Dear Ms. Nash, Mr. Mueller, and the Menlo Park City Council,
I am unable to attend this evenings meeting but wanted to briefly share some observations in support of lowering the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on Middle Avenue along its entirety. I also suggest considering additional crosswalks along the street.
Regarding the speed limit, I note that driving west along Middle Avenue from the stop sign at University Drive to the stop sign at Olive Street at 30 mph takes one minute and 35 seconds. At 25 mph, this same trip takes one minute and 55 seconds, a difference of 20 seconds, or about 20% of the total time. To me, this does not seem to be a very large difference. I imagine that with traffic calming devices in place, the total time may increase and the difference may decrease not only on a percentage basis but perhaps on an absolute basis as well.
An online search reveals a number of studies that conclude that injuries are less severe and deaths less prevalent if accidents occur with drivers driving 25 mph compared to 30 mph. Furthermore, if there are traffic calming devices in place that slow drivers to below the speed limit, the acceleration back up to the speed limit would be gentler if the speed limit were lower, which seems inherently safer to me.
With these thoughts in mind, I believe that the efforts to calm traffic on Middle Avenue would most naturally start with first lowering the speed limit and that this would be a good foundation on which to further extend efforts with other means being considered. In contrast, investing in the other measures without lowering the speed limit seems to me to be contrary to efficiency and consistency, as well as incomplete from the perspective of safety.
I will close with a separate observation. I live on Middle Avenue between Hermosa Way and Santa Rita Avenue. We have good friends across the street. I have to walk a considerable distance in either direction to cross Middle Avenue within the safety of a marked crosswalk. As the neighborhood is entirely residential, the school districts span both sides of the street, and we are a friendly community, I imagine that I am not the only one who would appreciate a higher frequency of crosswalks.
I have been a resident of Menlo Park continuously since 1976 and a home owner since 1989. We raised our now adult son here. He attended Oak Knoll Elementary, Hillview Middle School, and Menlo-Atherton High School. My family and I greatly appreciate your efforts to invest thoughtfully in enhancing our experience as residents and strengthening our community.
Best regards,
Stephen Laderman
On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 10:20 AM Nash, Betsy > wrote:
NOTE: A PDF with hyperlinks is attached for easy reading.
Hi neighbors!
The Middle Avenue Complete Streets project is coming to City Council next Tuesday -- September 13th. I’ve provided a link below to the agenda packet, which includes a staff report explaining the background of the project and recommendations that reflect Complete Streets Commission, lots of public input, and staff work. If you want, you can make further public comment in writing prior to the meeting, and orally at the meeting itself.
Agenda:
https://beta.menlopark.org/files/sharedassets/public/agendas-and-minutes/city-council/2022-meetings/agendas/20220913-city-council-agenda-packet.pdf
Staff report (attached):
Agenda item I1. Provide direction on preferred Middle Avenue conceptual design and adopt a resolution to install no parking zones on Middle Avenue, install an all-way stop at Middle Avenue and San Mateo Drive, and authorize a temporary closure of Blake Street at Middle Avenue (Staff Report #22-174-CC>)
How to provide comments:
* Submit a written comment online up to 1-hour before the meeting start time by emailing city.council@menlopark.org>. Please include the agenda item number you are commenting on.
* Members of the public can address the City Council at the meeting during public comment for each agenda item.
* Access the meeting real-time online at: //Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 831 3316 9409
* Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 – Meeting ID 831 3316 9409; Press *9 to raise hand to speak.
Stay cool,
Betsy
[cid:CMP_Email_Logo_100dpi_05d92d5b-e8e3-498f-93a6-d0da509bd602111111111.png]
Betsy Nash
Mayor
City Hall - 2nd Floor
701 Laurel St.
tel 650-380-3986
menlopark.org>
