HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-22; City Council; 15280; Traffic Calming Program - Avenida de Anita, - h
Ch Y OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA tilLL
iB# l5380 TITLE- . CITIZEN REQUEST THAT VITG. 6/22/99 MEASURES BE IMPLEMENTED ON
AVENIDA DE ANITA TO CONTROL SPEEDING IEPT. ENG MGRa CITY
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Traffic Safety Commission recommends that the City Council not take the following citizen
requested actions on Avenida de Anita:
0 install an ALL-WAY STOP intersection at several intersections 0 construct a cul-de-sac at Calle Susana 0 install speed humps
The Traffic Safety Commission recommends that the City Council establish as one of its 1999/00
strategic goals to have staff develop a City of Carlsbad Traffic Calming Program.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
Gwynne Hodge previously addressed the City Council under Public Comment about her concerns
with speeding vehicles on Avenida de Anita. As a way to slow vehicle speeds on Avenida de Anita, Ms. Hodge suggested that a cul-de-sac be constructed on Avenida de Anita at Calle Susanna, that
an ALL-WAY STOP be established at several intersections and/or that speed humps be installed on Avenida de Anita. This matter was referred to the Traffic Safety Commission for consideration.
At the April 5, 1999 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, staff presented results of the traffic study addressing the requests of Ms. Hodge. Several citizens spoke at the Commission meeting about
their concerns with speeding vehicles.
Avenida de Anita is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan although it
functions as a collector road. It has a large number of different residential types of housing on both
sides of the street. The roadway follows a curvilinear alignment, is 0.6 miles in length and has an
average daily traffic (ADT) volume of about 4,700 vehicles. Traffic volumes on a collector road
vary between 1,200 to 10,000 vehicles according to Engineering Department street standards,
Avenida de Anita is controlled by a STOP sign at its intersection with Carlsbad Village Drive.
Where Avenida de Anita intersects Marron Road, the intersection operates as an “L” shape, 9OOturn with a double yellow centerline stripe having been installed in the curve. Parking is
permitted on both sides of the roadway, except where red curb has been installed at some fire
hydrants and intersection curb returns.
Regulatory speed limit signs have been installed on Avenida de Anita indicating the prima facie
25 mile per hour speed limit. Additionally, curve warning signs have also been installed to advise
drivers of the curvilinear roadway and of the advisory 20 mile per hour speed limit in the curves. The 8!Zth percentile speed is 32 miles per hour on Avenida de Anita. The roadway has a collision
rate of 0.99 accidents per million vehicle miles, a rate lower than average for a collector road.
Staff conducted a warrant analysis at three streets intersecting Avenida de Anita to evaluate if an ALL-WAY STOP was warranted. The three locations were the intersections of Via SorbeteKalle Hacienda, Via Naranja/Calle Susana and at Avenida de Louisa. Based upon the low number of
vehicles and pedestrians using each intersection and the good accident history at each
intersection, warrants for an ALL-WAY STOP were not met and the Traffic Safety Commission recommended that no ALL-WAY STOP intersections be established on Avenida de Anita.
Page 2 of Agenda Bill No. IS, 160
Since September 1, 1996 there have been six midblock accidents reported on Avenida de Anita.
Staff review of the accident reports indicates three accidents occurred as a result of a vehicle
driving on the wrong side of the street, two were exceeding the safe speed and one accident
occurred when a pedestrian ran into the street and was struck by a vehicle. The midblock accident
history does not indicate a trend towards accidents being caused by vehicles exceeding the speed
limit.
One of the citizen complaints regarding traffic volumes on Avenida de Anita is that drivers are
using this road that connects Carlsbad Village Drive to Marron Road to bypass congestion on
El Camino Real. In April 1998, staff conducted a traffic study in the p.m. peak hour to determine the percentage of bypass traffic. It was found that almost 30% of the vehicles between 500 p.m.
and 6:00 p.m. on a weekday were using Avenida de Anita as a bypass or shortcut.
Because of the large number of residences located on roads served by Avenida de Anita, the
Commission recommended against construction of a cul-de-sac at Calle Susana. The Engineering
Department cul-de-sac policy would be violated if the citizen recommended cul-de-sac were
constructed.
Currently, it is basic City policy to not consider or install speed humps on public streets. The Traffic Safety Commission recommended that no speed humps be installed on Avenida de Anita.
Recognizing that a more comprehensive approach to the citizen concerns about speeding was
necessary, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended that a City Council goal be established
that would direct staff to prepare a City of Carlsbad Traffic Calming Program. This program would
be developed to be applicable throughout Carlsbad, as many similar concerns are being raised by
citizens about streets in other parts of the City.
For a traffic calming program to be successful, it would have to be carefully planned,
professionally designed to industry standards, communicated with the residents and continually
evaluated to measure planned and realized performance of the traffic calming devices, with
appropriate adjustments made.
A definition of traffic calming developed by the Institute of Transportation Engineers states:
“Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the
negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.”
To be effective, a traffic calming program must be comprehensive, one that serves the needs of
the residents of Carlsbad, defines policies and guidelines, identifies the devices and options to be
utilized and the conditions for their use. Such an approach helps to provide program consistency
in its application, while guiding the planning process of each street being studied for traffic
calming.
Traffic calming generally addresses conditions on local residential streets and collector roads.
Complaints occur when the street users or local residents consider that traffic volumes, speeds or
operational characteristics are inappropriate for the types of adjacent land uses or for the pedestrian, bicycle or other activity that is occurring along the street.
Page 3 of Agenda Bill No. Is! 18 0
It is the intent of traffic calming on local residential streets or collector roads to achieve one or
more of the following objectives:
a reduce vehicular speeds
l discourage through traffic 0 minimize conflicts between street users 0 improve the neighborhood environment
Development of the City of Carlsbad Traffic Calming Program would:
0 define the goals and objectives 0 define the policies 0 develop the list of options and strategies 0 develop the public involvement process 0 identify measures of effectiveness 0 identify cost (budget) allocations for the traffic calming strategies 0 define implementation and maintenance practices
The overall City Traffic Calming Program would provide the framework to allow problems on individual streets to be studied and recommendations formulated. Significant citizen involvement is
necessary to ensure development of clearly defined common goals, that the program receives
community support and that there is commitment to the identified solution(s) to the problem.
Additional benefits include the enhancement of credibility of the traffic calming program,
minimization of the influence of special interest groups and the minimization of opposition to the
list of ultimate solutions.
Once the overall citywide program is in place, an individual street(s) could then be evaluated. The
process defined in the traffic calming program would provide the basis for developing solutions
applicable to a particular street or neighborhood through implementation of the guidelines, criteria
and standards contained therein. In this manner, needs of the public would be met.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Undetermined. Significant staff time would be required to develop the traffic calming program.
EXHIBITS:
1. Location Map.
2. Minutes from the April 5, 1999 Traffic Safety Commission meeting.
3
j\c, MARRON
a VIA ASTUTO
0 VIA DE PAZ
0 VIA JUDY
@I VIA BOCAS
0 VIA ESPA RTA
@ VIA VERA (
LEGEND:
0 lNT~rW~;ONS
NOT J6 SCALE
PROJECT NAME AVENIDA DE ANlTA EXHIBIT
STOP SIGN LOCATlONS STUDIED I
4W BY: SCOTT EVANS, CARLSBAO ENGINEERING OEPr
April 5, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2
Commission take action, as soon as possible, so that all school chil
The TrafTlc Safety Commission
NEW BUSINESS:
6A. Avenida de Anita - Carlsbad Village Drive to Marron Road. Reauest to establish an ALL-WAY
STOP at several intersections or install sueed humus or a cul-de-sac.
Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson presented the statTreport as follows: This request was initiated by Gwynne Hodge and
Barbara Farrell, representing the Tiburon Carlsbad Homeowners Association. The suggestion has been made that STOP
signs and/or speed humps be installed at the intersections of Avenida de Anita and Avenida de Louisa, Avenida de Anita
and Via NaranjaKalIe Susana, and Avenida de Anita and Via Sorbet&alle Hacienda, and/or a cul-de-sac installed on Calle
Susana at Avenida de Anita. Avenida de Anita is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan and does
function as a collector road. It has an ADT of approximately 4,700 vehicles which is well within the range of a collector
road. TrafIic volumes on a collector road will vary from 1,200 to 10,000 vehicles. The road follows a curvilinear alignment
and is approximately 0.6 miles in length. Avenida de Anita is controlled by a STOP sign where it intersects with Carlsbad
Village Drive and at the intersection of Matron Road, Avenida de Anita does function as a 90” turn with double yellow
center lines striped in the curve. That double yellow center line is extended throughout the length of Avenida de Anita to
create two traffic lanes. The roadway is 40 feet, from curb to curb, and parking is allowed on both sides except at certain
locations that are indicated by a red curb. The speed survey indicates that the critical speed (85th percentile) is 32 miles
per hour, which means that 85% of the vehicles are traveling at (or below) 32 miles per hour. The posted speed limit is 25
miles per hour. Since September, 1996, there have been four midblock accidents reported on Avenida de Anita. Generally,
au in&se&ion that has five or more accidents in any 12 month period could be considered as a candidate for the installation
of an ALL-WAY STOP sign. Those types of accidents, however, would have to be susceptible to correction by the
installation of the STOP sign. Example: A rear end collision problem would not necessarily be corrected by the installation
of STOP signs, as such a sign would tend to increase rear end collisions. On the other hand, right-of-way and right angle
type collisions might be expected to be corrected with ALL-WAY STOP signs. Since August, 1994, there has been only
one accident reported at the intersection of Avenida de Anita and Avenida de Louisa which was a right-of way violation
caused by driver inattention. According to City records, there have been no accidents reported at the intersections of
Avenida de Anita and Calle Susana/Via Naranja or Avenida de Anita and Via SorbeteKalle Hacienda. The midblock
collisions may be an indication of speeding or some other type of problem on the roadway, and would not be a&&d by
STOP sign(s). An intersection can be considered for an ALL-WAY STOP when traffic volumes are approximately equal
on aU legs of an intersection. Recent tratlic counts indicated that the volumes are not great enough to satisfy the warrants
for ALL-WAY STOP sign at any of the subject intersections. Speed humps are not considered for installation on public
streets. It is basic City policy not to install speed humps. Regarding the request for the possible construction of a cul-de-
sac, the City of Carlsbad Engineering Department has established a cul-de-sac policy in the standards for design and
construction of public works improvements. To be considered, all of the following criteria must be met for a 40-foot, curb
to curb, local street:
1. Driveway and street intersections must be spaced 150 feet or more apart.
2. The length along streets from entrance to most remote point cannot exceed one-half mile.
3. T&Xc volume at entrance cannot exceed 1,200 ADT.
4. Number of dwelling units cannot exceed 120.
In April, 1998, it was determined that approximately 70% of the vehicles using Avenida de Anita were residents of
April 5,1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3
Tanglewoodandthe remain&g appmx&&ly 30% were pass-through vehicles trying to avoid the congestion on El Camino
Real.
Although the recommendatioIl of the TratRc Safety coordinating Committee was to deny the request for ALL-WAY STOP
signs, the speed humps, and the cul-de-sac, they are recommending that a Traffic Calming Program be developed and
established in which a variety of techniques could be used to slow vehicle speeds and/or mmimize cut-through traffic on
residential streets. The development of such a program will not only require that City Council direct staff to undertake the
program development and return to Council for adoption, but it will take several months to complete.
Sgt. Kelly Cam, Carlsbad Police Department, present an Enforcement Profile focussed on Avenida de Anita, as follows:
Since September 1998, there have been complaints from the residents of Avenida de Anita, regarding speeding vehicles.
Data collected Tom the year 1998 shows there were a total of 65 citations issued, 40 of which were for speeding. There
were also 4 collisions recorded during that same period. In response to citizen’s complaints, motorcycle officers (as well
as the Police Department SMART trailer) were assigned to-that area. As this was a “directed enforcement”, considerably
more citations were written. Officers assigned to this area for one week in early November, 1998, wrote over one-half of
the total number of citations for the entire year. During the second week in December, 1998, the SMART trailer was placed
in the area. At that tune enforcement was reduced and data was collected. Unfortunately, computer problems prevented
thedata~osnbeingretrievedonallofthedates,butthedata~omthemorningsofDecember 16,andDecember 17,1998,
was retrieved.
The presence of Police officers can have only a temporary effect on trafIic flow and is not a permanent (nor practical)
solution to the problem of speeding and other violations. The subject area is posted for 25 miles per hour. However, the
critical speed (85th percentile) is somewhat above that and police officers are not allowed, by law, to write citations for
speeds under the 85th percentile in a residential area.
Sgt. Cain pmentcd statistical information gathered by the SMART trailer and a list of the number of citations written, by
category and exact location of the violations. He also presented a copy of a letter, dated March 22,1999, from Sgt. Cain
to the Tanglewood Residents and Home Owners Association. Copies of all of the above documents are on file in the
Engineering Department.
C~Allenaskedifheiscorrectinhis~gthatthecriticalspeedonAvenidadeAnitais32milesperhour
and that police offrcers are only writing citations for speeds over 32 miles per hour.
Sgt. Cain replied that Mr. Allen is correct and that the lowest speed (above critical speed) that the Department can issue
a citation fm would probably be 34 mph. He explained that they must give one or two miles per hour variance to the radar
unit.
Chairperson Allen then asked if the critical speed of 32 mph would justify the raising of the speed limit, in that area.
Sgt. Cain replied that the present critical speed would not justify raising of the current speed limit and pointed out that if
the speed limit were raised, the critical speed would increase accordingly. He added that he feels that the 25 mph is a valid
speed and can be just&d.
Commissioner Blake asked Sgt. Cain if he has any information as to how many of the citations that have been issued in the
subject area were issued to actual residents of the area.
Sgt. Cain replied that his o&.ers have given an approximation of 30% to 40% as being pass-througb trafIic (primarily
during 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) with the balance of the tra& generated by residents.
Chairperson Allen asked how the officers determine those passing through as opposed to the residents.
Sgt. Cain replied that they go by the documented address presented to them by the drivers.
b
April 5,1999 TMFFIC SAFWIY COMMISSION Page 4
Sgt. Cain pointed out that the figures gathered by the SMART trailer (during two 24 hour periods) corroborate Mr.
Johnson’s ADT figures and established a critical speed for those two days as 28 mph and 27 mph, respectively.
Sgt. Cain agreed with Mr. Johnson’s recommendations regarding the Traffic Calming Program and urged the Commission
to uphold the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to the City Council to establish such a
program.
In conclusion, Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee concluded that because STOP sign
warrants were not met at any of the three locations, ALL-WAY STOP signs, speed humps or culde-sacs could not be
justifiedandthemf~ mmmmedd against the request for such ins&&ions. However, because of the continuing concerns
regarding lraflic thtoughout the City, the establishment of a Traffic Calming Program by the City Council is recommended
by the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee.
Mr. Johnson explained that to develop such a program, a number of different t&Xc calming programs (throughout the U.
S.), will need to be researched. Ideally, staff would work with a citizen’s group to develop a policy, take it to the City
Council for adoption. Following that, Council would allocate the funds that would be necessary to implement the program.
Such a program would end the need to continually deny requests for traffic control devices in low traffic volume areas.
Referring to the bottom of Page 3 of the staff report, and the list of various techniques used to “calm” or slow vehicle
speeds, Commissioner Blake asked Mr. Johnson to define “chicanes”.
Mr. Johnson replied that chicanes is a feature used to cause a meandering effect or a means to cause a driver to slow down
in order to negotiate a series of curves created on the roadway.
Mr, Johnson pointed out that the criteria fbr tra& calming is developed by taking into consideration the volumes, the type
of street, the alignment, adjacent land uses, etc. Each feature of such a program has that type of criteria so that when a
proposed solution is chosen the solution fits the conditions.
Chairperson Allen asked if the construction of a &de-sac on Calle Susana would prohibit the flow of safety vehicles on
that street.
Mr. Johnson replied that a traditional cul-de-sac at that location would require some type of “crash” through feature and
that is generally not done. There would certainly have to be some type of access to that cul-de-sac. Again the traffic
volumes do not meet the warrants in that area and therefore such construction would not be justified. In addition, the high
number of residential units on Calle Susana would be in violation of the City’s cul-de-sac policy.
Chairperson Allen stated that it is his understanding that an ALL-WAY STOP does not meet the warrants unless cross
traffic equals that of the traffic on the main street and asked Mr. Johnson if he is correct.
Mr. Johnson replied that &&person Allen is correct, in that the entering volume must be generally equal in all directions
for at least 8 hours of the day to warrant an ALLWAY STOP.
Chairperson Allen opened Public Testimony.
Gwynne Hodge, 3027 Via Salinas, Carlsbad. Using the exhibit on the wall, Ms. Hodge indicated the two large clubhouses
in her community and pointed out that parking is a problem, particularly in those areas. She also stated that the combination
of dense parking and speed were the contributing causes to the recent injury of a small child in the neigbborhood. Ms.
Hodge stated that the children of this neighborhood must be protected from injury and/or death and it is not enough to
assume that the parents alone must be responsible for that protection. She pointed out that the City has grown and become
considerably more crowded and that the City must take more responsibility for trafBc problems. Ms. Hodge alluded to the
fact that there is a very large residential project being built, adjacent to Tanglewood, and that traffic will only increase upon
completion of that project. Ms. Hodge concurred with Sgt. Cain’s statistics regarding “pass-through” traffic and that it is
April 5,1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5
just too easy to use Avenida de Anita (to avoid some of the congestion on El Camino Real) to reach the shopping centers
and Highway 78. She pointed out that they cannot wait any longer. Summer is coming and the children, as well as adults,
will be outside later in the evenings and need the City’s protection now. She concurred with the suggestions for a Traffic
Calming Program for the entire city. Ms. Hodge stated that the residents am grateful for the police presence (when possible)
but people forget and drive faster after the officers leave, putting everything back to the way it was. She suggested that
STOP signs would permanently slow people down. Ms. Hodge stated that regardless of whether or not the surveys, counts,
etc., meet the warrants for the requested traf%c controls, those controls should be constructed and/or installed to provide
additional safety to the residents of Tanglewood. She concluded by stating that if the Traffic Safety Commission does not
agree with her requests and upholds the recommendations of staff and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee, she is
requesting this item be heard by the City Council.
John Coitus, 2999 Via de Paz, Carlsbad, requested a copy of the staff report. He stated that there have been so many
numbers and statistics preset&d that he is not sure he understands it all. He agreed with Ms. Hodge, in that something has
to be done, now, to prepare for the massive increase of vehicular trafIic on Carlsbad Village Drive, Marron Road, and
College, when those streets are extended and/or wnnected in the near future. He suggested that in the long run, Avenida
de Anita will be more than a collector street because he envisions many more than 10,000 ADT, very soon.
Mr. Johnson stated he would send Mr. Cortus a wpy of the staffreport.
Chairperson Allen closed Public Testimony.
An unidcntied member of the audience asked why it is so difGcult to erect a STOP sign. She indicated that all that needed
to be done is to take a sign to a designated spot, drive in into the ground, and there would be an instant STOP sign.
Chairperson Allen repeated his earlier statement regarding side street volumes.
Mr. Johnson stated that there are a number of reasons why unwarranted STOP signs should not be installed. One of the
reasons is that an unwarranted sign creates disrespect for all signs. Example: The purpose of a STOP sign is to assign the
right-of-way, not to slow people down and if a driver doesn’t see any traflic coming from the side street(s), he /she will very
likely ignore the STOP sign. Other reasons include: A STOP sign can also cause more accidents than it prevents, such as
causing more rear end collisions, unnecessary stopping does cause an increase in air and noise pollution, can cause a false
sense of security to the pedestrian or the side-street vehicle. Mr. Johnson pointed out that staff looks, very carefully, at why
a STOP sign is installed or why it should not be installed and the negative results created by unwarranted tra& control
devices.
Commissioner Blake asked if the traffic manual information is for the State of California.
Mr. Johnson replied that staffgoes by the State of Cal&~ Traf5c Manual which contains the STOP sign warrant criteria.
Chairperson Allen stated that he will vote to uphold the recommendations of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee
to the City Council and their further recommendations regarding a Traffic Calming Program.
ACI’ION: On motion by Chairperson Allen and duly seconded, the TrafIlc Safety Commission upheld the
recommendation of the TrafEc Safety Coordinating Committee to deny the installation of STOP
signs, speed humps, or culde-sacs on Avenida de Anita. The Trtic Safety Commission further
upheld the Trtic Safety Coordinating Committee’s recommendation that the City Council
establish, as one of its goals for 1999/00, to have staff develop a City of Carlsbad TrafRc
Calming Program.
Ef . NoEsi
3-o
Allen, Blake, Whitton
None
To:
Fm:
Re:
Protective Services, Inc.
1991 Village Park Way #lOO, Encinitas, CA 92024
Friday, June &I,1999
The Carlsbad Police Department
Terry McCabe, Account Executive
RSFSS & RSFPS
Traffic Problems @ Tanglewood
To whom it may concern,
Our security company patrols the Tanglewood community. We have been on this
assignment for several years.
Over that time span the traffic through the community has increased significantly.
I am writing this letter to add credence to the request for additional traffic control in
the community. This would be a wise decision based upon some of the interviews I
have had with our personnel.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
(760) 942-0688 l (619) 756-l 380 l Fax (760) 942-9387 l AreYouSafe@aol.com l www.rsfsecurity.com
CA Contractor’s Lit. #427169 l CA Private Patrol Lit. #9357