DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Amendment: Traffic Code Update
SUMMARY:
An ordinance amending the approved list of traffic control devices (Traffic Control Devices Schedules) for the City of San Antonio, established in Chapter 19, Section 68 of the City Code, to add locations where new installations of traffic control devices (speed limit signs) have occurred and remove locations where signs have been altered or removed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On January 30, 2013, District 7 Councilman Cris Medina submitted the Safe Streets Council Consideration Request (CCR) for staff to research and recommend measures to address speeding along residential streets and areas with high pedestrian activities.
In response to the CCR, the Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) Department has initiated a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing speed limits as a mechanism for improving traffic safety in residential areas. In the State of Texas, the lawful speed limit on all urban streets is 30 miles per hour (mph). However, local governments may reduce the speed limit to 25 mph without conducting a traffic engineering study but are required to provide the State a report on each segment of roadway where the speed limit is being reduced. This report must include the number of speeding citations issued under the existing speed, the number of warnings issued for speeding and number of accidents due to speeding that resulted in injury or death for the past two years.
Neighborhoods were selected to participate in this pilot program based on the following criteria:
* Historical 311 concerns regarding speeding through the neighborhood
* Recommendations from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD)
* Neighborhood association and/or citizens requests
* Locations that have controlled (limited) access points where it is ea...
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