Traffic committee proposes all-way stop, crosswalks at neighborhood intersection and weighs phone-data analytics

Farr West’s traffic committee discussed a safety project and data tools for a busy neighborhood intersection near Far West Elementary, recommending an all-way stop, marked crosswalks and advance warning signage to address limited sight lines and local speeding concerns.

Jason, who led the presentation, said earlier plans for a small roundabout proved impractical for large vehicles and that the intersection’s obstructed view and known speeding issues make an all-way stop an appropriate remedy. Staff recommended adding striped (zebra) crosswalks, advance “stop ahead” signs and road paint to increase visibility. A resident who identified herself as Becky Brooks described daily pedestrian and bus patterns and said neighbors would likely support measures that improve safety for school children.

Implementation details discussed included options for illuminated signs (solar-powered likely preferred), an estimated cost of about $1,700 per illuminated sign, recurring costs for repainting crosswalks, and a worst-case supply and installation timeline of about three months once funding is approved. Staff said some existing signs and paint could be installed quickly while illuminated signs and procurement could take longer. The city will check available funding sources (transportation utility fee, discretionary funds/general fund) and may place a budget amendment on an upcoming city-council agenda if needed.

Committee members also discussed purchasing an anonymized mobile-data traffic analytics service (described to the board as similar to Urban SDK) that uses aggregated location data to detect hotspots and measure intervention impact. One vendor quoted a ballpark $5,000–$11,000 per year; staff recalled a previously considered service at about $13,000 per year. Proponents said aggregated phone-data could offer continuous hotspot information to supplement periodic manual counts and help prioritize traffic enforcement resources.

Enforcement capacity was raised as a constraint: the sheriff’s office can provide targeted patrols when available, but expanded dedicated enforcement would require additional deputies or interlocal agreements with neighboring jurisdictions — options that carry higher cost and negotiation complexity.

Next steps: staff will confirm costs and procurement steps with public-works staff (Dave Bunderson, Nate) and coordinate with finance (Cody) on whether a council budget amendment is necessary. If funding is approved, paint and existing signage can be placed quickly and illuminated signs ordered for later installation.