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6. Prepare a Policy Statement The implementation of any new approach to managing speed along city streets creates an opportunity for claims of negligence and having a policy documenting your city's approach to managing speed limits is a proven, effective technique for improving operations and managing risk. Specific benefits associated with policy development include: • Guiding allocation of resources to cover initial and annual maintenance costs • Providing direction to staff • Establishing the procedures to be followed • Setting priorities • Supports establishing discretionary immunity A typical policy for establishment of speed limits on city streets should include the following: • Background, Purpose and Goal • Which roadways are to be covered by the policy — all city streets, low volume streets, various roadway classifications — residential, collectors, minor arterials, etc. • Document the approach/approaches selected for implementation — no change, new approach to all city streets, new approach to some city streets, combination of approaches, etc. • How will changes be communicated to drivers — will speed limit signs be added to all roads or will notification of the changes be placed at entrances to the city? • Document the impact of signing decisions on your sign maintenance budget. • Document the level of coordination with law enforcement and any changes in enforcement practices. • Document the effect of speed limit changes on future street design practices — design speed selection, street widths, etc. • Commitments to deploy other infrastructure -based safety strategies, including expansion of sidewalks and trail systems, road diets, installation of curb extensions and median refuge islands, additions of rectangular rapid flash beacons and pedestrian hybrid beacon systems, and pedestrian enhancements at traffic signals (count -down timers and leading pedestrian interval). 7. Develop a Plan to Implement The objective of the implementation plan is to successfully convey the message to both drivers and residents that speed limits in your city have changed. Even though most drivers on your city streets are residents, many are not. Therefore, it is important to communicate any change or variance from state statute in a variety of ways. Suggestions to communicate a planned or pending change include: • As part of the publication of city council minutes and in your city's newsletter. • Placing traffic signs (either permanent or temporary on Type III Barricades) on the major entrances to your city notifying drivers that there is a change in traffic control. • Social media campaign • Finally, installing new speed limit signs on all streets where there has been a change in the limit. 13 Page 145 of 185