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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-02; Traffic and Mobility Commission; MinutesTRAFFIC AND MOBILITY COMMISSION Minutes Oct. 2, 2023, 4 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 p.m. ROLL CALL: Coelho, Fowler, Penseyres, Newlands, and Kohl. Absent: Proulx, Garcia. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Proulx joined the meeting at 4:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Sept. 5, 2023 Council Chambers 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Motion by Commissioner Penseyres, seconded by Vice-Chair Fowler to strike out a comment from the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Sept. 5, 2023. Motion carried, 5/1/1 (Coelho -No; Garcia - Absent). Motion by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Penseyres to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Sept. 5, 2023, as amended. Motion carried, 5/0/1/1 (Proulx -Abstain; Garcia -Absent). Commissioner Garcia joined the meeting at 4:07 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: Robert Beck spoke about traffic safety concerns for cyclists. He requested that a stand-alone curb be considered for El Camino Real and for any highway with speeds of 40 mph or higher that would separate cyclists from vehicles. Walt Stringer spoke about the extended length of traffic light cycles that cause unnecessary delay which results in dangerous driving and increased emissions. He further added that key locations of these concerns are the intersections of Saxony Road and La Costa Avenue and Aviara Parkway and Laurel Tree Lane. CONSENT CALENDAR: None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 1. NORTH COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE MULTIMODAL CORRIDOR PLAN -Receive a presentation from Kareem Scarlett, a representative of Cal ifornia Department of Transportation and Brian Lane, a representative of San Diego Association of Governments, regarding the North County Comprehensive Multimodal Co rridor Plan. (Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department). Oct. 2, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 2 Staffs Recommendation: Receive the presentation. CALTRANS, Senior Transportation Engineer Karreem Scarlett and SAN DAG, Senior Transit Planner Brian Lane presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) David Pierce spoke about the budgets for various categories of transportation projects, specifically the Smart Highway Capacity Improvement Plan which would add an extra Jane to Highway 78, increasing the capacity. In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding any plans to improve signal coordination between the City of Carlsbad and Caltrans, Transportation Director Frank explained that city staff are working with Caltrans on coordinating timing programs that will be presented to the Traffic & Mobility Commission at a future meeting. In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding traffic lights at City of Carlsbad boarders and whether or not they are coordinated, Transportation Director Frank explained that they are coordinated where possible, but all agencies do not have integrated signal programs. In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry regarding the possibility of additional train times during events, SAN DAG, Senior Transit Planner Lane responded that would depend on budget. In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry about how reverse diamond interchanges work and if they would work well in some areas, CALTRANS, Senior Transportation Engineer Scarlett explained that they are currently studying how well they work. In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry about the advantages and disadvantages of diverging diamond interchanges, CALTRANS, Senior Transportation Engineer Scarlett responded that he would have to provide more information at a later time. In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the cost of the double tracking project being $100 million dollars, CALTRANS, Senior Transportation Engineer Scarlett explained that the $100 million dollars was the money that was secured. In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the estimated cost for the double tracking for the Sprinter along Oceanside Boulevard, SAN DAG, Senior Transit Planner Lane responded that it is around $200 million dollars. In response to Chair Coe lho's inquiry regard ing the planning process, direction, and strategy in San Diego County prior to 2019 and how has it shifted, SAN DAG, Senior Transit Planner Lane responded that the hope for plann ing was to increase frequency and services, however, because gas prices were low, there was not enough frequent service and ridership began shifting back to cars. Oct. 2, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 3 The Commission received the PowerPoint presentations by Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank, CALTRANS, Senior Transportation Engineer Scarlett, and SAN DAG, Senior Transit Planner Lane. 2. MULTIMODAL LEVEL OF SERVICE METHODOLOGY UPDATE -Receive an overview of the City of Carlsbad's multimodal level of service and provide feedback. (Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Public Works Department). Staff's Recommendati on: Receive the presentation and provide feedback. Associate Engineer Nick Gorman and Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). David Pierce suggested jersey barriers as a quick and cost-effective method to protect bicyclists and pedestrians from automobiles. Commissioner Kohl commented that he thinks the HAWK crosswalks are safer than the rectangular rapid flashing beacons. Commissioner Penseyres commented that he supports removing the rectangular rapid flashing beacons as an option because they are not highly visible to drivers. He further recommended a minimum bike lane width of five (5) feet excluding the gutter from the bike lane width. Commissioner Penseyres recommended painting a right-side edge stripe within bike lanes to warn bicyclists of the presence of gutters, gutter pans, and other treatments which may present a hazard in bike lanes. He further added that the edge stripe would designate everything to the right of an edge stripe as a shoulder, and the city no longer holds liability for injury that occurs in that shoulder. The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Associate Engineer Gorman and Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt. 3. TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATED -Receive a presentation and provide input to city staff on items related to the traffic signal system network. (Staff Contact: Nestor Mangohig, Public Works Department). Staff's Recommendation: Receive the presentation and provide input. Senior Engineer Nestor Mangohig presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry about the traffic signal cycle for emergency vehicles when activated by the button compared to the roll up door, Senior Engineer Mangohig explained that the button activation gives t he emergency vehicles a head start to have clearance before the door opens. He further explained t hat if a vehicle is waiting for what seems to be an extended amount of time, it is typically because the button was activated. Oct. 2, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 4 In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry about why it seemed that the emergency vehicle preemption sequence was not terminated until the door completely closed, Senior Engineer Mangohig responded that the signal will not terminate until the intersection is cleared and will continue to count down. In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry about whether a roundabout was considered for the new Chick Fil A location as opposed to a traffic light, City Traffic Engineer Kim explained that, due to right of way issues and costs associated, a traffic signal would be the best option to provide pedestrian access. In response to Vice-Chair Fowler's inquiry about whether or not the inputs are used to synchronize the traffic signals, Senior Engineer Mangohig responded that they currently use time-based coordination. He further explained that the signal cycles are expanded depending on the area during peak hours. In response to Chair Coe I ho's inquiry about the use of the new system to collect data to facilitate a larger program for expansion of the permissive left-hand turns, Senior Engineer Mangohig explained that the data lending to the flashing yellow arrow is more of a policy issue. City Traffic Engineer Kim further explained that the hierarchy for left turn control would be completely permissive while protected permissive would be one step of increased control that would include a period of time with protected left turns and then open up another period of time when a driver could make a turn if there are gaps available. The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Senior Engineer Mangohig. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER COMMENTS: City Traffic Engineer Kim commented that the Tamarack Traffic Calming Project has been completed and that there are residential traffic calming projects coming up that will be authorized for design and construction. Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Schmidt commented that the annual calendar for the Commission will be discussed next month. He further added that starting next month, the Traffic & Mobility Commission will formally become the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission. COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: Commissioner Penseyres requested to receive an email in response to input and questions sent by former Commissioner Linke regarding the Multimodal Level of Service changes. In response to Commissioner Penseyres' inquiry about the schedule for the bike lane improvements on La Costa Avenue, City Traffic Engineer Kim responded that staff would follow up with that request. Oct. 2, 2023 Traffic & Mobility Regular Meeting Page 5 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Coelho adjourned the Traffic & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting on Oct. 2, 2023, at 6:46 p.m. ~ Eliane Paiva Secretary