Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 42, Section 42-127, Code of Ordinance (2018 Edition), by amending speed zones on portions of University Boulevard from IH 35 to SH 130. (Second Reading)
Body
University Boulevard from I-35 east to SH130 has undergone significant changes since the last speed zone ordinance was adopted in 2006. In order to keep speed limits reasonable and enforceable along the corridor, speed surveys were conducted in February 2021. A report drafted by the city’s traffic consultant, HDR, provides recommendations for proposed speed limits based on the speed survey and guidance from the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TxMUTCD) and the Procedure for Establishing Speed Zones published by TxDOT. See the table below for results and recommendations from the study:
Segment Current Speed Limit (1) Recommend by HDR Report
IH 35 to Sunrise Rd. 45 mph 40 mph (2)
Sunrise Rd. to A.W. Grimes Blvd 45 mph 45 mph
A.W. Grimes Blvd. to CR 110 55 mph 55 mph
CR 110 to SH 130 60 mph 60 mph
Notes:
(1) Only the segment from IH 35 to Sunrise Rd. is in the current ordinance. The Current Speed Limit above represents the signage present on the remaining segments.
(2) Staff recommends the speed limit for the segment between IH 35 and Sunrise Rd. be set at 35 mph. See explanation below.
Staff recommends adopting the recommendations in the report, with the exception of the portion of University Blvd. between IH 35 and Sunrise Rd. The report recommends the speed limit along that portion be 40 mph based on the 85th percentile speed recorded from the speed survey. Setting speed limits based on the 85th percentile speed is standard engineering practice and is supported by the references mentioned above. The references also allow the final speed limit to be lowered or raised by as much as 5 miles per hour from the 85th percentile speed based on the professional judgment of the engineer. Based on lack of a median barrier, ongoing construction, high driveway density, and the crash history within the segment, staff recommends the prima facie speed limit for the portion between IH 35 and Sunrise Rd. be set at 35mph instead. When the road work is completed, we anticipate revisiting segments that have undergone significant roadway changes to determine if the current recommendations are still appropriate.