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Commission affirms staff decision on Hamlin Road crosswalk at St. Perpetua School
Summary
The Transportation and Circulation Commission unanimously supported staff’s determination on a Transportation Action Request for the St. Perpetua School crosswalk on Hamlin Road, concluding prior physical and engineering improvements and measured speeds do not justify additional measures such as speed humps or delineators.
The Transportation and Circulation Commission voted unanimously to support staff’s determination on a Transportation Action Request concerning the crosswalk at St. Perpetua School on Hamlin Road, concluding that existing countermeasures and measured vehicle speeds do not meet the thresholds for additional physical treatments requested by the school community.
Patrick (city transportation staff) presented the staff response to a TAR filed by a St. Perpetua parent and outlined prior work at the location. Staff said the city had previously implemented a high-visibility ladder crosswalk, rapid-flashing beacons in both directions, advance electronic “PEDS / CROSSWALK” signs, a speed radar feedback sign, painted school crossings, a centerline pedestrian paddle, reduced 15 mph school-zone signage and crossing-guard coverage during drop-off and pick-up. Staff also noted the school requested delineators around curb ramps to tighten crossing widths.
To assess the request, staff analyzed weekday speeds using StreetLight data during months when school is in session in 2024 and found 80th-percentile speeds of 23 mph downhill and 24 mph uphill, both below the posted 25 mph speed; average daily traffic was about 750 vehicles per day in both directions. Staff reported that speed humps had been considered in 2021 but were deemed infeasible due to street grade and that the current speeds and traffic volumes do not justify the expense or the maintenance burden of additional delineators.
Staff recommended trimming a small tree on school property that reduces visibility of the rapid-flashing beacon for drivers coming downhill; the presentation included photos showing that the beacon can be obscured until drivers are closer to the crosswalk. Staff also said Lafayette Police Department plans school-area enforcement when classes resume in August and suggested the school remind families about safe speeds during pickup and drop-off.
Commissioners who visited the site supported staff’s approach and praised the existing improvements. Commissioner Michelle Sahar said the location would benefit from better beacon visibility and reinforced the need to coordinate enforcement. The commission moved and seconded a motion to support staff’s determination; the vote was unanimous.
The action affirms staff’s earlier determination: speed humps and delineators are not justified at this time, staff will ask the school to trim vegetation obstructing the beacon, and the city will coordinate school-area enforcement with the Lafayette Police Department when school resumes.
