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Home My WebLink AboutM-86-0837CITY Or MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM T° Honorable Mayor and Members DATE October 22, 1986 FIB of the City Commission 5'-3-tCStudy of Rickshaw Operations in Coconut I Grove I F n OM Cesar H. Odio REFERENCES October 23, 1986 City Manager City Commission Meeting ENCLOSURES On April 22, 1986 the City Commission enacted new provisions for the regulation of for -hire, non -motorized vehicles, a group which includes rickshaws. Concurrent with adoption of the new regulations, the City Commission also directed that a study be performed to analyze the effect on motorized vehicular and pedestrian traffic by rickshaws. Attached is a copy of the study, conducted pursuant to the above, that was prepared by the Police Department with assistance from the Planning Department. The two (2) primary conclusions are: 1. Rickshaw operations on weekend evenings have no statistically measurable impact on traffic and 2. ' The 'improper operation of rickshaws and not the presence of •such vehicles is key to the disruption of traffic. As you are aware, two (2) citizens have been scheduled to appear before the City Commission on October 23, 1986 to discuss this Issue. Please advise me if you have any questions. Thank you. Submitted into the public record in connection 'th itemon •�-V atty Hirai City Clerk EFFECT OF RICKSHAW OPERATIONS ON TRAFFIC IN COCONUT GROVE VILLAGE CENTER, MIAMI, FLORIDA October, 1986 Introduction This study measures and evaluates the effect of rickshaw operations on traffic in the Coconut Grove Village Center on weekend evenings. The study was conducted by the Miami Police Department with 'the assistance of the Planning Department, at the request of the City Commission. The study objective was to determine whether rickshaw operations interfere with other vehicular traffic movements. Traffic data were gathered on successive Friday and Saturday evenings, September 26-27 and October 3-4, 1986. Rickshaws operated during the first weekend, but operations were suspended for the second weekend, making possible a "before and after" comparison. Summary of Significant Conclusions I 1. Rickshaw operations in Coconut Grove on weekend evenings have no statistically measurable impact on traffic operations. TrattlE volumes, speeds, and delays were foUna to be virtually identical with and without rickshaws present. 2. I I abLVI IG.7 w IId I a .V. Y. Y...4—4.11%Aru.V... -M. ■..ZJ W1... "—I.r,! improper operations(such as driver eaping into the air, tilting -and/or spinning the rickshaw, darting between automobiles, making sudden stops, etc.,) did not occur. However, interviews with police officers assigned to the Coconut Grove traffic detail reveal that such improper operations have been common in the past, 'and are disruptive when they occur. 3.. Pedestrian volumes on Commodore Plaza were significantly lower when I tl.11.711Nt.J ..GIG IIVI. 'JICJ%.I/Ir, VYIr WIt.7 *"Uy uc HiG1GtJ 4+Vt/tI.t YGIt40 t. VIt successive wee en s, ve icu ar volumes in the Coconut Grove central. area held constant, but hourly pedestrian volume's on Commodore Plaza between the Village Inn and the rickshaw stand declined over 30% when the rickshaws were not present. While it cannot be concluded that the absence of rickshaws was responsible for the decline in pedestrian traffic, it is nonetheless the only statistical measure showing significant change in the "before and after".survey. Page 1 of 3 0 Background Rickshaws ,are two -wheeled vehicles propelled by a single person using twin drawbars/,'attached to the vehicle. Passenger seating arrangements normally accommodate two or three persons seated abreast facing forward. Passengers usuaily'pay a fee for rickshaw transportation; hence, a rickshaw is classified as a "icon -motorized vehicle for hire". Rickshaws have operated in Coconut Grove for several years, mainly on weekend evenings when crowds gather in the Village Center between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and I:00 a.m. During the past two years, an increasing number of teenagers and young adults have chosen the Village Center as a place to "cruise" in their automobiles, a social phenomenon observed in many U.S. cities. The resultant traffic congestion and efforts on the part of the City of 14iami to deal with the problems it creates led to the present study. The City Commission, at its meeting April 22, 1.986, enacted regulations for "Non -Motorized Vehicles For Hire"; prohibited rickshaw operations on Friday and Saturdays between sundown and sunup after September 30, 1986, and directed the Police Department to evaluate the effect of the rickshaw ban on traffic movements. Methodology Field observations of traffic were conducted on Friday and Saturday evenings, September 26-27 and October 3-4, 1986. Traffic counts and speed and delay observations were made at four locations around the perimeter of the vehicular "cruising" area -- the area bounded by Main Highway, Commodore Plaza, Grand Avenue, and McFarlane Road. In addition, peak hour pedestrian counts were made on Commodore Plaza. Finally, interviews with police officers assigned to the Grove traffic detail were conducted to obtain individual impressions. These data were then analyzed and conclusions drawn. 'Non - Summary of Data All lanes of the three streets (Main Highway, Commodore Plaza, and Grand Avenue) that define the "central area" of .the Coconut Grove Village Center operate at capacity from approximately 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings (except Commodore Plaza when police close it to traffic during intensely congested times). Observed volumes ranged from a'low of 544 vehicles per lane per hour (v/l/h) on westbound Grand Avenue to a high of 668 WIN on eastbound Grand Avenue. These extremes define a very narrow range reflecting capacity conditions with attendant delays and low average speed (less than 5 m.p.h. observed). Traffic volumes, speed, and delay were essentially the sane on -both weekends. In fact, the peak hour volume per lane averaged 616 the first weekend and 613 the second, reflecting nearly identical saturation conditions each time. Rickshaw operations were statistically insignificant as a proportion of total traffic. The highest volumes observed were at the Main Highway/Commodore Page 2 of 3 Plaza intersection adjacent to the than 3% of total vehicular volumes interference with other traffic. rickshaw waiting area, and amounted to less Rickshaw operations caused no observable Pedestrian counts were taken on Commodore Plaza sidewalk between the Village Inn and the rickshaw waiting area on each weekend. Peak -hour pedestrian volumes amounted to 2,082/hour the first weekend and 1,428/hour the second. The decline of 31% in pedestrian volumes is the only statistical measure observed that showed significant change in the "before and after" cases. There is no clear conclusion to be reached on this measure -- rickshaw customers alone could not account for the difference as the actual number of passengers falls far short of this number. Summary of Interviews Rickshaw operations during the study were observed to be fully in compliance with acceptable standards of vehicular operation. Coupled with the low operating speeds of all traffic, rickshaw operations created no interference with traffic movement or safety. However, interviews with police officers regularly assigned to the Grove traffic detail reveal that improper operations have been cocoon in the past. Frequently mentioned are the following: Parking on sidewalk Cutting across traffic Stopping in street Tilting and/or spinning the vehicle Ignoring traffic barricades Driving with one wheel on sidewalk Overloading (too many passengers) Wrong way (on one-way streets) Improper passing The conclusion gained through these interviews .is that rickshaw operations, when properly conducted in accordance with vehicular regulations, do not interfere with other vehicular traffic. Improperly operated, however, they are at least an annoyance and at worst a safety hazard. Conclusion Based on this study, it can be concluded that rickshaws in"Coconut Grove, when properly'operated, do not disrupt traffic. Acknowledgments The Police Department wishes to acknowledge the contributions .to this report by the following persons: Colonel Arthur Vincent, Study Director Clark P. Turner, Transportation Planner, Planning Department Police Trainees: Pedro Beltran George Leon Winsor Lozano Page 3 of 3 S6"*Wol All 2A, SEP r t 13 lit 10. - AV. C14 IT'q q/ MIA"% etfxsmall,) . cf c, 3 sr. " F- 'R Alto. CF tv -S A TI'L P'tj"f,L TL r-'LOVC AS oo&& "-,'1 53 UO l4L A 'o ZS- Lo I S Q Ttit 't44 C4-� 4r rNc ki IL P�- I " -C " A* o I c- V;- AA4,, At to cr To U-4 6 16/ October 1, 1936 City "ana;er's Office 3500 Fan American Drive .ia�i, Florida, 33133 Dear Mr. Puder : I hereby request that my personal Appearance scheduled for the Cctober 7 Co:r,nission meeting be re::ioved from the agenda and rescheduled for the November 13 Commission meeting I am try -:In to coincide ray Personal Appearance � ith the -ore- sentation of the results of the traffic study coi:inleted by the City 'Planner and Colonel Art;-_ur Vincent before the City Commission, which, i have boon told, shoulc: be rezdy for the ..ovember 13 scion .::�etin ,. If, by any cha ce, the results are to be presentee. before the Commission on ::ctooer 23rd, I would like to speak at that ccal:a- ission ,iieetinG aswell/instead. Respectfully Yours, ?,.ike Bellows Crmer/:'anager Royal PicksliaV., inc. 00 fV ..-w_ _— - "___" rJ►�.�__L- _ii�e+O�a.Jt Lam• 4 1n _. .�L... - __—.+-r..�-.�.�.�.�.'�-". l ell September 18, 1986 Cesar H. Odio City Manager 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, Florida 33133 Dear Mr. Odio: With all due respect, I hereby request permission to be granted a Personal Appearance before the City of Miami Commission on October 9, 1986 to be heard and discuss the issue of rickshaws in Coconut Grove and the ordinance that regulates them. I know that Mr. Tom Chi also has a Personal Appearance scheduled for this date and I must insist that Mr. Chi is only representing himself and his drivers and I am in no way associated with or responsible for Mr. Chi's actions. As a majority owner and operator of the rickshaws in Coco- nut Grove (my nine to Mr. Chi's three), I feel entitled to speak before the Commission and represent my business and the drivers that worl for me. I thank you for the time and energy that is being spent to resolve this issue and I am more than happy to assist your office at any opportunity that may arise. Plewvefeel free to contact me at (305) 447-9081 or write to the address shown on the enclosed card. Sincerely, Mike Bellows Owner/Manager Royal Rickshaw, Inc. 4JQayal ,=Rjduu� MIKE BELLOWS CaMonie A". Gob" (3051 "7.90Ai FloridG