Brookland Terrace Civic Club: July 2012

From: Haag Peter (DelDOT)
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 8:44 AM
To: Freel Bud (DelDOT)
Cc: Coakley Sarah (DelDOT); Meyer Tom (DelDOT)
Subject: RE: Additional Signage Requested Centerville at Rhode Island Ave Rhode Island Ave & Rhode Island at Ohio Ave

Bud,

The Department is wrapping up the Traffic Engineering Study within Brookland Terrace regarding stop signs, turn restrictions, and parking restrictions. Based on our findings and assessment, we have the following conclusions:
Stop Signs:
We are recommending the conversion of the 2-way stop at Rhode Island Ave and Ohio Ave to a 4-way stop. The recommendation is based on the available sight distance, which has changed over time due to vegetation growth, and balance of intersection volumes due to the minor approach currently having the free-flow condition. However, due to the nature of this location being within Brookland Terrace, the Department will not install the additional stop signs until written documentation is submitted by the Brookland Terrace Civic Association President acknowledging community outreach will occur due to the change in traffic patterns at the intersection. Once the documentation is received, the Chief Traffic Engineer will authorize the stop sign installation and a work order will be issued for the signage improvements to occur.

Turn restriction:
Specific turn restrictions (No Turns from 8-9AM and 3-4PM from Rhode Island Ave onto Centerville Road) are difficult to justify due to the required enforcement needed for compliance. If a turn restriction was established on Rhode Island Ave at Centerville Road, a permanent restriction would be required. However, we are not recommending the installation of a turn restriction at this time. Turn restrictions at residential entrances become hardships to residents who use this route daily. DelDOT Traffic believes the turn restriction concerns stem from the school’s activities, such as pick up and drop off procedures. We suggest the development and school coordinate with our Safe Routes to School Program to devise a plan on school circulation concerns that may help elevate these concerns. The Department’s Safe Routes to School point of contact is Sarah Coakley. I have copied her to this email.

Parking restriction:
Specific parking restrictions (No parking from 8-9AM and 3-4 PM in the first block of Rhode Island Ave) are difficult as well to justify just like turn restrictions. If a parking restriction was established on Rhode Island Ave, a permanent restriction would be required. However, we are not recommending the installation of a turn restriction at this time. Parking restrictions also become hardships to residents who have properties adjacent to the first block of Rhode Island Ave. The restriction would ideally force any overflow parking needed along Rhode Island Ave further into the development. This may cause additional safety concerns to neighbors surrounding the intersection of Rhode Island Ave and Ohio Ave. DelDOT Traffic believes the parking restriction concerns stem from the pedestrian activities while school is in session. We again suggest the development and school coordinate with our Safe Routes to School Program to determine if feasible options are available beyond restricting parking along Rhode Island Ave. Again, the Department’s Safe Routes to School point of contact is Sarah Coakley.

Should you have any questions please let me know.

Thanks,
Peter Haag

From: Brookland Terrace Civic Club [mailto:brooklandterrace@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 3:00 PM
To: Freel Bud (DelDOT)
Subject: Additional Signage Requested Centerville at Rhode Island Ave Rhode Island Ave & Rhode Island at Ohio Ave

Bud ,

We have been dealing with Marbrook Elementary Pick up & drop off & Centerville Road general traffic concerns for several years now .

- Centerville Road at Rhode Island Ave.

New Signage No Turns 8-9 AM 3-4 PM into Centerville Road NB / SB Rhode Island Ave.

- Rhode Island Ave

New Signage No parking 8-9 AM 3-4 PM in the first Block of Rhode Island Ave

- Rhode Island Ave at Ohio Ave

New Signage Stop Sign on Ohio Ave making this intersection a 4 way stop .

These are the three signage issues the Brookland Terrace Civic Club & the PTA at Marbrook have voted on & the Principal at Marbrook all agree upon .

Our NCCP Community Service Officer Reynolds Westley had concerns about the large number of parked cars on NB Centerville Road , with children walking on the road way to enter the cars .

The basic issue is that parents dropping off & especially afternoon pick up from Marbrook children there is much congestion at this intersection .

- On Centerville Road there are cars lined up North & South sides of every afternoon from 3:30 - 4:00 PM

We also have a large bush at Centerville & Rhode Island blocking the view for NB Centerville traffic turning into Brookland Terrace Rhode Island Ave .

- On Rhode Island Ave there are cars on both sides of the street , with no pedestrian walkway

So we have kids walking in the street on in they yard & walking into the street between parked cars .

- At Ohio Ave we have cars failing to yield to pedestrian as children cross Rhode Island Ave . In 2009 Peter Haag determined that

"1) Ohio Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue .... These locations are typical of most residential intersections in that the side street approaches are controlled by stop
signs and must stop for traffic on the main road. Our field study showed that the intersections are presently controlled bystop controls on the side street approaches. The Brookland Terrance Community is properly signed with 25 MPH speed limit signs, “watch for children” signs, and school warning signs. Based on the information we
collected, multi-way stop controls are not warranted at the above intersections "

We disagreed with this decision in 2009 & respectfully request that Del Dot review the signage Rhode Island at Ohio Ave intersection again .

In addition since April of 2009 due to choice the number of children at Marbrook has increased . As well as the number of children walking & being picked up every daily has nearly doubled .

Our NCCPD Community Service Officer Reynolds Westley is following up with NCC Crossing Guards to address any additions that they could provide .

NCCPD Traffic unit has been doing regular targeted enforcement on Centerville Road since 2009 .

We also realize that reported auto accidents on Centerville Road from Greenbank Road to Faukland Road have steadily decreased

2009 - 20 auto accidents , 2010 - 19 auto accidents , 2011 - 15 auto accidents in conjunction with this targeted enforcement by the NCCPD Traffic Unit

The general consensus seems to be volume is increasing on Centerville Road .

If memory servers there were enhancements to the signage & signals for Centerville Road in the works dating to 2009 N071P was the permit number for the signals improvements .

It has also been suggested by elected officials that this portion Centerville Road might be a candidate for the DelDot Transportation Enhancements Program .

Charles C. Stirk Jr

Brookland Terrace Civic Club
Incorporated 1940

brooklandterrace@gmail.com

http://brooklandterracecivicclub.blogspot.com

http://deantigraffitibrigades.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/BrooklandTer

- President-Charles C. Stirk Jr
302.463.2239 brooklandterrace@gmail.com