Christiansburg advisory committee reviews RK&K speed study; recommends driver‑feedback signs on Allegheny Street

The Christiansburg Traffic Safety Advisory Committee reviewed an independent RK&K traffic study and agreed to pursue temporary driver‑feedback signage on Allegheny Street as a first step to address residents’ safety concerns.

The committee’s presenter summarized RK&K data collected Feb. 17–Mar. 2, 2026 at two midblock locations on Allegheny between South Franklin and Miller. ‘‘Based on the numbers presented here, the threshold is not met on Allegheny Street according to analysis,’’ the presenter said, noting average speeds ranged from about 22.8 to 26.6 miles per hour and 85th‑percentile speeds averaged roughly 27 to 32 mph across locations.

The nut graff: The finding matters because town and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) guidance generally require a higher speed differential over the posted limit before permanent engineering traffic calming is recommended. Residents, however, said the street’s volume and stop‑sign compliance make it feel unsafe and urged quicker visual measures.

Committee members asked for technical clarification on RK&K’s methods. The presenter said RK&K used tube counters placed across the road that capture bidirectional movement and can report lane‑by‑lane data; placement was limited to locations where the device could be fastened to a post. A committee member noted the labels in the report read ‘‘north/south’’ rather than ‘‘east/west’’ and attendees discussed local orientation of the roadway.

Members explored practical mitigation options. The presenter recommended installing two opposing, midblock driver‑feedback signs on the segment between Canaan and Miller where speeds and 85th‑percentile values were higher. ‘‘We could adjust them and shift them. And if they truly become a nuisance, we can take them back down,’’ the presenter said.

Other ideas — temporary speed tables, rumble strips and painted lane‑narrowing — were discussed but raised concerns. Several residents and committee members warned rumble strips produce noise; a VDOT‑affiliated participant cautioned that painted crosswalks or atypical pavement coloring are constrained by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and state practice. ‘‘You can’t just put those. . . you’re lying to drivers to get them to slow down,’’ the VDOT representative said, arguing midblock painted crosswalks are not an appropriate safety measure when they are not at a logical crossing.

Police enforcement was described as a limited tool. The police representative said targeted checks can raise perceived presence but are not a long‑term enforcement solution given staffing and the sporadic nature of violations: ‘‘we’re getting 1.9 violations a day,’’ the official said, and noted the department has limited ability to station officers for extended periods. The same official reported eight crashes on or around Allegheny in the last 10 years and said only one — a 2025 incident involving a medical emergency — was a significant, reportable crash.

Residents also raised school‑bus safety and stop‑sign compliance. One resident said, ‘‘It doesn’t feel very safe,’’ and described observing a town dump truck run a stop sign at a bus stop, urging visual measures that would not require citizen votes. Committee members noted consolidated bus pickup times (about 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.) but said changing stops would affect routing and would be considered later.

Next steps: staff agreed to research driver‑feedback sign options and provide cost ranges within a few weeks, and the committee planned to reconvene the street advisory group or schedule a brief follow‑up meeting once cost estimates are available. The committee did not approve permanent engineering changes at the meeting.