Mr. Doss,

 The CDOT appreciates your continued interest in the road conditions that affect the Madison Park neighborhood.  We agree with you and share many of your concerns.  Tyvola Road is not unlike many other major thoroughfares throughout our city with fronting residential properties and neighborhoods on both sides of the street.  This combination makes addressing vehicular travel and pedestrian crossings a challenge.  Our city is in a transition phase and we are pursuing creative ways to safely accommodate all users.  As you might imagine, this is much easier to accomplish in a newly developed area where things can be built where you want them.  On the other hand, it is much more difficult in an area that is already built out and changes require impact to existing structures.

 From your e-mail, the CDOT noted nine issues that we have responded to in the attached document:

  • 1. Seaboard St Traffic Signal
  • 2. Scaleybark / Whitton Traffic Signal
  • 3. Woodlawn / Murrayhill Traffic Signal
  • 4. Tyvola / Seacroft Traffic Signal
  • 5. Traffic Calming on Tyvola Road
  • 6. School Zone Signal Removal
  • 7. Digital Speed Signs
  • 8. Developer Funds donated to Madison Park
  • 9. Queens University

 The CDOT will continue to look for opportunities to address your concerns on Tyvola Road and the Madison Park neighborhood. 

Liz Babson, P.E.

Deputy Director

Charlotte Department of Transportation

600 East 4th Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

704-336-3916 (office)

704-336-4400 (fax)

Murrayhill / Woodlawn Traffic Signal and the Seacroft / Tyvola Traffic Signal Requests

 These are the responses to issues specifically in our area:   A couple of the items on the list of 9 were used simply as comparision to what happen vs what happened in our community.

Neither the Murrayhill / Woodlawn nor Seacroft / Tyvola intersections meet guidelines for traffic signal installation.  Most crashes occurring at the locations are rear end / slow / stop crashes, which would only be exacerbated by signal installation since there are no left turn lanes on Woodlawn or Tyvola roads at these locations.  In both cases, there is little right-of-way available for constructing the left turn lanes, and building them would have significant impact on abutting property owners.  If signals were installed at these locations without the improvements, it is likely rear-end / slow / stop crashes would increase.  In addition, without left turn lanes, it is very likely that left turn crashes would become a safety problem, as occurred at Wedgewood / Tyvola and led to the turn restrictions there. 

 When CDOT staff evaluated signal locations in the past, they also looked for mid-block crossing opportunities.  The lack of right-of-way has made it difficult to provide amenities that we agree would assist neighborhood residents.  Staff found right-of-way constraints prohibit the installation of even minimal crossing enhancements such as pedestrian refuge islands.

 Traffic Calming on Tyvola Road between Wedgewood and South Bv

 Tyvola Road is a four-lane, major thoroughfare that serves an important role in the City's street network, and carries approximately 35,000 vehicles per day.  It provides an east / west connection for the City's motorists and the road portion between Wedgewood and South Bv is posted at 35 mph. 

 The CDOT sees the value of traffic calming Tyvola Road.  The intent of traffic calming is to establish an environment that naturally invokes lower vehicular speeds and provides a more comfortable environment for other travel modes, such as pedestrian and bicycle.  The presence of traffic calming features helps influence motorist behavior. 

 In order to slow traffic and provide an environment where bikes and pedestrians more comfortable, Tyvola would:

  • 1) have to be converted to fewer through lanes to accommodate bike travel and pedestrian crossings, or
  • 2) be reconstructed/widened to provide these amenities.

Because Tyvola is currently at capacity - 4 lanes, 35,000 vpd - our only feasible option is #2.  Such a project is constrained by minimal right-of- way (that includes narrow, frequently back of curb sidewalk) and very small set-backs.  Any widening/reconstruction would encompass roughly a mile of the Tyvola corridor (Farmbrook to Tyvola Dr) and would be extremely impactful to residents.  A Tyvola reconstruction, including widening, property, and utility costs could well exceed $10,000,000.

 A project of this magnitude would need to become a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project, and compete against other project needs throughout the City to become funded.  If added to the CIP, this project would be ranked and prioritized with all other city needs, and would most likely remain unfunded for many years.

Driver Feedback Sign (aka Digital Speed Signs)

 The CDOT evaluated driver feedback signs by testing several locations for installation, which included several schools.  It was found through the duration of the test that driver feedback signs were most effective at locations that have a variable speed limit, such as school zones.   The CDOT installs these signs in reduced speed school zones only where warranted.  Sign use is targeted to achieve effectiveness. 

 School Zone Crossing Signal at Smith Academy

 The School Zone crossing signal on Tyvola Road outside Smith Academy was originally installed to cross school children during arrival and dismissal times.  Over time, conditions around schools change, and school zones are re-evaluated.  CDOT staff re-evaluated the Smith Academy school zone by visiting the location on numerous occasions to watch the operation.  Staff found that the school zone was no longer in compliance with the City-wide school zone policy as it lacked sufficient students crossing the street.  To bring the school zone into compliance, the CDOT removed the school crossing signal and installed 25 mph school flashers overhead to address through traffic around the school.

 For student safety, it is the CDOT's goal to maintain a consistent application of school zones so that motorists know what to expect and how to behave during school hours. 

 Developer Funding

The total funding provided to CDOT for Madison Park was $20,000.  The funding was applied to the following projects:

 

In 1999:  7 speed humps with decorative feature on Seneca at $2375/ea                          $16,625

In 2002:  2 speed humps with decorative feature on Wedgewood at $1900/ea                       3,375

               City funded                                                                                                           425

 

                        Total:                                                                                                    $20,425

 The balance contradicts what President, Ted Peters, suggested remained during the time the last of the money was spent in 2002.   If we discover any errors in the CDOT accounting/reporting we will let the community know.  This is the first time in the many years we have tried to find out the amount / and remaining balance that CDOT has bothered to give us a response.