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Home My WebLink About03-05-18 City Commission Packet Materials - A6. Interstate 90 Speed Limit Reduction Letter of SupportCommission Memorandum REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: Josh Waldo, Fire Chief Andrea Surratt, City Manager SUBJECT: Interstate 90 Speed Limit Reduction MEETING DATE: March 5, 2018 AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action RECOMMENDATION: Draft letter to MDT requesting a temporary reduction in the speed limit of Interstate 90 in the Bozeman Urban Limits until a new speed study can be conducted. BACKGROUND: In October of 2017 the speed limit was discussed at the Transportation Coordination Committee (TCC) meeting at the request of Fire Chief Josh Waldo and Public Works Director Craig Woolard. The primary concern presented at this meeting was the current 75 mph speed limit on interstate 90 and the concerns of public safety regarding responder safety. Secondly the issuing of vehicle stacking at the off ramps causing traffic attempting to exit the interstate to remain in the right lane or the shoulder of the interstate until the off ramps cleared was discussed. From this meeting a letter was sent by the TCC to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) on November 15, 2017 requesting that MDT review the current speed limit in the Bozeman Urban Area. In December of 2017 the Bozeman Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee (BPTSC) requested that the Fire Chief attend their monthly meeting to discuss the speed limit on the interstate. From that meeting a letter was sent from the BPTSC to MDT on December 18, 2017 requesting that the speed limit be lowered to a maximum of 65 mph from Amsterdam Rd to East of Jackson Creek Rd. On January 12, 2018 MDT responded to the TCC letter stating that a speed study had been conducted in 2016 and that the City of Bozeman and City of Belgrade provided no feedback while Gallatin County supported the 75 mph. The 2016 speed study referenced, utilized data from 2014 traffic counts. The letter also stated that MDT had reviewed the stacking concerns and found not issues but that if the TCC had more specific concerns that the would be happy to follow up on them. On February 5, 2018 public safety officials from Bozeman Fire, Bozeman Police, Gallatin County Sheriff, American Medical Response, Fort Ellis Fire, and Central Valley Fire sent a letter to MDT requesting that re-evaluate the speed limit in the greater Bozeman area. Montana Code Annotated section 61-8-309 outlines the process for requesting a change in the speed limit and in the statue it outlines that the request needs to come from a local authority, 260 something that has been outlined by MDT in the above mentioned meetings as a City or County government. The presentation is to provide information on the current situation and concerns from public safety and request that Commission draft a letter requesting a temporary reduction in the Bozeman Urban Limits, defined as mile maker 301 to mile maker 315 be put in place until a new speed study can be conducted. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission FISCAL EFFECTS: None pending the City doesn’t opt to pay for an independent speed study. Attachments: February 5, 2018 letter from Public Safety to MDT January 12 , 2018 letter from MDT to TCC December 18, 2017 letter from BPTSC to MDT November 15, 2017 letter from TCC to MDT October 25, 2016 letter from Gallatin County to MDT Staff Presentation Report compiled on: February 23, 2018 261 March 6, 2018 Mike Tooley, Commission Director Montana Department of Transportation P.O. Box 201001 Helena, MT 59620-1001 RE: Interstate 90 Speed Limit Director Tooley I am writing in regards to the speed limit on Interstate 90 in the greater Bozeman area. As our community continues to grow at an accelerated rate our local public safety officials have raised concerns with safety on the interstate, particularly for responders, with the current speed limit of 75 mph. To date I have received copies of letters from the Transportation Coordination Committee (dated Nov 15, 2017), the Bozeman Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee (dated Dec 18, 2017), and Public Safety Agencies from across Gallatin County (dated February 5, 2018), requesting a reduction of the current speed limit from 75 mph to 65 mph. I am aware that a speed study was conducted by MDT in 2016 utilizing data from 2014 traffic counts and that this information was presented to Gallatin County Commission who had no objections to leaving the speed limit at 75 mph. In reviewing data from the MDT website I see that traffic counts in the greater Bozeman area grew anywhere from 22% to 51% from 2014 to 2016 depending on the segment of interstate analyzed. If the numbers in that reported continued the same trend in 2017 it is reasonable to expect that Bozeman now has the busiest section of Interstate 90 in the State. I have also reviewed emergency response data from our local public safety officials and see that emergency response has increased 180% from 2014 to 2017. In reviewing the data and listening to the concerns of our public safety professionals I feel that it is time to reanalyzing the current speed limit in the greater Bozeman area. I am aware that the 2020 census could reveal that Bozeman has become a Metropolitan Planning Organization which could trigger a change in the speed limit but also acknowledge that the census results and any pending changes would most likely not occur until 2022 at the earliest. Secondly I understand the current demands on MDT staff and find it difficult to ask for a new speed study two years after the last one was completed. In reviewing section 61.8.309.d of Montana Code Annotated I find that a local authority can request a temporary reduced speed limit 262 that will be followed by a visual and engineering review by MDT. I understand that as the requestor of this reduce speed limit, the City of Bozeman would be required to provide a representative to be a part of that review and are prepared to comply with that requirement. If a temporary reduce speed limit is approved, the City of Bozeman finds it acceptable to wait until the next scheduled speed study is conducted for a final decision. Please accept this letter as a formal request from the City of Bozeman to implement a temporary reduced speed limit with a maximum speed limit of 65 mph in the Bozeman Urban Limits until a future speed study can be conducted. I understand that the next meeting of the MDT Commission is to be held in April and that the deadline for that agenda is March 16th . I would request that this item be placed on the April agenda and representatives from the City of Bozeman will be happy to attend that meeting to answer and questions or provide necessary information. I appreciate your consideration of our request and assure that city staff and I are available for questions and assistance moving forward. Thank you, Cyndy Andrus Mayor City of Bozeman 263 264 265 zero deaths I zero serious injuries on Montana roadways January 12, 2018 Chris Scott, Chair Montana Department of Transportation Butte District Office PO Box 3068 Butte, MT 59702-3068 Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771 Subject: Speed Study - Bozeman Area of Interstate 90 Dear Chairman Scott, In your November 15, 2017 correspondence you requested that MDT look at the speed limit within the Bozeman Urban Area. Your request was submitted to our Traffic Operations Engineering Section and they found that a speed study on Interstate 90 from milepost 295.0 to milepost 319.1 had already been performed. The results of the speed study were summarized in the attached report dated September 22, 2016. The report was submitted to Bozeman, Belgrade and Gallatin, County to comment on the speed limit recommendations which stated that a 75-mph speed limit beginning at milepost 297.1 (west of Belgrade) and continuing east to milepost 319.1 , an approximate distance of 22-miles was justified. Gallatin County commented that they were supportive of the 75-mph recommendation. Bozeman and Belgrade did not submit comments. The 75-mph speed limit was presented and approved by the Montana Transportation Commission in December of 2016. MDT staff specifically looked at the option of a 65- mph speed limit, but the engineering does not support it. With respect to stacking at the exit ramps during peak hours, our Traffic Operations staff completed timing projects on N7th and N 19th. Queuing on the ramps was not identified as a concern. Through an AID grant project, N19th was looked at again and no issues on the ramps were identified. The EB off ramp at N19th is scheduled for signalization in 2019. Can you provide more specifics on where we are having issues, such as the location, what time of day, what time of year, etc. so that we can address your concerns? If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me at 494-9625. 266 Sincerely, Jeffre~~E ~ Butte District Administrator Copies: Roy Peterson, PE - Traffic and Safety Bureau Danielle Bolan, PE - Traffic Operations File 267 Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 201001 Helena. MT 59620-1001 zero deaths I zero serious injuries on Montana roadways Memorandum To: From: Date: Jeff Ebert, P.E. - Butte District Administrator Danielle C. Bolan, P.E. - Traffic Operations Engineer September 22, 2016 Subject: Speed Limit Investigation Interstate 90 - W. Belgrade - Bear Canyon Please present the following information to the appropriate local contacts for Belgrade, Bozeman and Gallatin County for review and comment. All comments received will be reviewed and carried forward to the Montana Transportation Commission. In the event that local governing bodies do not comment we will proceed forward in presenting the following report to the Montana Transportation Commission at the December 15, 2016 meeting in Helena. Senate Bi/1375 (SB 375) approved legislation revising the maximum speed limit on Montana's Interstate System to 80 mph. It included language authorizing the Transportation Commission to establish temporary speed limits. The Commission set temporary speed limits of 75 mph on Interstate segments that staff reasonably believed may not have been suitable for the 80 mph speed limit established in 61-8-303( 1) (a) without the documentation of an engineering and traffic investigation. Based on our previous experiences in other highly populated areas, the close proximity of Belgrade and Bozeman to one another and the adjacent "Bear Canyon" segment having geometric constraints the 75 mph speed limit remained in effect on an interim basis pending and engineering and traffic investigation. It was our belief that the highly developed-congested area and the "Bear Canyon" segment are operating below the level in which the 80 mph speed limit is intended. Vehicular travel speeds were sampled directionally at numerous locations throughout the study segment. Those speed statistics were merged with the Interchange Locations and the 2014 traffic volume data by milepost. 268 Interstate 90 -W. Belgrade to MP 319.1 1 of 2 Date MDT MP 294.8 - BEGIN 75 MPH MP 295.0#1a EB WB 4-Apr-16 All 14230 I\ # of veh 1618 1556 Com. 2286 85th % 81 mJJh 79 mJJh PACE(%) 72-82(59%) 70-80(48%) MP297.0#2m EB WB 6-Apr-16 All 14230 # of veh 1840 1873 Com. 2286 85th % 79 mJJh 80 mJJh PACE(%) 64-74(50%) 70-80(59%) MP 298.3 - BELGRADE INT MP 299 #3a EB WB 6-Apr-16 All 19050 # of veh 1930 2040 Com. 2257 85th % 75mph 75mph PACE(%) 64-74(62%) 64-74(62%) MP 299.5 - E. BELGRADE INT MP301.0 #4m EB WB 7-Apr-16 All 19050 # of veh 3079 2992 Com. 2257 85th % 77 mJJh 78 mJJh PACE (%) 68-78(67%) 69-79(65%) MP303.0#5m EB WB 7-Apr-16 All 19050 # of veh 2930 1771 Com. 2257 85th % 78mph 76mph 1, PACE(%) 69-79(59%) 65-75(67%) Ill ~ MP 305.0 #6a EB WB 11-Mar-16 :::: # of veh 2258 3248 MP305.2- N 19th AVE INT e 85th % 77 mJJh 76 mJJh All 17940 ~ PACE (%) 67-77(60%) (49-59)35% Com. 2257 'f;t "'i MP 306.9 #7m EB WB 11-Apr-16 All 16820 MP 306.9 - W BOZEMAN INT # of veh 1591 1716 Com. 2097 85th % 77 mJJh 77 mJJh PACE (%) 65-75(63%) (67-77)64% MP 309.0 #Br EB WB 6-Apr-16 # of veh 128 130 MP 309.4 - E BOZEMAN INT 85th % 78 mJJh 75 mJJh All 15330 PACE (%) 68-78(72%) 65-75(69%) Com. 2178 MP 311.0 #9r EB WB 4-Apr-16 All 15330 # of veh 137 139 Com. 2178 85th % 80 mJJh 77 mJJh PACE (%) 71-81(77%) 68-78(71%) . MP 313.2 #10r EB WB 4-Apr-16 All 15330 # of veh 131 126 Com. 2178 MP 313.5 - BEAR CANYON INT 85th % 79mph 80mph PACE (%) 71-81(79%) 68-78(69%) MP314.7 65mph 65 mJJh ADVISORY MP 315.0 #11r EB WB 6-Apr-16 All 15330 # of veh 127 124 Com. 2178 85th % 78 mJJh 77 mJJh PACE(%) 68-78(68%) 68-78(64%) MP315.3 65mph 65mph ADVISORY MP 316.0 #12r EB WB 6-Apr-16 All 15330 # of veh 128 133 Com. 2178 85th % 78 mJJh 77 mJJh PACE (%) 71-81(71%) 68-78(68%) MP 316.7 - TRAIL CR INT ,, 269 Interstate 90 -W. Belgrade to MP 319.1 2 of 2 Date AADT MP 317.3 #13a EB WB 11 -Apr-16 All 13540 # of veh 1965 2273 Com. 2178 85th % 75mph 73mph PACE(%) 64-74(55%) 61-71(63%) MP317 5 60 mp1 h 60 mp1 h ADVISORY MP 318.0 #14r EB WB 7-Apr-16 All 13540 # of veh 136 127 Com. 2178 85th % 76mph 80mph PACE(%) 68-78(63%) 71-81(67%) MP 319.0 #15r EB WB 7-Apr-16 All 13540 # of veh 127 132 Com. 2178 85th % 79moh 78mph PACE(%) 71-81(70%) 68-78(65%) MP 319.1 - BEGIN 80 MPH Separate from the traffic operational data, Crash and Citation data statistics were retrieved and summarized by category and distribution with the study area. Each was reviewed for a three-year period from June, 1, 2012 to May 3 1, 2015. Citation Data Citations 1-90 Belgrade - MP 319.1 1/1/13-12/31/15 2% • Seat Belt Violations 17% • Speed Limit Violations 45% II Lie. & Ins. Violations 18% • Operating-Careless Violations 12% • DUI & Criminal Violations 6% • Other Violations 2% 2,153 Traffic Stops Resulting In 2,493 Citations Issued 270 250 200 ~ C ~ 150 er I..Q,I. . I 50 0 Crash History - - - I - ,- _I Citation Histogram • Citations -.--- - - ,_ - - - - ,-·- - - - '-- - - ,- ,_ - ,_ - - - ,~ ,~ ·- - - ,- - ,- - ,-- ,- ,~, ,~ I - - - - - ~ - ,~ - - - ' ~ I 'I I MIiepost Crashes 1-90 Belgrade - MP 319.1 1/1/13- 12/31/15 • Fixed Object 32% • Rollover 13% II Rearend 19% • Sideswipe SD 7% • Animal 17% • Other SV & MV 12% 541 Reported Crashes 271 Crash Histogram 90 w--~ -~-...-,--,.-.~--.---.---.---,-~-,.----.------.----.---,-- .,- - -- 1---1-~~,-t- -- ,.- ~-• -# ~~· ·- of Crashes - 70 ·---·- - • ·-+--t--+- - --_;_ -·•--+--t-+---t•-t--t--t--+---t- ~ 60 ----t-·•--+-•-t-t-+·- c 6- QI 50 -1-t-+--1--+--- -·1-- .. - - -- - 1-- - i- - ~- ,_ - - - - -+--1- - -- u. .QI . 40 -5 a "' 30 t--t--1--t- - -1·- - - - --t- - -r---- - - - .. 1-,1---t---t·- - t- - - -f-,_ - - - - - -~ - r---l-!-~-4--1--· --- ---t Milepost lJJ '"0 "" -1---1---a - -• -1•-i-•-1- - - -----··- I ~ 0 io Conclusions and Recommendations Our review of the travel speeds indicates traffic is operating more within the 75 mph and below range for the vast majority of the study area. There are some variations above 75 mph, but they are not necessarily representative of the entire segment as a whole. However, on either end of the study area voluntary compliance in the 75 mph speed limit starts to decline, as does the number of reported crashes. Under the present traffic volume and interchange spacing the Bozeman-Belgrade area is not experiencing the type of operation that would support a 65 mph speed limit, as observed in other urban areas. The crash histogram shows a definite spike in the number of crashes occurring in the Belgrade area. This information pre-dates the completion of the East Belgrade Interchange and is not reflective of today's conditions. The addition of the interchange and the additional travel lanes should provide relief in the level of conflict within this spot specific area. The following recommendation perpetuates the majority of the 75 mph interim speed limit. However, we have opted to move the western boundaries of the zone inward to better coincide with the actual travel speeds. 272 A 75 mph speed limit beginning at milepost 297.1 (west of Belgrade) and continuing east to milepost 319.1, an approximate distance of 22-miles. DCB: DR B :TR F:l-90_belgrade-bearcanyon_rpt copies: Roy Peterson, P .E. - Traffic and Safety Bureau Jennifer Nelson, P.E. - Butte District Lee Alt, - Butte District Doug Bailey - Traffic Operations Section File 273 Bozeman Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Created by, Responsible to, and Serving The City of Bozeman, County of Gallatin, and School District 7 Mailing Address: c/o City Clerk, City of Bozeman, P.O. Box 1230, Bozeman MT 59771-1230 Ralph W. Zimmer, Chairperson, (406) 586-9152, RalphZimmer@mcn.net Danielle Scharf, Vice Chairperson Mandee Arnold, Secretary December 18, 2017 Mr. Jeff Ebert Butte District Administrator Montana Department of Transportation P.O. Box 3068 Butte MT 59702-3068 Dear Mr. Ebert, As you know, the Bozeman Fire Department has proposed that the speed limit on I-90 in the Bozeman vicinity be lowered to no greater than 65 MPH. It is our understanding that there is a Montana statute that makes it “easier” to do that in metropolitan areas and MDT has already done that not only in the larger cities of Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula but also in Butte. The Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee met on October 25 in your presence and voted to support the proposal. TCC sent you a letter on November 15 with reasons why such a reduced speed limit is needed. On December 13, the Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee similarly discussed the proposal. Officials from both the Bozeman Fire Department and the Bozeman Police Department were present. The Police confirmed the hazards faced by the Fire Department when it responds to the many incidents that take it to I-90 (crashes, grass fires, etc.). The Police related accounts of having observed fast moving vehicles taking out the cones placed by the Fire Department and almost striking the Fire Department’s personnel and vehicle. A slower speed limit would reduce these hazardous occurrences. Our committee voted unanimously to support decreasing the speed all the way from west of Amsterdam Road to east of Jackson Creek. Such a reduction would not only increase the safety of emergency services personnel and equipment and the safety of the motorists passing such incidents but also: 274 2 1. Increase the safety at the often congested Interstate exits. During peak hours, traffic is frequently backed up to the entrances to the exit ramps and even further back than that. That string of stopped and slow-moving vehicles presents a significant safety hazard not only to the exiting vehicles but also to the through vehicles. That hazard would be reduced if the speed limit were lowered. 2. The west end of Rocky Canyon east of Bozeman has some relatively sharp curves and the roadway surface often remains snowy and icy because the adjacent hills sometimes obscure direct sunlight. Lowering the speed limit would increase motorist safety through that section of the Interstate. 3. As noted above, such a reduction would bring the passage through the Bozeman area into greater consistency with what MDT is already doing in Montana’s other large cities. In addition, it would bring the Bozeman vicinity into greater conformity with what happens along the entire I-90 route. One person attending our December 13 committee meeting stated he had personally driven I-90 from Albert Lea MN to Seattle and the speed limit through Bozeman was higher than the limit in all other cities of similar or larger size along the route. Consistency would be good. We recommend the reduced speed limit to west of Jack Rabbit Lane in Belgrade because it is recognized that Belgrade/Bozeman will soon officially become a metropolitan area of over 50,000 population and the speed limit should be consistent within that entire metropolitan area. As stated above, we recommend extending the reduced speed limit to the east of Bozeman up into Rocky Canyon for safety reasons. We believe the requested reduction of speed is not only justified but wise and will help us move towards Vision Zero. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, /s/ Ralph W. Zimmer, Chairperson Cc: David Schulz 275 Correspondence to the TCC can be directed to: City of Bozeman Department of Public Works, PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 582-2273 BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE (TCC) November 15, 2017 Jeff Ebert Butte District Administrator Montana Department of Transportation P.O. Box 3068 Butte, MT 59702-3068 RE: Bozeman Area of Interstate 90 Mr. Ebert, At the regular meeting of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee on October 25, 2017, the membership passed a motion to reach out to MDT regarding the speed limit within the Bozeman Urban Area. As you are aware, Bozeman has experienced significant growth over the last decade and with significant growth comes increased traffic. The committee would like to request that the Montana Department of Transportation work with City of Bozeman and Gallatin County officials in looking into options of reduced speeds along the interstate within the Bozeman area. We were approached by the City of Bozeman Public Works Director and the City of Bozeman Fire Chief about their concerns for emergency personnel responding to incidents along the interstate. The Fire Chief has witnessed several close calls involving his personnel that he believes could have been eliminated with reduced speeds. The City of Bozeman Fire Department responded to 73 emergency incidents along the interstate in 2016 and foresees that number growing. We are also experiencing stacking at the exit ramps during peak hours resulting in cars idling on the shoulder and within the right hand lane. At high speeds, the chance of an accident occurring while cars are stopped on the interstate is significant. Slower speeds would allow for more time to react. The TCC appreciates you considering our request and moving forward to increase safety on the roadways near Bozeman. Sincerely, Chris Scott, Chair Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee Cc: Carson Taylor, City of Bozeman Mayor 276 Correspondence to the TCC can be directed to: City of Bozeman Department of Public Works, PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 582-2273 Steve White, Gallatin County Commission 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 Monday March 5, 2018 286 Speed Limit • Speed limits are posted to protect the public by informing drivers of the authorized, allowable speed. Common speed limits are typically statutory as stated in Montana Code Annotated 61-8-303. Speed restrictions. • Before setting limits, a traffic investigator considers: o the length and width of roadway, o the roadway type and condition, o the location of access roads and intersections, o existing traffic control, o sight distance, o crash history, o and traffic speed studies. 287 Speed Limit • Last speed study was conducted in 2016 (2014 data was used). • Gallatin County Commission voted to support the 75 mph recommendation. • No action taken by Bozeman City Commission. • From 2014 to 2016 traffic volume has increased 22% - 51% depending on section review. 288 289 Change Needed? • Increase is traffic volume has created increase in public safety demands. • Response has increased. o 32 In 2014 to 90 In 2017 • Multiple near misses with two incidents. • Not a Bozeman Specific Issue – National trend. 290 Contributing Factors • Traffic volume increases raise the probability. • Distracted drivers are on the rise – cell phone are not prohibited on the Interstate. • Braking distance at 65 mph is approximately 90 feet less than at 75 mph…..assuming dry roads and good tires. 291 Actions to this point • First conversation held at Traffic Coordination Committee on Oct 25, 2017. • Second conversation held at PSAT on December 13, 2017. • Letter from six public safety agencies sent to MDT on February 5, 2018. 292 Options 1. Take no action – wait on 2020 census to become a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). i. Census data won’t be available until 2022 2. City fund a new speed study to re-evaluate. 3. Commission action - Section 61-8-309.d i. Allows for a temporary reduced speed limit until MDT completes new speed study 293 MCA 61-8-309.d • A local authority may request a temporary special reduced or increased speed zone for a route or route segment that is under consideration for a reduced or increased speed limit under subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c). If a local authority makes multiple requests for temporary special reduced or increased speed zones, the local authority shall prioritize the requests. The department of transportation shall conduct a preliminary visual and engineering review of a route or a route segment for which a temporary special speed zone is requested. The reviewing party must include a representative of the local authority. Upon completion of the preliminary review, if the department of transportation concurs with the local authority that a temporary special reduced or increased speed limit is warranted, a temporary special reduced or increased speed zone may be established upon formal approval by the commission. The temporary special reduced or increased speed limit remains in effect until a complete traffic and engineering study has been done on the route or route segment and the commission has made a determination on changing the speed limit. 294 Questions • What are the boundaries of the request? o Urban limits or City Limits • How long before a new speed study is conducted? • Will this correct all of our problems? • Does provide a safer work environment for our personnel. 295