HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoute 25 at Gristina Vineyards STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT Of TRANSPORTATION
VeteraNs MeMOrIAL HighWaY
Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788
CRAIG SIRACUSA~
REGIONAL DI RECTOr
March 20, 2001
JOSEPH H. BOARDMAN
COMMISSIONER
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich
Chairman, Southold Transportation Commission
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
Southold, New York 11971-0959
Dear Mr. Brashich:
Speed Limit Evaluation Request
Route 25 at Gristina Vineyards
Our Case No. 0091033TC
This is in response to your letter regarding Mr. John Perry's speed limit concerns on Route 25 at the
Gristina Vineyards in Cutchogue.
We have completed a traffic and safety investigation of the above referenced location, which
included an accident analysis, a speed study and field observations of the area.
Regulatory speed limits are established only when and where they will promote efficient traffic flow
and/or improve safety. Consequently, speed limits are established only after an engineering and
traffic investigation has been made in accordance with established traffic engineering practices.
Improperly set speed limits generally increase the conflicts between faster and slower drivers, reduce
the gaps in traffic through which crossing could be made safely and increase the difficulty for
pedestrians to judge the speed of approaching vehicles.
The methodology for setting a reasonable speed limit is based on nationally accepted criteria and
consists of the following:
'Roadside development (i.e:, the number and type of residences, coinmercial, industrial and
recreational establishments).
· Intersection development (i.e., the number and type of intersecting highways).
Highway geometries (i.e., pavement condition, grades, curves, sight distance, shoulders,
sidewalks and traffic volume).
· 85th percentile speed (The speed at which 85% of the motorists are traveling at or below).
Mr. Neboysha R. Brashich
March 20, 2001
Page 2
It is a well established fact that posted speed limits have little effect on overall traffic speeds. This
is because most people drive at a speed which is determined by their own evaluation of prevailing
roadside and traffic conditions, rather than a blind obedience of regulatory signs. Consequently
unrealistic regulations are ineffective and do not provide a sound basis for enforcement purposes for
those who drive at imprudent speed.
Our accident analysis reviewed the most current three years of data available from the Department
of Motor Vehicles. Our analysis did not show a pattern of accidents that would be correctable by
a reduction in the posted speed limit. There were no reported accidents at the driveway to Gristina
Vineyards during the study period, if Mr. Perry can supply us with the dates and names of the people
involved in the accidents he refers to, we will get a copy of the accident reports and review them.
The results of our speed study showed the 85t~ percentile speed on Route 25 to be 54 mph with a
posted speed limit of 55 mph. Based on our 85th percentile speed study and evaluation of the
roadside development, as well as our accident analysis, we do not feel a reduction of the speed limit
on Route 25 is appropriate at this time.
Thank you for your interest in this traffic safety matter.
Very truly yours,
THOMAS F. OELERICH, P.E.
Regional Traffic Engineer
TFO:JS:JS