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Home My WebLink About2019-06-03; Traffic Safety Commission; ; INVESTIGATE NEED TO ESTABLISH ALL-WAY STOP AT TAMARACK AVENUE AND VALLEY STREETItem #1 Meeting Date: June 3, 2019 To: Traffic Safety Commission Staff Contact: John Kim, Associate Engineer john.kim@carlsbadca.gov or 760-602-2757 Subject: Investigate need to establish an ALL-WAY STOP at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Recommended Action Recommend that City Council does not establish an ALL-WAY STOP at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Executive Summary Based on the engineering study conducted by staff and the criteria found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, staff recommends that City Council does not establish an ALL- WAY STOP at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Discussion Tamarack Avenue is classified as a Neighborhood Connector Street in the Mobility Element of the General Plan. The street features curb and gutter, sidewalk and street lights on both sides of the street. Tamarack Avenue has a single vehicle lane and bicycle lane in each direction separated by a painted centerline. On-street parking is allowed on both sides of the street. The subject intersection serves as a connection between the residential neighborhood and three nearby schools, Valley Middle School, Magnolia Elementary School and Carlsbad High School (see Exhibit 1). Tamarack Avenue is uncontrolled at the intersection of Valley Street. Painted yellow crosswalks are provided across Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. The uncontrolled marked crosswalk across Tamarack Avenue at Valley Street has been augmented with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon system, which provides a pedestrian-activated flashing beacon to help assist pedestrians cross the intersection. The adjacent intersections on Tamarack Avenue, Highland Drive (approximately 1,080 feet to the west) and Park Drive (approximately 340 feet to the east) are all-way STOP controlled. The posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour on this portion of Tamarack Avenue. Staff has received multiple requests to help facilitate pedestrian access across Tamarack Avenue at Valley Street. Because of the intersection’s proximity to schools, there were some expressed concerns regarding the safety of school children. In response, staff conducted studies to see if adult crossing guards were justified. Staff utilizes the criteria found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) to determine if adult crossing guards are appropriate. The criteria is found in Section 7D.02 of the CA MUTCD and considers factors as such as vehicular and pedestrian volumes at the subject intersection. The analysis was conducted in 2017 and 2019 and the CA MUTCD criteria for adult crossing guards was not met after these studies. However, based on the concerns received, the police department has implemented adult crossing guards at this location. Another request that staff has received has been for the installation of STOP signs on Tamarack Avenue at Valley Street. This request was most recently received during the public comment portion of the Traffic Safety Commission meeting of November 5, 2018. This staff report is in direct response to these requests. The criteria to evaluate whether an ALL-WAY STOP would be appropriate is found in Section 2B.07 of the CA MUTCD, which looks at vehicular and pedestrian volumes as well as other factors to determine if an ALL-WAY STOP is justified at a particular location (See Exhibit 2). Criteria A of Section 2B.07 allows consideration of an ALL-WAY STOP as an interim measure prior to the installation of a traffic signal (Criteria A). There are no funds allocated in the Capital Improvement Program for a traffic signal project at the subject intersection, so Criteria A was not satisfied. Criteria B allows for consideration of an ALL-WAY STOP when there have been five or more reported collisions within a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by an ALL-WAY STOP. Staff conducted an analysis of the collision history at the subject intersection and determined that there has been one reported collision in the past five years. Therefore, Criteria B was not satisfied. Criteria C looks at traffic volumes to determine if an ALL-WAY STOP can be considered. A 24- hour traffic count was conducted on March 19, 2019, the summary of which is shown on Table 1. Table 1: 24-Hour Traffic Count Summary at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Time Tamarack Avenue Valley Street Total Volume Eastbound Westbound Subtotal n/a Southbound Subtotal 0000-0100 10 8 18 0 0 18 0100-0200 8 1 9 2 2 11 0200-0300 8 2 10 1 1 11 0300-0400 4 9 13 1 1 14 0400-0500 11 42 53 3 3 56 0500-0600 32 74 106 5 5 111 0600-0700 88 208 296 19 19 315 0700-0800 398 431 829 257 257 1086 0800-0900 266 256 522 66 66 588 0900-1000 213 233 446 33 33 479 1000-1100 165 202 367 40 40 407 1100-1200 229 230 459 38 38 497 1200-1300 250 255 505 54 54 559 1300-1400 255 218 473 51 51 524 1400-1500 351 413 764 147 147 911 1500-1600 329 288 617 95 995 712 1600-1700 378 295 673 52 52 725 1700-1800 339 302 641 52 52 693 1800-1900 311 250 561 27 27 588 1900-2000 212 128 340 16 16 356 2000-2100 178 104 282 9 9 291 2100-2200 115 60 175 9 9 184 2200-2300 66 34 100 3 3 103 2300-2400 29 14 43 0 0 43 Totals 2813 2361 3802 515 515 9282 The average major street vehicular volume was found to be 639 vehicles per hour. The average minor street vehicular volume was found to be 96 vehicles per hour. Criteria C is satisfied if average major street volume is at least 300 vehicles per hour, average minor street volume is at least 200 vehicles per hour and if the minor street vehicle delay is at least 30 seconds. Therefore, the minimum traffic volume (Criteria C) was not satisfied and delay was not measured. Criteria D allows consideration of a combination of reduced factors to determine if an ALL-WAY STOP can be considered. If there are four or more reported collisions and the major street volume is at least 240 vehicles per hour and if minor street volume is at least 160 units per hour, the criteria is considered satisfied. Based on the traffic count conducted, Criteria D was not satisfied. The optional criteria found in Section 2B.07 (Left turn conflicts, vehicle/pedestrian conflicts, sight distance and residential street) were not found to be applicable for the subject intersection. Based on these findings, staff recommends that an ALL-WAY STOP not be established at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Necessary Council Action City Council must adopt an ordinance to establish all-way stop control if recommended. Exhibits 1. Location Map 2. Multi-Way STOP Criteria work sheet Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street 1 LOCATION MAP BUENA VISTA LAGOON AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOOON I- 5 FREEWAY BATIQUITOS LAGOON CANNON ROAD PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD E L C A M I N O R E A L POINS E T TI A LANE AVI A R A PARKWAY COLL E G E BOULEVARDLA COSTA AVE NU E CALLE BA R C E L O N A CARLS B A D VILLA G E DRIVEEL CAM INO REALCOL L EG E B L V D . F A R A D A Y AVENUEEL FUERTESTR E E T I- 5 FR E EWA Y STUDY LOCATIONVALLEY ST TAMAR A C K A V EXHIBIT 1 ~ NOT TO SCALE EXHIBIT California MUTCD 2014 Edition (FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, including Revisions 1 & 2, as amended for use in California) Page 1 of 2 Chapter 2B – Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates January 13, 2012 Part 2 – Signs MULTI-WAY STOP CRITERIA Transportation Department, City of Carlsbad CALC JTK DATE 5/20/2019 CHK DATE Major St: Tamarack Avenue Critical Approach Speed 30 mph Minor St: Valley Street Critical Approach Speed 25 mph Critical speed of major street traffic > 40mph RURAL (R) Otherwise 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 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. Criteria B - Accident Experience SATISFIED YES NO Five or more reported crashes within 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. 01/01/2015 through 05/20/2019 – one collision (4/26/2016) Criteria C - Minimum Traffic Volumes SATISFIED YES NO (All Parts C.1, C.2a and C.2b below must be satisfied) C.1 Major Street Vehicular Volume Yes No U R 0700- 0800 0800- 0900 1200- 1300 1400- 1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 Hour Both Approaches Major Street 300 210 829 522 505 764 617 673 641 561 Average= 639.00 C.2 a. Minor Street Vehicular, Pedestrian & Bicycle Volume Yes No U R 0700- 0800 0800- 0900 1200- 1300 1400- 1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 Hour Both Approaches Minor Street 200 140 263 66 54 154 100 52 52 27 Average= 96.00 b. Minor Street Vehicle Delay Yes No N/A Peak Hour Peak Hour Volume Minimum Delay Requirement, seconds per vehicle Average Delay, seconds per vehicle 30 seconds Criteria D – Combination of Criteria SATISFIED YES NO REQUIREMENT CRITERIA FULFILLED THREE CRITERIA SATISFIED 80% B. Four or more reported crashes within a 12-month period. Yes No C.1. Major Street Volume of at least 240 vehicles per hour Yes No C.2. Minor Street Volume of at least 160 units per hour Yes No --------------------□ ---------------------------------------------[gl □ [8J □ [8J □ [8J [8J □ I I I I I I I I I I I □ [8J I I I I I I I I I I I □ □ [8J □ [8J □ [8J [8J □ □ [8J California MUTCD 2014 Edition (FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, including Revisions 1 & 2, as amended for use in California) Page 2 of 2 Chapter 2B – Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates January 13, 2012 Part 2 – Signs MULTIWAY STOP CRITERIA Transportation Department, City of Carlsbad Major St: Tamarack Avenue Critical Approach Speed 30 mph Minor St: Valley Street Critical Approach Speed 25 mph Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study include: Option A – Left Turn Conflicts SATISFIED YES NO The need to control left-turn conflicts; Option B – Vehicle/Pedestrian Conflicts SATISFIED YES NO The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; Option C – Sight Distance SATISFIED YES NO 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 Option D – Residential Street SATISFIED YES NO 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. □ □ □ □ Request for ALL-WAY STOP on Tamarack Avenue at Valley Street John Kim, Senior Engineer June 3, 2019 Location Location Comments and Concerns from November 5, 2018 Meeting •Vehicle speeds on Tamarack Avenue –Speed Feedback Sign Project •Pedestrian access (especially children) at Valley Street –Adult Crossing Guards Implemented •Request for an ALL-WAY STOP at Tamarack/Valley Multi-Way STOP Criteria •California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) •Section 2B.07 •Four Criteria Criteria A –Interim Traffic Control Measures Criteria A - Interim Traffic Control Measure SATISFIED YES NO 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. No current or proposed Capital Improvement Program project for traffic signal at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Criteria B –Accident Experience One reported collision in the time period between 01/01/2015 and 05/20/2019. Criteria B - Accident Experience SATISFIED YES NO Five or more reported crashes within 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. Criteria C –Minimum Traffic Volumes Criteria C - Minimum Traffic Volumes SATISFIED YES NO (All Parts C.1, C.2a and C.2b below must be satisfied) C.1 Major Street Vehicular Volume Yes No U R 0700- 0800 0800- 0900 1200- 1300 1400- 1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 Hour Both Approaches Major Street 300 210 829 522 505 764 617 673 641 561 Average= 639.00 C.2 a. Minor Street Vehicular, Pedestrian & Bicycle Volume Yes No U R 0700- 0800 0800- 0900 1200- 1300 1400- 1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 Hour Both Approaches Minor Street 200 140 263 66 54 154 100 52 52 27 Average= 96.00 b. Minor Street Vehicle Delay Yes No N/A Peak Hour Peak Hour Volume Minimum Delay Requirement, seconds per vehicle Average Delay, seconds per vehicle 30 seconds Criteria D –Combination of Criteria Criteria D – Combination of Criteria SATISFIED YES NO REQUIREMENT CRITERIA FULFILLED THREE CRITERIA SATISFIED 80% B. Four or more reported crashes within a 12-month period. Yes No C.1. Major Street Volume of at least 240 vehicles per hour Yes No C.2. Minor Street Volume of at least 160 units per hour Yes No Optional Considerations Option A – Left Turn Conflicts SATISFIED YES NO The need to control left-turn conflicts; Option B – Vehicle/Pedestrian Conflicts SATISFIED YES NO The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; Option C – Sight Distance SATISFIED YES NO 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 Option D – Residential Street SATISFIED YES NO 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. Option A –Left Turn Conflicts •Peak hour left turns from southbound Valley Street was found to be 117 vehicles per hour in the AM and 86 in the PM. •Peak hour left turns from eastbound Tamarack Avenue was found to be 124 vehicles per hour in the AM and 63 in the PM. •Insufficient left turn volumes to consider Option A. Option B –Vehicle Pedestrian/Conflicts •Peak hour pedestrians crossing the west leg was found to be 12 in the AM and 30 in the PM. •Due to presence of adult crossing guards during school peak hours, Option B is not considered. Option C -Sight Distance •Minimum Stopping Sight Distance for 30 mph is 200 feet (Highway Design Manual) •Sight distance from Valley Street looking west is approximately 280 feet •Sight distance from Valley Street looking east is approximately 386 feet •Sight distance measurements do not support Option C. Option D –Residential Street •Due to proximity of stop-controlled intersection at Tamarack Avenue and Park Drive, Option D is not considered. Staff Recommendation Based on findings, staff recommends that an ALL-WAY STOP not be established at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street.