HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-02; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; UPDATE ON CARLSBAD BOULEVARD AND TAMARACK AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING ENHANCEMENTSTRAFFIC AND MO BI LI T Y COMMI SS ION
Meeting Date:
To:
Staff Contact:
December 2, 2019
Traffic and Mobility Commission
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
John.Kim@carlsbadca.gov or 760-602-2757
Item #5
Subject: Update on Carlsbad Boulevard, College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue
Traffic Calming Enhancements.
Recommended Action
Receive an informational presentation regarding requested traffic calming measures on three
corridors of interest: Carlsbad Boulevard, College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue.
Executive Summary
On June 11, 2019, a Minute Motion was proposed by Council Member Schumacher, seconded
by Council Member Hamilton, to bring back an analysis of changing the physical character
specifically for traffic calming on the following streets: College Boulevard from Carlsbad Village
Drive to Sage Creek High School, Tamarack Avenue from Skyline Road to Carlsbad Boulevard,
and Carlsbad Boulevard from the Agua Hedionda Trail head to State Street. The Motion carried
unanimously 5/0. At the same meeting, a Minute Motion was proposed by Council Member
Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, that staff explore other ideas for traffic
calming at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street since staff determined that a
stop sign was not appropriate. The Motion carried unanimously 5/0.
Staff will provide an update and overview of possible traffic calming strategies at these
locations.
Discussion
City staff will first present an overview of the traffic calming process as outlined in the Carlsbad
Residential Traffic Management Program {CRTMP). Currently, the CRTMP considers traffic
calming on residential streets, and offers features such as speed cushions, speed tables and
traffic circles that are intended for low volume/low speed streets. Residential streets, as
defined by the California Vehicle Code, are unique in that no engineering and traffic survey
(including a speed survey) is required to post a 25-mile per hour (mph) speed limit on a
residential street. Prevailing speeds may be higher than the posted speed limit; therefore, a
traffic calming program may be beneficial to help encourage drivers to drive closer to the
posted speed limit in those situations.
On all other streets in the city, the speed limit must have a valid engineering and traffic survey
and be posted within 5 mph of prevailing speeds, per the requirements of the California Vehicle
Code. This distinction serves to underline some of the differences in traffic calming
recommendations on residential streets compared to non-residential streets.
Carlsbad Boulevard, College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue are all non-residential streets (per
the definitions found in the California Vehicle Code) and not eligible for the CRTMP process as
currently written. They are unique streets and staff's evaluation and proposed improvements
are reflective of this characteristic.
Carlsbad Boulevard from Agua Hedionda Lagoon trailhead to State Street
This segment of Carlsbad Boulevard is designated as an "identity street" in the General Plan
Mobility Element. Based on recent counts, traffic volumes on Carlsbad Boulevard can range
from 12,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day, depending on location. As reported earlier, staff has
analyzed and implemented several projects along Carlsbad Boulevard, each of which has relied
on best practices and standards.
During the last seven years, many improvements have been implemented along the corridor
including the following:
• 2012 -Pedestrian scrambles were installed at two locations along Carlsbad Boulevard
(intersections at Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue)
• 2012-13 -Pedestrian medians and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) were
installed at five locations along Carlsbad Boulevard (Hemlock Avenue, Cherry Avenue,
Maple Avenue, Sycamore Avenue and Oak Avenue)
• 2014 -Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street roundabout, multi-use trail and road diet
were installed
• 2014-15 -Carlsbad Boulevard bridge railing, sidewalk and restriping improvements
were completed
• 2018-Slurry seal, restriping to accommodate more on-street parking and enhanced
crosswalk signage and legends were installed from Beech Avenue to Mountain View
Drive
The General Plan Mobility Element, which was approved in 2015, has the following
recommendation for identity streets: "Traffic calming devices, such as curb extensions
(bulbouts) or enhanced pedestrian crossings should be considered and evaluated for
implementation." Pursuant to prior City Council direction, staff has evaluated Carlsbad
Boulevard for possible traffic calming measures. Considering the General Plan Mobility Element
recommendations for identity streets, staff is considering improvements to the six uncontrolled
pedestrian crosswalks on Carlsbad Boulevard at Hemlock Avenue, Cherry Avenue, Maple
Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Oa k Avenue and Army/Navy Academy. The proposed
improvements include:
• Curb extensions (where feasible)
• Pedestrian-activated in-pavement flashing lights to augment existing RRFBs
• Continental high-visibility crosswalks
• Green bicycle lane treatments in conflict areas
· These traffic calming improvements will provide additional safety for all modes of travel while
enhancing mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists. During the fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) budgeting process, City Council authorized additional funds of
$200,000 in the Traffic Improvement Program, CIP Project No. 6070, to be used toward this
type of project in the three corridors of interest; however, additional funding may be required
due to the cost of in-pavement flashing lights. For preliminary reference, the City of San Diego
installed an in-pavement flashing light system at a single crosswalk in Point Loma for $120,000
in 2010. Based on multiple locations and inflation, the current allocation of $200,000 will be
insufficient and staff will need to return to City Council to request additional funds if directed to
pursue this option.
A road diet can also be considered as a traffic calming measure for Carlsbad Boulevard,
although it is not specifically recommended for identity streets in the General Plan Mobility
Element. Since a road diet involves reduction of travel lanes, the resulting loss in roadway
capacity may be a concern. If directed by City Council, staff could conduct a study to determine ·
the feasibility of a road diet on Carlsbad Boulevard between Tamarack Avenue and State Street.
This study would cost approximately $20,000 to conduct and would take approximately 4-6
months to complete.
College Boulevard from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon Road
College Boulevard is designated as an "arterial street" in the General Plan Mobility Element.
Arterial streets are described by the General Plan Mobility Element as, "primary vehicle routes
through the city for both local and regional vehicle trips." College Boulevard was built to major
arterial standards in accordance with the prior General Plan Circulation Element, and as such,
was designed to carry 20,000-40,000 vehicles per day at 50 mph. Recent t raffic counts indicate
that the average daily traffic (ADT) is approximately 22,000 vehicles per day. The roadway
speed limit is currently posted at 45 mph, consistent with the required engineering and traffic
survey.
The General Plan Mobility Element restricts consideration of certain types of traffic calming on
arterial streets by stating, "vertical traffic calming techniques (such as speed tables, humps,
etc.) should not be considered." This restriction is based on the relatively high speeds and
vehicle volumes that are present on arterial streets, which prioritize vehicular travel over
pedestrians and bicyclists. For similar reasons, a road diet would not be recommended for
College Boulevard since arterial streets are subject to vehicular level of service (LOS)
requirements and a road diet may push LOS to an unacceptable range of E or F. The FY 2018-19
Traffic Monitoring Program indicates that this roadway segment is operating at LOS Din the AM
peak hour.
Based on concerns associated with drivers violating the posted speed limit of 45 mph on
College Boulevard and in compliance with recommendations found in the General Plan Mobility
Element, staff is considering installation of six to eight permanent speed feedback signs along
the corridor. These devices serve to educate the driving public and have been found to help
reduce speeding. The Police Department will also continue to provide ongoing enforcement on
College Boulevard. Sufficient funds exist in the FY 2019-20 Public Works budget to
accommodate six to eight speed feedback signs and these will take approximately 8-10 months
to design and install.
Tamarack Avenue from Skyline Road to Adams Street/Interstate 5 {1-5)
This segment of Tamarack Avenue functions as a collector street even though it has a high
frequency of residential driveways upon it. The General Plan Mobility Element designates
Tamarack Avenue as a "neighborhood connector street". This segment is striped to include one
vehicular lane, a bike lane and on-street parking in each direction. There are all-way stops at
Skyline Road, Park Drive and Highland Drive, and a traffic signal at Adams Street. Recent traffic
counts along this portion of Tamarack Avenue indicate an ADT of approximately 8,500 vehicles
per day.
During the last 12 years, numerous changes have been implemented on Tamarack Avenue,
including the following:
• 2007 -Pavement overlay and restriping of Tamarack Avenue, Skyline Road to 1-5 to one
vehicular lane, a bike lane and on-street parking in each direction
• 2016 -RRFB installation at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street
• 2017 -Adult crossing guard analysis at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street
• 2018 -Enhanced enforcement along Tamarack Avenue
• 2018 -Adult crossing guard implementation at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street
• 2018 -Temporary speed feedback signs installation
• 2019 -Permanent speed feedback signs installation (construction complete by
November 2019)
On June 3, 2019, the Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) received a staff report regarding the all-
way stop analysis at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. On that date, the
TSC voted unanimously in support of staff's recommendation that the city not establish an all-
way stop at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street.
The TSC made a subsequent motion, which also passed unanimously, to consider alternative
solutions consistent with the General Plan Mobility Element to address safety, speeding and
visibility issues at the intersection. The General Plan Mobility Element has the following
recommendation for neighborhood connector streets: "Mid-block pedestrian crossings and
traffic calming devices should be considered, but only at locations with high pedestrian activity
levels or major/destination/attractions."
Based on the concerns received from the public regarding traffic speeds on Tamarack Avenue,
the TSC's recommendation to consider alternative solutions to provide pedestrian safety at
Valley Street, and utilizing recommendations found in the General Plan Mobility Element for
neighborhood connector streets, staff is considering the following traffic calming improvements
at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street:
• Curb extensions on either side of the marked crosswalk
• Replacement of the existing RRFB system with a hybrid pedestrian traffic signal
A hybrid pedestrian traffic signal is a special type of hybrid beacon used to warn and control
traffic at an unsignalized location to assist pedestrians in crossing a street at a marked
crosswalk. A hybrid pedestrian traffic signal offers more positive vehicle control than a RRFB
system but does not have a green signal indication. Since a traffic signal utilizes a green signal
indication, which may not be consistent with the desire to provide traffic calming on Tamarack
Avenue, staff is not proposing a traffic signal at this location. There is an existing CIP project
programmed in FY 2025-29 for $210,000 for a traffic signal at Tamarack Avenue and Valley
Street, which would be used to fund this project.
While these recommendations will help address specific concerns near the vicinity of Tamarack
Avenue and Valley Street, staff understands that there are speeding concerns throughout the
corridor. Upon direction from City Council, staff could initiate a study to consider other traffic
calming measures on Tamarack Avenue between Skyline Drive and Adams Street/1-5. This ·study
would cost approximately $50,000. A portion of funds in CIP Project No. 6070, Traffic
Improvement Program, could be used for this effort but additional funds may be required to
implement any recommendations resulting from the study. It is estimated that this study
would involve public outreach and would take between 10-12 months to complete.
Tamarack Avenue from Jefferson Street/1-5 to Carlsbad Boulevard
This segment of Tamarack Avenue is also designated as a neighborhood connector street in the
General Plan Mobility Element, and it has a moderate frequency of residential driveways. Along
this segment of Tamarack Avenue, the city implemented a roadway realignment project in the
early 1990s. That project established the current layout/footprint of the roadway, which
includes a limited segment of raised medians, one traveling lane in each direction with bike
lanes and limited on-street parking. In 2002, the Coastal Rail Trail was constructed from Oak
Avenue to Tamarack Avenue. At the intersection of the trail and Tamarack Avenue, the railroad
median and access to the trail on the north side of Tamarack Avenue were constructed.
Staff is currently working on CIP Project No. 6058 for pedestrian improvements at the
intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard, which will include modifications to
Tamarack Avenue in the block between Garfield Street and Carlsbad Boulevard. Improvements
will include an ADA-accessible pedestrian crossing on the west side of the intersection as well
as widened sidewalks on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard between Tamarack Avenue and
Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Since staff has not received a significant amount of complaints or major
concerns along this portion of T9marack Avenue, outside of the intersection at Carlsbad
Boulevard, staff is not proposing a new project at this time.
Next Steps
Staff will proceed with the following CIP projects as described in this report:
1. Carlsbad Boulevard from Agua Hedionda Lagoon trail head to State Street -proposed
improvements to six uncontrolled pedestrian crosswalks
2. Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street intersection -curb extensions and hybrid pedestrian
traffic signal
3. Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard intersection -pedestrian improvements
Based on comments received at the Sept. 24, 2019 City Council meeting, staff will re-evaluate
its recommendations for College Boulevard and bring them to Traffic and Mobility Commission
at a future date.