Speed bumps reducing speeds, but also causing accidents
downtown
The speed cushions installed on Monterey Road between Second and Third streets have not decreased the number of vehicles driving downtown or significantly slowed their speed as intended, according to a report presented to the city council this week.
Though cars do slow down before the speed bumps, their overall speed has not decreased as hoped, Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft told the council Wednesday.
The $16,000 traffic cushions, installed in June as part of a traffic calming project, have had little effect, according to Ashcraft’s report. He said the volume of traffic “has essentially remained unchanged. There’s been little change in the speed of cars.”
The installation of speed cushions between Second and Third Street were among four traffic calming measures implemented for Monterey Road by the city at the direction of the City Council. The other measures include narrowing traffic lanes from 12 feet to 10.5 feet in width, painting high-visibility bars on the First and Third Street crosswalks, and planting median trees north and south of the Monterey/Fourth Street intersection. The cost of implementing these measures totaled $50,000 including the speed cushions.
The Public Works Department, with the help of the Higgins and Associates traffic engineering firm, has studied the speed bumps’ impact since they were installed. The speed bumps are intended to create a pedestrian-friendly environment and divert traffic off of Monterey to Butterfield Avenue.
The seven-day average daily traffic volume for both directions of Monterey Road was 9,491 northbound daily and 9,786 southbound, when measured in June. It was essentially the same in October, with about 400 more vehicles traveling northbound per day. The average speed among motorists is unchanged, between 32 to 33 mph more than 500 feet from the speed cushions, according to their findings.
“Where there has been a substantial change in speed,” said Ashcraft, “is immediately after the Third Street crosswalk. People immediately reduce speed from 25-30 mph to 15-10 mph.”
However, Ashcraft noted, since the speed cushions were installed at Third Street, there have been four reported accidents – three rear-end collisions and one involving a trailer loaded with equipment becoming dislodged from the truck that was towing it.
Ashcraft said the criteria of five accidents per year is an indicator suggesting a different control measure is needed, but he added, the findings are certainly “better than having pedestrian accidents.”
“It’s clear that there is substantially reduced speed with the speed bumps, but we’re concerned about the accident history and would like three more months to study the situation to find out whether we should add more (speed cushions) or reduce any,” said Ashcraft.
Motorists who frequent downtown largely have disapproved of the traffic cushions. Ashcraft said the city has received 24 complaints against the speed bumps and seven people supporting them.
“I hate them,” Morgan Hill resident Greg Youngstrom exclaimed. “I don’t think we go that fast. People naturally will slow down; it’s downtown. I don’t want another one.”
Deborah Rogers said she’s not too fond of them either.
“I worry about the guy behind me,” said Rogers. “You don’t know how each car’s going to react when they go through the bump – some go fast, others go slower. I’ve had one close call.”
However, Simon Beuttler of Austin, Texas, who was born and raised in Morgan Hill and is back here visiting relatives, said he likes the speed cushions.
“I think they’re good. They slow you down like you’re supposed to. It makes main street safer,” said Beuttler.
Even some councilmen admit they cringe as they drive over them. Mayor Dennis Kennedy suggested staff should look into a different design or shape and perhaps place reduced speed zone signs to warn motorists of the speed cushions ahead in order to avoid more accidents.
“It is problematic and quite jarring and I don’t know what the solution is at this point,” said Councilman Mark Grzan.
Pedestrians and downtown merchants, however, like them and even suggest the city install another set.
Morgan Hill developer Gary Walton told the council the speed bumps in the long-run will benefit downtown.
“I applaud the city for doing it. It’s controversial, … if we want to keep the small town character in main street, that’s the goal. … We’re trying to reclaim downtown, the way the community wants it, the way the merchants want it,” said Walton.
Leslie Miles, who has had her business in the downtown area 20 years, recalled five to six years ago when the speed of traffic increased “to a point there’s no way we could walk across. … Speed bumps do create an environment where people are aware of their surroundings more.”
Executive Director of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Dan Craig echoed Miles’ remarks and even suggested adding another speed cushion on First Street.
“Walking around downtown as frequently as I do, it’s been considered a godsend to pedestrians,” said Craig. “It gives pedestrians a fighting chance. The goal of downtown is to create a pedestrian environment. It does jog people’s mind-set, it gives them a heightened awareness of pedestrians downtown. We would even go as far as to suggest that you entertain installing some type of speed cushion on First Street.”
Steve Boyce of the Morgan Hill Tobacco Company said he’s not sure if the speed cushions help his business, but he is in favor of them and also wants another set further north on Monterey Road.
“I love them. They slow traffic down,” said Boyce. “I’m an avid walker and living nearby, I walk to work. Before, I almost would get mowed down by the cars. Now, it’s a lot easier to cross the street. I think they make people more aware of pedestrians.”
The council directed staff to continue monitoring the cushions for another three months.
“We have to remember it’s a difficult transition since Monterey Road used to be a freeway, an artery,” Councilman Greg Sellers said. “It’s important to wait another three months to see if we continue to have accidents.”
Rose Meily covers City Hall for the Morgan Hill Times. Reach her at 779-4106 ext. 201 or by e-mail at rm****@mo*************.com.
