Pecan Hollow-CS050712Keith Marvin - Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
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From: Ralph Brown <rbrown1@us.ibm.com>
To: "Keith Marvin" <kmarvin@ci.coppell.tx.us>
Date: 7/12/2005 1:37:26 PM
Subject: Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
Keith,
Perfect! I appreciate all you are doing! I'll let you get back to it.
Take care. Ralph
Ralph Brown
ISV/Storage Solutions and zSeries DB Manager
IBM Americas ATS Solutions Center
1503 LBJ Freeway 5th Floor Dallas, Texas 75234
Phone: 214-233-3875 or T/L 364-4023
"Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no
concept
of the odds against them" -Robert Jarvik, inventor of the Jarvik-7
artificial heart
"Keith Marvin"
<kmarvin@ci.coppe
Il.tx.us> To
07/12/2005 11
AM
Ralph Brown/Dallas/IBM@IBMUS
34 cc
Subject
Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
Mr. Brown,
As I indicated I will investigate this intersection per your request to see
if additional stop signs are warranted.
You are correct in the assumption that a "traffic calming cushion" is a
nice word for speed bump. The design is a little different, but the intent
is the same. You are also correct in the assumption that alleys are rarely
j Keith Marvin - Re: "Traffic calming cushions" Page 2
used by emergency vehicles, and that is why we are able to install the
devices in alleys.
As indicated this installation is a test section. We have never installed
these devices in alleys before, and we chose this location based on
multiple complaints. We will evaluate the results of this trial and take
appropriate action at that time.
Feel free to contact me with additional questions or comments.
Keith R. Marvin, P.E.
City of Coppell
(972) 304-7044
kmarvin@ci.coppell.tx. us
»> Ralph Brown <rbrown1@us.ibm.com> 07/11/05 6:21 PM »>
Keith,
Thanks very much for your response. I will certainly provide feedback on
the alley implementation.
I DO understand stop signs are not the RIGHT solution for speed control (if
they are overinstalled), but, I do think they can be the most EFFECTIVE
solutions for speed control when installed judiciously. It so happens that
the 3 way intersection at Pecan Hollow and Beechwood Ln is in the middle of
the Beechwood "run". A stop sign on Beechwood (there is already a stop
sign on Pecan Hollow before turning left or right onto Beechwood) could
definitely slow down the cars ON Beechwood.
I understand "speed bumps" can no longer be installed.....the reasons make
perfect sense. Why can "trafFc calming cushions" be used in alleys then??
Is it because police cars and fire trucks typically don't come down
alleys?? Although I haven't SEEN a "traffic calming cushion", I can only
imagine it is a fancy term fora "speed bump"???? I suppose a final
point (for what it is worth) is that children don't often play in alleys
but they sure DO play in front yards and on sidewalks, both of which are of
course border streets with cars.
(What I'm really wondering here is what could be so horrific about our
section of alley that warrants immediate action that is a greater need than
the actual street where children do play?? Have there been THAT many
complaints???)
Again, I really appreciate your time and your willingness to look into the
speed of the traffic on Beechwood. After one child was hit and we had a
close call with another, I think this is serious and needs attention. I
was a teenager once and I drove too fast back then, but, NOW, I have
children as you do and I'll do just about anything to protect their safety
~ Keith Marvin - Re: "Traffic calming cushions" Page 3 ~
as I'm sure you would.
Regards,
Ralph
"Keith Marvin"
<kmarvin@ci.coppe
Il.tx. us> To
Ralph Brown/Dallas/IBM@IBMUS
07/11/2005 05:16 cc
PM
Subject
Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
Mr. Brown,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my request for input on the
traffic calming devices we plan to install as a test section in the alley
behind you're home. If you have any additional comment during the test
period I would appreciate you forvvarding those to my attention.
To address your other concerns I will provide the following response:
The city is very much concerned with the safety of it's citizens,
especially the children. I live in Coppell myself, and I too have two
small children. I will investigate this intersection to see if a three way
stop sign is warranted at this location. The city has adopted the Texas
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). This manual spells out
where and when various traffic control devices should be installed.
Unfortunately the manual states that "stop signs should not be used for
speed control". The idea being that excessive use of stop signs could
result in more people ignoring signs in places where they are not truly
warranted.
In addition to investigating this intersection, I will advise our Police
Department's Traffic Division of your concern of speeding in this area.
Unfortunately we no longer allow the installation of speed bumps on public
streets within the city. This is a result of a request by our Fire
Department. They were concerned with the impact on their response time,
and the potential for damage to their equipment.
Keith Marvin - Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or comments.
Keith R. Marvin, P.E.
City of Coppell
(972)304-7044
kmarvin@ci.coppell.tx.us
»> Ralph Brown <rbrown1@us.ibm.com> 07/11/05 9:54 AM »>
Keith,
Good morning.. I am a longtime Coppell resident (since 1987) now residing
at 213 Beechwood Ln. I recently received a note regarding the pending
installation of the "traffic calming cushions" in the alley behind my home.
I certainly don't know who has complained about speeding in the alley, but,
I don't disagree that folks drive too fast in the alley. I basically
support this installation but I'm wondering if this is truly addressing the
highest need in terms of human safety (particularly children in the area).
would like to bring a MUCH LARGER issue to your attention: Speeding ON
Beechwood Ln near the intersection of Beechwood Ln and Pecan Hollow. In
that area, there are MANY families (including my own) with small children
under the age of 10 who often play in the front yards and on the sidewalks.
The "stretch" of Beechwood Ln (where it intersects with Pecan Hollow) is
more or less half way between the curve where Flagstone turns in to
Beechwood and where Beechwood "curves" to meet with Walnut Grove. This
"halfway" situation causes many cars to speed through this area, causing a
very dangerous situation for the children and adults. I can tell you that
MUCH of the problem is due to the teenage kids who drive their cars way too
fast on the street, and, based on my research, MOST of these teenage kids
live in the 300 block of Beechwood.
If you were to poll any of the houses around this intersection, I believe
you would get the same concerns.
I have several questions that I'm hoping you can help me answer:
1. Can a three way stop be placed at the intersection of Pecan Hollow and
Beechwood?? (this SEEMS like the simplest and least invasive solution!)
2. If the answer to Q1 is "no", can "traffic calming cushions" be placed
strategically (by the city) along Beechwood Ln to slow down the traffic?
3. If the answer to Q1 AND Q2 is "no" (please provide explanations), can
the citizens pool funds together and purchase/hire an outside company to
install "traffic calming cushions" on the street??
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Many of the Beechwood Ln families in this area are very interested in
Keith Marvin - Re: "Traffic calming cushions"
slowing down the traffic on Beechwood Ln for the safety of our kids. We
have already had one child hit by a car and a close call with a second.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your
response.
Regards,
Ralph Brown
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