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Home My WebLink About1992-04-06; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Initiate a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" (NRTOR) restriction for northbound vehicles on Avenida EncinasCI1Y OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFE1Y COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: April 6, 1992 ITEM NO. 6A LOCATION: Intersection of Poinsettia Lane/Avenida Encinas INITIATED BY: Traffic Safety Commissioner John Fuller REQUESTED ACTION: Initiate a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" (NRTOR) restriction for northbound vehicles on Avenida Encinas. BACKGROUND: DATA: This matter was discussed at the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) meeting of March 2, 1992 after being continued from the December 1991 TSC meeting. Upon review of the staff report, consideration of the verbal staff report and input from two citizens, the Traffic Safety Commission voted 2-2 to implement the restriction. By virtue of the tie vote the motion failed. Commission Fuller has requested reconsideration of this matter before the full five-member Traffic Safety Commission. The Acting City Attorney has advised that a majority vote of the Commission is necessary to reconsider this matter. If the Commission recommends to consider the matter, staff will present a very brief summary of the March 2, 1992 Traffic Safety Commission meeting. The public, if present, will have an opportunity to address the Commission on this issue before the Commission considers a motion and casts their votes. Staff received two letters ( attached) stating that excessive delays are being encountered by motorists attempting to turn onto Poinsettia Lane from the Interstate Highway 5 freeway off-ramps. The letters indicate that the problem results when vehicles complete northbound right turns on red at the subject signalized intersection and proceed eastbound on Poinsettia Lane. Platoons of vehicles proceeding eastbound do not provide sufficient gaps for vehicles to turn from the off-ramps to Poinsettia Lane. In general, it appears the individuals residing east of the Interstate Highway 5 are in favor of a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" restriction and individuals residing west of Interstate Highway 5 oppose the proposed restriction. CI'IY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFE'IY COMMISSION Staff Report COMMISSION MEETING OF: April 6, 1992 ( continued) Item: 6A The intersection of Poinsettia Lane with Avenida Encinas is a partially constructed signalized intersection. The striping configuration for the northbound approach consists of a left tum lane, through lane and exclusive right tum lane. (See Exhibit 1 -Intersection Location Map). There are no sight distance restrictions at the intersection. Collision reports from the Carlsbad Police Department indicates that there have been some collisions at this intersection. (See Exhibits 2, 3 & 4 -Traffic Collision Diagrams). Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts were conducted and are summarized in Table A. TABLE A Poinsettia Lane at Interstate Highway 5 Traffic Volumes Poinsettia Lane w/o 1-5 NB Ramps 1/14/92 7,355 EB Poinsettia Lane e/o 1-5 NB Ramps 7,644 WB Poinsettia Lane w/o 1-5 SB Ramps 1/15/92 6,734 EB Poinsettia Lane e/o 1-5 SB Ramps 6,658 WB 1-5 Off-Ramp s/o Poinsettia Lane 1/14/92 5,006 NB 1-5 Off-Ramp n/o Poinsettia Lane 1/15/92 4,951 SB Avenida Encinas s/o Poinsettia Lane 8/19/91 5,985 NB Avenida Encinas s/o Poinsettia Lane 5,879 SB 14,999 13,392 5,006 4,951 11,864 As requested by the Traffic Safety Commission at the December 1991 meeting, two issues were investigated and reported at the March 2, 1992 meeting. These issues were: • How much delay is being experienced on the freeway off-ramps? • Will a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" restriction reduce the delay? CI1Y OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFE1Y COMMISSION Staff Report COMMISSION MEETING OF: April 6, 1992 ( continued) Item: 6A Previous analysis indicated that average hourly delay at the Poinsettia Lane/Interstate 5 off-ramps ranged from a minimum of 18 seconds to a maximum of 1 minute and 9 seconds during morning and afternoon peak hours, respectively. Additional studies that were conducted investigated both morning and evening peak hour delay at the following three locations: • La Costa Avenue/Interstate Highway 5 off-ramps • Poinsettia Lane/Interstate Highway 5 off-ramps • Palomar Airport Road/Interstate Highway 5 off-ramps Upon completion of the delay studies, Poinsettia Lane/Interstate 5 off-ramps can be compared with the other two locations. Tables B and C summarize the findings of the delay studies conducted on weekdays. TABLE B AM PEAK HOUR DELAY COMPARISON Poinsettia Ln./1-5 • 11-5-91 10:00 -11:00 AM 56 sec. Poinsettia Ln./1-5 2-5-92 7:30 -8:30 AM 29 sec. 23 sec. La Costa Ave./1-5 1-30-92 7:00 -8:00 AM 34 sec. 39 sec. Palomar Airport Rd./1-5 1-16-92 7:30 -8:30 AM 4 min. 32 sec. 2 min. 0 sec. TABLE C PM PEAK HOUR DELAY COMPARISON Poinsettia Ln./1-5 11-5-91 2:00 -3:00 PM 1 min. 9 sec. Poinsettia Ln./1-5 11-6-91 12:00 -1:00 PM 1 min. 7 sec. Poinsettia Ln./1-5 1-5-92 4:30 -5:30 PM 24 sec. 27 sec. La Costa Ave./1-5 1-30-92 4:30 -5:30 PM 1 min. 38 sec. 1 min. 21 sec. Palomar Airport Rd./1-5 1-16-92 4:30 -5:30 PM 1 min. 17 sec. 1 min. 22 sec. CI1Y OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFE1Y COMMISSION Staff Report COMMISSION MEETING OF: April 6, 1992 (continued) Item: 6A When comparing results shown on the tables, it is evident that at certain periods of the day the Poinsettia Lane/Interstate Highway 5 off-ramps begin to approach similar amounts of delay as the other two locations. One exception, however, is the Palomar Airport Road/Interstate 5 northbound off-ramp in the morning peak hour commute that has an obvious long delay. An additional comparison of delays at the Poinsettia off-ramps can be made with the maximum traffic signal cycle length at the signalized intersection of Poinsettia Lane/Avenida Encinas. This traffic signal has a split phase to accommodate northbound and southbound vehicles due to the intersection geometrics and has a maximum traffic signal cycle length of 1 minute 50 seconds. The cycle length is defined as the amount of time required for one complete sequence of signal indications. Staff conducted turning movement counts simultaneously at both of the Poinsettia Lane/Interstate Highway 5 off-ramps and the Poinsettia Lane/Avenida Encinas intersection during the same time period to determine directional distribution of the traffic volumes on Poinsettia Lane. Exhibits 5 and 6 indicate the directional distribution for the A.M. and P.M. peak hours, respectively. In the A.M. peak, 62% of the traffic volume on Poinsettia Lane at the 1-5 northbound ramp is proceeding westbound with 71 % of the volume on Poinsettia Lane in the A.M. peak entering the southbound off-ramp intersection in a westbound direction. The A.M. peak hour, therefor, is characterized by a significant westbound volume. In the P.M. peak hour, as shown on Exhibit 6, the percent distribution in reversed from the morning peak distribution. During the P.M. peak, 71 % of the traffic volume on Poinsettia Lane enters the northbound off-ramp intersection from the west and at the southbound off-ramp location, 60% of the Poinsettia traffic volumes enters the intersection from the west. Consequently, the predominant movement on Poinsettia Lane in the P.M. peak hour is from eastbound vehicles proceeding from the west. Driver compliance with a NO RIGHT TURN ON RED restriction, if initiated, would be a concern. Staff observations at two locations outside of Carlsbad found that between 50% and 75% of the drivers comply with a NRTOR posted restriction. Although moderate compliance was observed it is likely that total compliance can only be achieved with continuous police enforcement. Unfortunately, continuous enforcement is not possible. CI'IY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFE'IY COMMISSION Staff Report COMMISSION MEETING OF: April 6, 1992 ( continued) Item: 6A If a NO RIGHT TURN ON RED restnct10n were implemented and driver compliance were very high, it would be expected that additional gaps in Poinsettia Lane traffic volumes would result. Delay studies indicate, however, that a restriction of this type is not needed 24 hours per day. To be effective due to the varied weekday peak hour traffic conditions, variable time limits would have to be established to regulate when the NO RIGHT TURN ON RED restriction would be in effect. Studies have shown that the late morning and early afternoon would be the appropriate time perfo<l, if the restriction were implemented. A review of the traffic collision diagrams for the past three years does not indicate significant problems at the southbound ramps. However, the number of right angle collisions are increasing at the northbound ramp. The four collisions reported in 1991 all occurred during the day with the primary collision factor due to a violation of right of way. However, it can be observed that three of the four collisions involved a vehicle turning from the northbound off-ramp. RECOMMENDATION: At the February 21, 1992 Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee meeting, the Committee recommended that a two mon.th trial periqd be initiated for the NO RIGHT TURN ON RED request. This restriction was rec9mmended to be in effect from 7:00 AM. to 6:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. To be considered an effective remedy, the Committee recommended that a delay reduction of at least 40% must be achieved. After the ·two month trial period the results are to be reported to the Traffic Safety Commission for a final determination of whether to recommend retaining a permanent NO RIGHT TURN ON RED restriction. NECESSARY CI'IY COUNCIL ACTION: No City Council action required. RECEIVED Mr. Bob Johnson OCT 21 1991 October 16, 1991 Traffic Engineer City of Carlsbad CITY OF CARLSBAD 207 5 Los Palms Dr. ENG!l'.!EERING DEPARTMENT Carlsbad, CA 92009 Dear Mr. Johnson: Re: Traffic Sign 'No right turn on red' Aveneida Encinas & Poinsettia We request that the city Transportation Commission agendize and study our r equest to install a sign {northbound on Aveneida Encinas & Poinsettis intersection stating 'no right turn on red signal'. Traffic ~ from the Poinsettia Village shopping center automati- cally turns right on the red signal and creates a steady stream of eastbound traffic on Poinsettia. This creates grave diffi- cuities {particularily during rush hour) for freeway off ramp traffic on both sides of the freeway. In addition eastbound traffic on Poinsettia has to be extremely careful and aware of the fact that northbound traffic on Aveneida Encinas turns right against the red .signal without apparently being aware that the Poinsettia through traffic has the right of way. In other words what with the 'left turn green arrow' goes off the northbound drive on Encinas {not being able to see the Poinsettia green light}assurnes that its ok to turn right. During our telephone chat you indicated that while you could understand the rational of requesting such a sign it might be difficult to enforce and would require frequent police monitor- ing. Probably true -but even -if a majority complies it will provide relief. Also -this is an interim situation and only needed unt il the overpass widening is completed. It is our belief that when the Price Club opens Poinsettia will probably carry even more traffic exiting the freeway-as it is at present-stacked up at the Palomar Airpoirt exit. The addi- tional Price Club traffic will worsen the situation on Poin- settia. Any consideration that the Traffic Commission will give to our request will be greatly appreciated. It was our hope that the Price Club would not open until traffic mitigation had been accomplish ed -but sadly this is not the case. :rrt_s, ____ _ 7019 Lavene Carlsbad, C Way 92009 (931-7725) cc-Mrs. Ann Kulchin Mayor Pro Tern October 20, 1991 Robert Joh nson City Traffic Engineer City of Ca rlsbad 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009-1519 Dear Mr. J ohnson: RECEIVED OCT 2 4 1991 CITY OF C.:\r?: .. S2 ~0 [NG ! f~~EE ~ L·J·3 C ~f ~(~:\ f iz1 E~rT Incre asingly over the past year or more, residents of Sea Cliff and other neighborhoods in southwest Carlsbad have expressed grave conc erns about the dangerous traffic conditions existing where the I-5 off-ramps meet Poinsettia Lane. Motorists waiting at the off -ramp stop signs too often move unsafely onto Poinsettia Lane becau se of frustrations caused by long waits for a break in traffic. The Sea Cliff Public Affairs Committee has been studying this prublem a nd our members believe, as does the Sea Cliff Board of Directors , that there is a simple solution, namely, the posting of a "no r ight turn on red~ sign at the southeast corner of Avenida Encinas a nd Poinsettia Lane. This intersection is beset by an almost continuous flow of traffic leaving the Poinsettia Village shopping center. Th e addition of the aforementioned sign at the Avenida Encin- as-Poinse t tia Lane intersection would result in a break in Poinsett- ia Lane tr affic, thus allowing motorists leaving the freeway more opportuni t ies to turn onto Poinsettia Lane. It s h ould be pointed out that the existing signage at the Poin- settia La ne-Avenida Encinas intersection calls for "right turn only" for traff i c in the far right northbound lane on Avenida Encinas, which is used by mast motorists leaving Poinsettia Village. The addition o f our suggested sign would still make right turns manda- tory, but only when the traffic signal turns gFeen. Our c ommittee, as well as our board of directors, would appreciat e your earliest attention to this matter since traffic in this pa rt of Carlsbad seems to be increasing almost daily. Many thanks for your help. 7111 Lind e n Terrace Carlsbad, CA 92009 Phone 43 1-2664 . ~~ Chairman, Sea Cliff Public Affairs Comm- ittee ~N n t s L □CA TION: INTERSECTION LOCATION MAP _ j l __ PASE □ DEL NORTE 8l4'J \ l6' SOLID ',;HITE: EDI.CLINE - - a· I 1 • 12· 9• -..a:......_ I 12· 12· INTERSTATE : 5 8' l2' 12' 8' 47' 13' I 21· 27' ~;~=y rYN'Jls 149 I UI..T!MATt I CURI· AND GUTTE:R 500' ------. ~-_.;;...;.__ _ _____,.D1"'.._~ ---~~ ~~ ~-------(!ll (------- . ~ ------------- ~ J.=====-~ --DN r-- ENCINAS P.□INSETTIA LANE . AT I-5 EXHIBIT : 1 4 5 0' 55 0' TIME 0000-0100 0100-0200 0200-0300 0300-0400 0400-0500 0500-0600 0600-0700 0700-0800 0800-0900 0900-1000 1000-1100 1100-1200 1200-1300 1300-1400 1400-1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 1900-2000 2000-2100 2100-2200 2200-2300 2300-2400 Sub-Total EXHIBIT 2 POINSETTIA LANE/1-5 NB OFF-RAMP INTERSECTION APPROACH VOLUMES January 14, 1992 DIRECTION 24-HOUR TOTAL ENTERING NIB E/B W/B VOLUMES 39 51 16 106 16 17 15 48 7 9 6 22 4 7 12 23 8 12 29 49 29 25 129 183 161 161 467 789 469 269 770 1508 400 271 687 1358 230 330 538 1098 223 408 465 1096 223 506 483 1212 · 246 560 479 1285 263 517 448 1228 283 596 467 1346 360 616 584 1560 448 758 540 1746 511 675 470 1656 381 506 405 1292 222 353 247 822 168 282 142 592 168 215 121 504 96 145 71 312 51 66 53 170 5,006 7,355 7,644 20,005 TIME 0000-0100 0100-0200 0200-0300 0300-0400 0400-0500 0500-0600 0600-0700 0700-0800 0800-0900 0900-1000 1000-1100 1100-1200 1200-1300 1300-1400 1400-1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1soo:.1900 1900-2000 2000-2100 2100-2200 2200-2300 2300-2400 Sub-Total EXHIBIT 3 POINSETTIA lANE/1-5 SB OFF-RAMP INTERSECTION APPROACH VOLUMES January 15, 1992 DIRECTION 24-HOUR TOT AL ENTERING SIB E/B W/B VOLUMES 38 32 24 94 22 27 8 57 16 14 10 40 16 15 11 42 15 15 15 45 34 47 90 171 149 131 303 583 262 226 609 1097 292 314 587 1193 221 341 448 1010 290 427 418 1135 364 502 435 1301 334 595 481 1410 320 568 455 1343 367 522 449 1338 358 564 461 1383 412 551 483 1446 457 655 453 1565 285 409 355 1049 223 261 244 728 190 233 137 560 170 203 119 492 86 89 76 251 50 51 41 142 4,971 6,792 6,712 18,475 PERCENT TRAFFIC FL □w MAP (7:30 -8:30 A,M ,) ~N _ j PASE □ nts I NTERSTA-TE TOTAL 'w'B = 579 = 711/. TEMP-□ RARY A/C BERM ULTIMATE CURB AND GUTTER ,---....._. .J TOTAL LEF T = 55 = 23% l ____ _ DEL NORTE 5 RED = 99 = 74% GREEN 34 = 26% TOTAL = 133 = 57% ----------- ( ------- < ,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;~ / r---- 1 r □TAL THR U ~1=_48_=_20_%_1 ___ 1~____.t AVE NIDA . ENCINAS LOCATION: POINSETTIA LANE AT ·I-5 EXHIBIT: 4 PERCENT TR AF FIC FL □w MAP (4:30 5:30 P.M,) ~N j --- PASE □ nts I TOT AL \./ B = 308 = 29% ___ ......__J_\ - INT ER ST ATE TOTAL \./B = 463 = 40% TEMPORARY AIC BERM ULTIMATE CURB AND GUTTER ,-----~ .J TOTAL LEF T = 197 = 28% l.._____ DEL NORTE 5 RED = 247 = 64% GREEN 137 36% TOTAL = 384 = 55% -----------( ------- ( sSBSBSBSU\USSBiS«BsS<B~ / r----- 1 TOTAL THRu 1 ,__= _11_4 _=_i_n ___ l ~____,t AVENI DA ENCINAS LOCAT ION: POINSETTIA LANE AT · I -5 EXHIBIT: 5