Policy for Speed Cushion Installation

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2021-01-21)

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POLICY FOR SPEED CUSHION INSTALLATION 
Community Development 
- Engineering 
 
July 2020

Table of Contents 
 
POLICY ............................................................................................................................................. 1 
SPEED CUSHION STANDARD DETAIL A-1 ........................................................................................ 3 
SPEED CUSHION STANDARD DETAIL A-2 ........................................................................................ 4 
SPEED CUSHION STANDARD DETAIL A-3 ........................................................................................ 5 
SPEED CUSHION REQUEST FORM ................................................................................................... 6 
STREET CLASSIFICATION EXHIBIT .................................................................................................... 7 
SPEED LIMIT EXHIBIT ....................................................................................................................... 8

Engineering 
Community Development Department 
10000 N El Mirage Road, El Mirage 85335 
623-972-8116; Fax 623-876-4605; TDD 623-933-3258 
www.elmirageaz.gov 
CITY OF EL MIRAGE POLICY FOR SPEED CUSHION INSTALLATION 
July 1, 2020 
Request & Evaluation - Residents may request speed cushions through a petition process to 
address speeding concerns. An engineering and safety evaluation of any speed cushion request 
will be made to determine that the guidelines listed below are met. Since speed cushions have a 
wide-ranging impact not only on the vehicles crossing them, but also on the residents living on 
the immediate and nearby streets, the installation will be studied within the context of an overall 
Neighborhood Traffic Management Study. Speed cushion requests will be handled in the order in 
which they are received. City staff will coordinate with the requestor to select proposed locations 
for installation. The cost of the evaluation and the installation of approved speed cushions will 
be paid for by the City based on the annual funding provided. 
Speed - Speed cushions will be considered on local or collector streets where the posted speed 
does not exceed 30 mph. See Page 7 for Street Classifications and Page 8 for Speed Limits. 
Should the speed on these streets exceed the posted speed by 8 mph or more by at least 85% of 
those vehicles using the street, speed cushions may be considered. If the speed requirements are 
not met at the time of the initial study, then a second study can be conducted twelve months later 
to determine if the street meets the qualification. 
Traffic Volumes – Each individual street location should be evaluated to justify installing speed 
cushions. Streets with volumes less than 400 vehicles per day will not be considered for speed 
cushions. However, if a study shows that area drivers are using a street as a "cut-through" route, 
then speed cushions may be installed regardless of speed or volumes. 
Emergency and Transit Routes – Prior to approving the locations for speed cushion 
installation, the proposed locations will be reviewed with police, fire, ambulance and other 
emergency service departments. In addition, consideration will be given to other potentially 
affected groups such as transit agencies, school districts, refuse collection agencies, etc. Should 
the proposed installation of speed cushions have a significant impact on providing emergency 
services, the request for installation may be denied. 
Resident Surveys – Prior to obtaining signatures, City staff will determine the petition 
area. Resident surveys are required to determine support for speed cushion installation after it is 
determined that a particular street is eligible for speed cushions. A documented majority of the 
residents should be in favor of speed cushion installations. Signatures of the owner or the 
occupant are acceptable. Where proposed speed cushion locations are determined, 100% of those 
signatures of the properties within 100 feet are required, whereas, 75% of the resident’s 
signatures on the rest of the affected street are required. If the area contains a Homeowners’ 
Association (HOA) common area, the HOA Board must gain approval through board action 
documented in the official meeting minutes. Petitions shall be completed and returned to the City 
of El Mirage within three months. 
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Speed Cushion Installation – After obtaining all studies, approvals, and appropriate 
neighborhood surveys, the City will arrange to have its contractor install the speed cushions at 
the City’s expense. Appropriate signs and striping will be installed by the City. 
Speed Cushion Removal – Installations cannot be considered for removal for at least one year 
after installation. The process to remove the installation follows the same petition requirements. 
Contact: Bryce Christo at 623-876-2974

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 
ENGINEERING DIVISION 
10000 N. El Mirage Road 
El Mirage, AZ 85335 
Phone:  623-876-2974 
www.elmirageaz.gov 
SPEED CUSHION REQUEST FORM 
Residents may begin the process for requesting Speed Cushions through the El Mirage Engineering 
Division.  Please read the “City of El Mirage Policy for Speed Cushion Installation" on page 1 to determine 
if your street is eligible and for the full process and requirements.  The Engineering Division will review and 
approve/deny the request.   
•
Staff will conduct a traffic count on the street to determine vehicle speeds and volumes.  Local and
collector streets with 85th percentile speeds at least 8 miles per hour above the posted speed limit
and volumes over 400 vehicles per day may qualify.
•
Staff will identify proposed speed cushion locations and create a "Preliminary Location" map.
•
Staff will review the locations with emergency service departments and other affected agencies.
•
Staff will create and send the requestor a petition with the area required to collect signatures.
•
100% of properties within 100 feet of the proposed locations & 75% on the rest of the affected street
must sign and indicate "YES" for the request to be completed.
Please complete the information below: 
Requested Street to be Considered: _______________________________________________________________ 
Nearest Cross Street: __________________________________________________________________________ 
Contact Name: ____________________________     Address: __________________________________________ 
Phone Number: ___________________________      Email Address: _____________________________________ 
I understand this request will be processed according to the procedures detailed in the "City of El Mirage Policy for 
Speed Cushion Installation".  I agree to be the contact person for the above request. 
Signature of Applicant _________________________________________________   Date ____________________ 
Please send the completed form to: 
City of El Mirage 
Community Development - Engineering 
Re:  Speed Cushion Request 
10000 N. El Mirage Road 
El Mirage, AZ 85335 
For Office Use Only 
 APPROVED         DENIED 
6

60
Greenway Rd
Thunderbird Rd
Cactus Rd
Peoria Ave
Olive Ave
Northern Ave
El Mirage Rd
Dysart Rd
Grand Ave
LOCAL STREET
COLLECTOR STREET
MAJOR ARTERIAL
FLOODPLAIN
CITY BOUNDARY
0
0.5
1
0.25
Miles
Source: City of El Mirage: D&CS - Engineering
Note: Street classification are 
base off the City of El Mirage 
City Code 75.03.
Street Classifications Map
Prepared by:
D&CS - Planning & Zoning/GIS
April 2016
7

PLEASE NOTE THAT:
- THE SPEED LIMIT APPROACHING SCHOOL ZONES WITH
YELLOW SCHOOL CROSSWALKS WHEN PORTABLE SIGNS
ARE IN PLACE IS 15 MPH.
- THE SPEED LIMIT APPROACHING SCHOOL ZONES WITH
FLASHING SIGNAL LIGHTS IS 25 MPH. SCHOOL ZONES
WITH FLASHING SIGNALS ARE NUMBERED ABOVE AND
LISTED BELOW:
3.
EL MIRAGE ELEMENTARY - 7:30AM TO 3:30PM
4.
THOMPSON RANCH ELEMENTARY - 8:30AM TO 4:30PM
NORTHERN AVE
OLIVE AVE
PEORIA AVE
CACTUS RD
THUNDERBIRD RD
GREENWAY RD
DYSART RD
EL MIRAGE RD
GRAND AVE
NORTHERN PKWY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT,  CREATED: MARCH 2019
SPEED LIMIT MAP
THOMPSON RANCH RD
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
- THE SPEED LIMIT ON ALL LOCAL AND COLLECTOR STREETS
IS 25 MPH, EXCEPT 119TH AVENUE FROM MYER LANE TO
CACTUS ROAD AND THUNDERBIRD ROAD EAST FROM
THUNDERBIRD ROAD TO MAIN STREET.
- SCHOOL ZONES ARE NUMBERED ON THE MAP ABOVE AND
LISTED BELOW:
1.
DYSART ELEMENTARY
2.
RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY
3.
EL MIRAGE ELEMENTARY
4.
THOMPSON RANCH ELEMENTARY
5.
SURPRISE ELEMENTARY
LEGEND: POSTED SPEED LIMIT
25 MPH
30 MPH
35 MPH
40 MPH
45 MPH
50 MPH
CITY BOUNDARY
0
1
0.5
MILE
JOE R.
RAMIREZ RD
127TH AVE
119TH AVE
MYER LN
8