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Home My WebLink About2026-02-02; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; 05; All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison StreetMeeting Date: Feb. 2, 2026 To: Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission From: John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Staff Contact: Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer miriam.jim@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5796 Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer lindy.pham@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2768 Subject: All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street District: 1 Recommended Action Support staff’s recommendation to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street. Executive Summary Residents have expressed concerns about the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street due to limited visibility, vehicle speeds on Grand Avenue and the safety of pedestrian crossings. Due to these concerns, they have requested the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection. In response to the requests for all-way stop control at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street, a multi-way stop analysis was performed in accordance with the guidelines found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or CA MUTCD. Based on the analysis performed, this intersection met the multi-way stop warrant, the need to control pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. Therefore, staff recommend the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street. Explanation & Analysis Background Grand Avenue and Madison Street are classified as Village Streets in the city’s General Plan Mobility Element. The subject intersection is located in the northwest quadrant of the city, generally known as the Village community (See Exhibit 1). Both streets have a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, or mph. The surrounding land uses include residential and commercial along both streets. TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 1 of 7 The intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street is side-street stop-controlled on Madison Street. Grand Avenue has a roadway width varies from 54 feet wide to 70 (curb to curb), accommodating two travel lanes in the westbound direction and one travel lane in the eastbound direction. On-street parking is allowed on both sides. Madison Street has a roadway width that varies from 48 feet to 60 feet (curb to curb) accommodating one travel lane and on- street parking in each direction. Multi-Way Stop Analysis In response to the requests for all-way stop control at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street, a multi-way stop analysis was performed in accordance with the guidelines found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or CA MUTCD. Multi-way stop analysis considers vehicular, pedestrian and bike volumes as well as other factors such as sight distance, movement conflicts and traffic operations to determine if multi-way stop control is justified at a particular intersection. The CA MUTCD multi-way stop criteria and corresponding analysis results for the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street are summarized below. The multi-way stop analysis worksheet for this location is provided in Exhibit 2. Criteria A of the CA MUTCD multi-way stop criteria allows consideration of a multi-way stop as an interim measure prior to installation of a traffic signal. A traffic signal at the intersection Grand Avenue and Madison Street is not planned or programmed in the city’s Capital Improvement Program, therefore Criteria A was not satisfied. Criteria B allows for consideration of a multi-way stop when there have been five or more reported collisions within a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop. A review of the collision history between May 2024 and May 2025 revealed three reported collisions at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street due to unsafe speed, driving under the influence and pedestrian right-of-way violation, therefore, Criteria B was not satisfied. Criteria C evaluates the traffic volumes to determine if a multi-way stop can be considered. Criteria C is satisfied if: 1)The vehicle volume entering the intersection from the major street, in this case Grand Avenue, total of both approaches averages at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and 2)The combined vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle volumes entering the intersection from the minor street, in this case Madison Street, averages at least 200 units per hour for the same eight hours with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour. Table 1 summarizes the traffic volumes collected at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street on May 22, 2025. Based on the average traffic volumes presented, the minimum traffic volume thresholds are satisfied for both the major and minor streets. Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 2 of 7 However, the minor street vehicle delay on Madison Street is not satisfied. Therefore, Criteria C was not satisfied. Table 1. Average Traffic Volumes at Grand Avenue and Madison Street Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street, Grand Ave. (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Madison St., Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Minor Street, Madison St., Vehicle Delay (Min. 30 sec) Criteria Met? Grand Avenue and Madison Street 543 222 19.2 NO Criteria D allows consideration of a multi-way stop where no single criterion is satisfied but where Criteria B and C are satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Since three reported collisions did not meet the 80 percent of the minimum value of Criteria B, 4 reported collisions in a 12-month period, Criteria D was not satisfied. Optional Criteria In addition to the four criteria listed above, the CA MUTCD includes optional criteria which can also be considered. The optional criteria are described as: A.The need to control left-turn conflicts; B.The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; C.Locations where a road user, after stopping cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and D.An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where all-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection. Staff reviewed the optional criteria for the subject intersection and determined that Optional Criteria B was satisfied. The traffic data collected shows a significant number of pedestrians crossing at this intersection, 1,247 pedestrians observed on a typical weekday. Additionally, a new grocery store, Barons Market, is scheduled to open later this year in the northwest quadrant of the intersection, which would likely further increase pedestrian activity in the area. Implementing all-way stop control with marked crosswalks at the Grand Avenue and Madison Street intersection would reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicular traffic at this intersection. Therefore, Optional Criteria B was satisfied. Queuing Analysis Staff performed a queueing analysis to assess whether implementing all-way stop control at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street would result in vehicle queues on Grand Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 3 of 7 Avenue extending to the adjacent signalized intersections at Roosevelt Street and Jefferson Street, both located approximately 300 feet from the intersection. The analysis results indicate that the 95th percentile queue on Grand Avenue during peak periods would be approximately 133 feet, therefore, an all-way stop at Madison Street is not expected to impact the adjacent intersections on Grand Avenue. Existing Red Curbs Red curbs that were previously installed on Grand Avenue to address sight distance concerns for cars turning from Madison Street no longer would be needed with the implementation of an all-way stop at the intersection. The existing red curbs, therefore, could be removed to allow for additional parking on Grand Avenue. Staff estimated that approximately three parking spaces could be restored with an all-way stop at this intersection. Community Outreach Staff have notified affected residents, business owners and others who may be interested in the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street. •Flier to businesses adjacent to the intersection •Email to property management company of apartments in the vicinity •City Manager’s Update e-newsletter •Notification to the Carlsbad Village Association Recommendation Based on the findings presented in this report, which are consistent with the criteria described in the CA MUTCD, staff recommend the installation of all-way stop control at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street. Next Steps Upon receiving support from the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, staff will introduce an ordinance to establish all-way stop control at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street for City Council’s adoption. Once an ordinance is adopted, staff will issue work orders to install STOP signs and pavement markings at the intersection in compliance with the CA MUTCD. Exhibits 1.Location Map 2.CA MUTCD Multi-Way Stop Criteria Worksheet Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 4 of 7 LOCATION MAP NOT TO SCALE ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRAND AVENUE AND MADISON STREET EXHIBIT 1 Exhibit 1 Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 5 of 7 I I California MUTCD 2014 Edition (FHW A's MUTCD 2009 Edition, including Revisions 1 & 2, as amended for use in California) Page 1 of2 Major St: Minor St: MUL Tl-WAY STOP CRITERIA Transportation Department, City of Carlsbad CALC ___ J_N_D ___ DATE CHK KF DATE _G_ra_n_d_A_v_e_n_u_e ______________ Critical Approach Speed _M_a_d _is_o_n_S_t_re_e_t ______________ Critical Approach Speed 07/17/2025 07/25/2025 ___ 2_5 ___ mph ___ 2_5 ___ mph Critical speed of major street traffic > 40mph - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -D Otherwise - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[gl RURAL (R) URBAN (U) The decision to install multiway stop control should be based on an engineering study. The following criteria should be considered in the engineering study for multiway stop sign installation: Criteria A -Interim Traffic Control Measure SATISFIED YES □ NO [gi Where traffic control signals are justified, the MUL Tl-WAY STOP is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the installation of the traffic control signal. Criteria B -Accident Experience SATISFIED YES □ NO [gi Five or more reported crashes within a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a MUL TlWAY STOP installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. Criteria C -Minimum Traffic Volumes (All Parts C.1, C.2a and C.2b below must be satisfied) C.1 Major Street Vehicular Volume u R 11AM 12PM 1PM 2PM 3PM Both Approaches 300 210 491 507 475 570 585 Major Street C.2 a.Minor Street Vehicular, Pedestrian & Bicycle Volume u R 11AM 12PM 1PM 2PM 3PM Both Approaches 200 140 183 221 217 189 214 Minor Street b.Minor Street Vehicle Delay 4PM 630 4PM 254 SATISFIED YES □ NO [gi 5PM 585 5PM 241 Yes [gl No D 6PM 503 Hour Average= 543 Yes [gl No D 6PM 260 Hour Average= 222 Yes □ No [gi N/A □ Peak Peak Hour Minimum Delay Requirement, Average Delay, Hour Volume seconds per vehicle 6PM 260 30 seconds Criteria D -Combination of Criteria REQUIREMENT CRITERIA B.Four or more reported crashes within a 12-month period.THREE CRITERIA C.1. Major Street Volume of at least 240 vehicles per hourSATISFIED 80% C.2. Minor Street Volume of at least 160 units per hour Chapter 2B -Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates Part 2 -Signs seconds per vehicle 19.2 SATISFIED YES □ NO [gi FULFILLED Yes □ No [gi Yes [gl No □ Yes [gl No □ January 13, 2012 Exhibit 2 Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 6 of 7 Feb. 2, 2026 Item #5 Page 7 of 7 Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer Feb. 2, 2026 All-Way Stop at Grand Avenue and Madison Street RECOMMENDED ACTION •Support staff’s recommendation to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST 2 •Park Drive •Hummingbird Road •Black Rail Road •Plum Tree Road •Carrillo Way TRAFFIC CALMING STREETS Grand Avenue and Madison Street •In the Village community •Both classified as Village Streets •Speed Limits: 25 MPH •Surrounding land uses include residential and commercial 3 EXISTING ROADWAY •Stop signs on Madison Street •Grand Avenue •Roadway width varies 54-70 feet •Two travel lanes in the westbound direction and one travel lane in the eastbound direction •Madison Street is 48-60 feet wide with one travel lane in each direction • On-street parking is allowed 4 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST •Limited visibility and vehicle speeds on Grand Avenue •Safety of pedestrians crossing the streets •Requested an all-way stop at the intersection 5 RESIDENTS CONCERNS & REQUESTS ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST ALL-WAY STOP ANALYSIS •Staff utilized criteria found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) •Key factors considered include: –Vehicular, bike and pedestrian volumes –Collision history –Movement conflicts –Sight distance –Traffic operations 6 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CRITERIA A – INTERIM MEASURE •Criteria A –Where traffic control signals are justified, the multi-way stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the installation of the traffic control signal. A traffic signal at the intersection is not planned or programmed, therefore, Criteria A was not satisfied. 7 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CRITERIA B – COLLISION HISTORY •Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. There were three reported collisions at this intersection between May 2024 and May 2025, therefore, Criteria B was not satisfied. 8 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CRITERIA C – MINIMUM VOLUMES Criteria C - Minimum volumes: 1.Average volume on a major street is at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and 2.The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume from the minor street averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour. 9 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CRITERIA C – MINIMUM VOLUMES Average Traffic Volumes based on counts collected on Thursday, May 22, 2025 Criteria C was not satisfied. Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street, Grand Ave (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Madison St, Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Minor Street, Madison St., Vehicle Delay (Min. 30 sec) Criteria Met? Grand Ave and Madison St 543 222 19.2 NO 10 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CRITERIA D – 80% MINIMUM VOLUMES Where no single criterion is satisfied, but where Criteria B, C.1, and C.2 are all satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Criterion C.3 is excluded from this condition. Since three reported collisions did not meet the 80 percent of the minimum value of Criteria B, Criteria D was not satisfied. 11 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST A.The need to control left-turn conflicts; B.The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; C.Locations where a road user, after stopping cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and D.An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection. 12 OPTIONAL CRITERIA ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes. •1,247 pedestrians on a typical weekday •Barons Market soon to open later this year An all-way stop control would reduce conflicts between pedestrian and vehicular traffic at this intersection, therefore, Optional Criteria B was satisfied. . 13 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST OPTIONAL CRITERIA B QUEUING ANALYSIS •Queuing analysis was performed for the existing conditions •95th percentile queue length (ft) : 14 Time of Day WB on Grand Ave EB on Grand Ave AM 72’61’ Midday 115’101’ PM 85’133’ ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST •Red curbs previously installed on Grand Ave to address sight distance would no longer be needed •Staff estimated approximately 3 parking spaces could be restored 15 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST EXISTING RED CURBS Staff have notified affected residents, business owners and others who may be interested in the project: •Flier to businesses adjacent to the intersection •Email to property management company of apartments in the vicinity •City Manager’s Update e-newsletter •Notification to the Carlsbad Village Association 16 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST COMMUNITY OUTREACH •Based on the findings presented, staff recommend the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street 17 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST CONCLUSION NEXT STEPS •City Council to adopt an ordinance to establish an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street •Once ordinance is adopted, STOP signs and pavement markings will be installed at the intersection 18 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST RECOMMENDED ACTION 19 •Support staff’s recommendation to install an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST THANK YOU! 20 ITEM 5: ALL-WAY STOP AT GRAND AVE AND MADISON ST