Council met July 15 for a special meeting that addressed concerns over the effectiveness of the speed hump policy in managing speeding issues across New Braunfels neighborhoods. The discussion centered on enhancing road safety through a more comprehensive program.
Why it matters
The primary objective is to improve road safety for all users by aligning actual speeds with target speeds on local roadways, said Garry Ford, transportation and capital improvements director for the city.
Ford said the top resident concerns from a community survey include:
- Traffic speed: Many residents expressed concerns about speeding vehicles on neighborhood streets, citing safety risks and accidents.
- Traffic volume: High volumes of traffic, particularly in residential areas, were noted as a significant issue affecting neighborhood safety and quality of life.
- Safety issues: Residents highlighted specific incidents, such as car accidents and near misses involving pedestrians, emphasizing the urgency of implementing effective traffic calming measures.
The framework
Ford said the primary goal of the proposed speed management program is to enhance road safety for all users by ensuring that actual vehicle speeds align more closely with desired target speeds on local roadways.
Carly Farmer, an engineer for the city, said the existing 1999 speed hump policy faces several significant challenges, such as:
- The policy's requirements for traffic studies and resident petitions are seen as too rigid, making it hard for neighborhoods to qualify for speed humps.
- There's a small budget allocated for speed humps each year, leading to delays in installing them and difficulty meeting all neighborhood requests.
- Critics argue the policy's focus on speed humps alone may not effectively tackle modern traffic issues such as speeding in residential areas.
- The process involving resident petitions might hinder community support and delay traffic calming efforts.
- The policy may not embrace newer technologies that could offer more effective traffic calming solutions.
- Offering new ways to calm traffic besides speed humps, such as radar signs and roundabouts
- Making it simpler for neighborhoods to qualify for these measures
- Improving efforts to inform the public about speeding risks
- Additional funding to support the expanded program, addressing the current shortfall in budget allocation for traffic calming measures
- Involving residents early in the process, ensuring their concerns and preferences are considered in finalizing traffic calming plans
During the discussion at the council meeting, Ford presented several roads where traffic calming measures were proposed or under consideration.
Willowbrook
- A neighborhood shortcut linking FM 1101 and Alves Lane has received some traffic calming measures, including two speed humps.
- Howard Street: Located near a school zone and park access, pavement markings with speed humps were recommended due to high volumes and school pedestrian traffic
- Wood Road: A wide residential cut-through street between Walnut Avenue and Fredericksburg Road, speed humps were recommended pending a resident petition
- A narrow residential cut-through near Alves Lane and Hwy. 46, where speed humps were recommended due to high speeds, narrow widths without sidewalks and congestion along the Hwy. 46 corridor
Phil Brown, a resident of Howard Street, voiced concerns during the council meeting regarding ongoing safety issues related to speeding on his street.
He highlighted multiple incidents where vehicles had been involved in accidents, including one instance where his family's car was totaled due to a collision.
"There was a race that was held down our street after dark," Brown said. "A young kid from a neighborhood was putting out the trash, and they came very close to being hit. ... I think it's more dangerous than what we're talking about here."
Brown urged immediate action to address safety.
"Time is of the essence, and something needs to be done as soon as possible," Brown said.
What's next
City staff will now develop a detailed plan for an updated speed management program, incorporating feedback from City Council to expand traffic calming options and simplify approval procedures.
The proposed program will undergo review by the Transportation & Traffic Advisory Board, which will evaluate the changes and provide recommendations before final approval by City Council, according to city documents.
