HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-19; City Council; ; Regional Traffic Calming PracticesPhase I focuses on the human element of driver behavior and leverages strategies such as
education of the public, police presence and police enforcement to help reduce speeding. The
engineering tools available in Phase I include speed limit signs, warning signs, pavement
legends and temporary speed feedback signs. The temporary speed feedback signs serve a dual
purpose: collection of speed data and as a speed reduction feature. Phase I solutions are
usually implemented at the staff level and may include work orders for installation of signs and
pavement legends. Depending on availability of temporary speed feedback signs and the type
of work proposed, Phase I can last between four to six months.
If the Phase I solutions do not adequately address the reported issues, Phase II of the CRTMP
can be considered. The threshold for Phase II eligibility is a minimum critical speed of 32 miles
per hour (MPH), determined by using data collected during Phase I. This threshold was set so
that city resources could be most effectively allocated for the highest priority traffic safety
needs. The critical speed, otherwise known as the 85th percentile speed, is the speed at which
85% of the drivers drive at or below. The critical speed, as described in the California Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), represents one standard deviation above the
average speed and is used for speed zoning purposes.
Phase II of the CRTMP is initiated when speed measurements indicate a critical speed of 32
MPH or higher on a residential street. Phase II utilizes cost-effective physical traffic
management devices such as speed cushions and tables, high-visibility crosswalks, narrowing
travel lanes with striping, and neighborhood signs. Please note that although they are included
in the 2011 edition of the CRTMP, stop signs are no longer considered by staff as a viable
recommendation for traffic calming, based on the CA MUTCD guidance that stop signs should
not be used for speed control (Section 2B.04, Paragraph 05). In situations where a traffic
calming feature is desired at an intersection, staff will consider such features as a traffic circle
or speed cushion instead of a stop sign.
Per the CRTMP, consensus support of the community is required before Phase II measures can
be implemented. The first step toward establishing consensus is a neighborhood meeting.
Residents and property owners within the project study area are invited to attend a
neighborhood meeting organized by staff. At the meeting, staff presents traffic calming
strategies and options tailored to their individual street. Input provided by the meeting
attendees is used to develop a preferred concept plan for traffic calming.
A mail survey is used to quantify neighborhood support for the traffic calming plan developed
at the neighborhood meeting. The surveys are sent to all residents and property owners in the
project study area. The CRTMP requires that at least 50% of the mailed surveys be returned to
constitute a valid survey and that a support rate of 67% or more is required to indicate positive
community support for the proposed plan. If these support requirements are satisfied, the
proposed traffic calming plan is brought before the Traffic & Mobility Commission for their
recommendation and then to City Council for project approval. If City Council approves the
traffic calming plan, the project enters the design phase, which will result in a set of
construction plans for implementation. It can take between 6-12 months to complete the Phase
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 2 of 8
II process. Traffic speeds are measured after Phase II implementation to verify the effectiveness
of the implemented solutions.
If the Phase II so lutions do not adequately address the reported issues, residents can request
moving to Phase Ill of the CRTMP.
Phase Ill utilizes more expensive physical traffic calming devices that change the character or
nature of an intersection or roadway and includes traditional traffic calming features such as
traffic circles, center island narrowing, curb radius reductions, raised intersections, mid-block
chokers, lateral sh ift in lanes, chicanes, intersection bulb-outs, realigned intersections, forced
turn channelization, median barriers and traffic diverters.
Eligibility for Phase Ill is determined using a Phase Ill Qualification Criteria to be conducted by
staff. The criteria consider such factors as travel speeds, traffic volumes, collision history,
absence of sidewalks, proximity to schools and presence of marked crosswalks, and utilizes a
points assignment system. A minimum score of 51 points is required for candidate street s to be
considered for Phase Ill.
With the three-phase CRTMP, the city has a comprehensive and efficient strategy to address
speeding issues on residential streets. In 2018, the CRTMP resulted in construction of traffic
calming improvements on Corintia Street, Daisy Avenue, Cadencia Street and Harbor Drive. The
measured critical speeds after implementation (Corintia Street -29 MPH, Daisy Avenue -29
MPH, Cadencia Street -30 MPH and Harbor Drive -23 MPH) indicate the successful application
of Phase II measures on these streets.
In 2019, the CRTMP process has been active with nine streets currently in the Phase II process
including Amargosa Drive, Basswood Avenue, Hillside Drive, Avenida Diestro, Estrella de Mar
Road, Harwich Drive, Segovia Way, Avenida Pantera and La Golondrina Street. Neighborhood
meetings for these nine streets will be completed before the end of the year.
Due to the success of Phase II measures, Phase Ill of the CRTMP has not yet been implemented
on any street in Carlsbad.
Traffic Calming on Non-Residential Streets
In certain si tuations, traffic calming features may be considered oil non-residential streets.
Since most non-residential streets lack single-family homes with direct frontage upon them, it
would be difficult to obtain consensus using the methodology outlined in the CRTMP. Another
consideration is that most of the traffic calming features previously described have been
designed for relatively low speeds and may not be appropriate for higher speed/higher volume
roadways. In the past, staff has implemented traffic calming on non-residential streets on a
case-by-case basis as projects of the CRTMP. Examples of these include the recently completed
project that installed speed feedback signs on Jefferson Street, State Street, Tamarack Avenue,
Alicante Road and El Fuerte Street and the road diets on La Costa Avenue and Avenida Encinas.
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 3 of 8
Traffic Calming in Other Cities: As part of this report, staff has investigated the following cities
in San Diego County to determine and compare traffic calming practices, methods and features:
e Chula Vista
• Coronado
• Del Mar
• El Cajon
• Encinitas
• Escondido
• Imperial Beach
0 La Mesa
• Lemon Grove
• National City
• Oceanside
• Poway
• San Diego
• San Marcos
• Santee
• Solana Beach
• Vista
Table 1: Traffic Calming in the Region
..r:::. u QJ >-ro > .-!::::'. Vl ro QJ 0 ..... 0 0 co '-u QJ 0 0
Vl Vl "'O "'O u "'O "'O -(.9 -b.O '-> '-C ro ro ro ro ro ro ro Vl Vl QJ ro 0 .-!::::'. "'O C C >-QJ .0 C ·;:: QJ C 0 ~ Vl ro ~ ·-C C QJ 0 0 ro ro QJ 0 ro 0 ~ $ ..... ,:: :J '--u u Q. E ..... QJ C C C ..r:::. 0 QJ C u E ro u 0 ro -Vl ro QJ ro ro ro u u u 0 LJ.J LJ.J LJ.J -.....J .....J z 0 c.. U') U') U')
..r:::. u ro QJ co
ro C ro
0 U')
Established Program ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Speed Humps Only ✓ ✓ ✓
Program is Confirmed Active ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Program is Confirmed Inactive ✓ ✓
As Table 1 shows, of the 17 cities researched for this report, 10 have formalized traffic calming
programs that can be reviewed and compared. Agencies that have generalized descriptions of
traffic calming on their website without specific recommendations (Chula Vista) and agencies
with limited, speed hump-only policies (Coronado, Del Mar and El Cajon) were not included in
the following analysis. It is interesting to note that three agencies that have established traffic
calming programs in place have informed us that their programs are inactive or suspended (El
Cajon, Oceanside and Vista). The traffic calming programs of the 10 compared agencies are
ro ..... Vl >
✓
✓
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 4 of 8
focused on residential streets with only four agencies (Encinitas, Oceanside, San Diego and
Solana Beach) allowing consideration of traffic calming on arterial roadways.
As described previously, Phase I of the CRTMP utilizes features that are relatively inexpensive
and easy to implement. Table 2 shows these cost-effective features and how they are utilized
regionally.
Table 2: Phase I Features Compared
.c u cu .c ('Cl > u cu 0 ('Cl O· co ,_ cu 0 cu -0 Vl -0 (.9 -0 tlO co ('Cl ·-('Cl ('Cl ('Cl :!:: -0 Vl C . Vl > cu ('Cl ..c C ·;:: cu 0 C ('Cl 0 Vl C cu ~ ('Cl C ('Cl -.::: u 0 a. E cu s C ('Cl +-' u Vl ('Cl C Vl E ('Cl cu u 0 ('Cl 0 > u LJ.J LJ.J -_J _J 0 CL V) V)
Education ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Police Enforcement ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Regulatory/Warning Sign ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Non-Standard Sign ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Pavement Legend ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Speed Feedback Sign ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Neighborhood Monitoring ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Looking at these features, we note that Carlsbad does not use non-standard signs. Some
agencies have chosen to deploy signs that are not compliant with the CA MUTCD such as KEEP
KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25. Although Carlsbad does not support usage of such signs in the public
right-of-way, we do not disallow the use of these signs on private property as long as the sign
complies with the city's sign ordinance (Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 21.41).
The bulk of traffic calming tools that Carlsbad utilizes are found in Phase s II and Ill of the
CRTMP. For comparative purposes, these have been divided into four categories: vertical
deflection measures, horizontal deflection measures, diversion measures and other measu res.
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 5 of 8
Table 3: Vertical Deflection Measures Compared
..c u Q) ..c ro > u Q) 0 ro 0 co ,._ Q) 0 Q)
"'Cl V) "'Cl -(.9 "'Cl tlO co ro ·-ro ·-ro +-' "'Cl ro V) V) Q)
..0 ·;:: Q) C C > ro C 0 ro 0 V) C Q) ~ ro C ro "'i: u 0 0.. E Q) 3 C ro +-' u V) ro C V) E ro Q) u 0 ro 0 > u LJ.J LJ.J -.....J .....J 0 0.. V) V)
Speed Table/R ai sed X-Walk ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Speed Cushion ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Raised Intersection ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Table 3 shows the variety of measures that use vertical deflection to slow down vehicles. Please
note that there is variation in the design and implementation of vertical deflection measures
for each agency. It would be accurate to state that Carlsbad utilizes the full range of vertical
deflection features that are used regionally.
Table 4: Horizontal Deflection Measures Compared
~
..c u Q) ..c ro > u Q) 0 ro 0 co ,._ Q) 0 Q)
"'Cl V) "'Cl -(.9 "'Cl tlO co ro ·-ro ·-ro ro V) Q) :t: "'Cl V) C > ..0 ·;:: Q) C 0 ro C 0 ro V) C Q) ~ ro C ro "'i: u 0 0.. E Q) 3 C ro +-' u V) ro C V) E ro Q) u 0 ro 0 > u LJ.J LJ.J -.....J .....J 0 0.. V) V)
Median ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Curb Radius Reduction ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Traffic Circle ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Mid-Block Choker ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Lateral Shift ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Chicane ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Intersection Bulb-out ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Re-aligned Intersection ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Roundabout ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Table 4 shows the different types of horizontal deflection measures that are used regionally for
traffic calming. Although roundabouts are not listed as an available feature in the Carlsbad
program, staff does not consider this an omission since traffic circles can be considered, in the
context of residential streets, as equivalent to roundabouts.
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 6 of 8
Table 5: Diversion Measures Compared
_r;
u QJ _r; I'll > u QJ 0 I'll 0 C!l ,._ QJ 0 QJ
"'O Vl "'O -l9 "'O tlO C!l I'll ·-I'll I'll +-' "'O I'll Vl Vl QJ
..0 ·;:: QJ C C > 0 I'll C 0 I'll Vl C QJ ~ I'll C I'll ,:: u 0 0. E QJ s C I'll +-' u E u 0 Vl I'll C Vl I'll QJ I'll 0 > u LU LU -....J ....J 0 a.. V'l V'l
Turn Restriction via Sign ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Forced Turn Channelization ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Median Barrier ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓. ✓
Semi-Diverter ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Partial Diverter ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Diagonal Diverter ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Street Closure ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Many traffic calming programs, including Carlsbad's, include features that are more appropriate
for addressing cut-through traffic rather than speed reduction. Table 5 lists the diversion
measures offered in the region. Since speeding has been the primary concern of residents who
have contacted the city and, since all of the diversion measures in the CRTMP reside in Phase
Ill, no diversion measures have yet been implemented in Carlsbad. The only diversion tool that
is offered regionally, but not in Carlsbad, is street closure.
Table 6: Other Features Compared
_r; u QJ _r; I'll > u QJ 0 I'll 0 C!l ,._ QJ 0 QJ
"'O Vl "'O l9 "'O tlO C!l I'll ·-I'll ·-I'll I'll Vl QJ :t: "'O Vl C > ..0 ,._ QJ C 0 I'll C 0 I'll C Vl C QJ ~ I'll I'll ,._ ·u 0 0. E QJ s C I'll +-' u Vl I'll C Vl E I'll QJ u 0 I'll 0 > u LU LU -....J ....J 0 a.. V'l V'l
Residential Stop Sign ✓* ✓ ✓ ✓
High Visibility Crosswalk ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Narrowing Lanes/Striping ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Neighborhood Warning Sign ✓ ✓ ✓
Textured Pavement ✓ ✓ ✓
Entry Treatment ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Driveway Link ✓
Woonerf ✓
Pedestrian Hybrid Signal ✓
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 7 of 8
The last set of features that were compared are those that did not fit the prior categories. Table
6 above shows these miscellaneous features. As previously noted, Carlsbad no longer utilizes
stop signs as a traffic calming tool. There are a couple of interesting features that are specifi c to
Encinitas only. The Woonerf is described as a public right-of-way space that is shared by
veh icles and people in cars. The Driveway Link converts a two-lane street into a winding one-
way street over a short distance, connecting residential driveways. Escondido offers the
pedestrian hybrid signal as a traffic calming feature in their program. Since the pedestrian
hybrid signal requires cons id eration of specific factors as described in the CA MUTCD, Carlsbad
chooses to analyze implementation of the pedestrian hybrid signal independent of the CRTMP.
Based on staff's analysis of traffic calming in the region, the CRTMP can be considered a
complete and efficient program that features a full range of traffic calmin g measures that
compare favorably with what other agencies are using.
Next Steps
Utilizing the ava ilable resources, staff will co ntinue to analyze and consider new and innovative
traffic calming techniques as they become known. Staff will formally remove stop signs from
the program in a future programmatical update to the CRTMP .
Fiscal Analysis
This item is an informational presentation on the topic of traffic control, traffic calming and
traffic safety and as such there is no financial impact.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, receiving an informational presentation on
the work related to traffic control, traffic calming and traffic safety does not qualify as a
"project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it has
no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public
viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Nov. 19, 2019 Item #18 Page 8 of 8
Regional Traffic Calming Practices
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
November 19, 2019
Introduction
•Traffic safety and neighborhood quality of life
are important to Carlsbad residents
•Our program compares favorably to other
cities in the region
•Some streets aren’t covered by the program
and require unique approaches
2
Background
•On June 11, 2019, a Minute Motion was made
to perform a comprehensive traffic calming
analysis to include what types of traffic
calming measures are currently used in the
region, research new approaches to traffic
calming and report what measures are
commonly used in the City of Carlsbad.
3
Traffic Calming in Carlsbad
•Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program was developed in 2001 and revised in 2011 to provide traffic calming in Carlsbad.
•Program provides traffic calming to residential streets where prevailing speeds are considerably higher than 25 mph
•Our traffic calming program is currently designed for low volume, low speed residential streets
4
3-Phase Process
•Phase I –Education and Enforcement
–Initiated by phone call from resident
•Phase II –Cost Effective Traffic Calming Measures
–Requires a critical speed of 32 mph to begin
–Requires community support before implementation
•Phase III –Traditional Traffic Calming Measures
–Only considered if Phase II is not effective
5
Completed Phase II Streets
•Donna Drive
•Sierra Morena Avenue
•Esfera Street
•Levante Street
•Magnolia Avenue
•Pontiac Drive
6
•Chestnut Avenue
•Victoria Avenue
•Cadencia Street (Upper)
•Daisy Avenue
•Corintia Street
•Harbor Drive
Currently Working on Phase II
•Amargosa Drive
•Basswood Avenue
•Hillside Drive
•Avenida Diestro
•Estrella De Mar Road (North)
7
•La Golondrina Street
•Avenida Pantera
•Segovia Way
•Cadencia Street (Lower)
•Harwich Drive
Traffic Calming in Other Cities
•Chula Vista
•Coronado
•Del Mar
•El Cajon
•Encinitas
•Escondido
•Imperial Beach
•La Mesa
•Lemon Grove
8
•National City
•Oceanside
•Poway
•San Diego
•San Marcos
•Santee
•Solana Beach
•Vista
Traffic Calming Programs Compared
9 CarlsbadChula VistaCoronadoDel MarEl CajonEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveNational CityOceansidePowaySan DiegoSan MarcosSanteeSolana BeachVistaEstablished Program
Speed Humps Only
Program is Confirmed Active
Program is Confirmed Inactive
How Traffic Calming Works
Vertical Deflection Horizontal Deflection Other Methods
•Speed feedback
signs
•Road Diets
•Road Narrowing
•Diversion
10
Categorizing Traffic Calming Features
•Education/Enforcement
•Vertical Deflection
•Horizontal Deflection
•Diversion
•Other
11
Education/Enforcement Features
Compared
12 CarlsbadEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveOceansidePowaySan DiegoSolana BeachVistaEducation
Police Enforcement
Regulatory/Warning Sign
Non-Standard Sign
Pavement Legend
Speed Feedback Sign
Neighborhood Monitoring
Examples of Education/Enforcement
Features
13
Non-standard SignRegulatory Sign Speed Feedback Sign
SPEED
LIMIT
25
Vertical Deflection Compared
14 CarlsbadEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveOceansidePowaySan DiegoSolana BeachVistaSpeed Table/Raised X-Walk
Speed Cushion
Raised Intersection
Examples of Vertical Deflection
15
Raised X-Walk (Gateway Rd)
Speed Cushion on (Corintia St)
Speed Table (Sierra Morena Av)
Horizontal Deflection Compared
16 CarlsbadEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveOceansidePowaySan DiegoSolana BeachVistaMedian
Curb Radius Reduction
Traffic Circle
Mid-Block Choker
Lateral Shift
Chicane
Intersection Bulb-out
Re-aligned Intersection
Roundabout
Examples of Horizontal Deflection
17
Chicane (Gateway Rd)Intersection Bulb-out (Bressi Ranch)
Examples of Horizontal Deflection
18
Traffic CircleMidblock Choker (Bressi Ranch)
Examples of Horizontal Deflection
19
Curb Radius Reduction
Lateral Shift
Realigned Intersection
Diversion Measures Compared
20 CarlsbadEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveOceansidePowaySan DiegoSolana BeachVistaTurn Restriction via Sign
Forced Turn Channelization
Median Barrier
Semi-Diverter
Partial Diverter
Diagonal Diverter
Street Closure
----------~ ----------~ -------------
Examples of Diversion
21
Forced Turn Channelization (Alga Road)
Median Barrier (Corintia Street)
Semi-Diverter
Examples of Diversion
22
Partial Diverter Diagonal Diverter
Other Features Compared
23 CarlsbadEncinitasEscondidoImperial BeachLa MesaLemon GroveOceansidePowaySan DiegoSolana BeachVistaResidential Stop Sign
High Visibility Crosswalk
Narrowing Lanes/Striping
Neighborhood Warning Sign
Textured Pavement
Entry Treatment
Driveway Link
Woonerf
Pedestrian Hybrid Signal
---------------------~
Examples of Other Features
24
Driveway Link Woonerf
Pedestrian Hybrid Signal
Typical 60 to 100 feet
STOP ~ STOP ON n,SHING
-----• OH RED ~co ;o •
• ~~~[0
Traffic Calming on
Non-Residential Streets
•Mobility Element Recommendations for Street Types
•Traffic and Mobility Commission - Recommendation
•City Council - Approval
•Capital Improvement Program - Funding
25
Examples of Traffic Calming on
Non-Residential Streets
•Road Diets
–La Costa Avenue
–Avenida Encinas
•Speed Feedback Signs
–Jefferson Street, State Street, Tamarack Avenue, Alicante Road and El Fuerte Street
26
Summary
•CRTMP is a complete and effective program with a
full range of traffic calming measures
•Stay informed on new developments
27
Thank you!
28