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Home My WebLink AboutM-76-0228BAY HEIGHTSCONTROL PROJECT DEPARTMENT OF TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION FEBRUARY 25, 1976 -SAL-4 -72,0 to•Y — .2.2F -4.4.44,44•4•44404,414.4444414•44. -4 D4 HEMATg t(Iti 1 Rg P .0 7 Cb tT err UME TAT O : 1. The City of Miami proposed establishment of 4-,Way "STOPS" controlling every intersection on Halissee Street between Nethia Drive and S. Sayshore Drive and, also,, at Alatka. Street and 'Tigertail Avenue. Xn addition, 3-Way "STOP* controls were placed on Alatka Street at the intersections of Nicanopy Street and Nocatee Drive, with a sign prohibit- ing left -turns from northbound Alatka to Micanopy from 4:00 PM. to 6:00 PM. These controls were installed on May 2, 1974. 2. On June 2, 1975, the signal phasing at the intersection of S. Bayshore Drive and S.W. 17th Avenue was modified. The eastbound exclusive left -turn phase (on S. Bayshore Drive onto S.W. 17th Avenue) was eliminated. This change gave more green time to westbound S. Bayshore Drive traffic which is essential during the evening peak hours. 3. On July 7, 1975, signs were installed in accordance with Resolution No. 75-511, i.e. a.) "NO RIGHT TURN 4PM - 6 PM MONDAY 'THRU FRIDAY" signs were installed on S. Bayshore Drive at Halissee Street and Samana Drive. Flashing signals were installed on these signs on July 30, 1975. b.) °NO ttr r TUAN 4PM 6PM MON AY T i P bAY" signs were installed on Alatka Street at Micanbpy Avenue and Tigertail AVeitue control, - ling northbound traffic. c. ) Alatka Street was made one-way southbound from Nethia Drive to Tigertail Avenue. At that time, "4-WAY STOP" signs were removed on Alatka Street. VIOLATION OF RESTRICTION COUNT 4:00PM - 6:00 PM TRAFFIC VIOLATION SURVEY LOCATION 10/1/75 1/20/76 Alatka Street at Micanopy Avenue Northbound Left 44 67 Alatka Street at Tigertail Avenue " " 100 123 S. Bayshore Drive at halissee Avenue Westbound Right 23 46 S. Bayshore Drive at Sacana Drive " " 15 30 Total 182 266 The traffic violation survey indicates that without constant Miami Police surveillance of the area, there is little compliance. to the turn restrictions. During the two peak hours, there were 76 violations on S. Bayshore Drive and 190 violations on Alatka Street. These are attractive alternatives since the curb lane on S. .Bayshore Drive at Alatka Street is conducive to right -turns due to the merging south of the intersection. This bepartment is concerned with the high number of violations of the controls ift this area. The danger is not so much at the intersections ih question, as it is unlikely that these viola— tions will contribute to an accident. The danger occurs else—. where where a motorist is unable to decide which restriction he can safely violate, and whiCh ones guard an extremely hazardous condition where the lack of sight distance or other prOblem put the violator in immediate danger of a collision. It is our recommendation that the turn restrictions be removed since they are proving to be more a hazard than an improvement. (as a source of constant violation). We must also recommend, at this time, that S. Bayshore Drive be marked to provide two (2) lanes of traffic westbound from Alatka Street to Crystal Court. This can be accomplished by changing the street use from two (2) 15' lanes to three (3) 10' lanes. A minor widening at 17th Avenue would be required to preserve the eastbound -to -northbound left - turn lane. This Department has two (2) possible design alterna- tives for the minor repaving that would be necessary to accom- plish this. The bike path that now exists Drive would not be altered in be added on the north side. on the south side of S. Bayshore any way since the new pavement would „�,�"R I 1i7 i d .' 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Nc) t23 u) es8) z n/C/41/ Qe_y ellYSI/ORE: ?i= P I'M iko /76 ti,0447.0ds TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE 'VICINITY OF ALATKA STREET HALISSEE STREET AND tJ.S. 1 Prepared by DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION January, 1975 TRAFFIC I PROVE BNTS.,1tt...TitE_ ltCtiltT .OF.,.ALATgA STREET,. tiALISSEE_STREET, AND _..,11► S. 1 The City of Miami Cottission requested by Resolution that the Departtnent of Traffic and Transportation initiate certain traffic control patterns in the Alatka Street area between South Hayshote Drive and U.S. 1, A Six" -month evaluation study has been conducted to detertine if these con= trot changes are effective in improving the traffic flow in this area. AREA OF STUDY The area of study is located between South Dixie Highway on the north, South Bayshore Drive on the south, Alatka Street on the east, and S.W. 17th Avenue on the west. CONTROL CHANGES The City of Miami proposed establishment of four-way "STOPS" con- trolling every intersection on Halissee Street between Nethia Drive and South Bayshore Drive and also at Alatka and Tigertail Avenue. In addition, three- way "STOP" controls were placed on Alatka Street at the tee intersections of Micanopy Street and Nocatee Drive, with a sign prohibiting left -turns from northbound Alatka to Micanopy from 4:00 PM. to 6:00 PM. These controls were installed on May 2, 1974. STUDY OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to evaluate under existing conditions the traffic controls installed on May 2, 1974 and establish the effectiveness of these controls in reducing the flow of traffic through this residential area. The basic elements of this study include: 1.) Twenty -four-hour volume counts at selected locations. 2.) Accident comparison before and after the installation of controls. 3.) Driver Observance of STOP signs. 4.) Cotnplete license plate check to determine traffic: move= :tents through the area. 5.) Radar speed checks during off -,peak hours. AREA DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS This is a small area comprising approximately 100 residential units. Traffic on Tigertail Avenue is above normal for a small, practically enclosed residential area. The source of this traffic enters from Alatka Street at South Dixie Highway and Alatka Street at South Bayshore Drive. In addition, traffic enters at Halissee Street, northbound and turns left at Tigertail Avenue to continue into the Coconut Grove area. A number of vehicles entering Halissee continue northbound to return to I-95 via South Dixie Highway. Alatka Street is a two-way street to Nethia Drive. There is no egress to U.S. 1 northbound from Alatka Street. Tigertail Avenue, Halissee and Alatka Streets comprise the primary entrances to Bay Heights. Signals are located at South Dixie Highway, S.W. 17th Avenue and Halissee Street, S.W. 17th Avenue and South Bayshore Drive, and at Alatka Street and South Bayshore Drive. South Bayshore Drive is a four -lane roadway with two southbound lanes merging into one lane approximately 100' south of Alatka Street. • RAFF1C MOVEMENTS IN THE V1 CI NI-t 1# OF ALATKA ST AND US 1 -4 PROBLEMS Motorists entet this residential area due to the heavy-olutie of traffic on South Dixie highway and South Bayshote brine. Traffic o► South bide Highway will stack in the evening peak hours from S.W. llth Avenue eastward to 1-95. This creates a desire for the motorist to turn at Alatka Street onto Tigertail Avenue and westward► South Bayshore Drive is a four lane roadway from Miami to approximately 100' west of Alatka Street where it reduces to a two lane facility with one lane southbound, This merge condition, with its volume of 1,157 vehicles in the eVeting peak hour, stacks traffic.and creates a desire to cut through this residential area with vehicles turning from South Bayshore Drive to Alatka Street and Halissee Street onto Tigertail Avenue and thence westward. TRAFFIC VOLUMES BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROLS Twenty -four-hour volume counts were taken at the intersection of Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue and at Alatka Street on South Bayshore Drive (see pages 6 & 7). HALISSEE AT TIGERTAIL BEFORE AFTER 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-27-74 N/bound S/bound N/bound S/bound N/bound S/bound 7-9:00 AM. 46 31 48 27 34 29 3-6:00 PM. 120 46 114 27 111 26 E/bound W/bound E/bound W/bound E/bound W/bound 7-9:00 AR. 192 116 152 55 201 142 3-6:00 PM, 112 676 101 501 108 590 5 ALATKA AT SOUTH BAYSHORE _BEFORE..._, AFTHH .. _ _, . _ 1-7-74.._ ... . 6=10-7,4 __.... .... _.10 .27t74 N/bound S./bound N/bound 5/bound N/bound S/b_otntd 7-9t00 AM, 85 142 71 96 89 179 -600 PM. 264 152 405 200 445 98 Although there Was a slight reduction on the North -South volume on Halissee and Tigertail, it is evident from the data that there has not been any significant reduction in volume after the installation of controls. ACCIDENT COMPARISON There were no accidents recorded in this area for the year 1973. There were two accidents in this area between January and April, 1974; one at Halissee and Alatka Streets and one at Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue. There were no accidents after the installation of controls from May 2, 1974 to October 31, 1974. HALISSEE STREET AND TIGERTAIL AVENUE EAST -WEST TOTAL.. HOUR 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-29-74 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-29-74 12:00-1:00 AM. 5 13 3 11 21 4 1:00-2:00 AM. 2 1 0 4 4 3 2:00-3:00 AM. 0 2 0 0 2 2 3:00-4:00 AM. 5 2 0 6 3 2 4:00-5:00 AM. 2 2 0 I 1 5 5:00-6:00 AM. 9 4 5 0 3 4 6:00-7:00 All. 59 30 20 17 14 20 7:00-8:00 AM. 47 44 24 124 67 126 8:00-9:00 AM. 30 31 27 167 126 197 9:00-10:00 AM. 34 16 15 89 86 99 10:00-11:00 AM. 32 26 22 63 86 86 11:00-12:00 Noon 20 24 22 56 71 80 12:00- 1:00 PM. 28 30 21 86 93 92 1:00- 2:00 PM. 33 13 15 118 103 92 2:00- 3:00 PM. 50 31 30 125 94 130! 3:00- 4:00 PM. 57 50 43 174 119 170 4:00- 5:00 PM. 43 38 31 211 195 223 5:00- 6:00 PM. 66 53 63 403 372 305 6:00- 7:00 PM. 27 27 19 126 107 103 7:00- 8:00 PM. 25 28 27 68 59 95 8:00- 9:00 PM. 14 25 9 68 62 46 9:00-10:00 PM. 22 16 13 47 45 35 10:00-11:00 PM. 41 22 9 25 30 31 11:00-12:00 AM. 23 21 19 30 20 25 NORTH -SOUTH TOTAL TOTAL 674 549 437 2,019 1,783 1,975, w • 1 AtATKA STREET_ HETUEEH,IliS_A 1 & SOUTH tAYSHORE NORtH-80UTH TOTAL HOUR 5-1-74 640-74 10-29-74 12:00- 1:00 AR, 6 5 7 1:00- 2:00 AM. 3 7 1 2:00- 3:00 AM, 0 3 0 3:00- 4:00 AM, 1 0 0 4:00- 5:00 AM, 0 3 0 5:00- 6:00 AM, 10 3 6 6:00- 7:00 AM, 63 32 9 7:00- 8:00 AM, 165 49 127 8:00- 9:00 AM. 68 55 93 9:00-10:00 AM. 52 53 48 10:00-11:00 AM. 52 58 46 11:00-12:00 Noon 59 65 42 12:00- 1:00 PM. 70 61 62 1:00- 2:00 PM, 66 78 72 2:00- 3:00 PM. 109 71 131 3:00- 4:00 PM. 118 134 108 4:00- 5:00 PM. 92 143 181 5:00- 6:00 PM. 206 326 254 6:00- 7:00 PM. 65 79 47 7:00- 8:00 PM. 44 51 43 8:00- 9:00 PM. 37 36 38 9:00-10:00 PM. 24 21 19 10:00-11:00 PM. 29 17 21 11:00-12:00 PM. 18 24 15 TOTAL 1,357 1,374 1,370 TRAFFIC FLOW (8-9 AM) Li 21 J.4""*"-• - 4 223 4-- TRAFFIC FLOW (4-5 PM) L1 0 • IttsotTS„Ot tictla PLAIT ciitck MOMING: A14. MtCANOPY AVENUE & S.V., 17TH AVENUE .(EASTB01110) Total Number of Cars Entering: 16 Number of Cats Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 2 Alatka & S. Bayshore 9 Halissee & 17th Avenue 5 TOTAL 16 TIGERTAIL AVENUE & S.W. 17TH AVENUE (EASTBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 81 • Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 16 Alatka & S. Bayshore 26 Halissee & 17th Avenue 22 TOTAL 64 NOC -A-TEE DRIVE & S.W. 17TH AVENUE (EASTBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 94 Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore Alatka & S. Bayshore 46 Halissee & 17th Avenue 37 0 TOTAL 83 ALATKA STREET & U.S. 1 (SOUTHBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 12 Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 0 Alatka & S. Bayshore 1 Halissee & 17th Avenue 0 TOTAL 1 (CONT.) (teeulte of License Plate Check cohte) VENINGL 4:00-5:00 PM, MATRA STittET & U,S, (SOUTHEOUN0) Total Number of Cats tnteringt 7 Number of Cats Exiting At: Hicanopy & I7th Avenue 0 Tigertail & 17th Avenue 2 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 0 TOTAL 2 Total Remaining in Area 5 ALAVA STREET & SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE (NORTHBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 173 Number of Cars Exiting At: Micanopy & 17th Avenue 2 Tigertail & 17th Avenue 123 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 18 TOTAL 143 Total Remaining in Area 30 HALISSEE STREET & SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE (NORTHBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 107 Number of Cars Exiting At: Micanopy & 17th Avenue 2 Tigertail & 17th Avenue 98 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 3 TOTAL 103 Total Remaining in Area 4 r 12 OBSEt(VANCE OL_,.CO iTROLS ►►STOP" sign observance surveys taken on Jutte 5, 1974, mid again on July 23, 1974, during the hours of 4 6t00 Pt., tevealed poor "STOP" sigh observance by motorists. Oft July 23, out of 865 vehicles at the intersection of Alatka and Tigertail, 195 were observed to continue without stopping. This represents about 30% of the total traffic during the two hour period. At the intersection of Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue, 15% of the vehicles involved (612) were observed to continue without stopping and approximately 50% of those making a full stop were simply stopped by traffic stacking along Tigertail Avenue. At the intersection of Alatka and Nocatee nearly 40% of the ve- hicles were observed to continue without stopping. Traffic citations obtained from City of Miami motor patrolmen re- vealed that between June 24 and July 22 fifteen (15) summons were issued in this area for failure to stop at "STOP" signs. RADAR SPEED CHECKS Radar speed checks conducted on Halissee Street (northbound) and on Alatka Street during off-peak hours did not reveal any instances of speed- ing by motorists. These studies were conducted on October 18, 1974. CONCLUSIONS In view of the fact that volume counts as well as license plate checks show that there is no significant decrease in traffic, it can be - 13 - ascertained that the additional controls do not contribute to the tetnoval of through traffic from the area under study, The installation of these four-way °STOPS't places an unnecessat burden on the motorists and encourages local traffic to disregard eXisting traffic conttolsy creating a dangerous situation. Moreover, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices clearly states the conditions under which multi -way stops are useful as traffic controls; namely: 1.) Volume of traffic of intersecting streets are nearly equal. 2.) An accident problem indicated by five or more reported accidents of a type suscep- tible to correction in a 12 month period. 3.) A total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches averaging 500 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day. Since none of the above mentioned warrants are met by any of the streets now under multi -way stop controls this constitutes an improper use of such devices. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.) The study area should revert to its original controls with the four-way and all -way "STOPS" removed. 2.) South Bayshore Drive should be operated with two lanes of traf- fic westbound from Alatka Street to Crystal Court. Eastbound traffic would con- tinue in one lane. This can be accomplished by changing the street use from two 15' lanes to three 10' lanes. A minor widening at 17th Avenue would be re- quired to preserve the eastbound -to -northbound left turn lane. This will in- crease the capacity along South Bayshore Drive and provide for an orderly flow 14 - of traffic so that Motorists will hot be tempted to seek other 'routes to reach their destination. 3.) Alatka Street should be closed to traffic at South Dixie Highway and should be trade a one-way street southbound froth tticanopy Avenue to South Bayshore Drive. This wij.i prevent traffic on South Bayshore from using this street as a shortcut, avoiding congestion on U.S. 1 and South Bay- shore Drive. The Department is concerned with the high percentage of violations at the "STOP" controls in this area. The danger is not at the intersections in question, as it is unlikely (but not impossible) that violations on two or more conflicting approaches will occur simultaneously. The danger occurs elsewhere when a motorist is unable to decide which "STOP" he can safely vio- late and which one guards an extremely hazardous intersection approach where the lack of sight distance or other problem would put the violator in immedi- ate danger of collision. Contact with the City of Miami Public Works Department indicates that the operational plan for Bayshore Drive can be implemented successfully. 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In 7::.t 4 a::.1ra : 1: 71;;.;i..tr.! iNe 11:7..i.s cr7Atal r,7.„!tri 13 t.la *al? prat: — of 1.1,17..1c1:7 to !Iruvi-le for C.:ow t:IA Jtrc.!iat In 1 ;.-ati-:01.y ic 1:,4ve :Arttvri47.-A ..tr.1 110 r*ason to iuvolvad. 14it1 i.-."4.:4j ,:;*o a1,;vauta:0 for ri•• zt :LA La • ...A.% t •,:•itt truly TRAFFIC I;IPROVMIENTS IN THE VICINITY OF ALATRA STREET 11ALISSEE STREET AND U.S.1 Prepared by DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION October, 1974 TRAFFIC. I Cr'e0Vt4ENTS .. IN THE VICINITY. OF ALAI A , STREtt, 'tAtTSSE$_, STREET Asttb,..fl. S . I The City of Miami Commission requested by Resolution that the Department of Traffic and Transportation initiate certain traffic control patterns in the Alatka Stteet area between South Bayshore Drive and U.S. I. A six-month evaluation study has been conducted to detertt a if these con., trol changes are effective in improving the traffic flog in this area. AREA 0E STUDY The area of study is located between South Dixie Highiay on the north, South Bayshore Drive on the south, Alatka Street on the east, and S.W. 17th Avenue on the west. PROPOSED CONTROLS The City of Miami proposed establishment of four-way "STOPS" con- trolling every intersection on Halissee Street between Nethia Drive and South Bayshore Drive and also at Alatka and Tigertail Avenue. In addition, three- way "STOP" controls were placed on Alatka Street at the intersections of Micanopy Street and Nocatee Drive, with a sign prohibiting left -turns from northbound Alatka to Micanopy from 4:00 PM. to 6:00 PM. These controls were installed on May 2, 1974. STUDY OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to evaluate under existing conditions the traffic controls installed on .:ay 2, 1974 and establish the effectiveness of these controls in reducing the flow of traffic through this residential area. The Basic elements of this study include: 1.) Twenty=four-hour volute counts at selected locations. 2.) Accident comparison before and after the installation of controls. 3.) Driver observance of STOP signs. 4. - Complete license plate check to detertiitte traffic =VOA, merits through the area. 5.) Radar speed checks during off-peak hours. AREA DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS This is a small area comprising approximately 100 residential units. Traffic on Tigertail Avenue is above normal for a small, practically enclosed residential area. The source of this traffic enters from Alatka Street at South Dixie Highway and Alatka Street at South Bayshore Drive. In addition, traffic enters at Halissee Street, northbound and turns left at Tigertail Avenue to continue into the Coconut Grove area. A number of vehicles entering Halissee continue northbound to return to I-95 via South Dixie Highway. Alatka Street is a two-way street to Nethia Drive. There is no egress to U.S. 1 northbound from Alatka Street. Tigertail Avenue, Halissee and Alatka Streets comprise the primary entrances to Bay Heights. Signals are located at South Dixie Highway, S.W. 17th Avenue and Halissee Street, S.W. 17th Avenue and South Bayshore Drive, and at Alatka Street and South Bayshore Drive. South Bayshore Drive is a four -lane roadway with two southbound lanes merging into one lane approximately 100' south of Alatka Street. TRAMC MOVEMEN711 IN THE VICINITY OF ALATKA ST AND US I PROBLEMS tkitorists enter this residential area due to the heavy volute of traffic on South Dixie Highway and South Bayshote Drive Ttaffic On South Dixie Highway will stack ift the evening peak hours trot S,V. 17th Avenue eastward to t-95. This creates a desire for the tototist to turn at Alatka Street onto Tigertail Avenue and westward, It coimpatigot, South Bayshore Drive is a four -lane roadway westbound from Miami to approximately IOW west of Alatka Street where it reduces to one late southbound, This merge condition, with its volume of 1,157 vehicles in the evening peak hour, stacks traffic and creates a desire to cut through this residential area with vehicles turning from South Bayshore Drive to Alatka Street and Halissee Street onto Tigertail Avenue and thence westward. TRAFFIC VOLUMES BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROLS Twenty -four-hour volume counts were taken at the intersection of Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue and at Alatka Street on South Bayshore Drive (see page ). Peak Hour Comparison: NORTH -SOUTH HALISSEE & TIGERTAIL BEFORE AFTER 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-27-74 7-9:00 AM. 111 91 66 3-6:00 PM. 166 141 137 (Peak todt COMpatisOn cont.) M0kTA-80uTH ALA= AT 8. tAYsHatt BEFORE APTER 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-27-74 7-9:00 AM, 225 167 268 3-6:00 PM. 416 603 543 EAST -WEST HALISSEE & TIGERTAIL BEFORE AFTER 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-29-74 7-9:00 AM. 308 207 343 3-6:00 PM. 788 686 698 Although there was a slight reduction on the North -South volume on Halissee & Tigertail, it is evident from the data that there has not been any significant reduction in volume after the installation of controls. ACCIDENT COMPARISON There were no accidents recorded in this area for the year 1973. There were two accidents in this area between January and April, 1974; one at Halissee and Alatka Streets and one at Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue. There were no accidents after the installation of controls from May 2, 1974 to October 31, 1974. it 1 HOUR HALISSEE STREET AND TIGERTAIL AVENUE NORTH-SOUTII TOTAL EAST -WEST TOTAL 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-29-74 1-7-74 6-10-74 10-29-74 12:00-1:00 AM. 5 13 3 II 21 4 1:00-2:00 AM. 2 1 0 4 4 3 2:00-3:00 AM. 0 2 0 0 2 2 3:00-4:00 AM. 5 2 0 6 3 2 4:00-5:00 AM. 2 2 0 1 1 5 5:00-6:00 AM. 9 4 5 0 3 4 6:00-7:00 AM. 59 30 20 17 14 20 7:00-8:00 AM. 47 44 24 124 67 126 8:00-9:00 AM. 30 31 27 167 126 197 9:00-10:00 AM. 34 16 15 89 86 99 10:00-11:00 AM. 32 26 22 63 86 86 11:00-12:00 Noon 20 24 22 56 71 80. 12:00- 1:00 PM. 28 30 21 86 93 92 1:00- 2:00 PM. 33 13 15 118 103 92 2:00- 3:00 PM. 50 31 30 125 94 130 3:00- 4:00 PM. 57 50 43 174 119 170 4:00- 5:00 PM. 43 38 31 211 I95 223 5:00- 6:00 PM. 66 53 63 403 372 305 6:00- 7:00 PM. 27 27 19 126 107 103 7:00- 8:00 PM. 25 28 27 68 59 95 8:00- 9:00 PM. 14 25 9 68 62 46 9:00-10:00 PM. 22 16 13 47 45 35 10:00-11:00 PM. 41 22 9 25 30 31 11:00-12:00 AM. 23 21 19 30 20 25 TOTAL 674 549 437 2,019 11783 1,975 At&TitA STREET BETWEEN U.S. 1 & SOUTft BAVSHORElMTVE NORTHtSOUTH TOTAL HOUR 5-144 6-1044 10-29-74 12:00- 1:00 At4 6 5 7 1:00- 2:00 AM. 3 7 1 2:00- 5:00 Al. 0 3 0 3:00- 4:00 AM, 1 0 0 4:00- 5:00 AM, 0 3 0 5:00- 6:00 AM, 10 5 6 6:00- 7:00 AM, 65 32 9 7:00-8!00 AM, 165 49 127 8:00- 9:00 AM. 68 55 93 9:00-10:00 A.M. 52 53 48 10:00-11:00 AM. 52 58 46 11:00-12:00 Noon 59 65 42 12:00- 1:00 PM. 70 61 62 1:00- 2:00 PM. 66 78 72 2:00-3:00 PM. 109 71 131 3:00- 4:00 P. 118 134 108 4:00- 5:00 PM. 92 143 181 5:00- 6:00 PM. 206 326 254 6:00- 7:00 PM. 65 79 47 7:00- 8:00 PM. 44 51 43 8:00- 9:00 PM. 37 36 38 9:00-10:00 PM. 24 21 19 10:00-11:00 PM. 29 17 21 11:00-12:00 PX. 18 24 15 TOTAL 1,357 1,374 1,370 RESULTS OP ttCENSE PLATE CHECK MORNVG: 8:00-9t00 AM= MICANOPV AVENUE & siWe i7TH AVENUE (EASTBOuND) Total Number of Cats Entering: 16 Number of Cats Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 2 Alatka & S. Bayshore 9 Halissee & 17th Avenue 5 TOTAL 16 TIGERTAIL AVENUE & S.W. 17TH AVENUE (EASTBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 81 Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 16 Alatka & S. Bayshore 26 Halissee & 17th Avenue 22 TOTAL 64 NOC-A-TREE DRIVE & S.W. 17TH AVENUE (EASTBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 94 Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 0 Alatka & S. Bayshore 46 Halissee & 17th Avenue 37 TOTAL 83 ALATKA STREET & U.S. 1 (SOUTEBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 12 Number of Cars Exiting At: Halissee & S. Bayshore 0 Alatka & S. Bayshore 1 Halissee & 17th Avenue 0 TOTAL 1 (CONT.) (Results of License Plate Check Cont.) EVES+I:G:., 4:O0-9:00 PM, At ATKA STREET & U.S. 1 _(SOtuTHBOUND..), Total Number of Cars Entering: 7 Number of Cats Exiting At: Micanopy & 17th Avenue 0 Tigettail & 17th Avenue 2 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 0 TOTAL 2 ALATKA STREET &__S. BAYSHORE DRIVE (NORTHBOUND) _ Total Number of Cars Entering: 173 Number of Cars Exiting At: Micanopy & 17th Avenue 2 Tigertail & 17th Avenue 123 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 18 TOTAL 143 HALISSEE STREET & S. BAYSHORE (NORTHBOUND) Total Number of Cars Entering: 107 Number of Cars Exiting At: Micanopy & 17th Avenue 2 Tigertail & 17th Avenue 98 Noc-A-Tree & 17th Avenue 3 TOTAL 103 TRAFFIC PLOW (8-0 AM) 0 us TRAFFIC FLOW (4-5 PM) us 1 OBSERVANCE OF, CO: nuts. "STOP" sigh observance surveys taken on June 5, 1974) and again oft July 23, 1974, during the hours of 4-6:00 PM.) revealed poor "STOP" sign observance by motorists. On July 23, out of 865 vehicles at the intersection of Alatka and Tigertail, 195 were observed to continue without stopping. This represents about 30% of the total traffic during the two hour period. At the intersection of Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue, 15% of the vehicles involved (612) were observed to continue without stopping and approximately 50% of those making a full stop were simply stopped by .. traffic stacking along Tigertail Avenue. At the intersection of Alatka and Nocatee nearly 40% of the ve- hicles were observed to continue without stopping. Traffic citations obtained from City of Miami motor patrolmen re- vealed that between June 24 and July 22 fifteen (15) summons were issued in this area for failure to stop at "STOP" signs. RADAR SPEED CHECKS Radar speed checks conducted on Halissee Street (northbound) and on Alatka Street 'wring off-peak hours did not reveal any instances of speed- ing by motorists. These studies were conducted on October 18, 1974. CONCLUSIONS In view of the fact that volume counts as well as license plate checks show that there is no significant decrease in traffic, it can be ascertained that the additional controls do not cortttibute to the tetoval of through traffic froth the area under study. The installation of these four-taay "STOPS" places aft unnecessary burden on the ttototists and encourages local traffic to disregard existing traffic controlsy creating a dangerous situation. Moreover, the manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices clearly states the conditions under which multi -way stops are useful as traffic controls; namely: 1.) Volume of traffic of intersecting streets are nearly equal. 2.) An accident problem indicated by five or more reported accidents of a type susceptible to correction in a 12 month period. 3.) A total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches averaging 500 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day. Since none of the above mentioned warrants are met by any of the streets now under multi -way stop controls this constitutes an improper use of such devices. RECOMMENDATIONS The study area should revert to its original controls with the four-way and all -way "STOPS" removed. South Bayshore Drive should be widened to provide two lanes of traffic westbound from Alatka Street to Crystal Court. This will increase the capacity along South Bayshore Drive and provide for an orderly flow of traffic so that motorists will not be tempted to seek other routes to reach their destination. ois Alatka Street should be closed to ttaffic at South bixie and should be made a ofte-way street southbound from Micanopy Avenue ts5 South Bayshore brit/ea This will prevent traffic on South tayshote frot using this street as a shortcut avoiding congestion oft U.S. 1 and South tayshore brive. TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VICINITY OF ALATKA STREET, HALISSEE STREET & US 1 Prepared By DEPARTMENT OF TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION Operations Division July 24, 1974 TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS ,IN_n E_.VtCINITy...CSF_abATXA STREET)_,_ HALISSEE__. STREET & Us 1 The City of Miami Commission requested by Resolution that the Department of Traffic and Transportation initiate certain traffic control patterns in the Alatka Street area between South Bayshore Drive and US 1. A ninety (90) day evaluation study has been conducted to determine if these control changes are effective in improving the traffic flow in this area. AREA OF STUDY The area of study is located between South Dixie Highway on the north, South Bayshore Drive on the south, Alatka Street on the east, and S.W. 17th Avenue on the west. PROPOSED CONTROLS The City of Miami proposed establishment of four-way "Stops" con- trolling every intersection on Halissee Street between Nethia Drive and South Bayshore Drive and also at Alatka and Tigertail Avenue. In addition, three-way "Stop" controls were placed on Alatka Street at the intersections of Micanopy Street and Nocatee Drive, with a sign prohibiting left -turns from northbound Alatka to Micanopy from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. These controls were in- stalled on May 2, 1974. AREA , DESCRIPTIONAND CH 1 ACTERISSPICS This is a small area comprising approxitttately 100 residential units, Traffic on Tigertail Avenue is abotre normal al for a Small, practically enclosed residential area. The sotirce of this traffic enters from Alatka Street at South Dixie Highway and Alatka Street at South Bayshore Drive. In addition, traffic enters at Halissee Street, northbound and exits onto South Dixie Highway. A number of vehicles enter the area to return north on I-95 through Alatka Street. Alatka Street is a two-way street to Nethia Drive. There is no egress to US 1 northbound from Alatka Street. Tigertail Avenue, Halissee and Alatka Streets comprise the primary entrances to Bay Heights. Signals are located at South Dixie Highway, S.W. 17th Avenue and Halissee Street, S.W. 17th Avenue and South Bayshore Drive and at Alatka Street and South Bayshore Drive. South Bayshore Drive is a four lane roadway with two southbound lanes merging into one lane approximately 100' south of Alatka Street. PROBLEMS Traffic enters this residential area due to the heavy volume of traffic on South Dixie Highway and South Bayshore Drive.. Traffic on South Dixie Highway will stack in the evening peak hours from - 2 S,W, 17th Avenue eastward to I'95. This creates a desire for the motorist to turn at Alatka Street onto Tigertail Avenue and westward, in comparison, South $ashore lbrive is a four lane roadway westbound from Miami to approximately 100' west of Alatka Street where it reduces to one lane southbound. This merge condi- tion with its volume of 1,157 vehicles in the evening peak hour stacks traffic and creates a desire to cut through this residential area with vehicles turning from South Bayshore Drive to Alatka Street and Halissee Street onto Tigertail Avenue and thence west- ward. ACCIDENT COMPARISON There were no accidents recorded in this area for the year 1973. There were two accidents in this area between January and April, 1974; one at Halissee and Alatka Streets, and one at Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue. There were no accidents after the in- stallation of controls from May 2, 1974, to July 1, 1974. TRAFFIC VOLUMES BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROLS Traffic volumes at the intersection of Halissee Street and Tiger - tail Avenue show 361 vehicles northbound before the controls versus 345 vehicles northbound after the placement of additional controls. There were 313 vehicles southbound before installation of controls versus 204 after. - 3 North -South totals for Alatka Street were 1,358 vehicles befoie Versus 1,374 vehicles after, (See attached Volume counts.) OBSERVANCE OP CONTROLS. "Stop" sign observance surveys taken on June 5, 1974, and again on July 23, 1974, during the hours of 4-6:00 p.m. revealed poor "Stop" sign observance by motorists. On July 23rd, out of 865 vehicles at the intersection of Alatka and Tigertail, 195 were observed to continue without stopping. This represents about 30% of the total traffic during the two hour period. At the intersection of Halissee Street and Tigertail Avenue, 15% of the vehicles involved (612) were observed to continue without stopping and approximately 50% of those making a full stop were simply stopped by traffic stacking along Tigertail Avenue. At the intersection of Alatka and Nocatee nearly 40% of the vehi- cles were observed to continue without stopping. Traffic citations obtained from City of Miami motor patrolmen re- vealed that between June 24th and July 22nd fifteen (15) summons were issued in this area for failure to stop at "Stop" signs. 4 HOUR , SSEL__ STRtE ',_._&., TLG RTAIL AM111 Ni-S. , TOTAL 6 ,10a74 12-1 AM 5 1-2 2 2-3 0 3-4 5 4-5 2 5-6 9 6-7 59 7-8 47 8-9 30 9-10 34 10-11 32 11-12 20 12-1 PM 28 1-2 33 2-3 50 3-4 57 4-5 43 5-6 66 6-7 27 7-8 25 8-9 14 9-10 22 10-11 41 11-12 23 TOTAL 674 TOTAL -74 • 6-10--74 13 11 21 1 4 4 2 0 2 2 6 3 2 1 1 4 0 3 30 17 14 44 124 67 31 167 126 16 89 86 26 63 86 24 56 71 30 86 93 13 118 103 31 125 94 50 174 119 38 211 195 53 403 372 27 126 107 28 68 59 25 68 62 16 47 45 22 25 30 21 30 20 549 2,019 1,783 ALATKA ST.,_.BET. OS 1 _8t.SO,_BA SHORE DR,,_ N-S TOTAL HOUR 5-1µ74 6,-10=74 12-1 AM 6 5 1-2 3 7 2-3 0 3 3-4 1 0 4-5 0 3 5-6 10 3 6-7 63 32 7-8 165 49 8-9 68 55 9-10 52 53 10-11 52 58 11-12 59 65 12-1 PM 70 61 1-2 66 78 2-3 109 71 3-4 118 134 4-5 92 143 5-6 206 326 6-7 65 79 7-8 44 51 8-9 37 36 9-10 24 21 10-11 29 17 11-12 18 24 TOTAL 1,357 1,374 - 6 H-W TOTAL 5-3-71 None It 6-10-74 None ►t ft CONCCtuS t OL'TS.. In thew of the fact that Volume counts do not show a significant decrease in traffic, it can be ascertained that the additional controls do not contribute to the removal of through traffic from the area under study. The installation of these four-way "Stops" places an unnecessary burden on the motorists and encourages local traffic to disregard existing traffic controls, creating a dangerous situation. It has been observed that, with the introduction of the contra - flow bus lane on US 1, motorists wishing to turn left on S.W. 17th Avenue are turning right on Halissee Street and utilizing it to turn right onto Nocatee Drive to reach S.W. 17th Avenue. RECOMMENDATIONS The study area should revert to its original controls with the four-way and all way "Stops" removed. South Bayshore Drive should be widened to provide two lanes of traffic westbound from Alatka Street to Crystal Court. This will increase the capacity along South Bayshore Drive and provide for an orderly flow of traffic so that motorists will not be tempted to seek other routes to reach their destination. 7 Aiatka Street should be closed to traffic at South Dixie Highway and should be made a one...way street southbound from Micanopy Avenue to South Bashore Drive. This will prevent traffic on South Bayshore froth Using this street as a shortcut avoiding con- gestion on US 1 and South Bayshore Drive. 8