1. CITY OF DANIA BEACH
SE 5TH AVENUE
TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY
DRAFT VERSION
JANUARY 2011
Prepared by:
500 Cypress Creek Road,
Suite 410
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
954.730.0707

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1-1
2. DATA COLLECTION ........................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Traffic Data.................................................................................................... 2-1
3. DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1 Traffic Calming.............................................................................................. 3-1
3.1.1 Traffic Thresholds............................................................................ 3-1
3.1.2 Traffic Calming Evaluation ............................................................. 3-2
3.1.3 Traffic Calming Options .................................................................. 3-2
4. APPROACH & CONCEPTUAL PHASING PLAN.............................................. 4-1
4.1 Approach........................................................................................................ 4-1
4.2 Conceptual Phasing Plan................................................................................ 4-1
City of Dania Beach ii January 2011
SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT

3. LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1: Study Location Map
Figure 2-1: Traffic Data Collected for Study Area
Figure 2-2: Existing Traffic Calming Devices
Figure 4-1: Conceptual Traffic Calming Plan
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1: Summary of Volumes Collected
Table 2-2: Summary of Speeds Collected
Table 3-1: Volume Threshold for Local Streets
Table 3-2: Broward County Traffic Calming Guidelines
Table 3-3: City of Coral Springs Traffic Calming Evaluation Criteria
Table 3-4: Level 1 Psychological Traffic Calming Options
Table 3-5: Level 2 Physical Traffic Calming Options
City of Dania Beach iiii January 2011
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4. 1. INTRODUCTION
The City of Dania Beach requested a traffic calming study of SE 5th Avenue between
Sheridan Street and Dania Beach Boulevard to address local neighborhood traffic
complaints of excessive speeds by motor vehicles. Under the original traffic calming
study performed by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., roundabouts were recommended
to reduce motor vehicle speeds. These roundabouts require a large amount of right-of-
way and therefore are not favored by the stakeholders. At the request of the City, Chen
and Associates has assessed other traffic calming options for SE 5th Avenue which are
presented in this report. The options were evaluated for the following criteria:
• Impact to adjacent neighborhood streets;
• Effectiveness in addressing excessive speeds;
• Impact to adjacent residents; and
• Cost of implementation.
Figure 1-1: Study Location Map
City of Dania Beach 1-1 January 2011
SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT

5. 2. DATA COLLECTION
2.1 Traffic Data
The traffic data collected was used for determining whether SE 5th Avenue warrants
traffic calming treatment. Traffic volumes and speeds were collected for both directions
of travel for the roadway in question during a typical weekday.
Broward County Traffic Engineering staff collected traffic data with the Nu-Metrics
Traffic Analyzer. The equipment was installed on SE 5th Avenue north of SE 7th Street as
illustrated in Figure 2-1. The device recorded both volume and speed data at this
location. A summary of the traffic volumes collected for a 24-hour period is presented in
Table 2-1.
Figure 2-1: Traffic Data Collected for Study Area
Table 2-1: Summary of Volumes Collected
Location Functional Volume
Classification1 (veh/day)
SE 5th Avenue – North of SE 7th Street City Collector 7,700
Notes: (1) Roadway classification according to Broward County Highway Functional Classifications.
City of Dania Beach 2-1 January 2011
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6. Traffic data was evaluated as listed below:
1. Determine if volume/speed thresholds were exceeded;
2. Assess the existing traffic conditions in the study area; and
3. Evaluate the traffic patterns.
The traffic data collected included traffic volumes and speeds. Additionally, existing
traffic calming devices located within the residential neighborhood were identified and
presented in Figure 2-2. Existing conditions and related study results are provided in
Table 2-1 and 2-2.
Figure 2-2: Existing Traffic Calming Devices
A summary of average and 85th -percentile speeds is presented in Table 2-2 below. The
85th-percentile speed is the speed below which 85 percent of the motorists are traveling
and is often used as a measure of the upper limit of “reasonable” speeds for the prevailing
conditions. A complete summary of the traffic thresholds is presented in Section 3.1.1.
Table 2-2: Summary of Speeds Collected
Location Posted Speed Average 85th – Percentile 85th Percentile Safety
Limit Speed Speed Speed Above Posted Concern1
(mph) (mph) (mph) Speed Limit
SE 5th Avenue – 30 36 41.41 11.41 Excessive
North of 7th Street
1
Safety concern thresholds established in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual.
City of Dania Beach 2-2 January 2011
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7. 3. DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected, as described in Section 2, was evaluated and analyzed against
standard traffic thresholds and options. The results are presented below:
3.1 Traffic Calming
3.1.1 Traffic Thresholds
Broward County Traffic Engineering reviews and monitors traffic conditions throughout
the County and is the governing agency for traffic related matters. Broward County
provides guidance in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual for
when neighborhood traffic management (such as the installation of traffic calming
devices) should be considered2. As listed in Broward County Neighborhood Traffic
Management Manual, neighborhood traffic volume thresholds for local streets are
defined as follows:
Table 3-1: Volume Threshold for Local Streets
Traffic Flow (vehicles/day) Environment
Below 500 Low Traffic Volume
501-1,000 Low to Moderate Traffic Volume
1,001-1,500 Moderate to High Traffic Volume
Over 1,500 High Traffic Volume
Criteria for determining when vehicular speeds warrant consideration of traffic calming
devices is based on the determination of the 85th-percentile speed, as defined in Section
2.1. According to the Broward County Guidelines:
Table 3-2: Broward County Traffic Calming Guidelines
If the 85th-percentile speed is… Recommendations
Less than 5 mph above the posted speed limit Minimal Concern - measures may not be
necessary
Between 6 and 10 mph above the posted speed limit Moderate Concern - measures should be
considered
11 mph or more above the posted speed limit Excessive Concern - measures should be taken to
solve the problem
In review of other Broward County municipality criteria, the City of Coral Springs
established evaluation criteria3 used to gauge whether a traffic calming study area
warrants possible traffic calming treatment. Speed and volume thresholds for Coral
Springs are shown in Table 3-3. By summing volume and speed criteria points, any
street that ranks 2.5 or higher warrants traffic calming treatment, upon approval of the
City’s Traffic Engineering Consultant:
2
Broward County Neighborhood Traffic Management Manual (p.13-14)
3
City of Coral Springs Traffic Calming Manual – approved June 2002 (p.6)
City of Dania Beach 3-1 January 2011
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8. Table 3-3: City of Coral Spring Traffic Calming Evaluation Criteria
Points 85th speed is… above speed limit
0.5 Less than 4.6 mph Points 24 hr. volume
1.0 4.6 to 7.5 mph 0.5 500-1,100 vehs
1.5 7.6 to 10.5 mph 1.0 1,101-1,700 vehs
2.0 10.6 to 13.5 mph 1.5 1,701-2,300 vehs
2.5 13.6 to 16.5 mph 2.0 More than 2,300
3.0 More than 16.5 mph
3.1.2 Traffic Calming Evaluation
Based on the criteria specified in the Broward County Neighborhood Traffic
Management Manual, traffic speed on SE 5th Avenue is excessive. As data collected
illustrates, the 85th percentile exceeds 11mph; the data also verified that this is a high
volume street for its classification. Where excessive traffic volumes and speeds are
observed on local streets in residential neighborhoods, traffic calming improvements may
aid in notifying motorists that they are in a residential environment thereby helping
achieve a reduction in speeds and improvement in the neighborhood’s livability and
quality of life.
3.1.3 Traffic Calming Options
Traffic calming options can be generally classified under two categories: psychological
(i.e. Level 1) and physical (i.e. Level 2):
• Level 1 – Psychological Traffic Calming Options
These measures are generally comprised of public involvement, enforcement
efforts, striping, signage, and the use of the speed radar trailer. See Table 3-4.
• Level 2 – Physical Traffic Calming Options
These measures generally require the alteration of the physical configuration of
neighborhood streets. These measures are sometimes referred to as “physical
controls.” Common characteristics of these controls are that they force or prohibit
specific actions. These features are largely self-enforcing and may create a visual
impression that a street is not intended for through traffic. Level 2 treatments
include chokers, medians, raised intersections, and speed humps, among others.
See Table 3-5 for a list of Level 2 options. While these measures have the
potential to achieve the desired results, they can also present significant problems
that compound the initial resident concerns. Problems can include:
Emergency response impact
Increase noise
City of Dania Beach 3-2 January 2011
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9. Table 3-4: Level 1 Psychological Traffic Calming Options
Volume Speed Emergency Vehicle
Treatment Reduction Reduction Noise Response Impact Cost
Striping Narrower Lanes /
Centerline Delineation Possible Yes No Change None $3/ linear foot
Speed Radar Trailer or Sign No Yes No Change None $10k
Pavement Messages No Possible No Change None $300 per Sign
Increase Police Enforcement Possible Yes No Change None N/A
Table 3-5: Level 2 Physical Traffic Calming Options
Volume Speed Emergency Vehicle
Treatment Reduction Reduction Noise Response Impact Cost
Speed Humps Possible Yes Increase Yes $2-$4k per hump
Short Medians No Yes No Change None $5-$15k per location
Raised Crosswalks No Yes Increase Yes $4-$8k per location
Raised Intersection No Yes Possible None $15-$25k per location
Textured Pavements No Yes Possible None (varies)
Chicanes No Yes Possible Yes $5-$10k per location
Chokers / Bump-outs Possible Yes No Change Yes $7-$10k per location
Rumble Strips No Yes Increase None $750 per location
City of Dania Beach 3-3 January 2011
SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT

10. 4. APPROACH & CONCEPTUAL PHASING PLAN
4.1 Approach
Current conditions in the SE 5th Avenue corridor warrants a review of implementing
traffic calming measures based on the evaluation of data collected against current traffic
calming guidelines. However, no traffic calming devices should be installed permanently
without seeking comments and opinions of residents directly affected by the proposed
measures. We highly recommend involving the stakeholders in this traffic calming
process.
Hold a community meeting to discuss the alternative traffic calming plans
Meetings with the community should be held to present the alternative traffic calming
plans and solicit input and comments from all affected and interested parties. Negative
impacts must be identified and then weighed against the benefits of any proposed traffic
calming option.
Evaluate the alternatives and select a traffic calming plan
The preferred resident/city staff traffic calming measures should be evaluated for
effectiveness. Upon approval, Chen and Associates can develop implementation plans
which can include design plans. The design must be in conformance with regulatory
criteria, obtain regulatory approval, and construct improvements.
4.2 Conceptual Phasing Plan
The goal of this traffic calming study is to address excessive vehicle speeds on SE 5th
Avenue. The following traffic calming alternative is recommended since the measures
would not physically restrict mobility, yet would provide a measure of traffic calming
intended to reduce speeds along SE 5th Avenue. This study proposed the following
phased approach:
Phase I – Install medians at the south and north end of SE 5th Avenue and incorporate the
following Level 1 measures:
• Stripping narrower lanes (opportunity to enhance bike path), including double
yellow center stripping.
The medians will allow for the installation of neighborhood identification signs. It marks
the entrance to the neighborhood and helps to communicate a sense of neighborhood
identity.
Phase 2 – After Phase I is complete, field traffic data should be collected to determine the
effectiveness and any impacts to interior streets. After a period of 60 days, should
treatment prove unsatisfactory resolving the concern or should the perceived concern
persist, additional treatment should be considered. Considering the recently completed
linear park and neighborhood characteristics, raised intersections at SE 3rd Street and SE
10th Street would be the recommended traffic calming treatment.
City of Dania Beach 4-1 January 2011
SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT

11. Figure 4-1: Conceptual Traffic Calming Plan
City of Dania Beach 4-2 January 2011
SE 5th Avenue Traffic Calming Study - DRAFT