Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: April 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P.E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Humberto L. Castillero, P.E., PTOE, Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-7891
DIVISION: Traffic Engineering Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approval to Decrease the Speed Limit on Chuluota Road from East Colonial Drive (SR 50) to Lake Pickett Road from 50 mph to 40 mph. District 5. (Traffic Engineering Division)
body
PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
Concerned citizens have requested Orange County to review the posted speed along Chuluota Road from East Colonial Drive (SR 50) to Lake Pickett Road. They expressed that the posted speed of 50 mph is too high and presents a safety risk.
Vehicular/pedestrian safety, accident statistics, current and future density, high corridor speed and the roadside development were the primary considerations for a speed reduction analysis along the Chuluota Road corridor. The Florida Department of Transportation uses a Context Sensitive Road classification when determining Target Speed. This is the speed at which vehicles should operate on a thoroughfare in a specific context, consistent with the level of multi-modal activity generated by adjacent land uses, providing both mobility and a supportive environment for vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit users.
This corridor is transitioning from a C2 Rural classification to a C3R-Suburban Residential classification, with an allowable target speed range of 35 mph to 55 mph. Observations show that the current 85th percentile speeds range from 48 mph to 59 mph. Crash data analysis indicates 96 crashes from January 2020 through December 2024 and that around 49% of the crashes resulted in injuries, with one fatality over five years. Considering the context classification, residential land use, and inadequate clear zone and given the presence of two school zones along the corridor and that pedest...
Click here for full text