The streets department, and the elected officials in charge of them - the
City Council (particularly the Public Works Committee) - really hate to hear
any requests to lower speed limits. To my knowledge (which I'll admit is
very limited), there has never been a speed limit lowering on any street in
the history of the city. So don't get your hopes up.
Their arguement goes like this: State law sets speed limits at the speed at
which 85% of motorists travel. Any request to lower a speed limit means
that there has to be a study of the speeds that motorists are presently
travelling. Invariably, that measured speed is HIGHER than the present
posted speed. So, a request to lower a speed limit winds up warranting a
speed limit increase.
So, if you requested a lowering of the speed limit on 6th, you would be put
off and put off and put off. But, if you were really persistant, the city
(if they have the capability) would do a study of present vehicle speeds.
Probably, 85% of the vehicles are travelling greater than 35 or 40 mph. The
state law would then warrant that the speed limit be posted 35 or 40. I
guess, if you don't ask, and there is no measurement, and you can keep (the
technically illegal) 30 mph limit. I doubt that there is any enforcement of
the 6th St. speed limit, though.
The motivation for the 85% rule is that it is an enforcement nightmare to
have the vast majority of people in violation of the law. Enforcement only
really works when a small minority is in violation. This was the same issue
for prohibition. Enforcement professionals don't want to be given the task
of upholding unenforceable laws. (ususally)
So, Bill, the real way to slow down cars is through physical measures:
TRAFFIC CALMING. It is clear that high speed traffic is inappropriate or
even deadly in a residential neighborhood. But posting unenforceable speed
limits won't really slow cars down. The present speed limit on 6th is
probably already widely violated.
There are traffic calming structures that are appropriate for arterials. If
you build it they will slow.
Fritz