2019-032 W. Oak Street Traffic CollisionsDate: 02/22/2019 Report No. 2019-032
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
In December, Council member Paul Meltzer requested information relating regarding traffic
collisions on Oak Street (west of Carroll Street).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Subsequent to the Council member’s inquiry, staff analyzed vehicle collision data on West Oak
Street and determined that increased enforcement activities and built environment changes to the
streets could positively impact the collision rate. The Police Department has begun targeted
increases in enforcement activities while curb extensions, or “bulb outs”, can be added to the street
to improve safety conditions should funding become available.
BACKGROUND:
Subsequent to this request, the Police Department analyzed data for all traffic collisions occurring
on West Oak Street between Carroll Boulevard and Bonnie Brae Street for the period of December
1, 2017 through November 30, 2018. Attached to this report is a detailed table summarizing the
individual collision data and diagram approximating the collision locations. As submitted in the
December 14, 2018 Friday Report, the initial finding showed:
65 total automobile collisions;
9 collisions involving a vehicle striking a parked vehicle;
1 collision involving a vehicle striking a stationary object; and
2 collisions on side streets off of W. Oak involving striking parked vehicles.
A subsequent request from Council Member Meltzer asked for clarification on the number of
parked vehicle collisions on West Oak Street compared to other streets with on street parking
across the community. Staff gathered data for similar street segments on the Elm Street/Locust
Street corridor between Parkway and University for the time period of December 1, 2017 through
Dec. 31, 2018. This area is a similar length and has comparable on-street parking to what is found
on West Oak. Both Elm (southbound) and Locust (northbound) are two-lane, one-way streets.
While there were fewer crashes in the Elm/Locust corridor during this time period, a larger
percentage of these crashes involved a parked car or stationary object (32%) compared to roughly
20% of crashes involving a parked car or stationary object on West Oak. This information was
provided in the January 11, 2019 Friday Report.
It is important to note that factors such as differing traffic volumes and variations in the number
of intersecting streets make a direct comparison between West Oak and another, similar street
difficult. As a result, staff has chosen to approach this issue as a unique challenge to this particular
street with the need for a specialized and varied approach in addressing the frequency of collisions.
The Police and Capital Projects departments collaborated in the development of options to
reduce the number collisions along West Oak. Some options specifically relate to the
Date: 02/22/2019 Report No. 2019-032
enforcement of traffic and parking laws along this roadway. At the time of this report, the Police
department has implemented the following along this section of Oak Street:
The placement of a radar-capable speed sign at key times to encourage vehicles to slow
down;
Increasing parking enforcement activities along to gauge if illegal parking is happening
and possibly contributing to the crash numbers;
Increasing moving violation enforcement activities by both the traffic and downtown
units to minimize the instances of unsafe lane changing; and
Increasing DWI enforcement activities as some of the collisions can be attributed to DWI
or hit-and-run collisions between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
To aid in this effort, the Police department has engaged in public outreach to the surrounding
area. A message for the neighborhoods along the West Oak Street corridor was distributed
advising residents of the ongoing enforcement efforts with the goal of reducing crashes.
Methods to utilize UNT’s messaging capability are being explored in order to inform the student
population as well.
Alterations to the physical environment are also being considered with the particular goal of
helping drivers to proceed with greater caution at intersections. Staff has determined that an
effective traffic control measure would be to paint curb extensions at intersections and add raised
markers for an added visual cue.
The curb extensions would encourage drivers entering and exiting West Oak Street to make
broader turns that avoid parked vehicles. While some intersections on West Oak currently have
painted curb extensions, particularly on the east end of the street, there are opportunities for more
to be added at key points. A sample image of a painted curb extension with markers is shown
below.
Date: 02/22/2019 Report No. 2019-032
The cost of painting a curb extension, including the placement of markers, would be approximately
$5,000 per intersection. Since West Oak is a one-way street with parking only on the south side,
this would consist of curb extensions at only two corners of each intersection. There are several
cross sections to consider for this corridor and two options that include a bike lane are described
below.
Intersection corners may also be reconstructed to create hardscape curb extensions that contain
sidewalks, illumination, and landscaping features. A sample image of hardscape curb extension is
below.
Staff is still evaluating West Oak Street to identify potential locations for future curb extensions
(whether painted or hardscape), though preliminary intersections that can be considered include:
West Oak Street at Avenue G (both corners)
West Oak Street at North Texas Boulevard (both corners)
West Oak Street at Miller Street (both corners)
West Oak Street at Avenue C (one corner)
West Oak Street at Avenue B (both corners)
West Oak Street at Fry Street (both corners if paved, one corner if painted)
West Oak Street at Centre (one corner if paved)
West Oak Street at Welch Street (both corners if paved, one corner if painted)
West Oak Street at Denton Street (both corners)
While the addition of curb extensions could eliminate 1-2 parking spaces per intersection, staff is
confident the extensions would improve traffic safety conditions at that location. There is currently
no available funding for the addition of painted or hardscape curb extensions.
Date: 02/22/2019 Report No. 2019-032
CONCLUSION:
Staff believes the targeted enforcement will positively impact the number of vehicle collisions on
West Oak Street. With funding, the painted curb extensions would provide a continually present
buffer help protect against collisions and improve traffic safety conditions while reducing parking
by 1-2 spaces per intersection. Hardscape curb extensions require a significantly greater
investment in funding and planning and can be discussed as a part of the budget or capital planning
process.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. West Oak Vehicle Accident Data (12/1/17 – 11/30/18)
2. West Oak Collision Diagram
STAFF CONTACT:
Ryan Adams
Assistant to the City Manager
940-349-8565
Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com
Bobby Smith
Assistant Police Chief
940-349-7971
Bobby.Smith@cityofdenton.com
Pritam Deshmukh
Deputy City Engineer
940-349-7710
Pritam.Deshmukh@cityofdenton.com
W. Oak Vehicle Accident Data12/1/2017 - 11/30/2018Crash Case ID Fatal Intersection Crash Date Crash Time Block Prefix Reported Road Int_Block Int_Prefix Reported Intersecting Road Crash Contributing Factor Crash Contributing Factor16132423 17012304 No NO 12/05/2017 6:32 PM 2000 W W OAK ST 200 BRADLEY STUNDER INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL WRONG WAY - ONE WAY ROAD16143231 17012352 No NO 12/07/2017 1:56 PM 100 FRY ST 1300 W W OAK ST DRIVER INATTENTION16143211 17012526 No NO 12/12/2017 3:35 PM 100 NORTH TEXAS BLVD 2000 W W OAK ST DISTRACTION IN VEHICLE16155974 17012825 No NO 12/21/2017 9:37 AM 2435 W W OAK ST 2435 W W OAK STBACKED WITHOUT SAFETY16176482 17013069 No YES 12/30/2017 6:37 PM 100 N N CARROLL BLVD 500 W W OAK ST DISREGARD STOP SIGN OR LIGHT DROVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS16203622 18000417 No NO 01/13/2018 1:00 AM 1221 W W OAK ST 100 FRY ST BACKED WITHOUT SAFETY UNDER INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL16211500 18000733 No YES 01/23/2018 9:30 AM 125 N N BONNIE BRAE ST 2300 WW OAK ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16213634 18000784 No YES 01/24/2018 1:35 PM 2300 W W OAK ST 200 N N BONNIE BRAE ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16235824 18000846 No NO 01/26/2018 10:04 AM 200 PONDER AVE 1100 W W OAK ST DISTRACTION IN VEHICLE FAILED TO CONTROL SPEED16235825 18000917 No YES 01/27/2018 8:58 PM 100 N N CARROLL BLVD 400 W W OAK ST PEDESTRIAN FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY TO VEHICLE16231308 18001177 No YES 02/04/2018 8:50 PM 199 N N BONNIE BRAE ST 2400 WW OAK ST NONE16242131 18001390 No NO 02/10/2018 2:50 AM 1700 W W OAK ST 100 N N AVE C FAILED TO CONTROL SPEED16266511 18001576 No NO 02/16/2018 12:25 AM 1221 W W OAK ST 100 FRY ST UNDER INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL16271162 18001698 No NO 02/19/2018 4:56 PM 1500 W W OAK ST 100 N N AVENUE B CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE16256333 18001699 No YES 02/19/2018 5:20 PM 1000 W W OAK ST 100 N N WELCH ST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURNING LEFT TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16267065 18001879 No YES 02/24/2018 10:44 PM 1300 W W OAK ST NO DATA FRY ST DISREGARD STOP SIGN OR LIGHT HAD BEEN DRINKING16292124 18002105 No YES 03/02/2018 6:47 PM 200 N N CARROLL BLVD 500 W W OAK ST DISREGARD STOP SIGN OR LIGHT16361933 18002177 No YES 03/05/2018 5:41 AM 400 W W OAK ST 100 N N CARROLL BLVD FAILED TO STOP AT PROPER PLACE16293698 18002304 No YES 03/08/2018 1:22 PM 600 W W OAK ST 100 DENTON ST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - STOP SIGN16297658 18002379 No YES 03/10/2018 3:07 PM 400 W W OAK ST 100 N N CARROLL BLVD FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURNING LEFT16306248 18002430 No YES 03/12/2018 12:35 PM 300 W W OAK ST 100 N N CARROLL ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16321970 18002449 No NO 03/12/2018 6:42 PM 2200 W W OAK ST 200 N N BONNIE BRAE NONE16320647 18002927 No YES 03/26/2018 9:56 AM 100 N N CARROLL BLVD 500 W W OAK ST TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16334639 18003022 No YES 03/26/2018 10:04 AM 1300 W W OAK ST 200 FRY ST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURNING LEFT16325925 18003039 No NO 03/29/2018 1:22 PM 400 W W OAK ST 100 N N CARROLL BLVD CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE16341439 18003089 No NO 03/30/2018 5:05 PM 1221 W W OAK ST 100 N N WELCH ST OTHER (EXPLAIN IN NARRATIVE)16338525 18003263 No NO 04/05/2018 2:50 AM 1400 W W OAK ST 200 BRYAN ST FAILED TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANE16378543 18003586 No NO 04/13/2018 9:30 PM 2424 W W OAK ST 100 BLK S S BONNIE BRAE ST NONE16386524 18004106 No NO 04/29/2018 2:22 AM 600 W W OAK ST 100 DENTON ST OPENED DOOR INTO TRAFFIC LANE UNDER INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL16386520 18004132 No YES 04/29/2018 6:58 PM 1300 W W OAK ST 200 FRY ST CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE FAULTY EVASIVE ACTION16413586 18004731 No YES 05/16/2018 4:50 PM 1700 W W OAK ST 200 JAGOE ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16429762 18004946 No NO 05/22/2018 5:41 PM 2200 W W OAK ST 100 N N BONNIE BRAE ST CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE16467765 18005288 No NO 06/01/2018 9:40 PM 1200 W W OAK ST 200 FRY ST CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE DRIVER INATTENTION16449337 18005420 No NO 06/05/2018 11:47 AM 700 W W OAK ST 200 MOUNT ST TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16449343 18005429 No NO 06/05/2018 2:30 PM 900 W W OAK ST NO DATA N N WELCH TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16470537 18005506 No YES 06/07/2018 11:31 PM 1300 W W OAK ST 199 FRY ST FAILED TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANE16467375 18005589 No YES 06/10/2018 12:54 PM 2000 W W OAK ST 100 NORTH TEXAS BLVD TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16471076 18005775 No NO 06/15/2018 2:37 PM 900 W W OAK ST 200 MOUNTS AVE FOLLOWED TOO CLOSELY16518400 18006680 No YES 07/12/2018 9:58 AM 199 N N CARROLL BLVD 400 W W OAK ST NONE16523600 18006849 No YES 07/17/2018 7:01 AM 100 N N C AVE 1600 W W OAK ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL DRIVER INATTENTION16548977 18007309 No NO 07/29/2018 7:00 PM 1221 W W OAK ST 100 N N WELCH ST NONE16545291 18007330 No YES 07/31/2018 8:03 AM 1700 W W OAK ST 200 AVE C AVEDISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16565029 18007742 No NO 08/11/2018 1:52 PM 200 N N BONNIE BRAE ST 2400 W W OAK ST FAILED TO CONTROL SPEED16570736 18007841 No YES 08/14/2018 3:00 PM 200 N N BONNIE BRAE ST 2400 WW OAK ST DISREGARD STOP AND GO SIGNAL16608826 18008559 No YES 09/01/2018 11:00 PM NO DATA W W OAK ST NO DATA WELCH ST TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16604683 18008615 No NO 09/03/2018 4:47 PM 2000 W W OAK ST 200 BRADLEY STFAILED TO CONTROL SPEED16620876 18008782 No YES 09/07/2018 9:20 PM 200 N N CARROLL AVE 400 W W OAK ST FAILED TO CONTROL SPEED PEDESTRIAN FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY TO VEHICLE16652293 18008835 No NO 09/09/2018 2:16 PM 1122 W W OAK ST 199 N N WELCH ST DRIVER INATTENTION FAILED TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANE16642781 18009403 No NO 09/24/2018 4:51 PM 300 NORMAL ST 1500 W W OAK ST FAILED TO PASS TO LEFT SAFELY FAILED TO SIGNAL OR GAVE WRONG SIGNAL16641091 18009409 No NO 09/24/2018 6:30 PM 100 N N CARROLL BLVD NO DATA WW OAK ST FAILED TO CONTROL SPEED 16661023 18009752 No YES 10/03/2018 3:12 PM 2500 W W OAK ST 100 BONNIE BRAE ST FAILED TO PASS TO LEFT SAFELY TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16659486 18009770 No NO 10/04/2018 12:30 AM 1224 W W OAK ST 199 FRY ST NONE16664154 18009826 No NO 10/05/2018 1:33 PM 110 N N CARROLL BLVD 500 W W OAK ST BACKED WITHOUT SAFETY16701658 18010378 No NO 10/20/2018 2:30 AM 100 FULTON ST 1100 W W OAK ST NONE16697053 18010451 No NO 10/22/2018 3:44 PM 2000 W W OAK ST NO DATA THOMAS ST FAILED TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANE16722003 18010481 No NO 10/23/2018 11:48 AM 1200 W W OAK ST 200 FRY ST TURNED IMPROPERLY - WRONG LANE16706117 18010561 No NO 10/25/2018 1:44 PM 300 MARIETTA ST 1800 W W OAK ST BACKED WITHOUT SAFETY FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - PRIVATE DRIVE16713226 18010653 No NO 10/27/2018 6:31 PM 1900 W W OAK ST 100 MILLER ST DRIVER INATTENTION16715798 18010843 No NO 11/01/2018 12:43 PM 2200 W W OAK ST NO DATA THOMAS ST CHANGED LANE WHEN UNSAFE16725268 18010908 No YES 11/03/2018 10:47 AM 200 BONNIE BRAE ST 2400 OAK ST DISREGARD STOP SIGN OR LIGHT FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURN ON RED16754077 18011108 No YES 11/08/2018 12:51 PM 1700 W W OAK ST 200 JAGOE STFAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TO PEDESTRIAN16735234 18011153 No NO 11/09/2018 9:00 PM 1200 W W OAK ST 100 FRY ST NONE16753645 18011479 No NO 11/19/2018 2:23 PM 2400 W W OAK ST NO DATA BONNIE BRAE ST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURNING LEFT
W. Oak Vehicle Accident Data12/1/2017 - 11/30/2018Crash Case ID Fatal Intersection Crash Date Crash Time Block Prefix Reported Road Int_Block Int_Prefix Reported Intersecting Road Crash Contributing Factor Crash Contributing Factor16753506 18011635 No YES 11/23/2018 7:24 PM 100 N N CARROLL BLVD 400 W W OAK ST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY - TURNING LEFT WRONG WAY - ONE WAY ROAD16757704 18011674 No NO 11/26/2018 9:19 AM 900 W W OAK ST 200 FULTON ST FAILED TO DRIVE IN SINGLE LANEstruck parked vehiclestruck fixed objectprivate property struck parked vehicles 7
Crash location
Crash, private property
On-street parking
Crash, vs. ped or bike
Dedicated bike lane
Block number change