opposition to the proposal, with most speakers expressing support.
• Support: The four residents in favor cited concerns about excessive vehicles speeds along Maple Avenue and noted that speed cushions could help mitigate these issues.
• Opposition: The two residents opposed raised concerns about increased noise and the potential changes to vehicle travel paths due to the presence of the cushions.
The CTC discussed potential challenges related to maintenance and cost of the speed cushions. Also discussed were expected benefits of speed cushions along with concerns and drawbacks, particularly those expressed by the speakers. After deliberation and to balance the interests of the neighborhood, the CTC voted to recommend that the City Council approve the installation of speed cushions on Maple Avenue. The CTC also recommended the speed cushions be installed as a six-month pilot program that includes a before-and-after traffic study to evaluate their effectiveness. Staff is recommending that upon the completion of the six-month evaluation this item return to the City Council if the speed cushions are determined to be ineffective for further discussion.
The recommended action in this report represents the CTC’s action. Should the City Council elect to approve the proposed speed cushions, it may do so as recommended by the CTC, or it may add or modify conditions(s), including, but not limited to, the proposed program’s 6-month duration.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 Area Map
• Attachment 2 Tentative Speed Cushion Location Map
• Attachment 3 Speed Cushion Information Sheet
• Attachment 4 Draft December 10, 2025, Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
• Attachment 5 Traffic Commission Staff Report dated December 10, 2025
• Attachment 6 Notification Letter