To: Aaron Rector, Interim City Manager
From: Alonzo Liñán, Director of Public Works
Subject:
Title
Consider an ordinance amending the City of Keller Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 18, Traffic, Article II, Speed Limits, Section 18-200, Various speed limits on public streets, Paragraph (3) a., Mt. Gilead Road, in order to reflect a reduction in the speed limit from 40 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour, establishing an effective date; and authorizing publication.
Action Requested:
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 18, Article II, Section 18-200 of Keller’s Code of Ordinances; Traffic.
Background:
The City of Keller Code of Ordinances establishes speed limits for the public streets in the city by identifying the street, a from/to reference, and the speed limit.
On November 7th, 2024, unbiased traffic speed data was collected at two locations, both east and west of Bourland Road on Mt. Gilead Road. The goal was to collect the speed data of free-flowing traffic on a day that was on a “typical day” and was unaffected by nearby intersections, weather events, holiday variations and atypical school traffic days. The data was collected on an unbiased day.
The results of the data collected show that the 85th percentile speed of traffic on Mt. Gilead Road, between US377 and Bourland Road, is 38.6mph and the 85th percentile speed of traffic on Mt. Gilead Road, between Bourland Road and Roanoke Road, is 38.7mph. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of all traffic travels at or below. It is also the standard by which most speed limits are set. Because the 85th percentile speed is roughly halfway in between 35 and 40mph, some professional judgement is allowed by the traffic engineer regarding which speed should be posted.
When considering the type of surrounding land uses, the type of connected public roadways, and the speed limits of those connecting roadways, it is recommended that the Municipal Code be amended to reflect a reduction in the posted speed limit to 35mph on Mt. Gilead Road from US377 to Roanoke Rd.
Section 18-200 of the City of Keller Code of Ordinances is recommended to be amended as follows:
FROM:
(3) Mt. Gilead Road:
a. 40 miles per hour: From the intersection of U.S. Highway 377 (North Main Street) to Roanoke Road.
TO:
(3) Mt. Gilead Road:
a. 35 miles per hour: From the intersection of U.S. Highway 377 (North Main Street) to Roanoke Road.
Citizen Input/Board Review:
Not Applicable.
Council Action:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendment.