Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending City Code Section 12-4-64 (Speed Limits) to establish a maximum speed limit of 15 miles per hour on a segment of Wilderness Drive from Walsh Tarlton Lane to Old Walsh Tarlton during certain times for students attending Cedar Creek Elementary School and Hill Country Middle School. Funding: $31,100 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works for the installation of flashing beacons.
De
Lead Department
Austin Transportation and Public Works
Fiscal Note
Funding: $31,100 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works for the installation of flashing beacons.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Anna Martin, Assistant Director, 512-974-7105; Eric Bollich, Division Manager; 512-974-7767; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
In order to modify or alter the existing speed limit of a street, Texas Traffic Laws require that a traffic engineering investigation be performed. The Transportation Engineering Division of Austin Transportation and Public Works (ATPW) investigated a reduced speed school zone on Wilderness Drive. Wilderness Drive serves as the primary pedestrian and bicyclist route for students in the Bee Cave Woods neighborhood east of Walsh Tarlton Lane attending two Eanes Independent School District (EISD) schools. Cedar Creek Elementary School is located on the south side of Pinnacle Road west of Walsh Tarlton Lane, and Hill Country Middle School is located on the west side of Walsh Tarlton Lane north of Wilderness Drive.
Wilderness Drive has a sidewalk on the south side of Wilderness Drive; however, the sidewalk is narrow due to a handrail providing protection from a drop-off south of the sidewalk. The street is approximately 23 feet wide and has shared bicycle arrows installed in the travel lanes as additional space for sidewalks or bicycle lanes is not available.
ATPW observed Wilderness Drive being heavily utilized by students going to and from the schools, with more than 90 pedestrians and bicyclists during the morning peak and more than 50 pedestrians and bicyclists during the afternoon peak. Due to the narrow sidewalk, pedestrians were frequently observed having to enter the street to pass other pedestrians, and students bicycling were in the travel lanes given a lack of space on the sidewalk to accommodate them. Moderate vehicle utilization on Wilderness Drive occurs during these same times.
ATPW recommends installing a reduced school speed zone of 15 miles per hour through the narrow section of Wilderness Drive between Walsh Tarlton Lane and Old Walsh Tarlton during certain times. The school zone would provide more awareness to drivers that school-aged pedestrians and bicyclists may be present, and slower vehicle speeds allow more time to react to potential conflicts. The proposed school zone has been coordinated with EISD staff and received no objections.
ATPW recommends adding the following amendment to City Code Subsection 12-4-64 (D) (Table of Speed Limits).
Add: Wilderness Drive from Walsh Tarlton Lane to Old Walsh Tarlton (Cedar Creek Elementary School and Hill Country Middle School). (15 MPH) (SZ)