HISTORY:
The intersection of Prairie Avenue, Chase Avenue, and 44th Street currently operates as a two-way stop intersection. Chase Avenue and 44th Street are stop-controlled while Prairie Avenue traffic is uncontrolled (see attached). The intersection is currently designed with a stop-controlled crosswalk on the east leg and a marked crosswalk on the north leg with a pedestrian crossing sign. The intersection is adjacent to North Beach Elementary School and Muss Park.
The criteria for multi-way stop signs is outlined in the USDOT Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD specifies the minimum criteria that must be met prior to installation of a multi-way stop control at an intersection. The criteria are based on crashes and volumes (vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle) at the intersection over various periods of time.
The approval, implementation, and maintenance of traffic control devices is under the jurisdiction of the Miami-Dade County. Historically, the City submits requests for stop signs and other traffic control devices to the County for evaluation and implementation, if warranted. Given the extended timelines for County’s responses to these requests, in 2017, the City’s Transportation Department began taking a more proactive approach by engaging consultants to collect traffic data and performing the analyses using in-house staff. This approach has significantly reduced the response times to the residents of Miami Beach by approximately four months. As part of the data collection process, the City collects speed data to determine if speeding is occurring and if traffic calming is warranted. For existing mid-block crosswalks and other uncontrolled crosswalks, the City conducts an analysis for the installation of LED pedestrian flashing beacons.
In November 2018, the City’s Transportation Department completed a Safe Routes to School project for North Beach Elementary School. As part of this project, the school crossing signs were upgraded at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and 44th Street/Chase Avenue. In addition, the project improved signage, striping and pavement markings, and installed ADA-compliant curb ramps on streets near the school.
The Transportation Department has also completed a traffic study to reduce speed limits for roadways within residential roads citywide from 30 MPH to 25 MPH. The study is currently under final review by the County. Once approved, the City will begin deployment of the 25 MPH signs on residential streets throughout the City, including Prairie Avenue, Chase Avenue, and 44th Street. In general, with enforcement, the speed limit reduction should help calm traffic and improve safety on residential streets.
At the May 8, 2019 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Steinberg sponsored the referral of a discussion item regarding the intersection of 44th Street/Chase Avenue and Prairie Avenue as it relates to safety and the possibility of the additional stop signs to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC).