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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-03; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; MinutesTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 March 3, 2025, 4 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 4 p.m. ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Kohl, Nicholes, Schuck. Absent: Proulx, Newlands. INVOCATION: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of Regular Meeting held on Feb. 3, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Kohl seconded by Commissioner Nicholes to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Feb. 3, 2025, as presented. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Proulx, Newlands -Absent). PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: Teresa Barnes Paulas spoke about World Hearing Day and requested increased hearing awareness and safety for people with hearing loss by incorporating a symbol as a visual indicator. Mike Monsegur requested information regarding e-bike safety training. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. PUBLIC HEARING: None. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 1. INCLUSION OF ANILLO WAY FROM LEVANTE STREET TO LA GRAN VIA, LA GRAN VIA FROM ANILLO WAY TO LEVANTE STREET AND MADRILENA WAY FROM ANILLO WAY TO LA GRAN VIA AS AN EXCEPTION INTO PHASE II OF THE CARLSBAD RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: Support staff's recommendation to approve Anillo Way from Levante Street to La Gran Via, La Gran Via from Anillo Way to Madrilena Way and Madrilena Way from Anillo Way to La Gran Via as an exception for inclusion into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program. (Staff contact: Miriam Jim and John Kim, Public Works Department) Recommended Action: Support staff's recommendation. March 3, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2 Senior Engineer Miriam Jim and City Traffic Engineer John Kim reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Senior Engineer Jim and City Traffic Engineer Kim. Matthew Pivetti expressed his concerns that the speed data collected during Phase I might not be accurate due to the location of the speed feedback signs and recommended staff review the data again. Cathy Wolters expressed her concerns regarding speeding and requested traffic calming measures be considered at any of the intersections of Anillo Way and Palacio Drive, Palenque Street, and Rocio Street. Charlotte Pence requested traffic calming measures at the intersection of Anillo Way and Rocio Street. Brian Pence expressed his concerns regarding speeding on Anillo Way. David Gardstrom expressed his concerns regarding speeding on Madrilena Way and requested traffic calming measures at the intersection of Madrilena Way and La Gran Via. Samuel Sher expressed his concerns regarding speeding on La Gran Via. In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding why the 32 mph critical speed found during the speed survey would not automatically qualify the location for Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP), City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that the CRTMP sets the standard of requiring a 32 mph critical speed to enter Phase II and includes an exception process if residents were to think that the speed measurement was inaccurate. In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding lowering the speed limit due to the large amount of pedestrian traffic, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that speed limit signs do not typically change driving behavior compared to traffic calming measures that physically influence speed. In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding maximum speeds collected during the speed survey, Senior Engineer Jim responded that she would provide more information at a later date. Commissioner Kohl requested that data regarding speeds of the 15% driving above the speed limit be provided on future items requesting exception into Phase II of the CRTMP. Commissioner Schuck requested that the direction of traffic during the speed survey be provided on future items requesting exception into Phase II of the CRTMP. March 3, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3 In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding whether the speed feedback signs are typically enough to encourage drivers to slow down, Senior Engineer Jim responded that staff have experienced speeds both stay the same and decrease. Commissioner Nicholes commented that staff should consider the methodology of the CRTMP to determine if there are potential improvements to prevent other communities from having to repeat a similar process. In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry whether the location would need to be approved as an exception into the CRTMP before staff could target the specific areas identified by the residents, City Traffic Engineer Kim confirmed that the locations would need to be approved as an exception prior to entering Phase II. Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Vice-Chair Penseyres, to support staff's recommendation. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Proulx, Newlands -Absent). 2. SAGE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL -SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN: Receive a report on the Safe Routes to School Plan for Sage Creek High School and recommend approval of the proposed conceptual plan to the City Council. (Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt and Nick Gorman, Public Works Department) Recommended Action: Receive the report and recommend approval. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt and Associate Engineer Nick Gorman reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt and Associate Engineer Gorman. Christina McGoldrick spoke in support of staff's recommendation. David Pierce spoke in support of staff's recommendation. In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry whether a diagonal crosswalk was considered, Associate Engineer Gorman explained that a diagonal crosswalk would require bicycle signalization and would not allow a phase for a left-hand turn from Cannon Road onto College Boulevard to run at the same time. He further explained that staff would like to take advantage of the pedestrian phases without adding unfamiliar changes for current users. Commissioner Kohl commented that a combined pedestrian and bicycle only phase would penalize traffic flow if implemented and that a separate bicycle phase would be more beneficial. March 3, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4 Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that a sidewalk would need to be at least 10 feet wide to safely accommodate both pedestrians and bicyclists per the City's Municipal Code. In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry whether the "No Right Turn on Red" signal would apply throughout the day, Associate Engineer Gorman explained that there is currently a "No Right Turn on Red" from College Boulevard onto Cannon Road that is only activated when the pedestrian phase is activated. Vice-Chair Penseyres commented that the bike lane on Bobcat Boulevard serves no function for cyclists turning left from College Boulevard. In response to his comment regarding moving the bike lane on Bobcat Boulevard to the left side of the vehicle travel lanes, Associate Engineer Gorman explained that moving the bike lane would create a conflict zone for bicyclists travelling from Cannon Road onto Bobcat Boulevard. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that a center-running bicycle lane could be considered as an interim option until the proposed Class I path is built on the northeast corner of Bobcat Boulevard. Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank further explained that staff design roadways to comply with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and that the proposed Class I path could accommodate separate space for pedestrians and bicyclists if it is wide enough. Chair Coelho commented that two bicycle entrances, with one past the main school entrance, would be beneficial for bicyclists who are uncomfortable or unable to negotiate the conflict zone. Chair Coelho commented that it is important to accommodate the comfort levels of all the bicyclists. In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding the involvement of the school district, Associate Engineer Gorman confirmed that there is typically at least one security guard assisting on most days. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt added that there are typically six to eight school staff members monitoring within the internal parking lot. Motion by Commissioner Schuck, seconded by Commissioner Kohl, to receive the report and recommend approval. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Proulx, Newlands -Absent). COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: Vice-Chair Penseyres requested information regarding the percentage of motorists driving less than or equal to the actual maximum speed limit and what percentage of motorists are breaking the law when the speed surveys are being collected. Chair Coelho reiterated that providing more data collected during the speed survey would be beneficial for future items. March 3, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 5 In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether collision data or enforcement actions are included prior to the speed survey, City Traffic Engineer Kim confirmed that collision data is a significant factor considered, though the CRTMP was developed to take other factors into account as well. In response to Chair Coelho's comment regarding what week the data is collected, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded he has generally not experienced a significant change in traffic speed based on the time of day. Vice-Chair Penseyres commented that some of the in-pavement crosswalk lights at the Army and Navy Academy were not functioning correctly, with three northbound and two southbound lights out. In response to his comment regarding adding a HAWK signal, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that adding a HAWK signal would be redundant as the in-pavement crosswalk lights already include a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB). In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether the methods of using RRFBs and HAWK signals are weighed against each other when determining the type of signalization for pedestrian crosswalks, City Traffic Engineer Kim confirmed that staff conduct an intersection control evaluation to evaluate various traffic control options for each location. ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may participate in. STAFF COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 5:44 p.m. Secretary