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Home My WebLink About2005-12-05; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to Melrose Drive( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: December 5, 2005 LOCATION: INITIATED BY: Poinsettia Lane, El Camino Real to Melrose Drive Deputy City Engineer, Transportation ITEMNO.6C REQUESTED ACTION: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to Melrose Drive BACKGROUND: Poinsettia Lane is a four-lane, divided roadway constructed earlier in 2005 and one that connects El Camino Real to Melrose Drive (see Exhibit 1). Poinsettia Lane serves the residential developments of Bressi Ranch and the Villages of La Costa, both of which are under construction. The road also provides access to the existing Carrillo Ranch housing development. Alga Norte Community Park will be located on the northwest comer of Poinsettia Lane/ Alic ante Road. SETTING SPEED LIMITS: Mobility is enhanced and overall traffic flow improved when drivers are operating their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and safe. In fact, the premise of CVC section 22350, 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. Carlsbad roads are designed using engineering standards to promote the goals of safety on the roadway and efficient traffic flow. One way to achieve the goals is to establish reasonable speed limits that can be enforced. Speed limits that are reasonable help achieve voluntary compliance by the majority of drivers without need for the presence of a police officer. In Carlsbad, the most predominant practice of managing speed is by legally establishing a speed limit and posting the speed limit upon the road with signs. Police enforcement is used to target the most egregious violators of the speed limit. The most common method of establishing speed limits incorporates traffic engineering principles and other factors, such as using the results of a speed survey, into the Traffic and Engineering Survey. The three most persuasive arguments for setting a realistic, or rational, speed limit are: 1. Critical speed (85th percentile speed) 2. Collision history 3. Conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: December 5, 2005 (continued) ITEMNO. 6C The premise in speed zoning is that the majority of drivers are traveling at or near the 85th percentile speed. Drivers that operate their vehicle at speeds higher than the 85th percentile speed would be the focus of the police. The disparity in speed of vehicles on the road is reduced when speed limits are established at or near the 85th percentile speed and this results in enhanced safety. Also, a speed limit that is established based upon the 85 th percentile speed will increase respect for the speed limit sign. Only those signs that have the respect of the roadway user will have an effect in controlling traffic. A review of the collision history on a roadway is an important element in the process to establish a speed limit. The review will reveal if speed-related collisions occur in a high incidence on the road at certain locations. Consequently, factors such as the geometric elements of the road, sight distance, or other factors may have a significant impact on the speed chosen by drivers. Absent a significant collision history as a result of speed, it can be concluded that drivers are operating their vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner at the speed they chose to drive. This driver chosen speed, in tum, is used in establishing a speed limit. A number of factors may be considered when establishing a speed limit. The 2003 MUTCD lists such factors as: A. Road characte1istics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance; B. The pace speed; C. Roadside development and activity; and D. Reported crash experience for at least a 12-month period. As stated, basic speed law requires drivers to operate their vehicle at a speed that takes into account all roadway factors, environmental elements, adjacent land uses, and other traffic on the road. These are, in general, all readily apparent factors. Warning signs placed on the roadway can alert drivers to the presence of an unseen or unanticipated condition. As a result, drivers can operate their vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner by adjusting speed for the condition that may be encountered. In summary, through the use of engineering, educational, and enforcement techniques, the management of vehicle speed is conducted. Voluntary public compliance with the posted speed limit is the goal when setting a realistic speed limit. 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. ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: December 5, 2005 ITEMNO. 6C ( continued) DATA: Poinsettia Lane is an arterial roadway located in the Villages of La Costa development. The portion of the road from El Camino Real to Alicante Road opened in April 2005 with the entire segment from El Camino Real to Melrose Drive opened to traffic in June 2005. This portion of Poinsettia Lane is 2.13 miles in length. Traffic lanes are separated by a raised, landscape median. The road is constructed to meet city standards and includes bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and street lights. Poinsettia Lane is classified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan as a major arterial. It has a daily traffic volume design capacity range from 20,000 to 40,000 vehicles. The road follows a curvilinear alignment and has centerline horizontal geometlics as indicated on Exhibit 2. Centerline vertical grades on Poinsettia Lane range from 1 % to 7.0%. Carrillo Elementary School is located on the southwest comer of the Poinsettia Lane/ Melrose Drive intersection. Poinsettia Lane is located along the northerly frontage of the school. The school zone speed limit of 25 miles per hour when children are present is applicable on Poinsettia Lane. School zone signing on Poinsettia Lane is supplemented with flashing beacons. A traffic count was obtained at two locations on Poinsettia Lane on November 9, 2005 to determine the two-way, 24-hour average daily traffic volume. The recent count data is indicated on Table A. TABLE A 24-HOUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES POINSETTIA LANE Location·•· East of El Camino Real 3,607 2,132 East of Paseo Escuela 2,472 2,093 Staff conducted two speed surveys on Poinsettia Lane, one on November 8, 2005 and one on November 9, 2005 to determine the critical speed of vehicles. The c1itical speed, commonly called the 85th percentile, is the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles are traveling at or below. A sample of 100 vehicles was measured to determine the critical speed. The critical speed is used to help determine the appropriate prima facie speed to post upon a roadway. The 85th percentile speed has been determined throughout the United States to generally conform to a safe and reasonable speed limit. The 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) California Supplement provides guidance when a speed limit is to be posted. It states that "the speed limit should be established at the nearest 10 km/h (5 mph) increment to the 85th percentile speed. However, in matching existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community, engineering judgment may indicate the need for a further reduction of 10 km/h (5 mph)." ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: December 5, 2005 ( continued) ITEMNO. 6C California Vehicle Code section 627 defines the term "Engineering and Traffic Survey" and lists its requirements. Staff completed an Engineering and Traffic Survey (attached) for Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to Melrose Drive. Results from the speed survey, included as part of the Enginee1ing and Traffic Survey that was conducted on Poinsettia Lane, are summarized in Table B. TABLEB SPEED SURVEY DATA FOR POINSETTIA LANE Surv~y Date· 11/08/05 Location .-··. 1,700 feet w/o Alicante Road 11/09/05 0.25 mile e/o El Fuerte Street EB/WB EB/WB ; (C ----=-..,....,.=----,--------,........,.._---_~_ -. =,,,., • -;i~, • -·· %Ifi1i1 ·tra'&~t',. 51 42-52 79 53 44-54 78 The pace speed is the 10 mile per hour range of speeds that contain the highest number of observed vehicles. Generally, the critical speed is in the upper range of the pace speed. Sections 22357 and 22358 of the California Vehicle Code authorize local authorities to establish a prima facie speed limit on the basis of the results of an Engineering and Traffic Survey. The Engineering and Traffic Survey considers such factors as the number of collisions that have occurred on the road segment, roadway features, adjacent land uses, driveway locations, traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes, critical speed, horizontal and vertical alignment, stopping sight distance, and conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver. Staff has reviewed the Police Department collision reports for the time period from the date that the road opened in April 2005. There have been no rep01ted collisions on this new roadway segment through August 31, 2005. Poinsettia Lane intersects El Camino Real as a four-leg intersection controlled with a traffic signal. At the intersection of Poinsettia Lane with Melrose Drive, right-of-way assignment also is controlled with a traffic signal. Traffic signals are located on Poinsettia Lane at Alicante Road, El Fuerte Street, and the Carrillo Elementary School driveway at Paseo Escuela. The three intersections that will be signalized in the future are at Estrella de Mar Road, Quartz Way, and Mica Road. A future elementary school on the north side of Poinsettia Lane will be constructed and ready for students in Fall 2006. This school is located between Quartz Way and Mica Road. RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a 50 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Poinsettia Lane from El Camino Real to Melrose Drive. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 50 mile per hour prima facie speed limit, as recommended. ( ( LOCATION MAP ~,..,. ~ ~~ • cr-<l " V faE UJ tr lO MELROSED _.E:J o PASEO ESCUELA . CARRILLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRIVEWAY PROPOSED SPEED ZONE PROJECT NAM[ POINSETTIA LANE PROPOSED SPEED ZONE EXHIBIT 1 LOCATION MAP MICA RD. ---159.32' ___ _,,.. ,-----1157.28' QUARTZ WY,=-:::--7f~~~~====~5~1-~95~•------R = 1soo· 32.54' 364.63' PROJECT NAM£ -----278.74' -----352.39' 395 59' ~------190.56' • ---------------ALICANTE RD . ./' ---_R = 1404.-..::::-.:::::.:... 106.96' /' ---===------- --R=1SOO' ._____22.65' -242.99' -----639.45' ~:::::::--R-----_::::.J4oo• ----331.92' - ------246.79' 649.36'---, ------------7 ---1 -At,,Ofl--~~ !------:-----107.25' ----------~11.03' 115.72' --R=1400' ..:::... _______ _ --~>----- EL CAMINO REAL PAGE 1 OF 2 POINSETTIA LANE HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT EXHIBIT 2 ( · LOCATION MAP 369.70' ~~· / 0 r:,~ / . ~-----240.48' GV~ 34.67' ,,,,,,. ,,,,,,. ,,,,,,. ~v ,,,,,,. / / ,,,,,,.,,,,,,. PASEO / ESCUELA CARRILLO ELEMENTARY / R : 1400' ~~----'-SCHOOL DRIVEWAY ,L _ ----------~200.17' 332.15' ------·937.26' --~::::, EL FUERTE ST. --4-f!.o• --::el=-=,,_ - 19.1'~------------~:.39' 100.34'----,-___ _ MICA RD. ----v R = 1400' ===========-- -159.32' •-----1157.28' -----=~~o-----51.95' QUARTZ WY!..--~R = 1500, PAGE 2 OF 2 PROJECT NAME POINSETTIA LANE HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT EXHIBIT 2 ( CITY OF CARLSBAD ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Poinsettia Lane LIMITS: El Camino Real to Melrose Drive A. Prevailing Speed Data: Date of Speed Survey Location of Speed Survey 85th Percentile 10 MPH Pace Percent in Pace Posted S eed Limit B. Midblock Accident History: (4/01/05 to 8/31/05) Speed-Related Accidents Total Accidents Accidents/Million Vehicle Miles (MVM) California Statewide Accidents/MVM C. Traffic Factors: Average Daily Traffic Traffic Controls Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Bicycle Lanes On-Street Parking Other D. Roadway Factors: Street Classification Length of Segment Roadway Width Number of Lanes Vertical Alignment Horizontal Alignment Sidewalks Driveways Street Li htin Direction: Eastbound/Westbound 11/08/05 1,700 Feet w/o Alicante Road 51 MPH 42 to 52 MPH 79% No Posted S eed Limit 0 0 None 2.13 (2003 rate for 4 or more divided lanes) Direction: Eastbound/Westbound 11/09i05 0.25 Mi. e/o El Fuerte Street 53MPH 44 to 54 MPH 78% No Posted S eed Limit 5,739 -East of El Camino Real (11/09/05); 4,565 -East of Paseo Escuela (11/09/05) Traffic Signals at El Camino Real, Alicante Rd., El Fuerte St., Paseo Escuela, & Melrose Drive Moderate in Vicinity of Carrillo Elementary School Bicycle Lane on Each Side Parking Prohibited on Each Side Bicycle Route per Circulation Element of the General Plan Major Arterial 2.13 Mi. 82 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) Two Lanes Each Direction Roadway Grades Vary from 1.00% to 7.00% Curvilinear Sidewalks on each side except 1.3 Mi. of north side which has a pedestrian trail Three driveways Street Li hts on Each Side E. Special Conditions: Th.is portion of Poinsettia Lane serves as a connection between El Camino. Real and Melrose Drive, both prime arterials. Travel lanes are separated by a landscaped, raised median. The road segment between Alicante Road and Paseo Escuela opened to traffic on June 22, 2005. Flashing beacons and warning signs stating SCHOOL -SPEED LIMIT 25 - WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT are posted near the Carrillo Elementary School zone to alert motorists approaching from each direction. Residential housing and elementary school construction activity is ongoing adjacent to a portion of the roadway section. Eastbound travel lanes are reduced to one through lane approaching Melrose Drive. F. Adjacent Land Uses: Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential, Elementary School, Golf Course, Open Space, Pump Station, Pedestrian Trails, Future Elementary School. G. Remarks/Conditions Not Readily Apparent: Police motorcycle officers utilize depressions in the median at mid-block locations for u-turns. H. Traffic Engineer's Recommendation (Explanation): This speed zone satisfies the conditions of Section 627 of the California Vehicle Code and has been prepared and evaluated in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2003 Edition as amended by the MUTCD 2003 California Supplement with respect to design and prevailing speeds, accident records, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, intersection and driveway spacing, and roadside and traffic conditions not readily a arent to the driver. A s eed limit ostin of 50 MPH is found to be a ro riate and ·ustified. I. Approvals: ,,, ·.,·, CJRec.l:lrtificatipn of exi. .. . .. . ed zone per . .. . . . •· .· i > d 4~~0 n(Establi$hmentof new.speed zone'. • • •• .·•· • GJ Appro~ed~KO~•·•·~·•·uw_ ... .,_>_·.···••_,.· ------t-r--=--=~-+t-'--------------'-.:..1.,.:-;,:-t----~-------- De ut ( DATE: 11/08/05 TIME: 9:20 AM TO WEATHER: Overcast CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY ( 10:10 AM TOTAL VEHICLES: CRITICAL SPEED: --------------- LOCATION: Poinsettia Lane~1,700' w/o Alicante Road VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: J. Gale ---------PACE SPEED(S): NONE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % :E # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 X X 53 X 52 X X 51 X X X X 50 X 49 X X 48 X X X X X X 47 X X X X X 46 X X X X X 45 X X X X X 44 X X X X X X 43 X X X 42 X X X 41 X X 40 X X 39 X 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 1 100 2 1 2 4 4 4 99 4 2 1 2 1 1 95 2 4 5 5 94 6 3 4 8 7 7 89 6 -3 1 2 3 3 82 4 2 2 4 7 7 79 10 5 6 12 9 9 72 6 3 5 10 11 11 63 12 6 5 10 13 13 52 16 8 5 10 7 7 39 4 2 6 12 10 10 32 8 4 3 6 5 5 22 4 2 3 6 7 7 17 8 4 2 4 6 6 10 8 4 2 4 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 Engineering Department Transportation Division 100 _____ 5~1:..._ ____ MPH 79 % ----------- 42 TO 52 MPH ---------- EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 X 55 X X 54 53 X X X 52 X X X 51 X X 50 X X X X X 49 X X X 48 X X X X X X 47 X X X X X X X X 46 X X 45 X X X X 44 X X 43 X X X X 42 X X X X 41 40 X 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 2B 27 26 , 25 24 23 22 21 ( DATE: 11/09/05 TIME: 1:45 PM TO ( CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 3:00 PM TOTAL VEHICLES: WEATHER: Overcast --'----------------CRITICAL SPEED: LO CAT IO N: Poinsettia Lane~0.25 mi. e/o El Fuerte St. VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: J. Gale ---------PACE SPEED(S): NONE POSTEO SPEED LIMIT WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % E # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 X X 55 X 54 X 53 X X X X 52 X X 51 X X X X X X 50 X X 49 X X 48 X X X X X X 47 X X X X 46 X X X X X 45 X X 44 X X X 43 X X 42 X X X 41 X X X 40 39 38 X X 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 2 4 3 :\ 100 2 1 1 2 3 3 97 4 2 1 2 3 3 94 4 2 4 8 7 7 91 6 3 2 4 4 4 84 4 2 6 12 9 9 80 6 3 2 4 6 6 71 8 4 2 4 7 7 65 10 5 6 12 12 12 58 12 6 4 8 10 10 46 12 6 5 10 10 10 36 10 5 2 4 7 7 26 10 5 3 6 6 6 19 6 3 2 4 4 4 13 4 2 3 6 4 4 9 2 1 3 6 3 3 5 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 Engineering Department Transportation Division 100 53 MPH ----------- 78 % ----------- ___ 4_4 __ To __ 5_4 ___ MPH EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 X 56 X X 55 X X 54 X X X 53 X X 52 X X X 51 X X X X 50 X X X X X 49 X X X X X X 48 X X X X X X 47 X X X X X 46 X X X X X 45 X X X 44 X X 43 X 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21