HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-28; City Council; ; Analysis and Options on Physical Changes to College Boulevard, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon RoadCITY COUNCIL
Staff Report
CA Review RMC
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
John.kim@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2757
Tom Frank, Transportation Director
Tom.frank@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2766
Subject: Analysis and Options on Physical Changes to College Boulevard, from
Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon Road
Recommended Actions
1. Receive a presentation regarding options on roadway safety and possible physical
changes to College Boulevard, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon Road
2. Approve staff recommendation and adopt a resolution to install as many as 11 speed
feedback signs on College Boulevard north of Cannon Road
Executive Summary
On Sept. 24, 2019, after hearing a presentation on installing speed feedback signs on College
Boulevard to address concerns about speeding, the City Council approved a minute motion
directing staff to come back to the council with options for physical changes to the segment of
College Boulevard from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon Road, along with an analysis of these
changes that takes into account any potential unintended consequences. This report offers
options on proposed improvements to College Boulevard in response to concerns of vehicle
speeding. Staff have analyzed various approaches to slow traffic on this stretch of roadway and
are now recommending the city install permanent speed feedback signs along this segment, for
the reasons detailed below.
This report also provides an analysis of the possible consequences of the various options along
with collision data on this roadway and an overview of measures staff have taken to improve
transportation safety on College Boulevard.
Discussion
College Boulevard background
College Boulevard is designated as an arterial street in the General Plan's Mobility Element. The
Mobility Element defines arterial streets as primary vehicle routes through the city for both
local and regional vehicle trips. It was built around 2000 in keeping with the standards for a
major arterial road defined in the prior General Plan's Circulation Element, designed to carry
20,000 to 40,000 vehicles per day at 50 mph. Traffic counts, taken before the COVID-19
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 1 of 23
pandemic, indicate that the average daily traffic is about 22,000 vehicles per day. The roadway
speed limit is currently posted at 45 mph, consistent with the required engineering and traffic
survey and within 5 mph of the prevailing speeds, as required by the California Vehicle Code.
College Boulevard features two vehicle lanes in each direction separated by a raised median
and, where warranted, intersections with traffic signals. Marked bicycle lanes are provided on
both sides of the roadway and no on-street parking is allowed. As part of the 2017 Overlay
Project, the travel-lane widths were reduced to 11 feet and bicycle lanes were enhanced with
painted buffers to help separate bicyclists from vehicular traffic. The primary land uses along
this portion of the roadway are single-family residential developments. Sage Creek High School
is located on the northeast corner of College Boulevard and Cannon Road. There are also three
trailhead access points to the Calavera Hills Nature Preserve along the east side of College
Boulevard, between Carlsbad Village Drive and Cannon Road.
Roadway safety issues
As part of this analysis, staff investigated records of collisions, or traffic accidents. Reported
collisions can help staff identify possible collision patterns and help staff prioritize resources.
The number of reported collisions on College Boulevard and the collision rate — collisions per
million vehicle miles — are shown in the table below.
Number of collisions and collision rates on College Boulevard by year
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Segment No. Rate No. Rate No. Rate No. Rate No. Rate
North of
Carlsbad Village
Drive
2 0.32 4 0.64 4 0.64 6 0.97 2 0.16
South of
Carlsbad Village
Drive
6 0.72 3 0.36 11 1.32 5 0.6 4 0.48
All of College
Boulevard 8 0.53 7 0.46 13 0.86 10 0.66 5 0.33
We can look at the State of California's collision data published in 2016 for comparison. For a
similar classification of roadway, a four-lane divided highway in an urban setting, the collision
rate was found to be 1.43 collisions per million vehicle miles. Collision rates on College
Boulevard compare favorably to this average.
As a result of the concerns brought to our attention by residents, staff has been working with
residents, school parents and principals and the Police Department to enhance safety on
College Boulevard, including the portion of roadway between Carlsbad Village Drive and the
northern city limits, over the past several years.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 2 of 23
Some of the improvements that city staff have already implemented include:
• Traffic signal modification at College Boulevard and Rich Field Drive: A supplemental
traffic signal indication has been installed on the southwest corner of College Boulevard
and Rich Field Drive to address concerns about motorists running red lights. This
supplemental traffic signal indication increases the visibility of the signal for northbound
drivers.
• Portable speed feedback signs: Temporary speed feedback signs have been deployed on
College Boulevard, Rich Field Drive and Strata Drive to inform drivers of their traveling
speed and encourage them to slow down.
• Adult crossing guards on College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue: To assist school
pedestrians going to and leaving school, staff has worked with the Police Department to
provide adult crossing guards on College Boulevard at Tamarack Avenue, both
northbound and southbound, during school hours.
• Traffic signal timing enhancements at College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue: Staff
has implemented lead pedestrian intervals to enhance pedestrian safety. This allows
pedestrians to begin their crossing while all the vehicle signal indications are still red,
giving pedestrians a head start when entering the intersection. This feature increases
the visibility of crossing pedestrians, enhances safety for pedestrians who may be slower
to start into the intersection and increases the likelihood of motorists yielding to
pedestrians. The duration of the lead pedestrian intervals has also recently been
extended.
On Jan. 27, 2020, staff met with residents concerned with traffic safety in the vicinity of
Calavera Hills elementary and middle schools, with a focus on the portion of College Boulevard
between Carlsbad Village Drive and the north city limits. Based on the concerns heard at the
meeting, staff committed to issuing work orders for "TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO
PEDESTRIANS" signs at the intersection of College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue in both the
northbound and southbound lanes. After this work is completed, all approaches to these two
intersections will have signage directing motorists to yield to pedestrians.
Staff is currently investigating a request for "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" signs at the intersection
of College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue, again for both northbound and southbound traffic.
Because this sign would impact peak-hour school traffic and possibly result in increased
congestion, staff must conduct a more formal evaluation, including looking at turning
movement volumes and prevailing traffic patterns during school drop-off and pick-up times.
City guidelines
In 2015, the city updated the General Plan and included a new Mobility Element to replace the
previous Circulation Element. The Mobility Element moved away from previous plans that
focused on vehicle travel and instead takes what is called a complete streets approach to help
balance the needs of all users of the street, including not just motorists but pedestrians,
bicyclists children, people with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods and people
using public transportation.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 3 of 23
The new Mobility Element was intended to give the city flexibility on how the streets are
utilized, based on their unique characteristics. The city can consider options on improvements
to streets that would help achieve the complete streets vision found in the Mobility Element.
Traffic calming on residential streets is formalized through the Carlsbad Residential Traffic
Management Program, which includes tools such as speed humps and traffic circles that are
intended for low-volume and low-speed streets. Traffic calming on non-residential streets, such
as on College Boulevard, can be proposed by staff using the recommendations and guidance
found in the Mobility Element of the General Plan.
In response to City Council direction, staff developed several options for traffic calming
consisting of physical changes and other measures on College Boulevard that could reduce
vehicle speeds and address other concerns regarding pedestrian safety. Each option has
potential advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, some of the options may come with
unintended consequences.
When considering options, it is important to remember that College Boulevard is defined as an
arterial street in the Mobility Element serving as a primary vehicle route through the city for
both local and regional vehicle trips.
The Mobility Element lists several related policies regarding street design and connectivity
including:
• 3-P.15 Evaluate methods and transportation facility improvements to promote biking,
walking, safer street crossings, and attractive streetscapes. The City Council shall have
the sole discretion to approve any such road diet or vehicle traffic calming improvements
that would reduce vehicle capacity to or below a LOS D1; this also applies to streets
where the vehicle is not subject to the MMLOS standard as specified in Table 3-1.
• 3-P.17 Consider innovative design and program solutions to improve the mobility,
efficiency, connectivity, and safety of the transportation system. Innovative design
solutions include, but are not limited to, traffic calming devices, roundabouts, traffic
circles, curb extensions, separated bicycle infrastructure.
Possible impacts of changes on College Boulevard
While changing the design of a road is possible, any proposed changes should be thoroughly
studied and publicly vetted to consider how these changes may alter travel patterns throughout
the surrounding road network. College Boulevard serves as a primary commuter route through
the city, with many users ultimately moving between State Route 78 and Interstate 5, among
other routes included in the city's road network provided in Exhibit 1.
The city does not have regulatory authority over 1-5 or SR-78, and has no control over managing
traffic on those freeways. When these freeways reach capacity, some motorists use city arterial
This refers to the level of service for all modes of transportation included in the Mobility Element. MMLOS refers
to multimodal level of service, again reflecting the need to provide for all means of getting around the city.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 4 of 23
streets to get around the congestion. Residents of adjacent communities also use Carlsbad's
regional infrastructure to bypass freeway congestion.
Traffic generally seeks equilibrium. Changes to College Boulevard may impact critical
congestion points and traffic patterns throughout the area. The current ongoing project to
widen 1-5 between Manchester Avenue and SR-78 is targeted for completion in 2022. When
completed, the improvements will likely move the congestion points along the 1-5 corridor and
change commuter patterns both regionally and locally.
The congestion at the SR-78/I-5 interchange during the morning peak will likely resume once
traffic demand returns post-COVID-19, and this interchange is not programed for replacement
in the foreseeable future. With the return of congestion associated with normal traffic patterns,
morning commuters will resume searching for the quickest path from westbound SR-78 to
southbound 1-5. The same travel patterns will likely reverse during the afternoon commute.
Navigation applications such as Waze and Google Maps help find the quickest paths for
commuters and often divert trips from congested freeways (such as 1-5 or SR-78) onto local
streets to the dismay of residents in neighborhoods along those programmed routes.
An increase in the capacity of these commuter routes through the city would likely increase
traffic volume on the commuter route when the adjacent freeway is congested. Likewise, a
reduction of roadway capacity of commuter routes will redistribute the displaced vehicles to an
alternate route, possibly to smaller roadways such as residential streets, another arterial or
collector, or to the adjacent freeway. Traffic congestion tends to maintain equilibrium,
while traffic volumes increase to the point that congestion delays discourage additional peak-
period vehicle trips. Expanding congested roads attracts latent demand, shifts trips from other
routes, times and modes, and encourages longer and more frequent travel.
Options to calm traffic on College Boulevard
In response to City Council direction, staff developed several options for traffic calming
consisting of physical changes and other measures on College Boulevard which could reduce
vehicle speeds and address other concerns regarding pedestrian safety. Considering that most
of the public feedback received was focused on the intersections along College Boulevard, the
options considered by staff focused mainly on intersection improvements. These options are
summarized below and further detailed in Exhibit 2.
The options are:
Option 1— Radar speed feedback signs
Based on concerns associated with drivers violating the posted speed limit of 45 mph on
College Boulevard and in compliance with the recommendations found in the General
Plan's Mobility Element, staff recommends installation of up to 11 permanent speed
feedback signs along College Boulevard north of Cannon Road. This option will cost
approximately $160,000 to $195,000 to implement.
In addition to the six to eight speed feedback signs that were originally recommended
between Cannon Road and Carlsbad Village Drive, staff recommends increasing the
scope of this effort to include the concerns surrounding the schools in the Calavera Hills
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 5 of 23
area and to add speed feedback signs between Carlsbad Village Drive and the north city
limits. These devices will serve to educate motorists and have been found to help
reduce speeding.
The Police Department will also continue traffic enforcement on College Boulevard. The
new speed feedback signs will have the ability to transmit data directly to the Traffic
Management Center and provide staff with data on vehicle speeds so that the Police
Department can provide focused enforcement based on actual behavior. Sufficient
funds exist in the fiscal year 2019-20 Capital Improvement Program budget to pay for as
many as 11 speed feedback signs, which will take approximately eight to 10 months to
design and install.
Option 2 - Redesign the road segment with a lower design speed
College Boulevard could be redesigned to a lower design speed, keeping the current
four-lane configuration and existing traffic signal controls. Improvements could include
narrower travel lanes, revised medians, reduced corner and horizontal deflection radii,
and revised access pathways. This option costs approximately $4 million to $6 million.
Advantages of this option include improving safety by reducing the vehicle speeds and
shorter pedestrian crossing distances. Additionally, drivers would be familiar with two
vehicular travel lanes and traffic signals.
Disadvantages include the lack of traffic calming benefits provided by the existing traffic
signals, possible impacts to the existing bike lanes at intersections, high costs, reduced
roadway capacity and undetermined public support, which would require an extensive
public input process. An unintended consequence of this option is the increase of travel
times along the corridor due to increased congestion and the possible redirection of
traffic to other routes, including residential streets. Considering that the option would
result in a reduction in capacity from existing conditions, the Growth Management Plan
would need to be revised to address the change.
Option 3 —Single-lane roundabouts with road diet
Single-lane roundabouts could be considered at the currently signal-controlled
intersections on College Boulevard. This option would require a road diet to convert the
existing two-lane roadway in each direction to a single lane in each direction, which
costs approximately $6 million to $8 million.
Advantages of this option include the increased safety and traffic calming benefits of
roundabouts over conventional traffic signals.
Disadvantages include cost, reduced roadway capacity and undetermined public
support, which would require an extensive public input process. An unintended
consequence of this option may include redirecting traffic to other routes due to
increased travel times, and the need to revise the Growth Management Plan
considering the option would result in a reduction in capacity from the existing
conditions.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 6 of 23
Option 4 —Two-lane roundabouts
Two-lane roundabouts could be considered on College Boulevard. This option would
maintain two vehicle lanes and buffered bicycle lanes in each direction, which costs
approximately $8 million to $12 million.
The advantages of this option include the increased safety and traffic calming benefits
of roundabouts over conventional traffic signals. This option could increase the capacity
of the road segment, which could also be considered a disadvantage.
This option could result in an increase in capacity to approximately 40,000 average daily
trips for this road segment. This significant increase in capacity could result in increased
traffic volumes and congestion on other arterial road segments that connect to this
segment of College Boulevard if implemented. The other disadvantages associated with
this option include high costs, need for additional right-of-way to accommodate the
two-lane roundabouts, impacts to bicyclists at the intersections and undetermined
public support, which would require an extensive public input process.
Option 5 - Vertical deflection — speed tables and cushions2
The vertical deflection option, that is, raised elements in the roadway to slow traffic,
could include speed tables at the crosswalks at each intersection near the schools.
These features would need to be augmented with speed cushions at regular intervals to
promote speeds to maintain an average speed of 35 to 40 mph. The tables and cushions
would be designed to encourage crossing speeds approximately 20 to 30 mph. This
option costs approximately $2 million to $4 million.
The challenges with this option would be the additional slowing and accelerating along
the segment caused by the additional measures. This would also be the least
environmentally sustainable alternative because drivers would need to slow down as
they approach the measures and speed up after traversing them, which would burn
more fuel, generate more noise and emissions and therefore is not a preferred option.
The street segment's capacity would also be reduced due to the lower vehicle speeds.
The General Plan Mobility Element cautions against certain types of traffic calming on
arterial streets, stating, "vertical traffic calming techniques (such as tables, humps, etc.)
should not be considered." This restriction is based on the relatively high speeds and
vehicle volumes present on arterial streets, which prioritize vehicular travel over travel
by pedestrians and bicyclists. While this caution is supported by staff, the Mobility
Element also allows for special considerations for arterial streets within close proximity
to schools to enhance safe routes to schools for pedestrians and bicyclists.
2 Speed tables, speed humps and speed cushions are midblock traffic calming devices that use vertical deflection to
reduce traffic speed. Speed cushions are speed humps that include wheel cutouts to allow large vehicles to pass
with reduced deflection.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 7 of 23
A significant concern regarding the vertical deflection on arterial streets is the possible
unintended consequence of having requests for them proliferate along other arterials
throughout the city. The concerns with vertical deflection traffic calming measures
include environmental impacts of both noise and pollution, and the long-term
maintenance costs for users related to vehicle wear.
Option 6 - Pedestrian bridge
During previous public meetings, a suggestion was made to consider a pedestrian bridge
across College Boulevard in the general vicinity of the Calavera Hills schools. Pedestrian
bridges tend to work well when there are grade-separated barriers that need to be
crossed, such as railroad tracks or freeways. This option costs about $1 million to $3
million.
At standard arterial at-grade intersections, pedestrian bridges are a challenge, because
pedestrians typically choose the quickest and most convenient path of travel. Pedestrian
bridges may involve stairs or elevators that can increase travel times for pedestrians. As
an example, the City of Dana Point built a pedestrian bridge over State Route 1 near
Dana Point Harbor Drive. However, most pedestrians still choose to use the at-grade
crosswalks at the nearby intersection. In 2005, the City of Oceanside removed a
pedestrian bridge on Mission Avenue and improved at-grade pedestrian crosswalks near
Mission Elementary School. Considering the low cost-to-benefit ratio for a pedestrian
bridge, this option is not recommended for further consideration.
Traffic and Mobility Commission recommendation
At its meeting on May 4, 2020, the Traffic and Mobility Commission voted unanimously 7-0 to
support staff's recommendation of Option 1 as the preferred option. The approved minutes
from this meeting are provided in Exhibit 4.
Recommended preferred option
Considering the analysis of the options including the advantages, disadvantages, and
unintended consequences, staff recommends implementation of Option 1, speed feedback
signs as described in this Staff Report and in Exhibit 3. Staff believes the advantages of this
option make it the preferred choice, and the one with the fewest unintended consequences.
Fiscal Analysis
There are sufficient gas tax funds available in the Residential Traffic Improvement Program, CIP
Project No. 6070, to complete Option 1. The available funds and estimated construction costs
for the project are shown in the table below:
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 8 of 23
RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, CIP PROJECT NO. 6070
Current appropriation — Residential Traffic Improvement Program, CIP
Project No. 6070 $1,700,000
Current year expenditures and encumbrances — Residential Traffic
Improvement Program, CIP Project No. 6070 $840,830
TOTAL AVAILABLE RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, CIP
PROJECT NO. 6070 $859,170
COLLEGE BOULEVARD SPEED FEEDBACK SIGNS, CIP PROJECT NO. 6070
Design (estimated) $25,000
Construction contract (estimated) $195,000
Construction contingency (estimated) $19,500
Construction management, inspection and material testing (estimated) $19,500
TOTAL ESTIMATED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS $259,000
REMAINING BALANCE AFTER CIP PROJECT NO. 6070 $600,170
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION NEEDED $0
There are no fiscal impacts for the other options unless staff receives City Council direction to
pursue these plans.
Next Steps
If the City Council approves staff recommendation to implement radar speed feedback signs on
College Boulevard as described in Option 1, staff will begin the design and construction process,
which will take approximately eight to 10 months to complete. Upon completion of design, staff
will either proceed with the construction bidding process if within the city manager's authority
or return to City Council for approval of plans and specifications and authorization for formal
bidding per Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.28.080(E).
If the City Council pursues a different option, staff will return to the City Council with additional
information on that option, including a fiscal impacts analysis and CEQA evaluation of that
option.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
In keeping with 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 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. The project of Option 1, installing Radar Speed Feedback Signs on
College Boulevard between Carlsbad Village Drive and Cannon Road, is exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) - minor
alteration of existing facilities, including streets, involving negligible or no expansion of use.
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 9 of 23
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was posted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was
available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. Resolution
2. Street Map — Mobility Element
3. Physical Options Summary for College Boulevard North of Cannon Road
4. Approved minutes from Traffic and Mobility Commission meeting on May 4, 2020
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 10 of 23
Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-168
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING IMPLEMENTATION OF UP TO 11 SPEED FEEDBACK
SIGNS ON COLLEGE BOULEVARD, NORTH OF CANNON ROAD.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined it necessary,
desirable and in the public interest to implement up to 11 speed feedback signs on College Boulevard
north of Cannon Road; and
WHEREAS, staff has received concerns from the public about violations of the posted 45 miles
per hour speed limit on College Boulevard north of Cannon Road; and
WHEREAS, staff presented multiple options for City Council consideration; and
WHEREAS, proposed Option 1 to install up to 11 speed feedback signs along College Boulevard
north of Cannon Road (Project) is staff's recommended preferred option to be selected by City Council;
and
WHEREAS, the Project complies with the recommendations found in the Mobility Element of
the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that approximately $259,000 is necessary to complete
construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, sufficient fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget funds
are available to complete the Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Planner has considered the potential environmental effects of Option l's
installation of up to 11 radar speed feedback signs and has determined that the Project will not have a
significant effect on the environment because it involves a minor alteration of existing streets,
sidewalks, gutters and similar facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use and not creating
additional automobile lanes.
NOW; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Planner has determined that installing up to 11 radar speed feedback signs
along College Boulevard north of Cannon Road, as described in Option 1 of the Staff
Report and also in Exhibit 3, is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 11 of 23
Guidelines section 15301(c) and that no exception to the exemption as set forth in CEQA
Guidelines section 15300.2 applies.
3. That staff is hereby authorized to implement Option 1, as described in the Staff Report
and in Exhibit 3, and install up to 11 speed feedback signs on College Boulevard north of
Cannon Road using FY 2019-20 CIP budget funds.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 28th day of July, 2020, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
0,4/7a(
MATT HALL, Mayor
Jivttc-kwAxyliva
BARBARA ENGLESON, City Clerk
(SEAL)
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 12 of 23
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Exhibit 2: Mobility Element
Freeway
Arterial Streets
Identity Streets
- Village Streets
Arterial Connector Streets
Neighborhood Connector Streets
Coastal Streets
School Streets
---- Employment/Transit Connector Streets
Industrial Streets
Local/Neighborhood Street
Planned Arterial Streets
Planned Arterial Connector Streets
Planned Local/Neighborhood Streets
Highways
--- Railroad
Transit Centers
Half Mile Radius
City Limits
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Exhibit 3— Physical Options for College Boulevard North of Cannon Road
College Boulevard — Physical Road Design Options Analysis
No Option Description Advantage (Pros) Disadvantages (Cons) Unintended
consequences
Approx.
Cost Range
1 Speed feedback signs •
•
Lowest cost alternative
Gain information and
data regarding existing
traffic operations to help
with enforcement and
analyze if additional
measures are needed
•
•
•
No change to
challenges of signalized
intersection
Sign pollution
Waning driver
response
• May promote
requests for
additional radar
feedback signs in
other locations
$160K-$195K
2 Redesign the road segment
with a lower design speed
• Drivers familiar with two
vehicular travel lanes and
signals
•
•
•
•
Does not address signal
challenges
Reduces capacity
questionable public
support
would require an
extensive public input
process
•
•
Possibly redirect
traffic to other
routes
Revise the Growth
Management Plan
$4 to $6 million
3 One lane roundabouts and one • Addresses the • Cost • Possibly redirect $6 to $8 million
vehicular travel lane and
buffered bicycle lanes
intersection safety issues,
keeps existing median
• Limits vehicular
capacity near 20k ADT
traffic to other
routes
• Questionable public
support
• Revise the Growth
Management Plan
• Would require long
extensive public input
process
4 Two lane roundabouts and two • Improves the efficiency of • Cost • Create additional $8 to $12
travel lanes the intersection and the
capacity of the road
segment
• May increase higher
vehicular capacity near
40k ADT
congestion points
on other arterial
segments
million
• Multilane Roundabouts
are less ped friendly
Exhibit 3— Physical Options for College Boulevard North of Cannon Road
•
•
Questionable public
support
Would require long
extensive public input
process
5 Vertical deflection including
raised speed tables at
intersections and speed
cushions in-between
intersections
• Costs are lower than
other options
•
•
•
Questionable public
support
Would require public
input process
Additional slowing and
accelerating along
corridor
• Other parts of the
community may
request the
vertical deflection
and results in
proliferation
throughout town
$2 to $4 million
• Increased fuel use,
emissions and
greenhouse gases
• Environmental
Impacts noise and
pollution
6 Pedestrian Bridge • Creates separated
pedestrian pathway away
from vehicular traffic
•
•
•
Cost
Low cost to benefit
ratio
Pedestrians prefer the
quickest route and
tend not to use bridge
crossings
•
•
Long term
maintenance costs
Difficult
conforming with
ADA
$1 to $3 million
Exhibit 4
Council Chambers
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Minutes
TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION
Monday, May 4, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gocan called the Meeting to order at 3:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Gocan, Johnson, Hunter, Penseyres, Fowler, Linke and Perez.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
This meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom due to the stay-at-home order for COVID-19.
Motion by Commissioner Linke seconded by Commissioner Hunter, to approve the minutes for April 6,
2020, as amended.
Motion carried 7/0
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA:
No public comments
Transportation and Mobility Manager Schmidt asked the Chair to switch Item 6— Fiscal Year 2020-21
Pavement Overlay with Item 4 —Traffic Calming on College Boulevard.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. POLICE MONTHLY REPORT — (Staff contact: Lieutenant Christie Calderwood, Police
Department)
Staff Recommendation: Informational only
Lieutenant Calderwood reported that the police department continues to enforce a "No
Parking" on Carlsbad Boulevard leading to the beach. Due to the COVID-19 the OTS grant
program is on pause and is being re-evaluated. The month of May is the National Bicycle and
Motorcycle Safety Month.
2. SANDAG RAILROAD TRENCH INFORMATION — (Staff Contact: Hossein Ajideh, Public Works
and Linda Culp, SANDAG).
Staff Recommendation: Informational only
Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp and Engineering Manager Ajideh presented the
Carlsbad Village Railroad Trench Alternatives Analysis with two trench alternatives. Cost
estimates/public outreach/evaluation of the positives and negatives of each alternative were
presented. Presentation is on file with the office of the City Clerk.
Page 1 of 8
Public Works
Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 16 of 23
Exhibit 4
- Commissioner Perez inquired about minimizing the railroad operations during construction.
- Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp answered that the railroad operations will continue
during construction with minor alterations.
Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the timeframe to fund the project and start
construction.
Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp explained that SANDAG has a list of projects and
addresses each one based on the phase of development.
Commissioner Linke inquired about the funding of the project for the next phases.
- Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp explaining that there is no additional funds for this
project on SANDAG's side.
• Deputy City Manager Gomez explained that there were funds allocated for this initial phase
and used but because of Proposition H requirement (one-million-dollar threshold) the city will
have to go to vote for this project.
▪ Commissioner Fowler inquired about the impact of the Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization project on
the Railroad Trench Project.
▪ Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp said that the Del Mar Bluffs project is at the top five
on the priority list, but the Railroad Trench project will continue to be active on their list.
Rosita Sisson, a Carlsbad resident, send an email with the following question:
Has the City of Carlsbad made a financial commitment to contribute to the trenching project in any of its
phases, including the current phase?
Principal Regional Planner SANDAG Culp said yes, the first phase feasibility studies the city funded part
of it (the economic analysis) and the current phase alternatives analysis was funded 100% by the City of
Carlsbad.
3. MELROSE AT PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS— (Staff Contact: Brandon Miles and
Hossein Ajideh, Public Works)
Staffs Recommendation: Approve staff recommendations
Engineering Manager Ajideh and Associate Engineer Miles presented the Melrose Drive
Improvements at Palomar Airport Road, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6034
(Project) providing operational improvements consistent with the city's General Plan Mobility
Element. Presentation is on file with the office of the City Clerk.
- Commissioner Hunter inquired about the possibility to include a left turn bicycle lane, it would
be a pilot program because there are no left turn bike lanes.
- Engineering Manager Ajideh said that staff can look at the request with the Traffic Division.
- Commissioner Perez asked if for the future presentations if staff could provide a street view,
virtual view of the layout.
- Associate Engineer Miles said yes.
• Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the southbound on Melrose Drive if it is possible to
make the bike lane wider and painted green.
• Associate Engineer Miles said that staff will work with the Traffic Division to make possible
enhancing the bike lane as requested.
- Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the northbound on Melrose Drive and the possibility of
having a left turn lane designated for bicycles.
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 17 of 23
Exhibit 4
- Associate Engineer Miles answered that staff will work with Traffic Division look at the proper
design guidelines on the request.
Transportation Director confirmed that staff will look at the proper design guidelines and the
current measure is to paint the bike lane green on conflicting areas.
Motion by Commissioner Hunter seconded by Commissioner Linke to approve staff recommendation to
implement operational improvements on Melrose Drive at Palomar Airport Road CIP Project No. 6034,
including the stripping on northbound Melrose Drive.
Motion carried: 7/0
4. FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 PAVEMENT OVERLAY— (Staff Contact: Emad Elias, Public Works)
Staff's Recommendation: Approve staff recommendations
Engineering Manager Ajideh and Associate Engineer Elias presented the Pavement Management
Program Implementation - Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Pavement Overlay Project (Project), Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6001-200L. Presentation is on file with the office of the
City Clerk.
- Commissioner Hunter inquired about the future project to add a third lane on El Camino Real
from Jackspar Drive to Sunny Creek Drive and the overlay pavement getting damaged during
construction.
- Engineering Manager Ajideh explained that if City Council approves the project to add a third
lane on El Camino Real, staff will revise the roads selected for pavement overlay.
▪ Commissioner Penseyres was happy to see dedicated right turn lane because it makes it safer
for cyclists but he pointed out that several intersections do not have dedicated right turn lane and
it makes unsafe for the cyclists.
• Deputy City Manager Gomez shared with the commissioners that Street Maintenance Division
is now under Transportation Department.
- Commissioner Linke noted that he submitted questions related to this item and he inquired
about the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) numbers for the three streets.
▪ Engineering Manager Ajideh answered that he could share the model numbers of the PCI with
him but overall the range of PCI in those areas are mid to high 60 based on the model.
- Commissioner Linke is in favor of doing pavement overlays when necessary and improving bike
lanes whenever possible. However, he sees that large proportion of TransNet funds have been
used over the years for these repair projects, which instead could use general funds without
generating a Proposition H election requirement. Therefore, he would like to see the TransNet
funds re-allocated to street improvement projects, like the extension of College Boulevard, which
are more likely to be subject to Proposition H.
- Engineering Manager Ajideh said that for the next two years staff will not use the TransNet funds
for pavement overlay because of a surplus funds that the city has with Trash Haulers.
- Deputy City Manager Gomez mentioned the availability of the SB 1 funds which is relatively new
and will give us an opportunity to review the program's funding holistically.
Chair Gocan observed that the last pavement overlay looked like a paint over the road, over the
cracks and weeds that were growing in the asphalt. She inquired about staff inspecting the job
and doing a quality control.
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 18 of 23
Exhibit 4
Motion by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Penseyres, to approve staff
recommendations to implement the Pavement Management Program - Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21
Pavement Overlay Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6001-200L
Motion carried: 7/0
Motion by vice-Chair Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Perez to take a five minutes break.
Chair Gocan observed that all the commissioners agreed and no vote was taken.
5. RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACONS AT THREE LOCATIONS - (Staff Contact: Edd
Alberto, Public Works)
Staff's Recommendation: Approve staff recommendations
Associate Engineer Alberto presented the recommendation to install Rectangular Rapid Flashing
Beacons (RRFB) at the intersections of Paseo Del Norte/Elder Court, Monroe Street/Magnolia
Avenue, and Salk Avenue/Fermi Court. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6070.
Presentation is on file with the office of the City Clerk.
▪ Commissioner Hunter inquired about the location on Salk Avenue and the reasoning behind the
installation of the RRFB; was it because of the TaylorMade Golf course on one side and the test
range on the other side.
City Traffic Engineer Kim said yes and because of TaylorMade Golf course employee's request.
Commissioner Perez asked if the RRFB is like the ones installed on Tamarack Avenue.
▪ Associate Engineer Alberto said yes.
▪ Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the point system for prioritizing crossing locations that
staff developed. He believes that intersections with a reported pedestrian collision should be on
the top of the list.
• City Traffic Engineer Kim answered that staff uses the point system from the City of San Diego
Crosswalk Policy and five points were given if there was a pedestrian-related accident at the
intersection.
▪ Vice-chair Johnson inquired about intersection on Salk Avenue/Fermi Court, there are no schools
and very segregated location.
• City Traffic Engineer Kim said it was related to the speed limit on Salk Avenue and the
TaylorMade Golf course employees request.
• Chair Gocan explained that the signs are not tall enough and the spacing between the signs
should be bigger to make it more visible.
Associate Engineer Alberto said that staff will consider the request and look to the possibility of
making changes.
• City Traffic Engineer Kim said that the RRFB signs are standardized by the FHWA as an interim
approval granted to California. The city is following the guidelines found in the FHWA interim
approval.
Motion by Commissioner Linke, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to approve staff recommendations to
install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the intersections of Paseo Del Norte/Elder Court, Monroe
Street/Magnolia Avenue, and Salk Avenue/Fermi Court. CIP No. 6070.
Motion carried: 7/0
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 19 of 23
Exhibit 4
6. TRAFFIC CALMING ON COLLEGE BOULEVARD - (Staff Contact: John Kim, and Tom Frank,
Public Works) —
Staff's Recommendation: Approve staff recommendations
City Traffic Engineer Kim and Transportation Director Frank presented the Traffic Calming on
College Boulevard requesting T&MC to support staff's recommendation provided in the staff
report as Option 1— Radar Speed Feedback Signs. Presentation is on file with the office of the
City Clerk.
Public comments submitted via email prior to the T&MC meeting:
Calavera Hills Traffic Safety Group, constituted of 21 Carlsbad residents submitted a letter with a
survey results on the Traffic Calming on Carlsbad Boulevard options presented by staff. The
survey shows that Calavera Hills Traffic Safety Group chose Option 1, as recommended by staff.
Letter is on file with the office of the City Clerk.
. Commissioner Perez agreed that Option 1 is a good option but he believes that the speed limit,
level of congestion and traffic behavior should be taken in consideration to make an informed
decision. College Boulevard is a dynamic road with different speed limits, congestion levels, and
traffic behavior throughout the day due to two schools affecting College Boulevard between
northern city limits and Cannon Road.
. Commissioner Penseyres does not believe that Option 1 will solve the problem, but it might
only delay the problem temporarily. He is in favor of the Option 1 because it was supported by
the Calavera Hills Traffic Safety Group.
- Commissioner Linke thanked staff for providing 5 years of collision data where everyone can
see the clusters of collisions close to schools. Commissioner Linke inquired about speed data
available for this area.
- City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that we have speed survey data on file that was collected
to determine speed limits but those are limited to off-peak hours on a given day. Once the
speed feedback signs are installed, the city can collect data 24 hours a day.
- Commissioner Linke inquired if the city has data on the efficiency of the speed feedback signs
installed on other areas.
City Traffic Engineer Kim answered that most of the speed feedback signs in the city are
located on residential areas and not arterials like College Boulevard. On residential streets,
decreases around 5 mph were observed.
. Commissioner Linke inquired about installing a restricted "right turn on red" on the
intersection of College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue.
. Commissioner Linke showed photos of the southern Tamarack Avenue intersection with
Carlsbad Boulevard during the morning rush hour, highlighting a school crossing guard's
concerns about (1) conflicts between pedestrians crossing College and vehicles going eastbound
on Tamarack turning left (north) onto College, and (2) conflicts between bicyclists and vehicles
traveling northbound on College.
- Commissioner Linke expressed concern about the cluster of collisions near the Calavera Hills
schools and expressed support for speed feedback signs as an initial step. He questioned
whether the signs alone would be sufficient to resolve the problem and supported continued
exploration of the feasibility of intersection changes.
- City Traffic Engineer Kim said that the city is evaluating if "no right turn on red" could be
feasible and if we could restrict the time it would be in operation.
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 20 of 23
Exhibit 4
- Commissioner Fowler wanted clarification that College Boulevard was built as a major arterial
per standards in the Circulation Element of the previous General Plan.
Transportation Director Frank explained that California roads were built primarily for vehicles
and the new Mobility Element calls for revising the roads as Complete Streets and that will be
costly.
- City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that College Boulevard was built as an arterial based on the
previous General Plan and once the Mobility Element was implemented College Boulevard
continued to be labeled as an arterial.
Commissioner Hunter inquired about the speed limit survey data when it was done and what
was the 85th percentile.
- City Traffic Engineer Kim said that the survey was collected in October of 2018 and the 85th
percentile was 48mph based on 100 vehicles.
Motion by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Linke, to approve staff's recommendations
to implement Option 1— Radar Speed Feedback Signs, adding to re-evaluate the item later and collect
speed survey data.
Motion carried: 7/0
Motion by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to take a five minutes break.
Motion carried: 7/0
7. VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED THRESHOLDS AND SCREENING CRITERIA — (Staff Contact: Jason
Geldert and Jennifer Horodyski, Community and Economic Development)
Staff's Recommendation: Approve staff recommendations
Engineering Manager Geldert is asking the T&MC to recommend to City Council the adoption of
a resolution to approve citywide the Vehicle Miles Traveled thresholds and screening criteria
pursuant to Senate Bill 743.
- Commissioner Linke stated that the City of Carlsbad is approaching build-out and asked what
proportion of development projects, remain to be done that could be subject to the Vehicle
Miles Traveled (VMT) guidelines.
- Engineering Manager Geldert answered that currently we have 2 or 3 projects that will have to
evaluate VMT, but did not have exact numbers. He estimated that quite a few projects are
expected to be subject to VMT analysis guidelines.
- Commissioner Linke asked about the following hypothetical scenario: In the area that is mostly
the Village and the Barrio (light blue area shown in the power point), per capita VMT is 85% or
less than the city average so, under the 2,400 ADT threshold, does that mean that anyone could
build a residential area up to 240 single-family homes, or 400 apartments, or a 600-unit
retirement community and not be subject to the VMT analysis?
Associate Engineer Horodyski explained that yes, according to the VMT guidelines, if the city
average is more than 15%, the area would not be subject to the VMT guidelines.
Commissioner Linke is concerned that a developer could build a 600-unit apartment complex in
one of the light blue zones and be able to say that we are not generating vehicle miles out of
the 600 units as an example.
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Public Works
Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 21 of 23
Exhibit 4
- Engineer Manager Geldert explained that he understands Commissioner Linke concerns and he
agrees that any project based on this example would generate VMT however, the metric that we
are using is an efficiency metric which means that is a VMT per person.
- Project Manager Cole stated the key here is the efficiency metric uses an existing apartment
complex that on average is generating 15 VMT per person and if another apartment complex is
built nearby the expectation is that it will be like the existing neighbors.
- Commissioner Linke expressed concern that, with the proposed thresholds, the city would not
be able to compel even relatively large developments to fund any mitigation measures like
transit or other Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures that could be used to
encourage the new residents to not drive their cars.
- Commissioner Linke asked if there is anything that has been customized or is unique for the
City of Carlsbad.
Associate Engineer Horodyski explained that City of Carlsbad has a couple of thresholds and
screening criteria that are unique, one is the threshold for Office projects and the other is the
Industrial projects.
Commissioner Linke inquired about harmonizing CEQA rules/TDM rules/ Growth Management
Program (GMP) rules/VMT and Level of Service (LOS).
- Associate Engineer Horodyski explained that staff will continue to require both analysis: one for
CEQA one for local Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and will combine into one document.
Engineering Manager Geldert stated that as a result of harmonizing the documents staff will
develop TIA guidelines, addressing the rules and regulations cited above.
- Commissioner Perez inquired if the development of Robertson's Ranch will affect VMT.
▪ Director of Traffic Engineering Ruehr answered that for the analysis of this specific commercial
project, Robertson's Ranch, it is assumed that this development would decrease VMT.
- Commissioner Penseyres pointed out that one of the areas in the city under development is
around Sage Creek High School and how the VMT would impact the residential development in
the area.
- Engineering Manager Geldert answered that when analyzing VMT and it is found above the
threshold there are mitigation measures that would be put in place.
Motion by Commissioner Linke, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to recommend to the City Council
the adoption of a resolution approving citywide Vehicle Miles Traveled Thresholds and Screening
Criteria pursuant to Senate Bill 743.
Motion carried: 7/0
CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER COMMENTS:
City Traffic Engineer Comments: Attachment A
Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt introduced the new Assistant City Attorney,
Robby Contreras.
City Traffic Engineer Kim informed the commissioners that the Work Plan 20-2021 will be included in the
Agenda for June 1, 2020.
Deputy City Manager Gomez asked the commissioners if they would like to have the Chief Innovation
Officer, David Graham facilitating the Work Plan 20-2021 as he did for the Work Plan 19-2020.
Page 7 of 8
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 22 of 23
Exhibit 4
Traffic and Mobility Commissioners agreed with Deputy City Manager Gomez suggestion.
TRAFFIC & MOBILITY COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Linke mentioned that the first ad-hoc meeting on the Sustainable Mobility Plan went well
and he is cautiously optimist that they can make it better.
Commissioners Penseyres inquired about having an information on the Multimodal Level of Service, to
better understand how it works.
Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt said that it is staff intention to bring it to the
T&MC and give a quick primer on how MMLOS is calculated for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Commissioner Penseyres explained his reasoning behind asking for more frequent street sweeping on a
wider bicycle lane is to address the debris that accumulates on the bicycle lane.
Transportation Director Frank answered that staff will consider his request.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Gocan adjourned the Traffic & Mobility Commission Meeting on May 4, 2020, at 8:01 p.m.
Eliane Paiva
Eliane Paiva, Minutes Clerk
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Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2730 t
July 28, 2020 Item #13 Page 23 of 23
All Receive - Agenda Item #
For the Information of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date I- - CA CC
CM ACM DCM (3) ,
City of
Carlsbad
Council Memorandum
July 28, 2020
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, PublJçXALorks
Via Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager G---r-1
Re: Additional Materials Related to Staff Report Item No. 13 — Analysis and Options
on Physical Changes to College Boulevard, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon
Road
This memorandum provides additional information as requested during City Council briefings
on July 27, 2020 for the July 28, 2020 City Council Meeting Item No. 13 — Analysis and Options
on Physical Changes to College Boulevard, from Carlsbad Village Drive to Cannon Road.
On page 9 of the staff report, prior to the first sentence in the first paragraph under the table,
insert the following sentence: "Chapter 1.24 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, also known as
Proposition H, does not apply to Option 1. Specifically, Option 1 is estimated to cost
approximately $160,000 to $195,000, which does not trigger Proposition H's $1,000,000 cost
threshold, and it will be funded with gas tax funds (not general funds) which are not subject to
Proposition H."
On page 9 of the staff report, last paragraph under Next Steps, change the second line to read:
"...information on that option, including a fiscal impacts analysis that considers Proposition H
(Chapter 1.24 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code) and CEQA evaluation of that option."
On the table on page 9 of the staff report, change "Current year expenditures and
encumbrances" to "Project expenditures and encumbrances to date."
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Kevin Branca, Finance Director
Tom Frank, Transportation Director
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Sheila Cobian, Assistant to the City Manager
Faviola Medina, City Clerk Services Manager
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
Faraday Center 1635 Faraday Ave Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-2766
Options on Physical Changes to
College Boulevard
Tom Frank, Transportation Director
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
July 28, 2020
Background
•On Sept. 24, 2019, the City Council requested staff to
return with traffic calming options and analysis,
including unintended consequences, for proposed
physical changes to College Boulevard from Carlsbad
Village Drive to Cannon Road
2
College Boulevard data
•Built to major arterial standards under the
Circulation Element of previous General Plan
•Posted speed limit: 45 mph, follows Engineering
and Traffic Survey
•Two vehicle lanes and bicycle lane in each
direction, raised median with sidewalks on both
sides of street
•Traffic signals at major intersections
3
Collision history
•Collisions from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31 2019:
o 4 between Carlsbad Village Drive and Cannon Road
o 1 between Carlsbad Village Drive and north city limits
o Property damage only, none with pedestrians, cyclists
•2019 collision rate = 0.33 collisions per million vehicle miles
•Comparative state rate = 1.43 collisions per million vehicle
miles (2016 Caltrans)
4
Expanded collision data
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Segment #Rate #Rate #Rate #Rate #Rate
North of CVD 2 0.32 4 0.64 4 0.64 6 0.97 2 0.16
South of CVD 6 0.72 3 0.36 11 1.32 5 0.60 4 0.48
Total College Boulevard 8 0.53 7 0.46 13 0.86 10 0.66 5 0.33
•43 total collisions (25 injury and zero fatalities)
•No collisions involving pedestrians
•One collision involving bicyclist
•All rates compare favorably with comparative 2016 state rate
of 1.48 collisions per million vehicle miles5
Traffic safety improvements
•Supplemental signal indication at College at Rich Field to
address concerns of vehicles running red lights
•Temporary speed feedback signs on College near Rich Field
to address speeding concerns
•Adult crossing guards implemented at College at Tamarack
(north and south) to provide supervised pedestrian crossing
for school children
•Implementation of leading pedestrian interval at College at
Tamarack (north and south) to address pedestrian safety
concerns
6
Public Outreach
•Jan. 27, 2020 meeting with residents to discuss concerns
about College Boulevard near Calavera Hills Elementary and
Middle Schools
•Action items identified:
•TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS -signage
complete
•NO RIGHT TURN ON RED –studies in progress
•Expand scope of College Boulevard traffic calming
discussion to include portion between Carlsbad Village
Drive and north city limits
7
Traffic calming in Carlsbad
•Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program
provides traffic calming to residential streets where
prevailing speeds are considerably higher than 25 mph
•Residential streets are posted 25 mph –no speed survey
required
•All other streets have speed limits that are within 5 mph of
prevailing speeds per California Vehicle Code and
California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
8
Traffic calming on
non-residential streets
•College Boulevard is not a residential street as
defined in the Carlsbad Residential Traffic
Management Program
•Unique strategies based on recommendations in
Mobility element are proposed
9
Mobility Element
•Classified as “arterial street” in General Plan
Mobility Element
•Mobility Element recommends that “vertical traffic
calming techniques (such as speed tables, humps,
etc.) should not be considered”
•Special considerations can be considered within
proximity to schools
10
Traffic is
changing
11
Regional freeway and arterial network
12
I
\.1 ----I l l j
figure 3•1: Street System
---..,,-__ ,,_.....,
--A,_,.C..---X,-J -----c--... ............
--~nr.,uc-ors-.. __ ..., __ --
-----......
• ,,. .. c-sc
□"""'" ..... L7c., ......
(I w .. .....
Option 1: Speed feedback signs
Advantages:
•Educate and reduce speeding
•Will provide speed data
directly to Traffic
Management Center
•Focused enforcement based
on actual speeding behavior
•Lowest cost option
13
College Boulevard
Preliminary locations of
· speed feedback signs
"""'""''""""•1 ;+lj..,.
',,.,::::.> '"
""-· !
l'~,Wfo1
Option 1: Speed feedback signs
Disadvantages:
•No physical changes to the roadway
•Sign pollution
•Possibly waning driver response
Unintended consequences
•May promote additional requests for the signs in
other locations
14
Option 2: Redesign with
lower design speed
Advantages:
•Keeps signals and existing
lanes
•Reduced travel lane
widths, tighter radii,
shorter ped crossings
15
by allowing trucks and
g Janes
Option 2: Redesign with
lower design speed
16
Disadvantages:
•Cost
•reduced capacity
•extensive public input needed
Unintended consequences
•Increased travel times
•Redirect traffic to other routes
Option 3: Single-lane roundabouts
Advantages:
•Intersection safety and
efficiency
improvement
•Enables a road diet
17
18
Option 3: Single-lane roundabouts
l camlno del Rio
19
Disadvantages:
•Cost
•Reduced capacity
•Corner easements
•Extensive public input needed
Unintended consequences
•Redirects traffic to other routes
•Increased travel times
•Revision to Growth Management Plan
Option 3: Single-lane roundabouts
Option 4: Two-lane roundabouts
-
Advantages:
•Improves intersection
efficiency and capacity
•Maintains existing
lanes
20
Option 4: Two-lane roundabouts
21
Disadvantages
•Cost
•Need extensive easements
•Extensive public input needed
Unintended consequence:
•Additional congestion on
other arterial road segments
Advantages:
•Improves safety through speed reduction
•Maintains existing lanes
22
Option 5: Vertical deflection
Option 5: Vertical deflection
23
Disadvantages:
•More slowing and accelerating
•Increased fuel use, emissions and
greenhouse gases
•Requires extensive public input process
Unintended consequences
•Possible proliferation throughout City
•Environmental Impacts noise and pollution
Option 6: Pedestrian bridge
Advantage:
•Creates separated pedestrian pathway away
from vehicular traffic
24
Option 6: Pedestrian bridge
25
Disadvantages:
•Cost
•Low cost-to-benefit
ratio
•Pedestrians prefer
quickest routes and
tend not to use bridge
crossings
•Difficult conforming
with ADA
Unintended consequence
Long-term maintenance costs
Summary of six options
26
Option Description Cost range
1 Speed feedback signs $160,000 to $195,000
2 Redesign with lower design speed $4 million to $6 million
3 Single-lane roundabouts $6 million to $8 million
4 Two-lane roundabouts $8 million to $12 million
5 Vertical deflection –speed tables $2 million to $4 million
6 Pedestrian bridge $1 million to $3 million
Traffic and Mobility Commission
•At its meeting on May 4, 2020 the Traffic and
Mobility Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to
support staff’s recommendation to implement
Option 1 –Radar Speed Feedback Signs on College
Boulevard.
27
Summary of recommendations
1.Receive a presentation
2.Approve staff recommendation and adopt a
resolution to install as many as 11 speed
feedback signs on College Boulevard north of
Cannon Road
28
Next Steps
29
•If approved, staff will begin the design and
construction phase, which will take
approximately 8-10 months to complete
•Upon completion of design, staff will proceed
with bidding process and will return to City
Council for approval of plans, if required
Thank you
30
Exhibit 3 –Physical Options for College Boulevard North
of Cannon Road
31
Opti.on Description A.1hrantage I Pros) DisadYantages (Cons) Unint.,nded Approx.
conse uenCtes Cost Ran e
1 Radar feedback signs Lowest cost alternative No dhange to . May promote S195K
Gain information and challenges of signalized requests for
data regarding existing inter.st?Ction additional radar
traffic operations t o help Sign Pollution feedback signs in
with enforcement and Waning driver other locations
analyze it additional respon:s-e
meas.ures are needed
2 Redesign the road segment Drivers familiiar wirth two Does not address signal . Possibly redirect $4 to $6 million
with a lower design speed vehicular travel lanes and challenges. traffic to other
signals Re due~ ca pa.city routes.
questionable public ReYise the Growth
support Management Plan
would require an
extensive public input
roc,ess
3 One lane roundabouts and one Addresses the Cost Possibly redirect S6 to S8 million
vehicular travel lane and intersection safety i.ssues, Limits vehicular traffic to other
buffered bicyde lanes keeps existing median capacity near 20k ADT routes.~
Questionable public ReYise the Growth
support Management Plan
Would require long
e>:teruive public input
proc,es.s
4 Two lane roundabouts and two Improves the efficiency of . Cost . Create additional S8 to $12
travel lanes the intersectlion and the May increase higher congestion points million
capacity of the road vehicular capacity near on other arterial
segment 40kADT segments
Multilane Roundabouts
are le-ss ed triendl
Exhibit 2 –Physical Options for College Boulevard North
of Cannon Road
32
support
•· Would require long
extensive public input
process
Vertical deflection including • Costs are lower ·lhan •· Questionable public ·•· Other parts ohhe $2 to 54 million
raised speed tables at other-options support community may
intersections and speed •· Would require public request the
cushions in-between input process velrllical deflection
intersections •· Additional slowing and and r,erults in
accelerating a long pr-ol'ifer.ation
corridor thrnug;holillt town
•· Increased fuel use, , .. Environmental
emissions and lmpact:5 nois·e and
greenhouse gases pollmion
Pedestrian Bridge • Creat,es separated •· Cost • Long term $1 to $3 million
ped;es-trian pathway away •· Low cost to benefit maintenance costs
from vehicullar t raffic ra.tio ,. Difficu'lt
•· Pedestrians prefer the conforming with
quid.est route and ADA
tend not to use bridge
cro.ssj s
Old PCH Alignment in San Clemente
33
Protected Bicycle Lanes with Landscaped
Medians
34
City of Seattle Protected Bicycle Lanes at
Intersections
35
'8'mln requlrlKI fOf
refuge ls.lands.
R@fugelslands
must Include
Acceulble
pe,destr!an push buttons ind
-Oetect;1ble wamlng ,u,fKes
10 lndlcite !he IKlge of trawl lane
Intersection Design in Chicago. Photo:
NACTO
36
Expanded Collision Data
37
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Background
•On June 11, 2019, City Council requested staff for
an analysis of 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,
–Carlsbad Boulevard from Agua Hedionda Trailhead to State Street.
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Mobility Element Policies
•3-P.15 Evaluate methods and transportation facility improvements to
promote biking, walking, safer street crossings, and attractive
streetscapes. The City Council shall have the sole discretion to approve
any such road diet or vehicle traffic calming improvements that would
reduce vehicle capacity to or below a LOS D; this also applies to streets
where the vehicle is not subject to the MMLOS standard as specified in
Table 3-1.
•3-P.17 Consider innovative design and program solutions to improve the
mobility, efficiency, connectivity, and safety of the transportation
system. Innovative design solutions include, but are not limited to,
traffic calming devices, roundabouts, traffic circles, curb extensions,
separated bicycle infrastructure…
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