ST0701-CS100611
(9/7/2011) Keith Marvin - Re: southwestern lanesPage 1
From: Keith Marvin
To:Griffin, Ken; Phillips, Clay
Date: 6/11/2010 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: southwestern lanes
Clay,
The last few streets that have been constructed around schools have incorporated these center turn lanes, and from
observation they have worked well in handling school traffic. The reason the center lane extends to the end of the project
is simply to designate the driving lane. As you may recall we have had trouble with some of our overly-wide two lane
streets with people passing other vehicles (Hertz, Moore, Riverchase, etc.). In these cases we have had to go back and
address the problems after the fact. Yes, this lane will be used more when the property to the south develops, but it does
serve to make the road safer today.
As far as buttons versus paint, we have been using buttons on our concrete streets exclusively for a number of years now.
Buttons are more durable than paint, and their reflectivity lasts approximately three time as long. Buttons also provide a
tactile surface as opposed to paint. When someone drives outside their designated lane, they will know it even if they are
distracted and looking away from the road.
Parking in front of Pinkerton Elementary has been a problem for quite some time. The school district recently expanded
their parking lot, but I don't know if they have enough parking for some of their events. The new roadway will not provide
the opportunity to park on the shoulder that was available with the asphalt street. There is some excess right of way on
the north side of the road around the school that could possibly be used to provide on street parking. This was not
included in the street design, and to be honest I didn't even think about it until I read this email.
Let me know if you need more information, or if you would like me to respond to Mr. Moore.
Keith
>>> "kmoore" <kent.moore3@verizon.net> 6/4/2010 8:34 PM >>>
Clay:
We are in a family discussion this evening about the lane design on southwestern.
Back up traffic from Pinkerton has never extended past the bridge. Linda and I think the center turn lane should end at the
bridge, leaving the western portion similar to the two lane design that is west of Coppell Road. The two lane design is used
on every other roadway to the south.
With the center lane design --
1. There will be no parking area in front of the properties west of the bridge.
2. However, will there be parking permitted during Pinkerton events in front of the school?
a. Will people then have to drive into the center lane to avoid the parked cars on both sides of the street, and have to
negotiate those yellow car eaters that are affixed to the roadway?
b. Since there was land available in front of the school, why didn't the City use front-in diagonal parking similar to the
design on Coppell Road? If it was good for Coppell Road, why woudl it not be good for Southwestern?
3. When Pinkerton student traffic lines up on the eastern side, will motorists still be able to pass those cars using the center
lane, and if so, isn't that a contrary function of that turning lane? In this case (which will occur twice daily) it is not a
turning lane, it is a passing lane. Woudl it not make more sense to use paint to makr the boundaries of the lanes, since the
turning lane will see increased traffic -- which will most likely shorten the life of the car markers?
The center lane (west of the bridge) may serve some future use when the property is developed to the south, but for now
(and presumably we are designing roadways that are practical now and not based on some future that may not occur for
ten years or more) there are no southern entrances/driveways to turn into from the center lane.
The amount of eastbound traffic that terminates at the properties on Southwestern does not warrant the use of a turn lane.
There simply isn't that much traffic entering the current driveways.
(9/7/2011) Keith Marvin - Re: southwestern lanesPage 2
Unless, the City is using a lane design based on a probable development plan likely in the future. That woudl mean that you
are designing a roadway for future residents, and ignoring the needs of the current residents. Sort of like Jimmy Stewart
when he says, "Here's your hat, what's your hurry?"
Should we just move now Clay?
Kent