Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Establishing Speed Limit on Laud Howell Parkway from US 75 to Trinity Falls Parkway
Summary
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2014
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic Engineer
Gary Graham, P.E., P.T.O.E., CIP and Transportation Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Approval of the Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
* This Ordinance will establish a speed limit of 45 mph on Laud Howell Parkway (FM 543 Connector) from US 75 to Trinity Falls Parkway.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
* Construction of Laud Howell Parkway is substantially complete and has been open to traffic; therefore a speed limit needs to be established on this roadway.
* When developing a recommendation for a speed limit, factors to be considered include the following:
? The design speed of the roadway.
? The determined 85th percentile speed.
? The established speed limit on adjacent section of the same roadway.
? The adjacent land uses along the roadway.
* A design speed of 50 mph was used for this Principle Arterial, Laud Howell Parkway (FM 543 connector).
* There is currently no adjacent land uses along this section of Laud Howell Parkway yet and the Texas Department of Transportation has established the unimproved section of FM 543, east of US 75, at 55 mph.
* Due to the length of Laud Howell Parkway that has been constructed thus far, a speed study was not conducted on this short section. Thusly the other factors weighed more heavily on establishing the speed limit than the 85th percentile speed at this time.
* Establishing the speed limit of 45 mph on Laud Howell Parkway from US 75 to Trinity Falls Parkway will provide the driver an expected posted speed limit of roadways of similar design.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
* The installation of the speed limit signs is included in the operating budget of the Water Utilities and Infrastructure Department.
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