Loading...
Item I2BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: June 20, 2012 Division: Growth Mana ement Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Department: Planning and Environmental Resources Staff Contact Person/Phone #:.. Trish Smith, ph. 304-0412 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Update to the BOCC on the progress of the Wayfinding Sign Program for US 1 and request Mayor's signature on a letter to the Florida Department o f Transportation (FDOT) asking for the evaluation and removal of excessive regulatory signs on US 1 including "Center Lane Control Signs", "No Parking, Standing and Stopping Signs", and "Intersection Warning Signs". ITEM BACKGROUND: Through an FDOT Local Agency Program (LAP) agreement, Monroe County designed a wayfinding sign program for US I in 2011. The goal of the program is to consolidate existing signage, remove sign clutter, improve aesthetics along the scenic highway, and direct travelers to recognized business areas and public amenities. The installation of the signs is scheduled for late 2012 following encumbrance of the construction grant funds by FDOT. A staff report including an updated graphic, design criteria, and total signs impacted is attached as backup to this agenda item. A total of 200 existing guide and informational signs are being removed from US 1 through the County's Wayfinding Program (see attached plans). A total of 160 guide and informational signs will be installed as part of the Wayfinding program (see attached plans). Regulatory Signage was also evaluated by the county's traffic consultant. The county does not have authority through its LAP agreement to remove regulatory Signage; however, recommendations for removing regulatory "sign clutter" could be submitted by the BOCC to FDOT for further evaluation. A draft letter recommending removal of excessive regulatory signs is attached to this agenda item. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: 2/17/2010 - Approval to execute the LAP Agreement with the FDOT to provide funding for the All American Road Signage and to investigate a design alternative for the types of signs that can be provided under the program. 10/20/10 — Approval to advertise an RFQ to develop a Wayfinding Signage Program along the Florida Keys All American Road (Florida Keys Scenic Highway). 2/16/11 - Approval to negotiate a contract with URS to develop a Wayfinding Signage Program along the US 1 Florida Keys Scenic Corridor. 3/16/11 - Approval of a professional services contract with URS to develop a wayfinding program along the US 1 Florida Keys Scenic Corridor. 11/16/2011 - Approval of an Inter -local Agreement (ILA) with the Village of lslamorada (Village) to design Wayfinding signs within the Village boundaries; design services to be paid in advance in the amount of $39,860.88, and fabrication and installation to be paid pursuant to FDOT Grant Agreement APW 52 . 11/16/11- Approval of the modified conch shell concept for the Wayfinding Sign Program. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: None STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval TOTALCOST: $1 J 00,000 INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes X No COST TO COUNTY: $0 (100% grant funds) SOURCE OF FUNDS: c/c 50517 GW 1001 REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No X AMOUNT PER MONTH Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required x DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # Planning & Environmental Resources Department 2798 Overseas Highway, Suite 410 Marathon, FL 33050 Voice: (305) 289-2500 FAX: (305) 289-2536 County of Monroe Growth Management Division MEMORANDUM To: Monroe County Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commission Mayor David Rice, Dist. 4 Mayor Pro Tern Kim Wigington, Dist. I Heather Carruthers, Dist. 3 George Neugent, Dist, 2 Sylvia J. Murphy, Dist. 5 Through: Christine Hurley, AICP, Growth Management Division Director From: Trish Smith, AICP, Transportation Planning Manag Date: June 20, 2012 Subject: WAYFINDING SIGN PROGRAM UPDATE In 2010, Monroe County was awarded a federal transportation grant by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to develop and install a Community Wayfinding Signage Program along US 1. The goal of the program is to consolidate existing signage, remove sign clutter, improve aesthetics along the designated scenic highway, and direct travelers to recognized business areas and public amenities. Phase 1 of the project included identifying existing signs to be included in the program and developing a recognizable design concept that can be used consistently along US 1. Four preliminary concepts and color schemes were developed through a creative design process and a review of FDOT requirements. A salmon - colored shell was selected as the preferred concept through the public involvement process. Minor modifications to the shell design were made based on the public's requests for a conch shell. The BOCC approved the modified design in November 2011. During the public involvement process, the Village of Islamorada asked to be included in the Wayfinding program. The BOCC approved this request in November 2011, and staff proceeded with incorporating the municipality's signage into the design plans. The county coordinated extensively with FDOT throughout the process and submitted engineering plans to them for approval in early 2012. Based on FDOT's review, minor modifications were made to conform to the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and to respond to additional requirements mandated by FDOT's Central Traffic Operations Office in Tallahassee. The required modifications were included in final design plans and submitted to FDOT for a final approval at the end of April 2012. A revised graphic depicting the engineered signs is attached to this staff report. Final design conclusions are as follows: 1. A total of 200 signs are being removed from US 1 through the county's Wayfinding Program. A total of 160 signs will be installed as part of the Wayfinding program. This includes 90 one -panel signs, 47 two - panel signs, 23 three -panel signs. 2. The majority of existing green, blue, and brown -colored guide and informational signs currently located on US 1 will be replaced and consolidated into the approved wayfinding signage program. 3. Each Key name that is identified currently by a standard green FDOT sign (located near the entrance to each Key) will be replaced with a standardized wayfinding sign. 4. Existing regulatory signs (speed limit, merge, mile markers, etc) will remain in place. FDOT will not allow these types of signs to be incorporated into the County's Wayfimding Program. 5. Existing regulatory signage along US 1 was evaluated by URS Corporation Southern, the County's traffic engineering consultant (see attached). The purpose of this review was to make recommendations to reduce the number of existing regulatory signs that are contributing to sign clutter. A letter has been drafted for the Mayor's signature (attached) to transmit this information to the FDOT for their evaluation. 6. The existing, large yellow, "Speed Kills Key Deer" signs located at the western and eastern entrances to Big Pine Key will be replaced with a friendlier message that cautions vehicles to watch for the deer. This change was requested by the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge office in Big Pine Key and approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Regulatory Office in Vero Beach as well as the Senior Administrator of Environmental Resources in Monroe County. 7. New signs and the sign foundations will be upgraded to current hurricane standards. 8. Six (6) inch letters will be used for the messages to improve driver visibility. In areas where the speed limit exceeds 45 mph, FDOT is requiring eight (8) inch letters due to an increasing elderly population and the Florida Keys'disposition as a tourist destination, Font size on older, existing signs ranges from two (2) to six (6) inch letters throughout the corridor. 9. FDOT will not allow "state park" and "hospital" signs to be included in Phase I of the Wayfinding Program. The FDOT Traffic Operations staff indicated that they may be willing to consider the inclusion of "state park" signs in a future project phase. 10. The FDOT is requiring that sign messages be abbreviated where possible to reduce the overall sign size. Federal funds to construct this project are anticipated to be encumbered by FDOT in June 2012. County staff will advertise the project for construction in the third quarter of 2012 following a Notice to Proceed from the FDOT Local Agency Program (LAP) Administrator. 41 Y �all i qlil Iy h h d r O 1f N N L� r Z D 0 W 0/ ■dn m Z o O 2M 0 a g LU 0 0 m 0 LL LU J Q 0 w Now LLI yce)L� t�i � 0 �� ��IIIIIIIIIIII - BIIIIIIIIIIII �0��6E��E0�II �IIIIII��IIII B�mmmm omm�mu ��mmmm omummi �ammmm ammmm oun�i�mn omi�i�mn ��mmumi �ammmm oun�i�mn Aun�i�mn �9111111111NI 0111111111�II �9111111111111 01111�1�IIIII ��j �IIIIINIIIII ��IIIIIIIIIIII �IIII�I�II�II . ��IIIi�l�lllll 9B amnnum aunmmn ��mumm� �Aunnmm onnn��nn omi�i�mn enmmnu 'onn�i�nm �mmmm onn�i�mn � I ll I �91111111111 1911111111111 a I l F Vf n 0 �p �p N h N 4f W � WWWWWW MMMa WF ��aVV � � WW 0� NNN NNNN N C9 V% � A w �p w N �p - N�p w 0 m O b y �y 4► ► �p �p A ey ► �p Q y N N N N N �N N N N WN N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N 1n N WN N N �N N N N NN C 74 CA NTx i i } 0 -J W - .. _ w w- N n n a n a N a N b a ► � :i w � x � o � Z x ti � W m K N m K m N m N � m ✓1 y h � N i/1 N zt ��� Vt w u� �p w t�pp o tp w o �p NN e o ► 11pp WWN N iiyy WWN - a NN p �p WN w ❑ 4 NNN N N NNN N N NNN N N N 1. y N 1� N 1/1 N N N N N N N N N N N4��y M a 196 'A at zt ❑ Z b WK i k t U, K "� ! K �W W K t 'a a a N w A ,� a n ` q%, ► a� a 4 N n a e .4, N b a 4 N � ' • N i ^ N i N Ln w Q N _ z W pp ❑ pb IC V_ Z O W � � e Q a. a y � � � a � � pp M p� ij ► � NN N pp N 1Np a A {pp N b0 ��pp 0 NCO VVN 1p1yp N b VD WN pp Epp O h� NN p O 1yw1�p� WN pp O �wg 3NWWWG 4N q p NN� oR �p & ti� O ! �p � Ab Ji� Q� 'AN N MWa N N N N 'AVaN N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N NNN N NNN N N N N N fry N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N :7 rt p i x x 4 x � N � pp pp z o u z 4 4 � � T a w w 17 h N ppp � n Ep�ppp n ��qqpp n Ep�ppp N N Wp n Epp o n spy pp np a i pNp pap p ti N pap a a a pap a b N pnp N i li q ea 41 i W pn W�� ph N tl 0 J {7 rb a � N NNN W� q NNN y+� N N h N h V l N N N y N N N V! N N N N N N N h N N N N 4 1 � T T z� ' W V N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Q z N N I s s g W Q Ox � g w � po 1 H N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N MIMI U' LU a w N' 41 N + w !Y W N ~ ~ W ~ N p O N p O O W 4 N 6 N W M ~ Q; 4 '• N 4 y N N Q % N Q �j h y N N N N N y0.j IF N y4j N IL N w i O V b ' w x ti o' C ej 1J4� w yp b q ;;pp N r N M N Nti N Nb N N r Q y N y N N N N I N N N N N N N N N NNN N NNN N N N N N N N N t7 IF 4 • r � K � t q N I Wa A NOpI b O b0 � O �1 b O a� ON �- b0 Q�Q l a O n M N n� g�pp pNp N 'AN N 'A ti �g t N `IA 4� Qa t 4 7 9a� h 4 � SG��y�d 0 C WH NW N HWW N N N N N y r+ x N U O V z � y Y Y l( I V tV a N N N ti W ti � p 4 y N N N N N N N N N N N H a (7 y qpp qop t `� {y 4? N N �� � N � K N4✓i N� �N N z OQ k o YI q M V p F N U O � F+ Q w SEE PROJECT LAYOUT SHEET 3 FOR CONTINUATION 11V - wl r % od fm/ < in \.;X r.v flow to, Ad Irr> It ,L,T jIP � f, .e rr > p V3 SEE PROJECT LAYOUT SHEET 5 FOR CONTINUATION 4 nr f I ` :>a �q 4 d a 1 A ti i j3r,llifr3�� i g � rr will lo lk r� .• �� \t'l ;fit ; /ter • va V 1jII It fr tJ [S' I 1"i In• � f l III'\. � � > -s I < 1 1 in II A � 1 (n, �f r„ k 0 I lH gill rr its \.N, 'I , I s4t IN tx LO /OV k A f rr I y� e JAI LW it -so Ne a z� 7 Of � !I P is tj bj �w � O.� g eel lie t, I via tj 122 titi o Q x Wp� qw t k n ix tiff e G �~ p go W 1i Y1 a i t awe w � Al 1- tj i 1. ; 4 jy( ti ti~{w QZ iC yy7T� ~ yaq eLt ~ � Zile o■le p' It! {UWy �iy 2 �t7 1■�■1���� ti N �I .1 N Ci Q i N !j 1 0 W �g W m C W yW� W W rip al witI.W. LO°~ * N `1W. f. s #jgIx lip Wti ti� oZy 'ai�� id ni VIM �17Yg� �-w� „ lit N b 1. � R 1. 0! � O �■ N N W ti h ti N +i t n V `: v ai Q ; Y W i gig lit gill E6 It s gib flay el 13 k3# ; ti Nl w ~ as &le I lip P � ' m P . ` N a w N' y ^ =AW ep yy�� I' jga F `�1 rQ 9 lit y qY� t Rcru y� p`p �4f at N I+ y8°yQ� ywl lq.p I'��Si N`gm �~ ,G N ^ � � W +] * Yi IC ► V of � � 6 133HS 3N• 7 Ha1VIY ! C9 • �4. 4 � . 9 8� an 9 133HS C H-11111 �- s� e L `L4 E '1 COLLEGE Ru. rrr a I , L f � s O ypy^. u I H31VM' m � � k, 1:0 �[ \) R. a 913RSAJxIm � 2 \ § -It's 1 SFZ5 TT IFF •ram -,",� � ,�- q�• � I i 1 >_ 7 I o s i i i I ,K i rl I , s 'tee I q� ILI+.' y..•55—sr ll i� .er✓ .FJt t.* Ilk At • - yr r .l. ,� �i, '4 '�9'. II ' P _ �'_ - � I, y31.. •y iP y,r' Ji}r. Ip ti. �TM �v z 1 i 4+ f L y 4 1�+.V r• ., t1} . { _ - •i{� t STD{♦♦�•��-{.:F� 7..I iY`''•tl •• n 4 1+�. 1 � .. r r• -" d- :y .. =.ram, ;• ?tiyr' . ¢ L�•`r: 4?':r;v`ly`ri?r.,,k3.+7R�+r�'^i._:. � 1-� +�� �F. `r.*F Ilkf�g a 1 r f Y5 • 1 � t 3p 1.33i4S 335 NOI IVDNI A4 ry Fri H `i JJJt rw-.g-p,- , F " 4 i J' +fs �.y *F •--� ,fir .tAV 1i��� -,_ 1 a 8 Y 95 133FIS 3N 1 7 N.7l Vg WWWWA, .ell *%* . 1 33S 133NS 33S NO11V)7N11NOO 803 v I 3YM i r, 1X3d T. � a ■ 09 133145 3N, �Ie w 69 133145 33 NOtivnN11NOO HO-4 NEXT i I r � ' A .y ja or zo r r + 17 g �RFr1` • 41 'T'rG`1} pfL•�.,, •/1�+4tr ih- -�1}� y _ - M I 19 133HS 3N17 HDIVOY i 3 fl 133N5 3N17 HJ1VN A h I � � I i �3 LU V 8h F i #. kq 1339S 33S N011anN11N0D H03 G m 133H3 23 mr,@w , � . ■ \ » <� ■ �: 6 £3053,7 Gw■ � "" ® � � ( - .\\ \� k § ■ . � � � § � HOW ! I .� ] � .�/� .. �� ? : I y i ILIyj 4 sr � A 7 C vp.v 1 Oj 14 q 2\ �J S e .q /� !■� ` ( 14 4 §. /2\ \ � § ���■� � � � § � \ . .. . . . §■Q , � .� _ �§ 4 .� £R5.93S w: 68 133HS 3NI 7 HOJVft I INOO YL,; 19 ti In or 06 1.73H5 335-NOl1vnN11m0-1 dOd , mw�W�� e: %L FI ov, _;ti B . . JU Z6 133N5 3Nl7 r1�F,'','• •► �� rsr • • .1� i• 1 . tit �. .-q4 1 y � � ,•. Ir `a ;� 5:+ ir i A' l . 4'1 a��. 1 � :,�• �.. ": a , '� • � , "' +j-„ter' � 16 133NS 3N'7 HDIM 133HS 3NI 7 H.)IYYV NEWFOUND BLVD. ucrw LIL Ell Ln CMLL CT. 40 ! I C. t. . I .. IAL�L CT. .9m., 7 1411VO 3 00/ 193HS 3W H3101 M1lLDBR.RO. l rr p GHAPM M LPL � 1 ,. .. I a A Y, �I Sze,r c x A4 . • i • .' .'r'y iit AAFSFS� s dS 8 * s � _•4 AMOk T ' 86 13311S 3N 17 N31b11' 0 � � / � : /�� \� �����\`,:� . f �-�� � -� �� ® �� . :} , .�. \��� \� �%°� 4P I| \ _ ® f� \ � . , . � � _ § \ `� \. � � �| |� � �«� ƒ / $ f� � /� / . /� \\/� \� � \ % ��`, ��` \ � /� G&f, lie ie }� [ � � ■. Ea �� \ � 2 \� �@� k �$ �� 2.� , Ll§! E � \ \t§ i trnN, JNOJ YO_4 I '�"•�'yINC� g •fly �,' -+r hi d y. 'F'j`� k!�.,�rl1{ti.[�, ♦•F� Y45 T�7 =.1 - !L`t""'' �4- �•,Sd+ v,+ N -PAC r^'�P °'�5I'•�.y�ro�b}.�"r 7''yy + 7 6 '{�'-.i'1 !l Ih.' 4}},.y} Illy, •may �i. •i <.i4 { j xa14 ;�7 C' x a .Aiy�lrt rtS 'r fir,, r+eld�- rah{��:F{i� �� �" •p• ,f. lb rF P. �..{' J. ?p.Y•_s art,. a. z' f{ .•t ,: }- • � LT .Y a�� �+{•� sir 91 �h + I rK T; T I s h I it } •YT I• 1 �M, "E � 1 I a .rj f, Ir, �f N l•yeS�'� r ]i�t a � � X�S }� t:°5� rir'}rl_ I7r44 1-. 1 f � { ♦ fii I ,L'/ l�jT[i l', k`'' .i �j �ti•. i f,y�y '�' � ., �f S✓5 T�; ' i4l Y �S',{�f�'F1}p_ �' Ig.' II a. 3A.n Al �,.� 0 FE! 7-73145 31V17 H317 4r ti..fk i �p 141p 01.7 133145 335 N01 1VRNl1N0.9 803 MAU .t 1 v lz 133NS 3N17 14J1V11 t'je j ZIA Aa 76- AL- L L4 l4 L. 65' a3HS y.It17 N711'1r 3 rrww i I� o 4° Z53 133HS 3Nr7 9,71VN M! 7 H.71V1M • ssz 962 -03HS 3N17 H31VN F C9 �I R Al S 9� S S6Z 13314S 33S N011V11N11NO3 HOJ W, Ln . f rd ` it !'r drl l 8'n Orr V. it 'd`;■F '*' S9'1' og 14 Al turf ��"++' ��v r. � �� Jy ter;;. �'f, i'. si• �'1L3 � ° ° `� ' t �E err + '}• k - --" ' i 4 y dw r , Jd J.}1. �f3 }� •I��. 41` +�it^f y ! fP2 . k .lJP4 —.} -.•"i i kT �•'a i ry has fl y rr .' r j yy r .1 7e1-, ff Ij 't F t: 14 r � gf,h -,ry '+'�+y ''9"i•'cM'� �, .. ram.*• :°r 99F 33HS 3N17 1a.)I.VM . .� ... • a r I i ...4m f r OSF 1331-IS 335 NO11vAN11NOO 80-4 tj � y ee -PT {J r r � � '. •I lM P, r r y e 10 14 s � + N 411 + i'p. .• ,?+ w2'a' _ �Y.+,�"tl I. ;JLL r 5' .A _ 'rya '7';1;-rl Rr +' ',..tom • - L �' +'�., 't F' FL -9 J'-svn,"tl«'F'L' '{ �1 Y4 r� � w� � tl� 1}• i .�� S ��' F25:�'� '- `j.�1`�^` µ ♦ - - �� A��Pr + # , a * � €`� � � _37ba k�`'v� } .74 AGT,yfisA ' 47. - --,Akq 1J ;. . . t'. r y ,J" ,�.r- _ � - i t L qYi� f � r: e ��"•� r'!fr � it �e+^`f' � r w ��� �-i ,� � .l+F".pf t vi 3•�yy� � ri � ' I � �' �^ � #'� ,4 .�' �" i� tii r j �.vh" 1�7F!•�-4 L r�si �.a-i :1�: ` i •( ';- #' n'yti• lij�}'� •6i^fig .Y!!� .. � .?""s Lr..a:-�� ,64 �q'. ,�• l++ r J�� f r C�k�2�•r ram' Y' Y.1 �fi?• ��'' �-Y '�" , ` '.. -. ,jryk.+ ! L �' � �., � �' ►ter.• YC' �. J .o riY �Tr qqb r ..'�Lr .i��M �d 'HAS .++ k- '� f '�� � rr,r•1 s� � LJ• 1 �-'w 1 1 n o rry i� '.ME' 4': �y"[_'�F5�.7,•A _gip-., - . kz t - 5 - 4 [� gig - -- - i IE'll I��II It, ;uE rr=nr�lr 1 A g h N i i W N w 4 a a M N 4 4 4 N N b 4 a 4 a N N 4 4 4 p 4 4 Q~ pNp �Vp �pV y yy �pk �kp �yV �Vp gyp �yY 4 �Vp 4 �Vp �Vp �y4 �Vy spy �pk �p �p4 7 CCh W ; Tit T tl V; ♦! •1 y1 b e a n T TIT n tl N $ 4 4 4 4 a a N 4 4 4 4 p N 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 N 4 n n 4 n 4 tl n„ 1,-7n n n n tl h n n N O 4 y� � u N b♦ �o b N N♦ p M b N N 1e b �o N b b W b N S C« 4 N 4 a V N N A 4 4 A N a A w N 4 4 4 4 4 4 p N b tl tl b e 4 b tl b b e g O b O d q b e 4 b b b N Y '1 y Y V k k 4 tl tl b tl tl b tl b tl tl A tl b tl b tl tl b tl tl tl tl tl wN« a e e a e e a a o p n 4$ M g t1 W -« r a a O O o o A g b p a � A p !1 eV M T T N N N q N 5 j d 4 4 d 4 4 K W� �i -a`1 r Isawi Opi opi � � � tlly e o y 1/� �e W "4 Z �Z V J Z � O WLu � J Q in V CL - W W C.] Q J Q- jol� L !N h�� � : �g �� � � � iN $�'��'� i tiw a ti8• E � y � '� fill fill; bt }8Pr� q� +tom"C``E "'p �$ �'i'�' �$ :aW [ i S'ai�t` I pfit IN ;ay ¢��! 1 1+, y �ti� Wflia. •�A 3t Pill 1y y yE3 g5d YyogllC �a 9 bNrre oV .. Y e sui3aa�d rg ti ni Pi f -1 A la a H r�uem) .r M T i 4 • � M � 0 0 2. 94:3 ti .ri. Y M y� o � -�! x k � o a .z bN i M K wa 33co co o08000�u�(rD o O~ O C7 O O Q pip O op hl W W co0 �'�J CO M'T CD r Lf) QLo0pce),NR mmN(D(DTNONT Nfl- Kr OD r• (O W W (D ti G y N e N T O N T 0U) 33t$v$loslocp8o¢ � o T V V O O N O C (h 18 0 0~ 0 O 0 40 N W m W rf 0 V) T LO r- CD (G m O 7 a O � IX O 69 64 i/9 69 fl)' (4 N4 69 d g LL Z TT0)(Dt7rC fN�CV e o 0 \\ \ Z a 0 W Z T LO o n -- Z,Z, ei w a Z 0 �7 W cn Z P: w a) cn c � ca V n ~ fn w cn cn fn <0 fn rn rn 4 F- c J LL O U. o o U m z LU r j O oo a r- o: z O N � cm OC 000 o OW �� W O L a LL LL r N W "a ° I, w O N O z ._ a_ u)LLQIZ �! O_ 7 IIx N w Z a N 0 W TNQCA Q r' Z <0 ¢ d W N m G :c �F'c~nW CO W (DU)z—iwcn k 0 CD LL-i-izaog co Z W O ¢� as asU)w0 T LU ��/ Q iL LL L�"ItILI.i.Z��w� r T > J A. O ryZZZZZI!]O�+ O C7 C7 U' C7 U' _ W W 1� N W V3 N-r-F-iF-H (n cn (n tn'O� WHO �V zCnIV3(n:fn(nHHJ H0000,00wow a' �z(-a.0-�aaooz ro E D wwwwwwaCL¢ W w w w w 6azzzzz»0 ��cncn�ncnml��cn W TN0jr0N00 Q T 000 60�� r N N N N N N 6 6 O OD N N O 0000008 000 O T T f- r- f- r- r- r- 1- I r- 7 0 t7 C _O1 cm c c m C )UNTY jo'MON ROE '�KEY WESTFLORIDA 33040 (305)294-4641 June 20, 2012 Mr. Gus Pego, PE District 6 Secretary Florida Department of Transportation 1000 NW 111 rh Avenue Miami, FL 33172 Dear Mr. Pego: RQUO OF COUNTY COH NISSIONERS Mayor David Rice, District 4 Mayor Pro Tem IGm Wigingtm, District 1 George Neugent, District 2 Heather Carruthers, District 3 _ Sylvia 1. Murphy, District 5 Through the Local Agency Program (LAP), Monroe County recently completed the design of a Community Wayfinding Sign Program. This was done in an effort to reduce sign clutter, increase sign visibility, and provide a means to direct scenic highway travelers along US 1. Existing FDOT information and guide signs are being upgraded to meet current hurricane standards. These signs will be incorporated into an aesthetically pleasing, consistent sign design that has been vetted and approved by your staff. A total of 200 existing FDOT signs will be removed and replaced with a total of 160 FDOT-approved wayfinding signs The US 1 corridor is fortunate to have the distinction of being a National Scenic Byway, a Florida Scenic Highway, and Florida's only All American Road. The reduction of sign clutter is key to improving the aesthetics of the corridor. While we were able to address some signs through our LAP project, it is our understanding that regulatory signage must be addressed separately. Our County Traffic Consultant did a cursory review of regulatory sign types that could potentially be removed without detriment to highway safety. These include select "Center Lane Control signs", "No Parking, Standing, and Stopping signs", and "Intersection Warning signs". I have attached a copy of the URS Corporation Southern evaluation for your consideration. We would appreciate if your staff could evaluate these sign types throughout the Florida Keys Scenic Highway corridor and remove those deemed to be excessive. I'd like to thank you for providing the enhancement grant funding our innovative Wayf nding Sign Project. We look forward to our continued coordination with your agency and appreciate all you can to help us eliminate sign clutter along our "Main Street". Sincerely, David Rice Mayor Date: April 30, 2012 To: Ms. Patricia Smith MONROE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 2798 Overseas Highway, Suite 400 Marathon, Florida 33060 From: Mr. Raj Shanmugam, P.E. Senior Traffic Engineer — Project Man er Subject Recommendations to Reduce Sign lutter along US 1 (SR b — Overseas Highway) Monroe County has been looking for ways to improve the US 1/SR 5 — Overseas Highway corridor in Monroe County. One of the most recent and relevant effort was to develop a Wayfinding Sign plan to reduce the number of existing informational and guide signs along US 1, and to improve the aesthetics of this corridor. During the development of the Wayfinding Sign program, an opportunity to reduce the number of existing regulatory and warning signs along the US 1 corridor was observed. Although having not known of the history and the reason for placing any particular sign may be presumptuous, this memorandum is developed with the intention of drawing attention to the type and location of particular signs that may have the potential to be removed to reduce sign clutter. Further study is required to identify these signs and justify the removal while protecting the safety and the integrity of the highway. The MUTCD states "...regulatory and warning signs should be used conservatively because these signs, if used in excess, tend to lose their effectiveness, and unnecessary traffic control devices should be removed." Based on conversations with County staff and knowledge of the area, three types of signs were identified that could potential be reduced without potentially compromising the safety and the integrity of the highway: A) Center Lane Control signs and plaques; B) No Parking, Standing, and Stopping signs; and C) Intersection Warning signs and plaques. A) Center Lane Control Signs and Plaques (R3-9a, R3-9b, R3-9cP, R3-9dP) LiMiLll Section 213.24 of the MUTCD addresses the Center Lane ��► Control Signs. it states that a.... Two -Way Left Tum Only oNiY sEcpr Eha (R3-9a or R3-9b) signs should be used in conjunction with Aa-9a M-9b M 9cP Ra-snap the required pavement markings where a non -reversible lane is reserved for the exclusive use of left -turning vehicles in either direction and is not used for passing, overtaking, or through travel. The legend BEGIN or END may be used within the border of the main sign itself, or on an R3-9cP or R3-9dP plaque mounted immediately above it. The wording "should" instead of "shall" in section 26.24 of the MUTCD also imply that the use of these signs is optional and not mandatory. Further, the FDOT standard Index 17346, Speclal UR5 Corporation 3343 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Tel. 954.739.1881 Fax: 954.739.1789 US 1 /SR S/Overseas Highway Recommendations to Reduce Signs Clutter Page 2 of 4 April30, 2012 Marking Areas (page 3 of 14) shows the required pavement markings. The standard index does not indicate a need for signs to supplement the pavement markings. Field observations of US 1 in the areas with two-way left -turn center lanes show two approaches been used for signing - 1) signs to define the beginning and the end of the entire area with occasional signs in between; and 2) signs to define the beginning and the end of each segment after the two-way left -turn center lane becomes an exclusive left -turn lane at an intersection. The second approach results in redundancy and sign clutter. Center Turn Lane Signed Only at the Beginning and the End Center Turn Lane Supplemented with Intermediate Signs A couple of examples of Center Turn Lane signing based on the first approach (which is the preferred approach to reduce sign clutter) can be found between Dobie Street (MP 19.510) and Horace Street (MP 20.431) in Summerland Key; and between West Cahill Court (MP 25.221) and Chapman Street (MP 25.991) in Big Pine Key; both are recently completed FDOT projects. A potential location for Center Turn Lane sign reduction could be found between Orange Lane (MP 13.940) and Seminole Boulevard (MP 15.450) in Plantation Key. Similar opportunities to reduce Center Turn Lane signing exist throughout the US 1 corridor in Monroe County. A thorough investigation needs to be performed to develop a comprehensive list of locations to eliminate Center Turn Lane signs. B) No Parking, Standing, and Stopping Signs (R7 and R8 series) r< Field observations of the corridor show that the `No Parking, Standing or Stopping' sign and their application «- vary significantly throughout the corridor. These variations were noted in addition to required variations to differentiate specific parking regulations for different areas. The applications of these signs vary from none for several miles to several signs within a couple of hundred feet. The MUTCD Section 2B.47 states that where parking is prohibited at all times, the basic design for parking signs shall have a red legend and border an a white background, except that the R8- 4 and R8-7 signs and the alternate design for the R7-201aP plaque shall have a black legend and border on a white background, and the R8-3 sign shall have a black legend and border and a red circle and slash on a white background. The MUTCD also states that to minimize the number of parking signs, blanket regulations that apply to a given district may, if legal, be posted at district boundary lines. URAUS 1/ SR S 1Overseas Highway Recommendations to Reduce Signs Clatter Page 3 of 4 April30, 2012 Owely Spaced No Parking Signs It should be noted that the above photograph does not show all the parking prohibition signs that are in close proximity and visible on the field to the driver. An example of a desirable application of parking restriction signs can be found near MP 1.5 and MP 2.5 in Boca Chica, Several areas for potential parking prohibition sign reduction were observed; and some are listed below. 1) Sweating Road MP 29.642 (Section 90060-000). 2) Whale Harbor Channel MP 10.194 and CR 905 MP 10.563 (Section 90050-000). 3) South Layton Drive MP 8.698 and MP 8,755 (Section 90050-000). 4) Parking Entrance MP 5.876 and Parking Exit MP 5.909 at the Long Key Channel Bridge (Section 90050-000), 5) Aquamarine Drive MP 6.112 and Boca Chica MP 6,160. (Section 90020-000) Similar opportunities to reduce parking restriction signing exist throughout the US 1 corridor in Monroe County. It is emphasized that having not known of the history and the reason for placing any particular sign may be presumptuous; a thorough investigation needs to be performed to develop a comprehensive list of locations to eliminate parking restriction signs. C) Intersection Warning Signs and Plaques (1117 and R8 series) « The MUTCD Section 2B.47 states that O + O ® Lwmdo, m .0 Fiat St intersection warning signs may be used in advance of an intersection to indicate n '�� the presence of an intersection and the possibility of turning or entering traffic. An advance street name plaque may be installed above or below an Intersection Warning sign. Intersection Warning signs, other than the Circular Intersection (WI-6) symbol sign and the T-intersection (W2-4) symbol sign should not be used on approaches controlled by STOP signs, YIELD signs, or signals. Further, the MUTCD Section 9B.16 states that Intersection Warning signs should be used when engineering judgment determines that the visibility of the intersection is limited. FDOT Traffic Engineering Manual (Rev 2012) states that Intersection Waming signs and Advance Traffic Control signs should be installed when there is a documented need based on US I /SR S /Overseas Highway Recommendations to Reduce Signs Clutter Page 4 of 4 April 30, 2012 sight restrictions, crash history, or engineering judgment. Advance street name plaques should be installed on these warning signs when: AADT z 2, 000, theme is no street lighting, and there is a documented history of turning, entering, or side -swipe crashes. Field observations of the corridor indicate that the Intersection Waming signs may be over used. Intersection Warning signs were observed to be used at signalized intersections contradicting MUTCD guidelines. Intersection Warning signs were also observed to be used at intersections with exclusive left or right -turn lanes; which indicate the presence of an intersection making the use of Intersection Warning signs potentially redundant. An example of a desirable application of intersection warning signs can be found at Raffy Road MP 17.538 in Cudjoe Key. However, it is recommended that all Intersection Warning sign, when desired should be accompanied by a street name plaque. Following is a sample list of signalized intersections with intersection warning signs, which contradicts the MUTCD guidelines: 1) Crane Boulevard MP 14.803. (Section 90020-000) 2) Sugarloaf Boulevard MP 12.602 (Section 90020-000)1 Flashing Signal 3) College Road MP 4.230. (Section 90020-000) Following is a sample list of intersections with exclusive left or right -turn lanes; which indicate the presence of an intersection, and placing an Intersection Warning signs is potentially redundant: 1) Colson Drive MP 16.666 Cudjoe Key (Section 90020-000). 2) Sawyer Drive MP 16.609 Cudjoe Key (Section 90020-000). 3) Drost Drive MP 16.446 in Cudjoe Key (Section 90020-000). 4) College Road MP 4.230 in Stock Island (Section 90020-000), Similar opportunities to reduce unwanted intersection marking signing exist throughout the US 1 corridor in Monroe County. It is emphasized that having not known of the history and the reason for placing any particular sign may be presumptuous; a thorough investigation needs to be performed to develop a comprehensive list of locations to eliminate intersection marking signs. The two 'Key Largo' signs in the southbound direction of US 1 —one at approximately MM 106.25 and the second at approximately MM 107.25 (on Jewfish Creek Bridge) is an example of sign redundancy. The Monroe County Wayfinding sign program incorporates the sign at MM 106.25, whereas, the second sign at MM 107.25 is outside the limits of the project and not included. Monroe County should request FDOT to remove this sign. Key Largo Sign at MM 10l.25 Key Largo Up at MM 107.25 T Engwosgvp Kr=C1 Erd Pmoxh (W wvbh*W262012_SW C ar rlrnlUS 14s;