HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-18; Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation (Districts - All); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
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Date ~CA~ CC l.L
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September 18, 2025
Council Memorandum
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Pub~i~ ~vyorks
Via: Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager~
Re: Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation {Districts -All)
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2025052
This memorandum provides an update on staff's review of citywide speed limits and the changes
resulting from Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43}.
Background
The California State Legislature establishes authority for the posting of speed limits through the
California Vehicle Code (CVC}. The CVC describes speed limit authority primarily for enforcement
purposes. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD}, establishes the
standard procedure for setting legally defensible speed limits in compliance with the CVC.
On October 8, 2021, AB 43, titled "Traffic Safety," was passed by the State of California
legislature, and subsequently approved by the Governor. AB 43 modified provisions of the CVC to
provide local authorities more flexibility in the establishment of speed limits, particularly in areas
with high collision frequencies and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
In March 2023, the CA MUTCD was revised to incorporate the provisions of AB 43 with specific
definitions, recommendations and procedures pertaining to the setting of speed limits in
California.
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
On August 4, 2025, staff presented the citywide speed limit evaluation findings to the Traffic
Safety & Mobility Commission (TS&MC}. The approved meeting minutes of this meeting are
included in Attachment A.
Discussion
How Speed Limits Are Determined
The procedure for setting speed limits as described in the CA MUTCD requires the speed limit to
be established near the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic. The measured 85th
percentile speed, also known as the "critical speed," is the speed at or below which 85% of
drivers would operate their vehicles with open roads and favorable conditions.
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-5332 t
Council Memo -Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation (Districts -All)
September 18, 2025
Page 2
Speed limits based on prevailing speeds form the basis of speed law in the U.S., including
California. As with most laws, the effectiveness of speed limits on controlling driver speeds
depends on the voluntary compliance of motorists. Setting speed limits too low can lead to
widespread noncompliance and reduced respect for the law.
Speed limits must be based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E& TS). An E& TS consists of
engineering measurements of the 85th percentile speed, a review of collision history and
roadway conditions, including factors not readily apparent to drivers. An E& TS should be
conducted at least once every five, seven or 14 years, with the frequency depending on the road
conditions and prior survey results, in compliance with CVC Section 40802, to ensure that speed
limits reflect any significant changes in the roadway.
CVC Section 22352 sets two default speed limits in California, 15 miles per hour (mph) and 25
mph, which means that these speed limits apply without needing an E& TS. These limits cover six
specific classes of locations as follows:
• Uncontrolled railroad crossings (15 mph)
• Blind, uncontrolled intersections (15 mph)
• Alleyways (15 mph)
• Locations that meet residential district requirements (25 mph)
• School zones (25 mph)
• Areas immediately around senior centers (25 mph)
AB 43: New Options for Setting Speed Limits
Outside of the default speed limits described above, AB 43 has enacted provisions within the
CVC, giving local authorities greater flexibility in setting speed limits, particularly in areas with
high collision frequencies and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Below is a summary of the
changes to the eve and CA MUTCD per AB 43 in setting speed limits outside of the prim a facie
situations.
• Additional 5-mph reduction: In addition to a 5-mph reduction allowed for roadway
conditions not readily apparent to drivers, an additional 5-mph reduction may be applied
to:
o Streets designated as "Safety Corridors" as defined in the CA MUTCD. A safety
corridor is a roadway segment within an overall roadway network where the
highest number of serious injury and fatality collisions occurs. Up to 20% of the
overall roadway network of the city can be designated as "Safety Corridors."
o Streets that are adjacent to land or facilities that generate high levels of bicycle or
pedestrian activity as defined by the CA MUTCD.
Council Memo -Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation (Districts -All)
September 18, 2025
Page 3
• Business Activity District: Local authorities may, by ordinance, determine and declare a
25 or 20 mph default speed limit on roadways contiguous to a business activity district as
defined in the CA MUTCD.
Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation
The city has completed a citywide speed limit evaluation focusing on the changes resulting from
AB 43. As part of the evaluation, "Safety Corridors" within the overall city roadway network as
defined in the CA MUTCD were identified based on the review of five-year collision data,
between 2018 and 2022, in consideration of factors like collision severity, involved mode and age
group, and proximity to school.
Vehicle speeds are affected by various factors, primarily roadway characteristics and to some
extent surrounding environment, adjacent land uses, traffic control devices like traffic signals,
signage and striping, and speed enforcement on the roadway. As such, the most effective way to
reduce speeds would be a combination of strategies including roadway design and engineering
solutions, traffic calming measures, traffic control devices related to speed management, and
education and enforcement efforts.
While lowering posted speed limits without changing roadway characteristics may have a short-
term effect on driver behavior, it would not be an effective long-term strategy for managing
speeds unless paired with physical or operational changes to the roadway. For this reason, a
broad, citywide implementation of speed limit reductions under AB 43 is not recommended.
However, speed limit reductions under AB 43 can still serve as a valuable tool in certain contexts.
They may help reinforce community expectations, provide law enforcement with an additional
mechanism to encourage compliance, and contribute to a broader traffic safety strategy when
used selectively. Integrating the findings of this speed limit evaluation on a case-by-case basis
therefore offers a more strategic balance of policy, engineering, and enforcement, an approach
supported by the Carlsbad Police Department.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to look for opportunities to apply the new flexibilities allowed in setting speed
limits as defined in the eve and CA MUTCD. This work will be coordinated with the Police and
Fire Departments. Any proposed changes to the existing posted speed limits will first be
presented to the TS&MC for review and recommendation, and then to the City Council for
consideration and adoption of an ordinance for the new speed limits.
Attachment: A. Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission August 4, 2025, approved meeting minutes
cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Council Memo -Citywide Speed Limit Evaluation (Districts -All)
September 18, 2025
Page 4
Christie Calderwood, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Nick Ordille, Assistant Fire Chief
Reid Shipley, Assistant Police Chief
Tim Lyons, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Amy Ventetuolo, Communication and Engagement Director
Darcy Davidson, Fire Marshal
Jason Arnotti, Lieutenant
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer
Attachment A
TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Aug. 4, 2025, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Newlands, l<ohl, Schuck.
Absent: Proulx, Nicholes.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of Regular Meeting held on July 7, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner l<ohl, seconded by Commissioner Newlands, to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held on July 7, 2025, as stated. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Proulx, Nicholes -
Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Rick Romano expressed concerns regarding commercial vehicle parking on Loker Avenue.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. POLICE REPORT REGARDING TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY-RELATED MATTERS IN THE SECOND
QUARTER OF 2025: Receive a quarterly report from a representative of the City of Carlsbad's
Police Department that will provide an overview of traffic and mobility-related police matters
and notable news during the months of April, May and June 2025. (Staff Contact: Jason
Arnotti, Police Department)
Lieutenant Jason Arnotti reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Lieutenant Arnotti.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether there is traffic collision
data specifically for current traffic circles and roundabouts within the city, Lieutenant
Aug.4,2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Arnotti confirmed that the Police Department does have access to and track such data.
Commissioner Schuck requested that this data be provided in future quarterly reports.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether data is collected
regarding increases or decreases in traffic collisions and enforcement in areas with traffic
calming measures, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that pre-and post-evaluations are
performed.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether there are any plans to
perform a speed survey on El Camino Real from Aviara Parkway to Palomar Airport Road,
Lieutenant Arnotti responded that he was not aware of any complaints for that area and
would have to confirm with the Traffic Division.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding whether enforcement and
citations have increased, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that more citations are given over
warnings for established violations.
Vice-Chair Penseyres requested that solo bicycle and e-bike collision data be reported
separately to better distinguish them from crashes involving motor vehicles. He also
expressed concern with how crash data is typically reported, noting that it often skews
toward showing cyclists as being more frequently at fault in bicycle-vehicle collisions.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding e-motorcycle enforcement
operations, Lieutenant Arnotti responded that the Police Department has removed
about 16 e-motorcycles from the streets in the past quarter and has worked with the City
of Oceanside in their enforcement efforts.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding a DUI checkpoint for the third
quarter, Lieutenant Arnotti explained that the Police Department held one last month in
July, but it did not fall within the second quarter reporting period.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether schools are investigated
fore-motorcycles, Lieutenant Arnotti confirmed that they do investigate schools.
2. CITYWIDE SPEED LIMIT EVALUATION: Receive a report on a citywide speed limit
evaluation focusing on the changes incurred with the passage of Assembly Bill 43. (Staff
Contact: Miriam Jim and John Kim, Public Works Department)
City Traffic Engineer John Kim and Senior Engineer Miriam Jim reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by City Traffic Engineer Kim and
Senior Engineer Jim.
Aug.4,2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding when staff will provide a
presentation on changing speed limits, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that the
date has not been specified yet but confirmed that staff will return to the Commission
before bringing the item to the City Council.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding types of roadway design
changes and when staff would determine if additional strategies are needed, City Traffic
Engineer Kim responded that changes could include realignment, restriping, and other
horizontal and vertical deflections.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether staff have coordinated
with the City of Encinitas to ensure consistency across city limits, City Traffic Engineer
Kim explained that staff have not had official communications with neighboring agencies
because discussions with City Engineer/Transportation Director Tom Frank and the
Police Department have guided their decisions on how to approach this and do what
makes sense within the city, regardless of what neighboring agencies do.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether a 20-mph speed limit
could be implemented in school zones, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that he is
not aware of a mechanism to reduce a school speed limit below 25 mph. He further
explained that lower speed limits are typically reserved for business areas and have not
received requests to lower the speed limit in school zones.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding how the process to reevaluate speed
limits is initiated, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that there are various ways
including resident complaints and concerns, collaborating with the Police Department to
determine problematic corridors, and collision data.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the Barrio Traffic Circles Project,
City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that it is not part of the agendized item and is not
available for discussion.
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether there are any plans to perform a
speed survey on Aviara Parkway between Poinsettia Lane and El Camino Real, City Traffic
Engineer Kim responded that although there is no upcoming plan, all speed zones have a lifespan,
and surveys will be scheduled as their expiration approaches.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding an update on the Barrio Traffic Circles
Project, Public Works Deputy City Manager Paz Gomez responded that staff have been directed
to return to City Council no later than November 2025 with options for their consideration.
Chair Coelho spoke about the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Special Meeting scheduled
for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Aug. 4, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is deslgnated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may
participate in. No announcements were made.
STAFF COMMENTS: Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt spoke about
the City/School Committee Meeting held on July 31, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:13 p.m.
Secretary