HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-04; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Requesting stop signs be installed at each painted crosswalk on Carlsbad Blvd between Pine Ave and Cannon RoadCITY OF CARLSBAD
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
COMMISSION REPORT OF: May 4, 1987 ITEM NO. 6C
LOCATION: Carlsbad Boulevard -Pine Avenue to Cannon Road
INITIATED BY : Bailey Nobel, 5470 Las Robles Dr., Carlsbad,
CA 92008
BACKGROUND:
DATA:
Mr. Nobel is concerned about pedestrian safety on
Carlsbad Boulevard and is requesting STOP signs to be
installed at each painted crosswalk on Carlsbad Boulevard
between Pine Avenue and Cannon Road. In addition, he is
requesting to either install STOP s i gns at all bus stops
on Carlsbad Boulevard or to relocate the bus stops to
the crosswalks.
When two ( 2) roads intersect, there are a minimum of
three (3) legal crosswalks at the intersection as
defined by Section 275 of the California Vehicle Code.
Painted crosswalks are marked on Carlsbad Boulevard
between Pine Avenue and Cannon Road at the locations
indicated on Exhibit 1.
Painted crosswalks define and concentrate pedestrian
walking areas within an intersection or at other points
within the roadway . The purpose of a painted crosswalk
is to alert the motorist of the possible presence of
pedestrians crossing the street. At the present time,
traffic engineering research is divided as to whether
crosswalks accomplish this purpose and cause the
motorist to be more cautious or if the crosswalk gives
the pedestrian a false sense of security because they
expect the driver of the motor vehicle to be more aware
of t heir presence.
In the City of Carlsbad for the year 1986, there were
fourteen (14) pedestrians injured in traffic. This
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TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
COMMISSION REPORT OF: May 4, 1987
(Continued)
ITEM NO. 6C
compares with the number of pedestrians injured in
Carlsbad traffic for the years 1983, 1984 and 1985 of
21, 15 and 9, respectively. Of the 14 pedestrians i njured
in 1986 , only one (1) was crossing at an intersection.
No p edestrian fatalities were recorded in 1986 although
in e ach of the three (3) previous years there was one
(1) pedestrian fatality.
The purpose of a STOP sign is to control the right of
way assignment at an intersection. Properly installed,
the STOP sign facil itates traffic movement and promotes
traffic safety. If the STOP sign seems to imply a
nuisance regulation, overall observance of the STOP sign
at a ll locations begins to deteriorate and the safety at
dangerous locations where a STOP sign is needed becomes
compromised.
Installing STOP signs at each painted crosswalk on Carlsbad
Boulevard would require motor vehicle operators to stop
each time they travel that portion of the road. Since
the number of pedestrians crossing Carlsbad Boulevard is
relatively low, staff cannot support the request to
place STOP signs at each crosswalk.
Bus stop locations and spacing on Carlsbad Boulevard are
determined by the North County Transit District in
accordance with the transit schedule and system performance
to be achieved. The stops are located adjacent to the
curb a nd gutter to facilitate direct, safe passenger
access to and from the sidewalk. Pole-mounted signs are
placed at each bus stop to indicate the location to the
passenger.
Stops are placed on the exit ("far-side") of the inter-
section in accordance with City policy because of right
turns f rom Carlsbad Boulevard to the side streets. "Near-
side" s tops would result in sight distance restrictions
for motorists attempting to turn from the side street
onto Carlsbad Boulevard. A bus stop at a crosswalk
would r esult in pedestrians stepping in front of the bus
to cross Carlsbad Boulevard and it is possible that
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TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
COMMISSION REPORT OF: May 4, 1987
(Continued)
ITEM NO. 6C
drivers would not see the pedestrian until the last moment
and hence, accidents and conflicts would be expected to
increase. Bus stops should not be moved to the crosswalk
nor s hould STOP signs be installed on Carlsbad Boulevard
at e ach bus stop.
RECOMMENDATION
The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends
that no STOP signs be installed on Carlsbad Boulevard at
the location of painted crosswalks or bus stops and
further recommends that bus stops not be moved to
painted crosswalk locations.
NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION
No Council action is required.
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