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Moab officials preview 20-mph reductions, advisory 15-mph ATV signs and a sound-camera demo
Summary
Council workshop recommended dropping two streets to 20 mph (Mill Creek and 100 West), exploring advisory 15-mph ATV signage, and asked staff to pursue a vendor demo of sound-camera noise-monitoring before deciding on any enforcement steps; a formal vote is scheduled for September.
At a workshop on Aug. 11, the Moab City Council heard recommendations to lower posted speeds on two corridors and to pursue non-regulatory signs and technology to help address vehicle noise.
Staff presented recommended speed reductions to 20 miles per hour on Mill Creek (from 400 East to Sand Flats) and on the pedestrian-heavy 100 West corridor, arguing those are the only two stretches that meet the council’s current evaluation and safety criteria. "The two that we recommend is from 400 East up to Sandplats along Mill Creek going to 20 miles per hour," the presenter said.
Public commenter Bill said transportation noise from ATVs and other modified vehicles is a health concern and asked the council for immediate action. He gave specific measurements: "at my doorstep, it's 78 decibels with a maximum of 81 decibels," he said, urging lower speeds and signage changes.
Councilors and staff discussed a two-part approach: regulatory speed changes where warranted, and advisory signs to suggest a 15-mph speed for ATVs on backcountry-access routes. Staff explained advisory ATV signs would be separate from regulatory speed signs and primarily educational, and estimated roughly $400 per signpost to install. One councilor summarized the staff position: the advisory sign is intended as "a notification sign" and not a regulatory speed limit.
On noise monitoring, staff recommended inviting a manufacturer to demo a sound‑camera system that can triangulate and isolate a single vehicle’s noise levels. "My next step, if the council is interested in going this direction, would be to see if we can get a demo on it," the staff presenter said, noting the city is not yet at the stage of purchasing equipment or implementing citations.
Council members emphasized that engineering, signage, education and enforcement must be coordinated. Staff noted the city adopted a new ordinance that establishes a five-step process for changing speed limits and said formal consideration and a vote will take place at the first September meeting.
The council did not take regulatory action on Aug. 11; they asked staff to return with maps, sign‑placement proposals and the results of any demo or legal review before the September vote.
