5.2. SR 07-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A Citizen Task Force Approach to Neighborhood Traffic Management Brent C. Siemer, PE INTRODUCTION The City of Arcata Public Works Department closed a collector street in 1997 because slope stability problems had developed. The street carried only 1700 ADT, so changes in traffic patterns and volumes on adjacent streets were insignificant from an engineering perspective. However, the general public had a much different perception. For some residents, this closure provided a tranquil cul-de-sac while their neighbors saw increased traffic, congestion and noise. After seven contentious hearings, the City Council voted to permanently close the street, but recognized the need to mitigate the adverse impacts of closure. To this end, a citizen task force was created to determine what traffic calming measures should be included with a permanent closure. A sixty-square-block portion of Central Arcata was identified as the Study Area. This area reached well beyond the impacted area. The Council's charge to the task force was to make recommendations that would strike a balance between the efficient flow of traffic and neighborhood livability. The members of this task force had no concept of traffic calming or traffic engineering. Public Works staff trained them in the 3-E's of traffic management, basic traffic engineering and in traffic calming concepts and methods. Numerous sources were used to provide a comprehensive and effective layman's guide. The task force was composed of nine members, some with very strong and opposing opinions. However, they were able to break the problems down to size and methodically develop both shod-term and long-term solutions. Shod-term solutions involved maintenance and Iow cost type projects. Long-term solutions were obviously more expensive involving capital improvement and general plan type projects. This paper documents the process in which this citizen task force was created and trained and the process in which it accomplished its objective. BACKGROUND The City of Arcata is a university town in Northern California having a population of 16,000 in a county of 126,000. See location map. Humboldt State University has a major community influence with 10,000 people on campus (enrollment of 7,500 and 2,500 in staff, faculty and employees.) This facility is the most significant traffic generator in town with a transitory student population. The students often drive more aggressively than the rest of the community. Therefore, traffic control devices must be often be aggressive and obnoxious just to be effective.