Traffic analysis

The city recently conducted traffic studies along West 8th Avenue and at the intersection of West 8th and Garrison Street to better understand current conditions. This data collection along the West 8th corridor includes vehicle traffic volumes, speeds, and turning movements including at the intersection with Garrison.

The posted speed limit along West 8^th is 20 mph, and the average speed was 25 mph.

The traffic study also evaluated whether a traffic signal is needed at the Garrison Street intersection. National traffic standards require a certain amount of traffic throughout the day to justify installing a signal. The study evaluated two separate criteria. The first requires traffic to reach specific levels for at least eight hours per day, but the intersection met those levels for only two hours. The second requires traffic to reach specific levels for at least four hours per day, but again, the intersection met those levels for only two hours. Because neither requirement was met, the traffic study does not support installing a traffic signal at this time.

The criteria for installing speed humps requires the average speed to be 5 miles per hour greater than the posted speed limit. Therefore, the requirements that would warrant the installation for speed humps have been met. The project team will further evaluate speed humps along West 8^th during the next design phase to determine how and where they will be included in the project.

The project area also has a history of bicycle-related crashes, including two reported crashes involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist at West 8th and Holland Street in 2024 and 2025. The city allows cyclists to use the sidewalk if they do not feel comfortable traveling in the roadway. Constructing a sidewalk will give cyclists an additional option to travel farther from vehicle traffic, which may help reduce the risk of future crashes.