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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-06; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Approve Donna Drive as an "exception" to the eligibility criteria in accordance with the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP) for a street to be consid( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 ITEMNO. 6A LOCATION: INITIATED BY: Donna Drive between Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut A venue City Traffic Engineer REQUESTED ACTION: Approve Donna Drive as an "exception" to the eligibility criteria in accordance with the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP) for a street to be considered for study in Phase II and ultimately Phase ill of the Program. BACKGROUND: A group of residents have expressed concern with speeding vehicles on a portion of Donna Drive (see Exhibit 1 for Donna Drive limits). Consequently, staff from both the Transportation Division of the Engineering Department and the Traffic Division of the Police Department have been actively addressing those concerns. The guidelines and criteria contained in the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program have been utilized on Donna Drive. However, Phase I measures of the Program appear to not have mitigated concerns of the residents, and they have requested that Phase II of the Program be implemented. Phase I measures utilized on Donna Drive include the installation of "SPEED LIMIT 25" signs and "25" pavement legends, the Speed Sentry was installed several times, police presence, enforcement and the Speed Monitoring Program were utilized, staff attended three neighborhood meetings with residents, and some residents have used "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25" yard signs. Staff also conducted vehicle description surveys on Donna Drive between Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut A venue to determine the percentage of vehicles using the street as a "cut-through". The morning (7-8 am) survey found 4.4% "cut-through" southbound ((7) vehicles "cut-through" out of a total of (160) vehicles), and 5.7% "cut-through" northbound ((6) vehicles "cut-through" out of a total of (109) vehicles). The afternoon (4:30-5:30 pm) survey found that no vehicles "cut-through" in either direction during this time period. These are very low "cut-through" percentages and volumes. To participate in Phase II, and ultimately Phase III, a street must meet minimum qualifying criteria to be a candidate for a future traffic calming project. The eligibility criteria for a street is shown on page 8 of the CRTMP under Step 2 Eligibility Determination (see Exhibit 2). Each of the seven eligibility criteria must be met for a street to be considered for further processing through the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program. However, on a case-by-case basis, the City Traffic Engineer may determine exceptions. In accordance with the eligibility criteria approved by the City Council, a street being considered as an exception must be approved by the Traffic Safety Commission. CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 (continued) DATA: ITEMNO. 6A Donna Drive meets six of the seven required eligibility criteria. Item number 4 - "The Fire Chief determines that the candidate street is not a primary emergency response route ... " is not met based upon the Fire Department determination (see attached e-mail from Fire Marshal Weigand) that Donna Drive is a primary emergency response route (see Exhibit 3 -CRTMP PHASE II ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FORM). A meeting was held with Fire Marshal Weigand regarding the Fire Department's determination that Donna Drive is a primary emergency response route. He indicated that the Fire Department would oppose any traffic calming activities that would significantly reduce response times of emergency vehicles. However, the Fire Department determination does not preclude Donna Drive from being considered as an exception to the eligibility determination and to participate in Phase II and ultimately Phase III of the CRTMP. The Fire Department concern would be with any traffic calming measures placed on Donna Drive that would significantly reduce response times. A review of the CRTMP Phase 2/3 "Tools in the Tool Box" with the Fire Marshal, found that most of the traffic calming measures could be considered for use on Donna Drive provided that the measures are designed to provide for fire truck access and circulation after Fire Department input and review. Therefore, since the Fire Department determination does not preclude Donna Drive from being considered as an exception, and because most of the traffic calming measures could be considered for use provided they are designed for fire truck access and circulation, it is appropriate that Donna Drive be deemed an "exception", and be allowed to move into Phase II. RECOMMENDATION: The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that Donna Drive be approved as an "exception" and that it be processed in the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program as if it met all qualifying criteria. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: No City Council action is required. LOCATION CHARLEEN CIR. J NOT TO SCALE \\CHESTNUT AVE. PROJECT NAME DONNA DRIVE BETWEEN CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE AND CHESTNUT AVENUE APPROVE EXCEPTION TO CRTMP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PHASE II DRAl'tN BY: SCOTT EVANS, CARLSBAD ENG/NEE.RING DE.PT. 7/11/07 C: \TRAmC\MURRAY\DONNA DRIVE. CRTMP E.LIG/8/UTY.DWG EXHIBIT 1 CARLSBAD RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC MANAi_ .,cNT PROGRAM PHASE II (STUDY) If Phase I options do not appear to adequately address the problem after being in place for an appropriate amount of time as determined by the City Traffic Engineer, Phase II of the TMP may be considered upon review and recnmmendation by the City Manager or his designee consistent with current workloads. The decision to implement Phase II will be predicated upon further consultation with the Police Department, other departments and affected residents. Step 1 Written Request Phase 11 will be initiated when the affected residents send a letter to the Engineering Department requesting the step. The letter will be generated by the residents following discussions with the City Traffic Engineer, study of Police Department results of Phase I, and anticipation of what might be accomplished through further utilization of the TMP process. Step 2 Eligibility Determination To participate in Phase II and ultimately Phase Ill of the TMP, residents must reside on the street or streets where the concerns exist. These streets must meet the minimum qualifying criteria to be candidates for a future traffic calming project. Not all residential streets and/or residential areas will qualify to participate in the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program based upon the established process. Eligibility criteria for a street are as follows: 1. Completion of Phase I of the TMP; and 2. Posted speed limit on candidate street(s) of 30 miles per hour or less; and 3. The 85th percentile speed (critical speed) is greater than 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit; or Cut-through traffic on the candidate street is determined to be either greater than 30% of the daily weekday total stre,et volume or greater than 30% of the total weekday peak hour traffic volume; and 4. The Fire Chief determines that the candidate street is not a primary emergency response route and sends a memorandum to the City Traffic Engineer to confirm this finding; and I 5. The street has no more than two lanes; and 6. Residences are located on at least one side of the street or there is a school or public facility on the street; and 7. The curb-to-curb width on the candidate street is 40 feet or less. Each of the seven eligibility criteria must be met for a street to be considered for further processing through the TMP. However, on a case-by-case basis the City Traffic Engineer may determine exceptions. A street being considered as an exception must be approved by the Traffic Safety Commission. 8 EXHIBIT 2 CRTMP PHASE II ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FORM FOR (STREET): DoV\h& :Dr-. Eligibility Criteria: (all seven must be met) Completion of Phase 1 ~Yes □No Measures implemented: 1h~l(~"~t'125I>I-..IMt"f25 ~.s,~V\.s 4 '':i.s ,, ltj~si r,,eett..1~s iJ/_ ~-~iJ~.; Sreed ~eritr-1 tJd5 · lrl*~Jled, $8)-2>{~ ±i,lfle.s j 5ame-r-e,tid~ u~e, fbe., ''Keg.p KiJs Al,~ -'D(j~ 2. S>.. t'z:l s • 11:S ' I te-re.set.1ee e ,e~+-4 Si ovii-\nn~ r-o r~, ✓ 2. Posted speed limit on candidate street(s) bf 30 mph or less IZ! Yes □No Posted speed limit: v 3. The 85th percentile speed (critical. speed) is greater than 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit ~ Yes D No Critical speed: 3 =?, mfh ( Bv-irh {H4lr cxttiQl J or cut-through traffic is determined to be greater-than either 30% of the daily weekday total or total weeday peak hour traffic volume D Yes IZ) No • ( SB 4 A·¾ ''c....+¼v~~-:; se, -Of,, ''b.~ --\{\I'll~~" % cut-through: 7-~~'l Ne 5,7% "Ct.d---th,ouf" 4:3o-5•,3qw. z. IJB 0% ''evi-~~Y' 11 x 4. The Fire Chief determines that the candidate street is not a primary emergency response route ~ primary emergency response ·route? ~Yes The street has no more than two lanes C8l Yes # of lanes in each direction OV)e- □No □No v 6. Residences are located on at least one side of the street or there is a school or public facility on the street IZJ Yes D No ( reside.,,.c.es ovJ .l?o#i s'1du) ✓ 7. The curb-to-curb width is 40 feet'or less ~ Yes D No (¾ i4.) EXHIBIT 3 Jim Murray -Fire Department Determination of Primary Emergency Response Route From: To: Date: Subject: Jim, James Weigand Jim Murray 5/22/2007 3:55 PM Fire Department Determination of Primary Emergency Response Route Page 1 of 1 This email shall serve as the fire department determination that Donna Drive between Carlsbad Village Drive and Chestnut IS a Primary Emergency Response Route. Donna Drive provides our primary direct access route to most of the streets located between Donna Drive and Cilenda Drive. As such we would oppose any traffic calming activities that would significantly reduce our response times. Jim James M. Weigand Fire Marshal City of Carlsbad Fire Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 (760) 602-4661 voice (760) 602-8561 fax jweig@ci .carlsbad .ca. us file://C:\Documents and SettinQs\imurr\T ,ocal Settirnrn\Temn\ XPPmwisP.\46')11 ?.7D<1W-Dnm~in P C:../?1/7007