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Home My WebLink About2022-12-05; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Traffic Calming Project on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline RoadMeeting Date: Dec. 5, 2022 To: Traffic and Mobility Commission Staff Contact: Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer Lindy.Pham@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2768 Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer Miriam.Jim@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5796 Subject: Traffic Calming Project on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road Recommended Action Support staff’s recommendation on the proposed traffic calming concept plan on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road. Background Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road is located in the northwest quadrant of the city, east of Interstate 5, see Exhibit 1. It is designated as a Neighborhood Connector Street in the General Plan Mobility Element but functions as a collector street connecting El Camino Real to the I-5 freeway. The roadway has a constant roadway width of 48 feet to accommodate one vehicular lane, a bike lane and on-street parking in each direction. This segment of Tamarack Avenue has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour and the primary surrounding land use is single family homes, which directly front the roadway. There are all-way stops at the intersections of Skyline Road, Park Drive and Highland Drive and a traffic signal at the Adams Street intersection. A new High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, or HAWK, signal has also been installed at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street to facilitate pedestrian access. In the past 15 years, staff have conducted studies and implemented improvements on Tamarack Avenue to enhance mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists and to address residents’ concerns related to speeding, pedestrian access and traffic safety, including the following: ·2007 – Reconfigured the roadway with one vehicular lane, a bike lane and on-street parking in each direction on Tamarack Avenue between I-5 and Skyline Road ·2016 – Installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the uncontrolled crosswalk at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street ·2018 – Conducted adult crossing guard study and added an adult crossing guard at the uncontrolled crosswalk at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 1 of 11 · 2018 – Installed temporary speed feedback signs to collect speed data and to educate drivers of their traveling speeds on Tamarack Avenue · 2019 – Conducted all-way stop analysis at the Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street intersection · 2019 – Installed permanent speed feedback signs, one in each direction, approaching the crosswalk at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street · 2022 – Installed High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal and curb extensions at the crosswalk at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street On July 5, 2022, the Traffic & Mobility Commission recommended to City Council that staff expedite a short-term traffic calming project to reduce speeding on Tamarack Avenue between Skyline Drive and Adams Street. On July 26, 2022, staff presented the semiannual Transportation Report to the City Council and highlighted a three-phase plan for traffic calming on Tamarack Avenue. This three-phase plan included 1) the accelerated short-term traffic calming project on Tamarack Avenue between Skyline Drive and Adams Street; 2) data collection and observation of the newly installed HAWK signal at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street; and 3) implementation of a longer-term Sustainable Mobility Plan transformative corridor project along Tamarack Avenue. The short- term traffic calming project will focus on cost-effective traffic calming solutions that can be implemented fairly quickly. For the longer-term transformative corridor project, staff will look into redesigning Tamarack Avenue corridor to enhance mobility for all users and may consider features like traffic circles, roundabouts and curb extensions. Discussion Staff started the effort on the short-term traffic calming project for Tamarack Avenue between Skyline Road and Adams Street soon after the City Council presentation on July 26, 2022. Traffic Engineering staff collaborated with Communications Department on the strategy that a public meeting along with an online survey would be appropriate to gather community input and gauge community support for this project. Hosting the survey online allowed residents along Tamarack Avenue and nearby neighborhoods, as well as people who live in different parts of the city but use Tamarack Avenue on a regular basis to provide input. A public meeting for the project was held on Oct. 12, 2022, at Valley Middle School. This public meeting provided an opportunity for community members to express their concerns and provide feedback on potential traffic calming solutions on Tamarack Avenue. The city sent out 248 direct mail postcards to residents living along Tamarack Avenue. A QR code linking to the project webpage for more information, and staff contact information for questions or feedback were included on the direct mail postcard. Staff also utilized various media platforms to notify the public of the meeting and to encourage community participation. A total of 55 community members attended the public meeting. At the public meeting, city staff provided a presentation on traffic calming strategies to achieve speed reduction and cost-effective traffic calming tools that are available and have been successfully implemented in the city. A traffic calming concept plan consisting of speed cushions and raised crosswalks was then presented to the meeting attendees for their input. Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 2 of 11 Speed cushions and raised crosswalks use vertical deflection to reduce vehicle speeds and have been implemented successfully and quickly in other neighborhoods in the city. The community shared their concerns and provided feedback on the traffic calming concept plan with city staff and meeting attendees throughout the meeting. A recording of the public meeting and an online survey were made available to the public from Oct. 17, 2022, to Oct. 24, 2022, to obtain additional input and feedback from the community, and 73 online surveys were completed. A summary of all the public input received is included in Exhibit 2. Majority of the input received from the community supports the proposed speed cushions and raised crosswalks along Tamarack Avenue because they can be implemented quickly, have minimal impact to parking, enhance pedestrian crossings and will slow traffic. The traffic calming plan was revised per the comments received at the public meeting and through the online survey. The revision included replacing the speed cushion east of James Drive with a raised crosswalk at the intersection of James Drive. Public comments indicated that James Drive is heavily used as overflow parking during athletic events at the Valley Middle School fields. In addition, there is a trail located just west of the athletic fields that residents frequently use. Therefore, a raised crosswalk would enhance pedestrian crossing at this intersection as well as reducing speed. See Exhibit 3 for the proposed traffic calming concept plan based on community input. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Mobility Commission support the proposed traffic calming concept plan, which consists of three raised crosswalks, at James Drive, Valley Street and Sunnyhill Drive, and six speed cushions, on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road. Necessary Council Action City Council approval is required for the traffic calming plan for Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road. Next Steps Upon receiving support from the Traffic and Mobility Commission, staff will work with a consultant to finalize the design and develop construction plans for the project. Staff will present the final project design plans to Traffic and Mobility Commission in Spring 2023 for their support of recommendation for City Council approval of the project. Exhibits 1. Location Map 2. Tamarack Avenue Public Input Summary 3. Proposed Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Concept Plan Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 3 of 11 1 LOCATION MAP Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 4 of 11 Tamarack traffic calming Short term options Public input summary Introduction Residents along Tamarack Avenue between Skyline Road and Adams Street have expressed concerns about traffic safety due to speeding. The city is planning a long-term project to redesign the entire Tamarack corridor in a way that meets the needs and priorities of people of all ages and abilities who live, walk, bike or drive in the area. Because this project is still several years away, on July 5, 2022, the Traffic & Mobility Commission recommended that City Council direct staff to expedite short-term solutions to reduce speeding. City staff included the short-term project in the Semiannual Transportation Report presented to City Council on July 26, 2022, and began to work with neighbors to get input in fall 2022. Proposed plan City staff assessed the roadway and developed a concept plan using a combination of speed cushions and raised crosswalks. These tools have been uses successfully in other neighborhoods to reduce speed, can be implemented quickly, and are considered a cost-effective way to reduce speeding. How input was gathered City staff gathered input through a public meeting and online survey: Public meeting October 12, 2022, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 55 attendees Online survey 73 participants Exhibit 2 Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 5 of 11 DRAFT 2 October 17 – 24, 2022 How the opportunity was promoted To encourage participation in the community input opportunity, the city utilized the following tools and channels: Date Channel Reach Sept. 21, 2022 Stakeholder email 23 subscribers Sept. 23, 2022 Next Door Shared to Olde Carlsbad neighborhood Sept. 27, 2022 Direct mail 248 residents who live along or near this segment of Tamarack Oct. 6, 2022 City Manager’s Update 10,331 subscribers Banners 2 banners displayed – one near Valley Middle and Magnolia Elementary, and one at the intersection of Tamarack and Valley Oct. 10, 2022 Stakeholder reminder email 42 subscribers Oct. 11, 2022 Next Door Reminder shared to 13 Carlsbad neighborhoods Oct. 17, 2022 Stakeholder email 83 subscribers Oct. 20, 2022 Next Door Shared to 13 Carlsbad neighborhoods City Manager’s Update 10,348 subscribers Oct. 21, 2022 Stakeholder reminder 15 people who had not opened Oct. 17 email About this input The input was not gathered through a scientific survey. Instead, the input reflects the opinions of those who were aware of the opportunity and had the ability to participate. It should be considered with a similar weight as emails sent to the City Council or public comment at a City Council meeting. Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 6 of 11 DRAFT 3 Summary City staff have summarized the input below and attached the unedited comments and feedback as Appendix 1. Speeding is a concern On a scale of zero to 100, on average survey respondents rates their level of concern about speeding on this section of Tamarack a 72. Feedback on proposed plan Most survey respondents and meeting attendees liked the proposed plan. Some had suggestions for additional features to consider, either for the short term or long-term project. Positive  Can be done quickly  Low cost/investment  Doesn’t reduce parking  Will slow traffic Neutral  Plan is ok but have other ideas (e.g., traffic circles, stop signs, protected bike lanes)  Suggestions for changes (e.g., reduce number of speed cushions, move placement of features) Negative  Don’t think speed cushions will work to slow traffic  Do not think speeding is an issue on this street  Concern speed cushions would damage cars  Concern plan would push traffic to other streets Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 7 of 11 DRAFT 4  Prefer increasing enforcement instead  Don’t think plan will slow down e-bikes  Other methods could be used to save money Feature location suggestions Some attendees provided location specific feedback.  Move speed cushions closer to stop signs so people don’t roll through stop signs  Add raised crosswalks at all stop signs  Convert speed cushion at James Drive into a raised crosswalk  Only one speed cushion needed between Adams and Highland  Too many speed cushions. Raised crosswalks between Skyline and Valley would help, but no need for enhancements on the rest of the street.  Use speed cushions without breaks in them to prevent speeders from swerving to avoid them  Speed feedback sign east of Valley is too close to the intersection Concerns and questions Several common questions or areas of concern emerged in the feedback:  Emergency vehicle access and impacts  Blind curve going downhill from Skyline  Space for bicyclists  Concerns about people rolling through stop signs  Are there ADA concerns with raised crosswalks?  Reconfigure access to I-5, since speeding is caused by people using Tamarack to cut through o New street (non-residential) to connect o Close the I-5/Tamarack on/off ramps Additional community suggestions  Stop signs at Valley and Tamarack and Tamarack and Sunnyhill  Separated bike lanes  Speed feedback sign or speed cushion east of Skyline to slow westbound traffic  Rumble strips, other sensory signals  Lower speed limit  Require licensing for e-bike riders  Roundabout at Sunnyhill and Tamarack  Roundabouts to replace all 4-way stops  Traffic circles  Reduce Tamarack to one lane each direction between Skyline and El Camino Real and add bike lanes  Chicanes  More lighting  Add a 3-way stop at Tamarack and Crescent Point  Add a speed cushion or raised crosswalk after Skyline Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 8 of 11 DRAFT 5 Concerns about other roads Several attendees and survey respondents expressed concerns about speeding on other roads. In some cases, people were concerned that the project on Tamarack could make speeding worse on other roads. In other cases, people expressed support for the Tamarack plan and wanted the city to explore similar projects on these streets. Streets mentioned by community members include:  Chestnut  Highland  Carlsbad Boulevard  Skyline  Pio Pico  Basswood  Valley  Adams  El Camino Real Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 9 of 11 DRAFT 6 Survey respondents Most survey respondents (nearly 75%) use this section of Tamarack at least four days a week. Nearly all survey respondents (86%) live in the neighborhoods around this part of Tamarack or on this section of Tamarack. Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 10 of 11 STOP STOP PROPERTY LINE EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL EXISTING PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EXISTING SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN EXISTING ALL-WAY STOP PROPOSED SPEED CUSHION PROPOSED RAISED CROSSWALK DISTANCE BETWEEN FEATURES PROPOSED TAMARACK AVENUE CONCEPT PLAN Legend (310’)(360’) Exhibit 3 Dec. 5, 2022 Item #5 Page 11 of 11 Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer Lindy Pham, Associate Engineer Dec. 5, 2022 Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming RECOMMENDED ACTION The Traffic and Mobility Commission support the proposed traffic calming concept plan on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road. ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming •Tamarack Ave from Adams St to Skyline Rd •Designated as a Neighborhood Connector Street in the General Plan Mobility Element •Functions as a collector street connecting El Camino Real and the I-5 freeway TAMARACK AVENUE ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming •Roadway width of 48 feet •One vehicular lane, a bike lane and on-street parking in each direction •Posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour •Single-family homes fronting both sides of the street TAMARACK AVENUE ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming EXISTING EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL EXISTING ALL-WAY STOP EXISTING PED SIGNAL EXISTING SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming PAST PROJECTS •Studies and improvements on Tamarack Ave in the past 15 years ·2007 –Reconfigured Tamarack Ave between I-5 and Skyline Rd ·2016 –Installed RRFBs at Tamarack Ave and Valley St crosswalk ·2018 –Added an adult crossing guard at Tamarack Ave and Valley St crosswalk ·2018 –Installed temporary speed feedback signs on Tamarack Ave ·2019 –Conducted all-way stop analysis at the Tamarack Ave and Valley St ·2019 –Installed permanent speed feedback signs on Tamarack Ave ·2022 –Installed High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal and curb extensions at the Tamarack Ave and Valley St crosswalk ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming BACKGROUND •On July 5, 2022, the Traffic & Mobility Commission recommended to City Council that staff expedite a short-term traffic calming project to reduce speeding on Tamarack Ave between Skyline Rd and Adams St •At the July 26, 2022 City Council meeting, staff highlighted a three-phase plan for traffic calming on Tamarack Ave: 1.The accelerated short-term traffic calming project on Tamarack Ave 2.Data collection and observation of the newly installed HAWK signal 3.Long-term Sustainable Mobility Plan transformative corridor project ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming CARLSBAD RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CRTMP) •Tamarack Ave is not defined as a residential street •Utilized tools in the CRTMP •Speed cushions and raised crosswalks have been implemented in city and found to be successful at reducing speed ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY •Traffic Engineering and Communications staff collaborated on community engagement strategies •A community meeting with an online survey to gather community input and gauge public support for the project •Hosting survey online allowed residents along Tamarack Ave and nearby neighborhoods, as well as people who live in different parts of the city but use Tamarack Ave to provide input ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming COMMUNITY MEETING •A community meeting was held on Oct. 12, 2022 at Valley Middle School –248 direct mail postcards sent to residents living along Tamarack Ave –Various media platforms used to notify the public of the meeting –55 community members attended the public meeting ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming COMMUNITY MEETING •Traffic calming strategies to achieve speed reduction •Effective traffic calming tools that are available and have been successfully implemented •Concept plan for Tamarack Avenue consisting of speed cushions and raised crosswalks for public input ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming ONLINE SURVEY •A recording of the public meeting and an online survey were made available to the public, Oct. 17-24, 2022 –73 online surveys were completed –Community supports the proposed concept plan –Community liked that the plan can be implemented quickly, have minimal impact to parking, enhance pedestrian crossings and will slow traffic ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming REVISION TO THE CONCEPT PLAN Community Input: •James Dr is used as overflow parking during athletic events at the Valley Middle School fields •Residents frequently use the trail located west of the athletic fields Revision: •Replaced speed cushion east of James Dr with a raised crosswalk at the intersection of James Dr •Will enhance pedestrian crossing as well as reducing speed Valley Middle School Trail ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming Proposed Raised Crosswalk PROPOSED SPEED CUSHION EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL EXISTING ALL-WAY STOP EXISTING PED SIGNAL PROPOSED RAISED CROSSWALK EXISTING SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN PROPOSED CONCEPT PLAN ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming NOTIFICATION FOR THIS MEETING •Nov. 18: Email to Tamarack stakeholder list •Nov. 30: Valley Middle School included an update in their newsletter to parents •Nov. 30: Magnolia Elementary School included an update in their newsletter to parents •Dec. 1: Nextdoor post to people along Tamarack and surrounding neighborhoods •Dec. 1: Included information in the City Manager’s Update •Dec. 1: Shared information on city’s social media channels •Dec. 2: Email reminder to Tamarack stakeholder list ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming RECOMMENDED ACTION Support staff’s recommendation for the proposed traffic calming concept plan on Tamarack Avenue from Adams Street to Skyline Road. ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming NEXT STEPS •Upon receiving support from the Traffic and Mobility Commission, staff will work with a consultant to finalize the design and develop construction plans for the project •Staff will present the final project design plans to Traffic and Mobility Commission in Spring 2023 for their support of recommendation for City Council approval of the project ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming THANK YOU! ITEM 5: Tamarack Ave Traffic Calming