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Home My WebLink About2021-09-14; City Council; ; Introduce an Ordinance to Establish a 45 mph Speed Limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real Meeting Date: Sept. 14, 2021 To: Mayor and City Council From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Staff Contact: John Kim, City Traffic Engineer john.kim@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2757 Subject: Introduce an Ordinance to Establish a 45 mph Speed Limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real District: 3 Recommended Action Introduce an ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 10.44 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code by revising Section 10.44.360 to establish a 45 mph speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. Executive Summary Construction of Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to Oriole Court/Skimmer Court was completed in April 2021 and the road was opened to public traffic. Staff completed an engineering and traffic survey for this portion of Poinsettia Lane to establish a new speed zone in May 2021 in accordance with state law and standards. This survey included a speed survey that found a measured critical speed of 49 mph. According to the state vehicle code, a roadway’s speed limit shall be based on the measured critical speed. Therefore, staff recommend the City Council approve an ordinance establishing a 45 mph speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. (Exhibit 1. Exhibit 2 shows the proposed revisions to the current code.) Discussion Background Mobility is enhanced and overall traffic flow is improved when drivers operate their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable, comfortable, convenient and safe under existing conditions. It is generally acknowledged that the control of speed can be a significant factor in improving roadway safety by reducing the number of collisions. The premise of California Vehicle Code Section 22350, the “Basic Speed Law,” is that no person shall drive upon a road at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, taking into account weather, visibility and traffic on the road, and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of others. Traffic laws that are established upon the behavior of the reasonable and prudent motorist are found to be the most successful, and speed limits that are considered credible and enforceable are most likely to enhance traffic safety and achieve driver compliance. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 1 of 19 Roads in Carlsbad are designed in accordance with current engineering standards to create safe roadways that provide mobility, offer choices in mode of travel and enhance efficient traffic flow. An important factor in achieving these goals is establishing proper and reasonable speed limits that can be enforced. Speed limits that are reasonable can help to achieve voluntary compliance by most drivers without a need for police enforcement or presence. Speed zones that arbitrarily restrict travel tend to lead to violations of the posted speed limit. For a speed limit to be effective, drivers must believe that the posted speed limit is safe, properly established and legally enforceable. A speed limit is established by law when the City Council adopts an ordinance and the speed limit is posted on the roadway to indicate the maximum reasonable speed for a driver to operate a vehicle under ideal conditions in off-peak free-flowing conditions. Managing speed limits In the city, the predominant practice for managing speed is by legally establishing a speed limit and then posting the speed limit upon the road with regulatory signs. An effective speed limit recognizes that conditions change throughout the day and there is no one safe speed for all the conditions that may be present upon the roadway. Police enforcement is used to target the most egregious violators of the speed limit. A fundamental tenet is that laws are enacted to protect most of the public by regulating the unsafe or unreasonable actions of the few. When law enforcement officers and the courts have confidence that speed limits have been set on a reasonable basis, enforcement efforts are more effective. When setting speed limits, staff consider nationally recognized vetted practices, the California Vehicle Code and the guidance, standards and procedures in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the state’s manual for road signs. Speed limits are based on traffic engineering principles and other factors, such as a speed survey, which are incorporated into an engineering and traffic survey. Among many factors, the three most persuasive factors to consider when setting a realistic or rational speed limit are: 1. Critical speed – the 85th percentile (85% of the recorded speeds will be below this speed) 2. Collision history 3. Conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver Speed zoning The premise implied in speed zoning is that most drivers are operating their vehicles at or near what is referred to as the critical speed. The critical speed, otherwise known as the 85th percentile speed, is the speed at which 85% of the surveyed vehicles are driving at or below. Drivers that operate their vehicle at speeds higher than the 85th percentile speed should be the focus of police enforcement. An important speed zoning concept is that the disparity in speed between vehicles on the road is reduced when prima facie speed limits are established at or near the 85th percentile speed, which makes a roadway safer. A speed limit that is established based upon the 85th percentile Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 2 of 19 speed will increase drivers’ respect for the speed limit shown on the sign. And only those regulatory or warning signs that have the respect of the roadway user are likely to be effective in controlling driver behavior. Voluntary public compliance with the posted speed limit is the goal when determining a realistic speed limit to post on a roadway. The realistic speed limit takes into consideration the normally competent and careful actions of a reasonable driver and provides for the regulation of unreasonable behavior by a few individuals. A posted speed limit should be readily accepted by drivers, be fair and reasonable as determined by most drivers, and based on factual foundation. New segment of Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real Poinsettia Lane is in the southern portion of the city and connects Carlsbad Boulevard along the coast to Melrose Drive in the east. (See location map, Exhibit 3.) The portion of Poinsettia Lane between Cassia Road and Oriole Court/Skimmer Court, which was opened in April, is an important east-west connector and is defined as an arterial connector street in the Mobility Element of the city’s General Plan. It was therefore built to major arterial standards, with two vehicular travel lanes and a bike lane in each direction separated by a raised median. This portion of the road has traffic signal control at the intersections of Cassia Road, Artemisia Court, Oriole Court/Skimmer Court and El Camino Real. The proposed speed limit for this new road segment is regulated by Section 22357(a) of the CVC, which states, in part: "Whenever a local authority determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey that a speed greater than 25 miles per hour would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe upon any street other than a state highway otherwise subject to a prima facie limit of 25 miles per hour, the local authority may by ordinance determine and declare a prima facie speed limit of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 miles per hour or a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour, whichever is found most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is reasonable and safe”. Traffic counts conducted in May 2021 indicate average daily traffic volumes between 4,600 and 4,800 vehicles, but this is expected to increase over time. Roadways built to major arterial standards are designed to accommodate approximately 20,000 to 40,000 vehicles per day. Staff recently completed an engineering and traffic survey for this portion of Poinsettia Lane (Exhibit 4). As part of that survey, staff surveyed the speeds of vehicles passing at a location just east of Artemisia Court on a weekday in May. The survey found the 85th percentile speed was 49 mph and the pace speed was between 39 and 49 mph. The 85th percentile speed is the Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 3 of 19 speed at which 85% of the drivers are driving at or below. The pace speed is the 10 mph range that contains the highest number of vehicles. Generally, the 85th percentile speed is in the upper range of the pace speed. The state’s manual on traffic control devices outlines the specific requirements for a valid engineering and traffic survey. Section 2B.13 of the manual states: “When a speed limit is to be posted, it shall be established at the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic, except as shown in the two Options below. Option: 1. The posted speed may be reduced by 5 mph from the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th-percentile speed, in compliance with CVC Sections 627 and 22358.5. See Standard below for documentation requirements. 2. For cases in which the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed would require a rounding up, then the speed limit may be rounded down to the nearest 5 mph increment below the 85th percentile speed, if no further reduction is used. See CVC Section 21400(b).” For this portion of Poinsettia Lane, the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed is 50 mph. Exercising Option 2 above, the speed limit may be rounded down to 45 mph. Traffic and Mobility Commission recommendation The Traffic and Mobility Commission recommended the proposed speed limit of 45 mph for Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real for City Council approval by on July 6, 2021, with a vote of 6/0/1 (Exhibit 5). Options Staff provide the following options for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Accept staff’s recommendation to establish a 45 mph speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real Pros • An engineering and traffic survey conducted in accordance with the state vehicle code and the California manual on uniform traffic control devices supports establishing a speed limit of 45 mph on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. • A speed limit that is established based on the critical speed is found to be effective in obtaining driver compliance and is enforceable by the Police Department. • This is the lowest possible speed limit under options provided by the vehicle code and the manual for traffic device controls that is enforceable by the Police Department. Cons • None Identified. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 4 of 19 2. Establish a 50 mph speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real Pros • The engineering and traffic survey supports establishing a speed limit of 50 mph on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. Cons • May not meet community’s general expectation of establishing the lowest possible speed limit that is allowed by the state’s laws and guidance and enforceable by the Police Department. 3. Reject staff’s recommendation to establish the speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. Pros • None identified. Cons • This portion of the roadway will not have a posted speed limit, which could result in excessive speeds. • Police officers will not be able to enforce a speed limit. Based on results of the engineering and traffic survey and in accordance with the state’s vehicle code and its guidance on traffic control devices, staff recommend Option 1 for City Council’s approval, establishing a 45 mph speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. Fiscal Analysis Installation of six new 45 mph speed limit signs will cost approximately $1,800. There are sufficient funds in the fiscal year 2021-22 street maintenance budget to procure and install the proposed speed limit signs. Next Steps After adoption of the ordinance, staff will install appropriate speed limit signs on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which applies to the alteration of existing facilities including streets, sidewalks, gutters and similar facilities, including pedestrian crossings, involving negligible or no expansion. Public Notification This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. Before the speed limit signs are installed, the public will be notified through signage, email, the city’s website and other city communication channels. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 5 of 19 Exhibits 1. Ordinance 2. Ordinance showing proposed revisions 3. Location map 4. Engineering and traffic survey 5. Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting minutes from July 6, 2021 Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 6 of 19 ORDINANCE NO. CS-401 AN ORDINANCE OF THE , CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 10.44 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10.44.360 TO ESTABLISH A 45 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT UPON POINSETTIA LANE FROM CASSIA ROAD TO EL CAMINO REAL WHEREAS, the portion of Poinsettia Lane between Cassia Road and Oriole Court/Skimmer Court was opened to traffic in April of 2021; and WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code sections 22357 and 22358 authorize local authorities to establish a speed limit based on an engineering traffic survey; and WHEREAS, an engineering traffic survey was conducted on May 28, 2021 for the portion of Poinsettia Lane between Cassia Road and El Camino Real and based on the results of the engineering traffic survey, the recommended speed limit for that portion of Poinsettia Lane is 45 miles per hour (mph); and WHEREAS, the proposed speed limit of 45 mph for Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real was recommended for approval by the Traffic and Mobility Commission on July 6, 2021; and WHEREAS, the City Planner has determined that establishing a 45 miles per hour speed limit on Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and that no exception to the exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows that: 1. The above recitations are true and correct. 2. Title 10, Chapter 10.44 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code is amended by revision of Section 10.44.360 to read as follows: 10.44.360 Poinsettia Lane. A. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Carlsbad Boulevard to its intersection with Paseo del Norte the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 7 of 19 B. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Paseo del Norte to its intersection with Cassia Road the prima facie speed limit shall be 50 miles per hour. C. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to its intersection with El Camino Real the prima facie speed limit shall be 45 miles per hour. D. Upon Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to its intersection with Melrose Drive the prima facie speed limit shall be 50 miles per hour. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall be effective 30 days after its adoption; and the City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Ordinance and cause the full text of the Ordinance or a summary of the Ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Carlsbad within 15 days after its adoption. INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 14th day of September, 2021, and thereafter. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the _ day of ___ _, 2021, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: CELIA A. BREWER, City Attorney MATT HALL, Mayor FAVIOLA MEDINA, City Clerk Services Manager (SEAL) Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 8 of 19 10.44.360 Poinsettia Lane. A. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Carlsbad Boulevard to its intersection with Paseo del Norte the prima facie speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour. B. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Paseo del Norte to its intersection with Cassia Road the prima facie speed limit shall be 50 miles per hour. C. Upon Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to its intersection with El Camino Real the prima facie speed limit shall be 45 miles per hour. CD. Upon Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to its intersection with Melrose Drive the prima facie speed limit shall be 50 miles per hour. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 9 of 19 POINSETTIA LANE SPEED ZONE 1 LOCATION MAP BOULEVARD PALOMAR AIRPORT ROADEL CAMINO REALPOIN S E T TI A LANEAVIARA PARKWAY CASSIA RD. COLLEG E FAR A D A Y SKIMMER CT. ORIOLE CT. CAMIN O VI D A ROBLE A M B R O S I A LANEBLACK RAIL ROADPROPOSED SPEED ZONE AVENUECANN O N R O A D AVI A R A P A R K W A Y I- 5 FREEWAY EXHIBIT 3 3Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 10 of 19 CITY OF CARLSBAD ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Poinsettia Lane LIMITS: Cassia Road to El Camino Real FACTORS A.Prevailing Speed Data:Direction: Eastbound/Westbound Date of Speed SurveyLocation of Speed Survey85th Percentile10 MPH PacePercent in Pace 5/28/21 325’ East of Artemisia Court 49 MPH 39 to 49 MPH 79% B.Accident History:(4/01/19 through 3/31/21) Speed-Related AccidentsPedestrian and/or Bicycle AccidentsTotal Accidents None None None C.Traffic Factors: Average Daily TrafficTraffic ControlsPedestrian/Bicycle TrafficBicycle LanesOn-Street ParkingOther 4,815 – East of Cassia Road (5/25/21); 4,596 – West of El Camino Real (5/25/21) Traffic Signals at Cassia Road, Artemisia Court, Skimmer Ct./Oriole Ct., and El Camino Real Moderate Bicycle Lanes with Buffer on Both Sides Parking Prohibited on Both Sides Bike Route per Circulation Element of the General Plan D.Roadway Factors: Street ClassificationLength of SegmentRoadway WidthNumber of LanesVertical AlignmentHorizontal AlignmentSidewalksDrivewaysStreet Lighting Circulation Element – Major Arterial. Mobility Element – Arterial Connector Street 0.69 Mi. 82 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) 2 Lanes Each Direction Roadway Grades Vary from 1.1% to 4.72% Curvilinear Sidewalk on South Side; North Side Has Either Sidewalk or Roadside Trail Two Driveways (Basin Maintenance Access Road & SDG&E Access Driveway) Street Lights on Both Sides E.Special Conditions: Travel lanes are separated by a raised median, a portion of which is landscaped. The roadway sectionbetween Cassia Road and the intersection at Oriole Court/Skimmer Court opened to traffic on April 29, 2021. The section west of ElCamino Real has been open since at least 2003. F.Adjacent Land Uses: Single-Family Residential, Open Space G.Remarks/Conditions Not Readily Apparent: One bus turnout exists on each side of the roadway for possible future bus stops. H.Traffic Engineer's Recommendation (Explanation): This speed zone satisfies the conditions of Section 627 of the CaliforniaVehicle Code and has been prepared and evaluated in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic ControlDevices, effective March 30, 2021, with respect to design and prevailing speeds, accident records, pedestrian and bicyclistsafety, intersection and driveway spacing, and roadside and traffic conditions not readily apparent to the driver. A speed limitposting of 45 MPH is found to be appropriate and justified. I.Approvals: Recertification of existing speed zone per Sections 22357, 22358 and 40802 of the California Vehicle Code.Establishment of new speed zone. Approved________________________________________________ John T. Kim Date City Traffic Engineer CA RCE 56667 NOTE: Appropriate speed survey is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 11 of 19 DATE:TIME:TO TOTAL VEHICLES: WEATHER:CRITICAL SPEED:MPH LOCATION:VEHICLES IN PACE:% OBSERVER/RECORDER:PACE SPEED(S):TO MPH WESTBOUND EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH #%% %tile % # MPH 64 64 63 63 62 62 61 61 60 60 59 59 58 58 57 57 56 56 55 55 54 54 53 22 100 42 XX53 52 22 98 42 XX52 51 X 1233 96 42 XX51 50 X 1255 93 84 XXXX50 49 X 1244 88 63 XXX49 48 XXXX 4888 84 84 XXXX48 47 XXXXX 5 101313 76 16 8 XXXXXXXX47 46 XXX 3699 63 126 XXXXXX46 45 XXXXX 5109 9 54 8 4 XXXX45 44 XXX 3655 45 42 XX44 43 XXXXX 5109 9 40 8 4 XXXX43 42 XXXXXXXX 8168 8 31 42 41 XXXX 4888 23 84 XXXX41 40 XXX 3655 15 42 XX40 39 XXX 3655 10 42 XX39 38 11521 X 38 37 XXX 3633 4 37 36 X 1211 1 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 29 29 28 28 27 27 26 26 25 25 24 24 23 23 22 22 21 21 20 20 100 79 39 49 CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 5/28/21 1:30 PM 2:15 PM Sunny & Warm 49 Poinsettia Lane~325' e/o Artemisia Court J. Gale Public Works Branch Traffic & Mobility DivisionSept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 12 of 19 Page 1 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Council Chambers 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 3:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gocan called the Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Gocan, Perez, Hunter, Penseyres, Fowler and Linke Absent: Wanamaker PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Hunter led the Pledge of Allegiance This meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom due to the stay-at-home order for COVID-19. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Commissioner Linke, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to approve the minutes for the June 7, 2021 meeting as amended Motion carried: 5/0/1/1 (Abstained: Gocan; Absent: Wanamaker) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA: 1.Ron Ealy - Proposal – Implement Thoroughfares I have presented my proposal to the traffic commission in the past but have not received a specific response. In short, this proposal identifies several east-west and several north-south roads as “thoroughfares”. These roads would post a consistent speed limit, have synchronized, non-interrupted traffic lights, and be alternatives to freeways. Synchronized traffic lights start with a light turning green on the thoroughfare. Cars and trucks following the first car through the green lighted intersection until the last car or truck through that intersection before the light turns yellow is called a “platoon”. All cars in this platoon should sail through subsequent lights as long at the cars and trucks in this platoon are traveling at the posted speed limit +/- 5MPH. Cars on a road approaching a thoroughfare will wait for the light to turn green for them. There would be no right turn on red for these cars onto a thoroughfare. In addition, pedestrians will wait for a red light. No more pressing a button to cause the light to turn earlier than the planned light change. These changes and more are done to ensure the platooning is not interrupted. Signs would be hung below streetlights on thoroughfares to identify the road as a thoroughfare and remind the rider of the speed limit. Waiting for streetlights to change is an enormous waste of energy and contributes needlessly to our carbon footprint. Based on my research and calculations, California could save and estimated 2.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually (a balloon ten yards in diameter weighs approximately one ton). We do not have to wait for more electric vehicles to make a difference in our carbon footprint. We can make this change now with minimal cost. In addition to the positive impact or our environment, traffic accidents could be reduced as there would be no reason to speed to get to through an intersection before the light turns yellow. I believe drivers would welcome the restrictions if they did not have to wait at most traffic lights on thoroughfares. There would also be a reduction in lost time and aggravation. EXHIBIT 5 Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 13 of 19 Page 2 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Two keys to success include a marketing campaign in local newspaper and on social media and for Carlsbad to encourage neighboring communities that contain the same set thoroughfares to adopt the same scheme: It cannot start and stop with Carlsbad. I would be happy to present an expanded PowerPoint version of this proposal to the council. One final thought: The first traffic light in the U.S. was installed in Cleveland, OH over 100 years ago. We are still waiting for too many traffic lights to change! 2. Steven Ahlquist - Dear Sirs: I have been communicating since 2018 with city staff: John Kim and Brandon Miles regarding the two traffic circles (roundabouts) on Kelly Drive at Hillside and Park Drive. I was told that Kelly Drive is being re-engineered, but no time line was given. The traffic circles cause problems with drivers, because many don’t know how to use them. Additionally, it is my understanding the the universal purpose of traffic circles is to 1) slow traffic, and 2) keep traffic moving. While they most certainly slow traffic (more on that below), they do not keep traffic moving. Both of these traffic roundabouts have stop signs; one on Hillside at Kelly Drive, and one on Kelly Drive at Park Drive, where drivers are required to STOP. Then yield to oncoming traffic, all in 25 MPH zones. Some drivers turn hard left at both roundabouts, going against traffic because they are either confused on how to use them, or don’t want to drive 270 degrees around the roundabout to proceed. I have a 39 ft fifth wheel recreational vehicle. It is virtually impossible to turn left onto Park Drive from Kelly Drive without the wheels of the trailer going over the roundabout and usually hitting several of the yellow bumps. This is especially true if someone is legally parked on Kelly Drive by the tennis courts, preventing me from getting as far to the right of the roundabout as possible, or if someone is illegally parked in the no parking area by the barrier at the end of Kelly Drive next to the storm drain outlet. When students are released from school, parents back up for many cars westbound on Kelly Drive, waiting to get into the school’s parking lot to pick up their student. This causes a tremendous traffic jam for those of us that live in the area, as we have to wait until we pass Hillside and can resume our trip to Park Drive. Many residents avoid this delay by simply driving straight through the roundabout. You give them no other choice, other than to wait 10 - 20 minutes to get past the traffic jam. I strongly suggest that you revisit this problem and remove both roundabouts. 3. Mike Tindall - I live on Los Robles Drive. Every day I either walk, bike or drive on the short portion of Cerezo between Carlsbad Boulevard and Los Robles. This short section on the south side is dangerously congested when cars blindly turn right off north bound of Carlsbad Boulevard and interact with pedestrians, traffic and open car doors. Many surfers change on the street side of their cars because there is not a sidewalk. Other beachgoers with surfboards and children walk down the middle of the street. Oncoming traffic cannot pass when this occurs. Add to this congestion, many cars making a U turn at the intersection of Los Robles. A simple solution would be to make the south side of Cerezo a No Parking Zone. That would allow larger traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway along the south side of Cerezo. Maybe 4 parking spots would be lost. Maybe a few injuries or fatalities would be prevented. Thank you for considering this concern. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. AUTHORIZATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH CHEN RYAN ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF COLLEGE BOULEVARD REACH A PROJECT- Support staff recommendations to City council to adopt Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 14 of 19 Page 3 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t a resolution authorizing execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Chen Ryan Associates, Inc. (Chen Ryan) for preliminary engineering design and environmental assessment of College Boulevard Reach A, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 3636, in an amount not to exceed $1,919,294. 2. ESTABLISH A 45 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT UPON POINSETTIA LANE FROM CASSIA ROAD TO EL CAMINO REAL - Support staff recommendation to establish a 45 mile per hour speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real ACTION: Motion by commissioner Vice-Chair Perez, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2 as presented. Motion carried: 6/0/1 (Absent: Wanamaker) DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 3. POLICE MONTHLY REPORT – (Staff Contact: Lt. Steve Thomas, Police Department) Lieutenant Thomas presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Lt. Thomas informed the T&MC that bicycle patrol continues and enforcement efforts were directed at the seawall and downtown areas. E-Bike enforcement/education will be a priority. The City of Carlsbad has also prepared a general information on e-bike safety and laws, it is posted on the city website. On Friday, June 11, the police conducted a DUI checkpoint at Carlsbad Boulevard and Beech Avenue. Lt. Thomas said that in the month of June the police responded to a solo fatal vehicle collision on Breakwater Road. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Penseyres inquired about collecting data from the Radar Speed Detector on northbound Carlsbad Boulevard close to the City of Oceanside entrance. Traffic Engineer Kim explained that the Traffic division deployed the Speed Feedback Sign and it is used to collect speed data for traffic calming. Commissioner Fowler inquired if the police are monitoring the speed on e-bikes specially going downhill almost at the same speed of a vehicle? Lt. Thomas answered that the department and the school district are doing education on safety and rules. Commissioner Penseyres commented that his experience as a bicyclist is that going downhill with the speed of traffic is quite safe. Commissioner Fowler inquired if anyone that rides an e-bike has to follow the same speed limit law as the driver of a car? Lt. Thomas answered yes, they do not have a different rule for young children riding their e-bikes and that is the reason why parents and children need to be educated on the existing law. 4. EL CAMINO REAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS FROM ARENAL ROAD TO LA COSTA AVENUE, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 6051 - (Staff Contact: Hossein Ajideh, Public Works) Staff’s Recommendation: Support staff recommendation Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 15 of 19 Page 4 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t Engineering Manager Ajideh presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). DISCUSSION: Commissioner Penseyres inquired if there was a reason that staff did not opt to narrow the median by one foot, from 6’8” to 5’8” feet, and keep the travel lanes at 11 feet. Engineering Manager Ajideh answered that the median was reduced from 18 feet to 6’8” feet in order to provide sufficient storage room for the southbound left turn pocket into the shopping center. It was a compromise that staff recommended in order to provide the 8 foot wide bike lanes and 3 foot wide buffers. Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the need for the city to acquire right-of-way the cost and how many property owners would be involved. Engineering Manager Ajideh answered that right-of-way would be required from one property owner with an estimated cost of around $150,000. Commissioner Linke submitted and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Commissioner Linke’s main concern is about the 10.5 feet travel lanes and he offered some suggestions to provide travel lanes at 11 feet. He believes that with arterial streets staff should consider keeping the travel lanes at a minimum of 11 feet. Commissioner Linke suggested to narrow the bicycle lane to 7 ½ feet or a combination of narrowing the bicycle lane on northbound to 7 ½ feet and the southbound to 6 ½ feet. Engineering Manager Ajideh said the this is a conceptual design and staff will consider these comments and revise the concept plans if needed. Transportation Director Frank said that he will bring an item to the T&MC at a future meeting to discuss these comments and other general mobility related design updates to get commission feedback. Transportation Director Frank explained that in general for arterial roads the safest travel lane width is between 10 to 11 feet. Transportation Director Frank mentioned that traffic congestion is typically heaviest at the intersections which can be impacted by longer pedestrian crossing times due to the wider roadway. Transportation Director Frank explained how important it is to maximize the right balance for all of the users of the roadway. Commissioner Linke commented that NCTD’s guidelines request 11 ft. wide bike lanes in order to sufficiently accommodate the width of their buses. Transportation Director Frank responded that Commissioner Linke is correct on the NCTD guidelines however this recommendation was developed prior to the use of buffered bike lanes which create additional width for both bike lanes and travel lanes. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Penseyres to support staff’s recommendations for Alternative 2 for the San Marcos Creek bridge segment of the El Camino Real Roadway Improvements from Arenal Road to La Costa Avenue, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6051 (Project Motion carried: 5/1/1 (No: Linke; Absent: Wanamaker) Chair Gocan requested a break at 4:22 p.m. and the meeting resumed at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 16 of 19 Page 5 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t 5. SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLAN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION MONITORING PROGRAM DATA COLLECTION PLAN – (Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works) Staff’s Recommendation: Receive a presentation and provide input Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). DISCUSSION: Vice-Chair Perez inquired about the trail network showing in the map on the east side of Freeway 5 that he does not think it is really a trail. Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that the trail showing in the map includes both the existing and proposed trail network. Staff will revise the online maps to make a clearer distinction between the existing and proposed facilities. Commissioner Linke explained that the SANDAG Regional Bike Network includes bikeway projects on El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road. He suggested adding two or three counting sites on El Camino Real with one counting site being the intersection of El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road and two more counts on Palomar Airport Road to account for these proposed bikeways. Commissioner Linke also suggested that staff uses the video cameras on our traffic signals to save money and increase the number of counts. Commissioner Linke suggested counting bikes in public bike racks and counting users of rideshare programs. Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Schmidt explained that our video camera technology does not currently have the capability to accurately conduct the counts. The bike rack parking occupancy counts are a great suggestion and staff will consider these at other places like school sites and in the Village. Currently the rideshare tracking program is not active due to the severe decline in rideshare use as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we can consider it for the future monitoring counts once rideshare is active again. Commissioner Penseyres inquired about doing a traffic count at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street where the roundabout is located. His reasoning is that the Oceanside data is not very useful. Commissioner Penseyres suggested the use of the License Plates Readers to help with the traffic counts and make it less expensive. Transportation Director Frank answered that it would not have a significant cost differential because most of the cost involved in the process is labor. Commissioner Penseyres if the traffic counts could start one hour earlier than the proposed time to be able to capture the early morning commute. Transportation Planning Manager Schmidt agree that a count should be conducted at the Carlsbad Blvd./State St. roundabout and will revise the data collection plan accordingly. Staff will also extend the count duration time to 6 AM in order to account for the early morning bike commute. 6. ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR THE TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS – (Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works) Staff’s Recommendation: Approve a date and time to return to in-person meetings Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 17 of 19 Page 6 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Fowler approved to return to in-person meetings at the Council Chambers at 4 p.m. starting on August 2, 2021. Motion carried: 6/0/1 (Absent: Wanamaker) CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER REPORT: City Traffic Engineer Comments: Attachment A Traffic Engineer Kim added that a staff report for No Overnight Parking on Avenida Encinas is going to City Council on July 20, 2021. Traffic Engineer Kim said that staff will follow-up with the public comments and report back to the commission. TRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION COMMENTS: Vice-chair Perez inquired about signal lights from Cannon Road all the way to College Boulevard the side streets seems to trigger any cars that come to intersection and stop the flow of the major corridor. Can something be done to get Cannon road to have a better traffic flow progression? Traffic Engineer Kim said that he will discuss this with traffic signal system staff about improving coordination along corridors like Cannon Road. This coordination timing is always a balancing act because we get comments from side streets and well as corridors street. Commissioner Penseyres inquired about the traffic circles at Kelly Elementary with stop signs, is this an oversight or did we leave that on purpose? Traffic Engineer Kim said that was planned to keep cars from speeding near the school. It is something that can be removed and next month staff will bring the Kelly and Park Project which will include this intersection. Chair Gocan read into the record Commissioner Hunter Commendation for the eight years served on the Traffic and Mobility Commission. Commissioner Linke expressed concerns that staff made material revisions to the Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Guidelines just a couple of months after they had undergone review by the Traffic and Mobility Commission and City Council for implementation in July 2020, and that the changes had already allowed at least one development to avoid CEQA transportation analysis. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Linke, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to add to a future agenda the review of the Vehicles Miles Traveled Guidelines and discussion of changes that were made after approval from City Council. Motion carried: 6/0/1 (Absent: Commissioner Wanamaker) Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 18 of 19 Page 7 of 7 Public Works Transportation 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008  760-602-2746 t ADJOURNMENT: Chair Gocan adjourned the Traffic and Mobility Commission Meeting on July 6, 2021 at 5:38 p.m. Eliane Paiva Eliane Paiva, Minutes Clerk Sept. 14, 2021 Item #6 Page 19 of 19 Poinsettia Lane Speed Zone John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Transportation Department Sept. 14, 2021 {city of Carlsbad RECOMMENDED ACTION •Support staff recommendation to establish a 45 mile per hour speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real. 2 {city of Carlsbad LOCATION MAP Proposed Speed Zone 3 c;onr,o,,R,1 LEGOL.AND California The Flower Fields~ ~ 9 South Carlsbad S1a1e Beach Campground ~ South Ponto Beach McClellan Palomar A1rport-Crq Q IS, ,. I "' Leo Carrillo Ranch H1storfc Park BRESSI RANCH A ~ .... .,, y: Alga Norte ..- Community Park • .,, ...... PkMy Algo l>o, !,/> J # Ballqulros Lagoon Slate Manne I ~ Encinitas Ranch ft Golf Course Y ,.tJa"'""' .,.,~ r:.,,,. Background •Poinsettia Lane connects Carlsbad Boulevard to Melrose Drive •Portion between Cassia Road and Oriole Court/Skimmer Court was opened to traffic in April 2021 •Built with two travel lanes and bike lane in each direction separated by a raised median •Traffic signals at Cassia Road, Artemisia Court, Oriole Court/Skimmer Court and El Camino Real •Defined as an arterial connector in the Mobility Element Poinsettia Speed Zone 4 {city of Carlsbad EXISTING SPEED ZONES 5 Poinsettia Ln Cassia Rd Skimmer Ct Oriole CtBlack Rail Rd50 MPH Unposted Speed Traffic Signal California Vehicle Code •Basic speed law assumes that most drivers operate their vehicles in a reasonable manner. Therefore, traffic laws established on the basis of the behavior of the reasonable and prudent motorist are found to be the most successful. Poinsettia Speed Zone 6 (city of Carlsbad California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices •The three most persuasive factors to consider when setting a realistic or rational speed limit are: 1.Critical speed (85th percentile speed) 2.Collision history 3.Conditions not readily apparent to the driver Poinsettia Speed Zone 7 {city of Carlsbad CA MUTCD Section 2B.13 “When a speed limit is to be posted, it shall be established at the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th-percentile speed of free flowing traffic, except as shown in the two Options below: Option: 1.The posted speed may be reduced by 5 mph from the nearest increment of the 85th-percentile speed, in compliance with CVC Sections 627 and 22358.5. See Standard below for documentation requirements. 2.For cases in which the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th-percentile speed would require a rounding up, then the speed limit may be rounded down to the nearest 5 mph increment below the 85th- percentile speed, if no further reduction is used. See CVC Section 21400(b).” Poinsettia Speed Zone 8 {city of Carlsbad Speed Survey Results •A speed survey was conducted on May 28, 2021 at a location approximately 325 feet east of Artemisia Court •The 85th percentile speed was found to be 49 miles per hour •No reported collisions between 4/1/2019 and 3/31/2021 Poinsettia Speed Zone 9 {city of Carlsbad Proposed Speed Limit •Based on the speed survey, the 85th percentile speed is 49 mph •Rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment = 50 mph •Option 2 reduction = 45 mph and no further reduction is allowed Poinsettia Speed Zone 10 SPEED LIMIT {city of Carlsbad Poinsettia Speed Zone RECOMMENDED ACTION •Support staff recommendation to establish a 45 mph speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from Cassia Road to El Camino Real 11 {city of Carlsbad Poinsettia Speed Zone QUESTIONS? 12 {city of Carlsbad