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Home My WebLink About2022-10-03; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Approve Plum Tree Road as an Exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program and Presentation of All-Way Stop Analysis at Three Intersectio Meeting Date: Oct. 3, 2022 To: Traffic and Mobility Commission Staff Contact: Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer Lindy.Pham@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2768 John Kim, City Traffic Engineer John.Kim@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2757 Subject: Approve Plum Tree Road as an Exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program and Presentation of All-Way Stop Analysis at Three Intersections on Plum Tree Road Recommended Action Staff recommends the Traffic and Mobility Commission: 1. Approve Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program; and 2. Support staff’s recommendation to not install all-way stops on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive. Background Plum Tree Road is a residential street approximately 0.40 miles long in the city’s southwest quadrant. The roadway runs from Hidden Valley Road to 200 feet east of Aviara Parkway. It has a roadway width of 40 feet, accommodating a single vehicle lane and on-street parking on both sides. A painted double-yellow stripe separates the east and west lanes. On-street parking is allowed on both sides of the street where red curbs are not present. The entire segment of the roadway has improved sidewalk, curb and gutter. There are five intersections along this segment: at Red Knot Street; Robinea Drive; Bluebonnet Drive; Windflowers Drive; and Coneflower Drive. Two intersections, Bluebonnet Drive and Coneflower Drive, are all-way stop- controlled. The remaining three intersections are side-street stop-controlled. The roadway is posted at 25 miles per hour, or mph. There are single-family homes fronting Plum Tree Road on the north side of the roadway from Robinea Drive to Aviara Parkway. Poinsettia KinderCare is located between Robinea Drive and Hidden Valley Road on Plum Tree Road. Plum Tree Road leads directly into the Poinsettia Community Park west of Hidden Valley Road. This park hosts several city special events, such as Eggstravaganza, TGIF concerts, and other community events throughout the year. Oct. 3, 2022 Item #4 1 In April 2022, staff received multiple concerns from residents about traffic safety on Plum Tree Road and requests for staff evaluation after a collision occurred at the intersection of Plum Tree Road and Robinea Drive. Specific concerns included sight distance at intersections and speeding. On Sept. 6, 2022 Traffic and Mobility Commission meeting, staff provided an update on the studies and evaluations that had been completed at that time to address the residents’ concerns. Discussion Exception into the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program, or CRTMP In response to residents’ speeding concerns on Plum Tree Road, staff deployed temporary speed feedback signs from June 23, 2022, to July 21, 2022, on Plum Tree Road near Robinea Drive. These signs were deployed to collect speed data, which is used to determine if the roadway is eligible for Phase II of the CRTMP. A threshold criteria of 32 mph is used to determine if a subject street is eligible for Phase II. The critical speed, the speed at which 85% of vehicles were traveling at or below, on Plum Tree Road was recorded at 29 mph for both the eastbound and westbound directions. The residents in the surrounding neighborhood were informed of the evaluation results which determined that Plum Tree Road is not eligible for Phase II of the CRTMP since the measured critical speed is below the 32 mph threshold. At the Aug. 18, 2022, and Sept. 6, 2022, Traffic and Mobility Commission meetings, residents requested the Commission consider approving Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the CRTMP, which is allowed per Page 8 of the approved program. Ordinarily, traffic calming on roadways with prevailing speeds below the 32 mph threshold may not significantly reduce speed. However, based on the residents’ support, staff recommends the Commission approve Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the CRTMP. All-Way-Stop Analysis In response to requests for all-way stop control on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive, all-way stop warrant analyses were performed per the guidelines found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or CA MUTCD. The analyses included traffic counts collected on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, a typical weekday, and Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, with an event scheduled that day at Poinsettia Community Park. The CA MUTCD evaluates vehicular, pedestrian and bike volumes as well as other factors to determine if an all-way stop is justified at a particular location. The CA MUTCD all-way-stop warrant criteria and corresponding analysis results are summarized below. Criteria A of the CA MUTCD Multi-Way Stop Applications criteria allows consideration of an all- way stop as an interim measure prior to the installation of a traffic signal. Installation of a traffic signal is not planned or programmed in the Capital Improvement Program at the three subject intersections, therefore Criteria A was not satisfied. Oct. 3, 2022 Item #4 2 Criteria B allows for consideration of an all-way stop when there have been five or more reported collisions within a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by an all-way stop. A review of the collision history between 2017 and August 2022 at the subject intersections revealed no reported collisions occurred on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street and Windflower Drive and one reported collision occurred on Plum Tree Road at Robinea Drive. Therefore, Criteria B was not satisfied. Criteria C evaluates the traffic volumes to determine if an all-way stop can be considered. Criteria C is satisfied if 1) the average volume on a major street, in this case Plum Tree Road, is at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and 2) the combined vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle volumes entering the intersection from the minor street, in this case Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive or Windflower Drive, averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours. Tables 1 and 2 below summarize the traffic volumes collected at the three subject intersections, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 and Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, respectively. Table 1. Average Traffic Volumes for Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Meet both Average Volume thresholds? Plum Tree Rd at Red Knot St 186 33 NO Plum Tree Rd at Robinea Dr 174 23 NO Plum Tree Rd at Windflower Dr 159 21 NO Table 2. Average Traffic Volumes for Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Meet both Average Volume thresholds? Plum Tree Rd at Red Knot St 313 92 NO Plum Tree Rd at Robinea Dr 284 49 NO Plum Tree Rd at Windflower Dr 264 25 NO The CA MUTCD allows a 70 percent vehicular volume reduction if measured critical speed on the major street exceeds 40 mph. The critical speed on Plum Tree Road is measured to be 29 mph, therefore this reduction does not apply. Based on the average traffic volumes presented, the minimum traffic volumes in Criteria C were not satisfied at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive intersections. Criteria D allows consideration of an all-way stop where no single criterion is satisfied but where Criteria B and C are satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Based on the data previously presented, Criteria D was not satisfied. Oct. 3, 2022 Item #4 3 In addition to the four criteria listed above, the CA MUTCD includes optional criteria which can also be considered. The optional criteria are described as: A. The need to control left-turn conflicts; B. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; C. Locations where a road user, after stopping cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and D. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where all-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection. Staff have reviewed the optional criteria for the subject three intersections and determined Criteria D was not satisfied for any of the three intersections. Based on the findings above, staff do not recommend installation of all-way stop control on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive. Necessary Council Action None. Next Steps If the Traffic and Mobility Commission approves Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the CRTMP, staff will initiate the Phase II process and will schedule a neighborhood meeting for Plum Tree Road. Since there are currently ten other streets on the CRTMP Phase II list, a neighborhood meeting for Plum Tree Road would be scheduled in the early 2023. Exhibits 1. Location Map Oct. 3, 2022 Item #4 4 1 LOCATION MAP Exhibit 1 Oct. 3, 2022 Item #4 5 From:Dawn Guendert To:Traffic Subject:Fwd: Date:Monday, October 3, 2022 1:25:36 PM Dear Committee Commissioners; I would like to thank you for your support of moving Plum Tree Road into Phase 2 with the goal of addressing the safety issues that the residents have brought to the City's attention. While I appreciate the efforts of staff to study the issues, I must communicate some frustration with time and money that has been spent monitoring primarily the speed of traffic while I believe the main issues are the failure of drivers to stop at the stop signs, poor visibility in the area where the road curves between Blue Bonnet and Robinea, and lack of well marked crosswalks. This was very evident this weekend when events were held at Poinsettia Park Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Cars parked at all available curb space, traffic streaming up and down the street, often rolling through the stop signs, no safe place to cross the street and lack of visibility for drivers trying to make a left turn from Robinea onto Plum Tree. The attached picture illustrates why the stop sign at Blue Bonnet is not a safe place to cross. Cars park past the stop sign, almost into the intersection making it impossible for pedestrians waiting to cross to be seen by drivers. While City staff did paint the curb on Plum Tree east of the Robinea intersection red, it is not far enough up the street to improve visibility when cars are parked at the curb. I would suggest that a quick, inexpensive way to improve safety on Plum Tree would be to paint the entire curb on the south side of Plum Tree between Robinea and Blue Bonnet red. As I have stated previously, I still believe well marked crosswalks at intersections that have stop signs and speed cushions are also needed to make Plum Tree a safer street. E-bikes increased the bike traffic on Plum Tree, opening of the dog park at Poinsettia Park has increased pedestrian traffic and dogs on the street. This is a residential area and the street needs to be not only for cars, but a safe place for bikes and pedestrians also. Again, thank you for your support in our efforts to make Plum Tree a safer street. Regards, Dawn Guendert ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Dawn Guendert <dguendert@gmail.com>Date: Mon, Oct 3, 2022 at 12:39 PM From:Nichola Riggle To:Traffic Cc:Priya Bhat-Patel Subject:Fwd: Qualifying for traffic calming Date:Monday, October 3, 2022 6:24:07 AM >> >I write to you now in concern for the standard requirements that the city uses, now and moving forward. The bar seems too high. These standards seem impractical in this growing, constantly changing community. To qualify with cooperation ; without exceptions, would likely not be possible in this neighborhood. > I have lived here nearly 20 years and don’t know the name of my neighbors. This is a cross cultural, cross generational assembly of people. Residents, mostly both work and don’t have or take the time for neighborhood participation. It works well enough, folks have their privacy, and we stick to ourselves. > There is extremely low participation in HOA governing. (This is not to say that there won’t be some people that will object to any and further restrictions!) This cannot be so uncommon in Carlsbad as it develops. > It seems our safety is in danger of being put aside, yet again, only for a few folks to rally at the next accident . The number of people who routinely fly through this street going to the Poinsettia Park, Pacific Rim school and beyond are ever increasing and do so with impunity. There are never hidden police stops. > Nichola Riggle > Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer Engineer, City of Carlsbad Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer, City of Carlsbad October 3, 2022 Plum Tree Road RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff recommends the Traffic and Mobility Commission to: 1.Approve Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program; and 2.Support staff’s recommendation to not install all-way stops on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD Poinsettia Community Park Hidden Valley RdPlum Tree Rd Belleflower Rd Turnstone Rd BACKGROUND •April 3, 2022 Collision at Plum Tree Road and Robinea Drive •Involving a passenger car and a pedestrian •Staff received requests from residents to evaluate Plum Tree Road ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD BACKGROUND •On Sept. 6, 2022 Traffic and Mobility Commission meeting, staff provided an update on the studies and evaluations that have been completed to address the residents’ concerns •Exception to Phase II of the CRTMP •All-way stop control on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD CARLSBAD RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CRTMP) •Phase II threshold criteria of 32 mph •Speed Feedback signs deployed from June 23, 2022 to July 21, 2022 •Critical speed = 29 mph ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD CARLSBAD RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CRTMP) •Aug. 18, 2022 & Sept. 6, 2022 TM&C meetings, residents requested exception into Phase II •T&MC may grant exception per approved program •Roadway with prevailing speed below 32 mph may not result in significant speed reduction from traffic calming measures •Based on the residents’ support, staff recommends the Commission to approve exception to Phase II of the CRTMP ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD ALL-WAY STOP •Request for all-way stop control on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive •Traffic counts collected on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, a typical weekday, and Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 with event at Poinsettia Community Park. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD Poinsettia Community Park Hidden Valley RdPlum Tree Rd Belleflower Rd Turnstone Rd ALL-WAY STOP •Staff utilized the criteria found in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) to determine if whether an All-Way STOP would be appropriate •The CA MUTCD evaluates vehicular, bike and pedestrian volumes as well as other factors to determine if an All-Way STOP is justified at a particular location. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD CRITERIA A -INTERIM MEASURE •Criteria A –Where traffic control signals are justified, the multi-way stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the installation of the traffic control signal. Installation of a traffic signal is not planned or programmed in the Capital Improvement Program at the three subject intersections, therefore Criteria A was not satisfied. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD CRITERIA B -COLLISION HISTORY •Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions as well as right- angle collisions. Between Jan. 2017 and Aug. 2022, there were no reported collisions on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street and Windflower Drive and one reported collision on Plum Tree Road at Robinea Drive. Therefore, Criteria B was not satisfied. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD CRITERIA C –MINIMUM VOLUMES Criteria C -Minimum volumes: 1.The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and 2.The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering the intersection from the minor street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor-street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour; but 3.If the 85th-percentile approach speed of the major-street traffic exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrants are 70 percent of the values provided in Items 1 ITEM x: PLUM TREE ROAD CRITERIA C-MINIMUM VOLUMES ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Meet both Average Volume thresholds? Plum Tree Rd at Red Knot St 186 33 NO Plum Tree Rd at Robinea Dr 174 23 NO Plum Tree Rd at Windflower Dr 159 21 NO Average Traffic Volumes for Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 CRITERIA C-MINIMUM VOLUMES ITEM4x: PLUM TREE ROAD Average Traffic Volumes for Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 Intersection Average Veh. Volume on Major Street (300 or more) Average Volume on Minor Street, Veh., Peds and bikes combined (200 or more) Meet both Average Volume thresholds? Plum Tree Rd at Red Knot St 313 92 NO Plum Tree Rd at Robinea Dr 284 49 NO Plum Tree Rd at Windflower Dr 264 25 NO CRITERIA D –80% MINIMUM VOLUMES Where no single criterion is satisfied, but where Criteria B, C.1, and C.2 are all satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Criterion C.3 is excluded from this condition. Based on the traffic volume, Criteria D was not satisfied. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD OPTIONAL CRITERIA A.The need to control left-turn conflicts; B.The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes; C.Locations where a road user, after stopping cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and D.An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multi-way stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD OPTIONAL CRITERIA Staff has reviewed the optional criteria for the subject three intersections and determined Criteria D was not satisfied for any of the three intersections. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD STAFF RECOMMENDATION •All-way stop control is not recommended on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff recommends the Traffic and Mobility Commission to: 1.Approve Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program; and 2.Support staff’s recommendation to not install all-way stops on Plum Tree Road at Red Knot Street, Robinea Drive and Windflower Drive. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD NEXT STEPS •If T&MC grants Plum Tree Road as an exception into Phase II of CRTMP, staff will schedule a neighborhood meeting with the residents on Plum Tree Road in early 2023. ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD THANK YOU! ITEM 4: PLUM TREE ROAD