The Public Works & Engineering Department routinely address traffic improvements throughout the community and those brought up by the residents.  Staff has made a commitment to conduct comprehensive reviews of all roadway speed limits and traffic control measures.

At the request of area residents, speed studies were conducted on South Belmont Avenue, between Central Road and East Council Trail.

The study found no reported accidents on S. Belmont Avenue (30 mph) in the last 5 years. However, it revealed that the adjacent roads, S. Pine Avenue. and E. White Oak Street, have a speed limit of 25 mph. Further analysis shows that when measured using the 10-mph pace criteria, 85% of the motorists in this area travel at a speed between 21-30 mph. The standard practice is to establish a speed limit at the mid-point of the 10-mph pace range. S. Belmont Avenue is considered to be a representative street in the subject residential area. Standard engineering principles allows Staff to extrapolate the findings present on the “representative street” to the other residential streets within the area.  Following these principles, Staff concluded that reduced speed limits in the area are warranted and are further defined below. 

Conclusion:

The speed studies conducted on S. Belmont Avenue support the proposal to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on all residential streets within the area bounded by E. Golf Road, S. Arlington Heights Road, E. Central Road, and the Village limits to the east. This measure will enhance pedestrian safety, promote consistency and predictability in traffic flow, and contribute to a safer residential environment. Lowering the speed limit serves as a traffic calming measure, discourages cut-through traffic and reduces noise levels in residential neighborhoods, and improves the quality of life for residents. 

If approved, the street sections below will have the post speed limits reduced to 25 mph.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the study results and the USLIMITS2 evaluation, staff recommends changing the speed limit on all residential streets within the area bounded by E. Golf Road, S. Arlington Heights Road, E. Central Road, and the Village limits to the east, to 25 mph. This adjustment would bring the speed limit in line with the neighboring roads and better reflect the actual driving behaviors of motorists. Implementing a 25-mph speed limit would also enhance overall road safety in the area.

Therefore, staff requests that the Village Board approve the attached Ordinance lowering the speed limit to 25mph in the designated area bound by Arlington Heights Road to the west, Central Road to the north, Golf Road to the south, and the Village limits to the east, and authorize the Village Manager to execute the necessary documents.