NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 1999

CARY BEGINS SECOND PHASE OF

TRAFFIC CALMING PILOT STUDY

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary is trying out the second of three methods to slow things down a little in one Cary neighborhood. Phase II of Cary’s traffic calming pilot study began last week testing a device known as a choker. The choker creates a constriction in the roadway such that vehicles travel in a narrow lane (see figure on website). By using barrels to mimic the effects of a choker, Town staff can again make alterations in the field and quickly disassemble, if necessary. Staff plans to test the choker for about ten days along Farmington Woods Dr.--between Bissett Dr. and Hampton Valley Rd.--and along Hampton Valley Road--between Cary Parkway and Willowbrook Dr.

Cary began Phase I of its traffic calming pilot in early February by testing a device known as a chicane. The chicane created alternating constrictions in the roadway such that vehicles traveled in a snake-like fashion. While the Town originally planned to keep the chicane in place for a two-week period, the chicane was actually removed after 10 days.

"By the tenth day, we had gathered all the data we needed," said Senior Engineer Joe Moore.

"The results showed that the effects of the chicane are localized. In order to be more effective, a chicane would probably have to be used in successive intervals of 400’ to 500’."

Preliminary results of Phase I indicate that the 85th percentile speed was reduced from 37-38 mph to 25–27 mph in locations near the chicanes. At a location 400' away form the devices, 85th percentile speeds of 33 mph were recorded, and while this were lower than before, speed was rising steadily. At a location 1800' away from the devices, the 85th percentile speeds had returned to their pre-study rate of 38 mph. The posted speed limit in the area is 25 mph.

Cary plans to begin the third phase of the study in April during which several devices will be tested including speed humps, raised crosswalks, and narrow lanes (see figure on website). A speed hump is a raised, elongated hump in the roadway. A raised crosswalk is a raised hump in the roadway with a 10-foot-wide flat top. Narrow lanes are created by simply placing pavement lines further in from the curb to give the appearance of a narrower lane.

Phase III is the only phase of the project that may be semi-permanent. The devices will be tested for about six weeks and may remain as permanent fixtures depending upon their performance.

Traffic calming is the application of physical and non-physical devices to roadways as a means to curb speeding in residential areas without restricting access to the motoring public. The Town of Cary’s Department of Development Services Engineering Division is coordinating the $25,000 effort to test several types of traffic calming measures over several months. Cary’s Public Works & Utilities Department is making the actual roadway changes, and the Engineering Division as well as the Cary Police Department is monitoring traffic during the study period. Each traffic calming measure is also being evaluated by the Cary Fire Department to ensure that there are no negative effects on emergency response.

The Town chose the Farmington Woods Drive and Hampton Valley Road areas for the pilot because staff had recorded 85^th percentile speeds up to 13 mph over the 25 mph posted speed limit, and there is no effective staging area for enforcement.

To prepare residents in the affected neighborhoods, letters advising property owners of the study were mailed in January. The Town continues to have comprehensive information on its website about the project.

Citizens can register their feelings about the study or request further information anytime by calling the TRAFFIC CALMING PILOT STUDY HOTLINE at 462-3900 or by visiting the Town’s website at <www.townofcary.org>.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Joe Moore, Senior Engineer, 469-4035

Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002

Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951