BrykerWoods Neighborhood

Traffic Calming vote

The official results of the voting process for the traffic calming plan developed for the Brykerwoods / Pemberton Heights Neighborhood.

The ballots have been counted, and the results are:

Yes = 314 (58%)
No  =  232 (42%)

The traffic calming guidelines say that of the ballots received by the City, at least 60% have to be in favor of implementing the plan in order for the plan to be implemented.  Since the minimum 60% approval rating was not obtained, the traffic calming plan will not be implemented.

I would like to thank all of you for participating in the Traffic Calming Process.

Alan C. Hughes, P.E.
Supervising Engineer
Traffic Engineering Division
Transportation Department
City of Austin, Texas
P.O. Box 1088 78767
512-974-7202  Fax 512-974-7101 

Traffic Calming “Open House” (Thursday December 11th)

A city-administered “Open House” will be held 6:00pm-7:30p this Thursday December 11th. Location at the Senior Activity Center (address is 2874 Shoal Crest Avenue), just across 29th street from the University Cyclery. A the Open House will be a question and answer session to learn more about the traffic calming proposal for the BrykerWoods and Pemberton Heights Neighborhood. Blank ballots will also be made available at the Open House – each household is eligible for one vote. The Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association Board urges you to vote for this plan (see previous posting.)

A number of folks report that they have not received their household ballot via the US mail. Likely that many households did not realize its significance, and discarded it. The ballots must be post-marked by December 17th to be counted. For those of you who do not have a ballot, the Open House on Thursday December 11th is the only opportunity you¹ll have to be heard, so please stop by for 5 minutes on Thursday evening and fill out a blank ballot and make your vote count!

Proposed Traffic Calming Ballots mailed

Sometime soon, a ballot from the city will arrive in your mailbox, asking you to vote for or against the neighborhood’s traffic calming plan. The Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association Board urges you to vote for this plan. We need traffic calming because too many cars speed through our neighborhood. By the city’s own measurements, 12,000 cars/day traverse Northwood between Jefferson and MoPac and 8000/day traverse 29th Street at Lamar. By far most of this is cut-through traffic from MoPac. After entering the neighborhood, traffic takes 29th Street (4700 cars/day), Northwood (4000), Harris (2800), and Jefferson (7500 at Mole, 3800 at 32nd Street). Most concerning, a substantial number of those cars drive too fast. When an excessive number of cars speed through a residential neighborhood, everyone suffers. People wait for minutes to back out of their driveways. Cars parked on the street have their side-view mirrors knocked off. Neighborhood residents, dog owners, and families with children in strollers are afraid to walk on their streets. Cyclists, both children and adults, are all put at risk. Most of us live in this wonderful neighborhood because of its high quality of life. Heavy, speeding traffic makes Bryker Woods a less attractive place to live.

A great deal of careful listening and thought went into the traffic calming plan. A working group of your neighbors listened carefully to as many of you as possible about their traffic concerns in many forums. They worked diligently with the city for seven months to consider every available traffic calming option. Some options, while attractive at first glance, did not pan out, e.g. asking APD to hand out more speeding tickets; hiring offduty policemen to enforce the speed limit; installing stop signs at every intersection; installing traffic circles; closing the Mo-Pac exit; blocking off streets; and installing speed cameras. The working group was also sensitive to those who sympathize with the residents on high-traffic streets but do not want traffic diverted onto their streets and do not want an excessive quantity of traffic measures spread throughout the neighborhood. The solution selected was the modest implementation of speed cushions and NOT speed humps such as those on Jefferson. This is an extremely important distinction as drivers are MUCH more tolerant of speed cushions and thus far less likely to seek routes to avoid them.  And should any unforeseen problems arise following the installation of speed cushions, the city will modify the implementation of the plan to alleviate any problems created.  

The end result is a good plan, and you should approve it. The plan slows traffic on the streets that bear the brunt of the neighborhood’s volume AND the plan takes appropriate measures to avoid diverting traffic on to neighboring streets. The plan uses speed cushions in areas of greatest need and NOT speed humps like those currently on Jefferson. And most importantly - speed cushions will not impede emergency vehicles. The city’s Fire and EMS departments both have approved the plan. Your vote matters. Each residence in the neighborhood will receive exactly one ballot from the city via US mail. For the ballot to pass, 60% of those who return their ballots must vote in favor of the plan. If you don’t return your ballot, your vote will not count. If you are interested in more details including a map of the proposed plan, please see the project website at http://www.TrafficCalmingProject.org

Traffic Calming Update - 08/19/08 meeting

The traffic calming working group met again last night.  We made final changes to the traffic calming plan and submitted it to the city for a final vote.

Stop signs

Of the nine stop sign requests we submitted on July 22, the city approved the following:

• 31st & Wabash
• Ethridge & Jefferson
• 4-way @ Wooldridge & Gaston

The city approved replacing the yield sign at 34th & 35th with a stop sign. The city agreed to replace the yield sign at Gaston & Claire with a stop sign.  End result is that eastbound traffic on Claire will have to stop before entering Gaston. All other stop sign requests were rejected.

Curb improvements

The city agreed to the curb improvement at 29th and Wooldridge.  The other two curb improvements were rejected.

Modifications to plan

We voted to make the following changes to the most recent draft plan:

• Add one speed cushion on Westover between Jefferson and Harris.  Although they were already in the draft plan, we also verified, via a vote, that we wanted one speed cushion on Mohle between Glenview & Harris and one speed cushion on 30th between Jefferson and Harris.
• Add a curb improvement at 29th and Wooldridge (as mentioned above)
• In lieu of more extensive curb reconfiguration, address speed issues at Claire/Wooldridge by moving stop sign to more visible location, and "squaring" the intersection via addition of "buttons", striping, small curb island or similarly cost effective measures.
• Add two solar-powered, flashing, fixed-position speed signs on Harris between Wathen and Windsor, one facing south, the other facing north. Preference is to install these on public property, e.g. the triangle at Windsor & Harris.  Where that is not possible, the city will not install a sign in someone's yard without the approval of the property owner.  (If none of the property owners agree, the signs will not be installed at all.)

>> Read more and see updated plan with map at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org

Traffic Calming Update - 07/22/08 meeting

The traffic calming working group had a lengthy meeting Tuesday night.  We received some citizen input, heard some news from the city, and made significant changes to the traffic calming plan.

Citizen Input:

A Jarratt resident spoke in favor of a semi-diverter that would prevent drivers from entering the neighborhood at Jarratt and Windsor.  His primary concern was that speed cushions on Hartford would divert northbound traffic onto Jarratt.

A Leigh resident spoke against the Jarratt semi-diverter, expressing (among other things) concern that a Jarratt semi-diverter would send more traffic down Leigh.

A resident spoke against speed cushions near the intersection of Ethridge and Harris.

A resident spoke in support of a traffic circle at Gaston and Wooldridge.

News from the city:

The city approved all-way stop signs at the following intersections:

• 33rd and Kerby
• Harris and Gaston
• Wooldridge and Hardouin
• Wooldridge and Westover
• Gaston and Shoal Creek

These should be installed within four weeks.

They also approved replacing the yield signs at Wooldridge and Gaston with stop signs.  The stop signs will continue to face Wooldridge, so Wooldridge (not Gaston) traffic will be forced to stop.

City also said they can flip the direction of the two-way stops at the following intersections:

• Oakmont and 32nd
• Oakmont and 34th

The draft plan called for curb changes (squaring-off) at a number of intersections, e.g. 29th/Wooldridge and Northwood/Wooldridge.  City said it would cost $900K (if contractors do it) or $450K (if the city does it) to make all those curb changes.  That's much too expensive, so the city said "no" to the entire bucket of curb changes.  The prices were not itemized.

>> Read more and see updated plan at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org

Traffic Calming Report/Update

A draft map, FAQ & survey was delivered to every house within the traffic calming project area during a period of the last several weeks. The following link (http://brykerwoods.typepad.com/trafficcalmingproject/2008/06/survey-for-draf.html) provides a copy of what was distributed in the event any resident did not receive the information. Within this time, a open house was held for residents to express their thoughts and opinions about the draft traffic calming plan. A summary of the July 9^th open house may be found at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/ Neighborhood representatives will continue to collect the feedback and will present to the working group in an effort to improve the final traffic calming proposal. Thanks to all that have provided insightful and valuable feedback.

For the part of the BrykerWoods Neighborhood *WEST* of Jefferson – please note that the draft map/survey that was distributed did not have some proposed stop signs on Oakmont. I have been advocating the placement of the stop signs on Oakmont to help slow the traffic. Currently there are no stop signs along this long section of road frequently used by traffic getting off MoPAC and cutting through the neighborhood. Regarding feedback from the neighborhood west of Jefferson on the Draft map, I received the following observations:

·         Safe pedestrian crossings of Jefferson

·         speeding traffic on Oakmont (north bound cut-through traffic originating from MoPAC bypassing Jefferson)

·         speeding traffic on Mohle (east bound traffic anxious to find a way onto MoPAC or bypass the cued traffic at the Jefferson/North intersection)

So based on these observations, I will present to the traffic calming working group. Please let me know what other comments and/or observations you might have. And for the part of the BrykerWoods Neighborhood *EAST* of Jefferson, please contact Bonnie Barton bonsaroonie@yahoo.com  - a complete list of representatives may be found at the following link http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/representatives.html

Traffic Calming Open House

Just a reminder that the BrykerWoods Neighborhood Association and Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association are holding an informal open house tomorrow, Wednesday 7/9 from 6:30 - 8:30pm at Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition, just north of Windsor.

There will be 6 large maps showing the current TC plan taped to the wall, to stimulate discussion. There will also be a table where neighbors can drop off their ballots, if they want to do that.

It would be great if everyone could stop by for at least part of the time, to mingle with neighbors, answer questions, and help them talk to each other about their issues and our draft plan.

P.S. The library doesn't allow food or drinks in the meeting room.

Thanks and hope to see you there!

More info at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/

Draft Traffic Calming Plan and Survey

Dear BrykerWoods Neighbors,

Over the next few days the traffic calming Working Group reps will be distributing copies of the DRAFT traffic calming plan and a brief survey to each household in BrykerWoods and Pemberton. We would very much appreciate it if you would examine the draft plan and respond to the survey by July 17th. (But please don’t respond to this email!)

The map and survey are also located on-line at www.trafficcalmingproject.org .

In addition, you are invited to a Traffic Calming Open House, sponsored jointly by the BrykerWoods NA and the Pemberton Heights NA and the Working Group representatives. It will be at Howson Branch Library (2500 Exposition Blvd) on Wednesday, July 9th from 6:30-8:30pm. Please stop by to talk with Working Group reps about the draft plan.

Thanks for your interest!

Traffic Calming Update

This is an update as of June 8th. For the latest on anything described below visit http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/ and contact your working group representative. A list of working group reps may be found at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/representatives.html.

Process to Date: At the end of 2007, we were informed by the City that Pemberton Heights (PH) and Brykerwoods (BW) neighborhoods had been selected for traffic calming based on our score on a traffic index. A neighborhood-wide meeting was held by the City in December, and 23 neighbors volunteered to represent various sectors of PH and BW. Starting in January, these reps have held seven meetings. The first few meetings focused on reviewing statistics and data about traffic in our neighborhood provided by the City and reviewing the various TC options and guidelines. This information may be found at http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/project-data.html , http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/project-guidelines.html, and http://www.trafficcalmingproject.org/toolkit.html. TC reps also have presented traffic calming options that are not part of the City’s “toolkit” and these have been evaluated.

Since the very beginning of the process, starting with the survey the City collected at the December meeting, the TC reps have been collecting comments from neighbors in their sectors about traffic-related problems observed/experienced in the neighborhood. These ranged from visibility problems, speeding, and cut-through traffic to accidents and episodes of road rage. All of these problems were included on a master list of approximately 70 issues. The TC reps, with the help of the City, then separated out “operational issues” (such as inconsistent signage and drivers running stop signs, which the City will address separately), from problems that can be addressed through traffic calming.

In May, reps from the two neighborhoods then met independently to devise draft TC plans for PH and BW. Where the TC plan affected a certain sector, the representative(s) for that area made every effort to talk with those neighbors to get their reactions. Based on that feedback, the draft plan was adjusted and then presented to the City traffic engineers in an informal meeting. The engineers noted that certain elements of the plan were either feasible as proposed, would need to be researched by the engineers, or were not allowable.

At the most recent working group meetings, all of the TC reps reviewed the draft plans for PH and BW. Voting on each element of the plans, the working group decided which elements had the support of every TC rep and which elements raised issues that needed further consideration. At this time (June 8th) the TC reps are gathering additional feedback to help the working group determine how to handle those few remaining TC plan elements.

Frequently Raised Questions: The following questions have been raised frequently by neighbors recently.

1. Why don’t we just put some stop signs in to slow traffic?
The State of Texas has certain rules regarding when stop signs may be used. For example, stop signs are to stop the less-trafficked street at an intersection. They are not to be used for traffic calming. At a T-intersection, they are to stop the “stalk” of the T. All-way stop signs may not be installed unless traffic on both streets is approximately equal. While there are certain exceptions, for example for safety, these must be carefully considered and demonstrable. Thus, wholesale distribution of stop signs is not a viable TC option.

2. What about using those cameras that photograph speeders and generate automatic traffic tickets?
State statutes passed in 2007 prohibit a city from putting these types of devices on highways or streets.

3. How will the vote on the final plan work?
The City will mail one ballot to each household in the traffic calming area. That ballot will explain the plan and allow that household to vote Yes or No on the entire plan. Line item veto will not be allowed. The plan will pass if 60% of the respondents—not 60% of the TC area—approve the plan. The TC area encompasses both Pemberton and Brykerwoods together. There will be an open house prior to the vote to explain the TC plan and address questions.

The Current Draft TC Plan for BrykerWoods:

A neighborhood survey and DRAFT traffic calming map (see links below) have been hand delivered to all BrykerWoods homes by BWNA volunteers. Input is encouraged! Please contact your neighborhood area traffic calming representative.

SURVEY > Download tc_flyerltr_genrl_format.doc

DRAFT MAP > Download tc_area_mapmarkups_060320083.pdf

Again, please talk with your TC representative if you have any questions about this information. Thanks!

Traffic Calming Update - 06/02/08 meeting notes

I was not at the June 2nd meeting, however I got the following report. Still working on group consensus items from the last meeting and there were no changes. Continued issues with what to do with Harris and the Shoal Creek semi-diverter. The city agreed to look into 4-way stops and ticket cameras for Harris. Also, city is checking on whether it would be possible to put in a sidewalk on the south side of that street. The working group voted the Jarratt semi-diverter down. I did place inputs for additional crossings of Jefferson. The most significant development for the BrykerWoods neighborhood is the distribution of a neighborhood survey and DRAFT traffic calming map (see links below) The flyers will be hand delivered to all BrykerWoods homes by BWNA volunteers. Input is encouraged! Please contact your neighborhood area traffic calming representative.

SURVEY > Download tc_flyerltr_genrl_format.doc

DRAFT MAP > Download tc_area_mapmarkups_060320083.pdf