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Home My WebLink About2007-07-02; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Establish an all-way (multiway) stop at the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 LOCATION: INITIATED BY: futersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle Steve Smith 6715 Xana Way Carlsbad, CA 92009 ITEMNO.6A REQUESTED ACTION: Establish an all-way (multiway) stop at the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle. BACKGROUND: At the request of Mr. Steve Smith, staff conducted traffic studies and completed an all-way stop warrant analysis for the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle. Upon completion of the studies and warrant analysis, Mr. Smith was informed that warrants were not met for consideration of establishing an all-way stop at the intersection of Xana Way/ Camino Michelle. Mr. Smith subsequently requested that this matter be scheduled for review by the Traffic Safety Commission (see letter attached). DATA: General Xana Way is a public street that is not classified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. The subject segment of Xana Way intersects Alga Road on the north and follows a southerly curvilinear alignment through a residential area (Brookfield subdivision) terminating at Corintia Street (refer to Exhibit 1). One travel lane is provided in each direction on Xana Way. Xana Way is a fully-improved street having concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, and street lights. It has a curb-to-curb width of 40 feet. Right-of-way assignment for Xana Way is at a traffic signal on the n01th end of the street at the intersection of Alga Road and at a stop sign placed on Xana Way at its southerly terminus with Corintia Street. To minimize non-local traffic from using this neighborhood street, right-turns from Xana Way to westbound Corintia Street are prohibited, as is the left-tum movement from eastbound Corintia Street to northbound Xana Way. Prohibited tum movements are reinforced with signs and striping, and with a raised center median on Corintia Street at the Xana Way intersection. Xana Way meets the California Vehicle Code definition for a Residence District. Although signs are not required, Xana Way has been posted with "SPEED LIMIT 25" mile per hour signs and also with "25" pavement legends adjacent to the speed limit signs. Beginning at Alga Road and continuing to approximately 200 feet south of the intersection with Camino Michelle there is no driveway access on Xana Way. The remaining segment of Xana Way that terminates at Corintia Street is a residential neighborhood with single-family homes having driveway access on both sides of the street. Camino Michelle is a private street controlled by a stop sign that intersects Xana Way in a T-intersection configuration. CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 ( continued) ITEMNO. 6A The portion of Xana Way from Alga Road to approximately 200 feet south of Camino Michelle follows a curvilinear horizontal alignment and was designed with Camino Michelle intersecting Xana Way on the outside of a curve having a 250-foot centerline radius. Intersections on the outside of a horizontal curve provide the best opportunity to maximize corner sight distance. The vertical alignment of Xana Way in this segment has a centerline grade of 9%, which is less than the maximum grade specified in the Engineering Department design standards of 12% for a local street. The 24-hour approach volume for each leg of the subject T-intersection was obtained by hose counts on February, 14, 2007. The hourly volume over the 24-hour period is presented in the attached Table A. At the locations requested by Mr. Smith, the Carlsbad Police Department installed a device called the Speed Sentry on Xana Way in November 2006 at street address 6711 Xana Way to monitor northbound traffic and at 6755 Xana Way to monitor southbound traffic. Data obtained from the Speed Sentry installations showed the average speed to be 23.5 miles per hour for both northbound and southbound traffic on Xana Way. The 85th percentile speed (speed at which 85% of the vehicles traveled at or below) was found to be 30 miles per hour for northbound traffic and 29 miles per hour for southbound traffic. The average and critical speeds on Xana Way reflect speeds commonly found on residential streets. Carlsbad Police Department staff informed Mr. Smith that they will continue to conduct enforcement on Xana Way as time allows. In response to concerns that Xana Way is being used by some drivers as a "cut-through" route between Alga Road and Corintia Street, staff conducted vehicle description surveys on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 over a two-hour period to determine the percentage of "cut-through" vehicles. In the morning period, 42 southbound vehicles total and five northbound vehicles total were observed. In the afternoon period, there were a total of 106 southbound vehicles and 22 northbound vehicles observed. The survey conducted in the morning from 7:45am to 8:45am found that 2.4% (1 vehicle) of the southbound vehicles and 0.0% of the northbound vehicles on Xana Way were using the street as a cut-through route. The afternoon survey from 4:45pm to 5:45pm found that 4.5% (1 vehicle) of the northbound vehicles and 0.9% (1 vehicle) of the southbound vehicles used Xana Way as a cut-through route. The cut-through percentages and volumes are very low and do not signify a problem on the street. For the purpose of determining if using the Xana Way and Corin ti a Street route offered time savings over the use of the Alga Road and Melrose Drive route, staff conducted a travel time study. The route from the Alga Road/Xana Way intersection to the Corintia Street/Melrose Drive intersection, using both directions of travel on Xana Way and Corintia Street, averaged about 101 seconds of travel time when operating the vehicle at the posted speed limit. Beginning at the Alga Road/Xana Way intersection and traveling eastbound Alga Road to southbound Melrose Drive to reach the Melrose Drive/Corintia Street intersection averaged about 61 seconds of travel time at the posted speed limit. From the results, it can be concluded that using the residential street Xana Way involves significant additional time and does not offer travel time savings to a driver compared with the driver remaining on the two arterial roads, Alga Road and Melrose Drive. ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 (continued) Stop Sign Warrants ITEMNO. 6A The primary purpose of a stop sign is to assign right-of-way to drivers at an intersection and stop signs are not intended to be used as a means for reducing vehicle speeds on residential streets. A stop sign is an impediment to drivers and should only be used where needed. In general, they are installed in a manner that will minimize the number of vehicles having to stop and provide for acceptable intersection operations. Warrants (criteria) have been formulated for use in the evaluation of need for an all-way stop sign location. The City of Carlsbad follows guidelines and warrants established by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Because driver compliance of stop signs is frequently violated if unwarranted stop signs are installed, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices lists the warrants which must be met to justify the installation of a stop sign. A stop sign may be warranted where one or more of the following conditions exist: • street entering a through highway or street. • intersection of the minor road with the major road where the application of the right-of-way rule is hazardous. • unsignalized intersection in a corridor of signalized intersections. • a combination of high speed, restricted view, and serious accident record indicates a need for intersection control via a stop sign. One of the reasons against the use of unwarranted stop signs is the need for traffic control device uniformity in their application. A stop sign that is used at an intersection to signify that a full stop is vitally needed to prevent right-angle collisions should not be considered at locations where drivers are not faced with any unusual or unexpected conflicts. For this reason, the collision history of an intersection must be examined carefully since the presence of an unwarranted stop sign does not necessarily prevent collisions. Unwarranted stop signs can create a substantial inconvenience for the motorist. For example, at the intersection of a heavily traveled street with a street having substantially less volume, the length of time overall that vehicles on each leg of the intersection must wait increases. A significant delay results to the large number of drivers (as demonstrated by the long queue of vehicles) on the major road while minimal delay is experienced by drivers on the side street. ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 ITEMNO. 6A ( continued) A further reason against use of unwarranted stop signs is the concern that if a stop signs seems to imply a nuisance regulation, observance of this regulatory device deteriorates and safety at intersections where the stop signs must be complied with can become compromised. Drivers have a tendency to ignore unwarranted stop signs and this results in behaviors that include rolling through or running the stop sign. A lowered level of compliance leaves other drivers and pedestrians vulnerable to these non-compliant vehicle operators. Other consequences of unwarranted stop signs include environmental issues. Documented information is found to indicate that there is an increase in air pollution and noise pollution associated with vehicles decelerating to a stop unnecessarily, idling, and then accelerating from a stop condition. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides that an all-way stop should ordinarily be used only where the volume of traffic on intersecting roads is approximately equal. Warrants for an all-way stop as stated in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are: 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. B. A crash problem, as indicated by five or more reported crashes within a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multiway stop installation. Such crashes include right-tum and left-tum collisions as well as right-angle collisions. C. Minimum volumes: 1. The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street 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 a an average delay to minor-street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour, but 3. If the 85 th percentile approach speed of the major-street traffic exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrants are 70 percent of the above values. D. 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. ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 (continued) Stop Sign Warrant Analysis ITEMNO. 6A The all-way stop warrant analysis form is attached for the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle. Results of the analysis for the four warrants as contained in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices can be summarized as follows: Criteria A -Interim Traffic Control Measure -warrant is not satisfied Criteria B -Accident Experience -warrant is not satisfied Criteria C -Minimum Traffic Volumes -warrant is not satisfied Criteria D -Combination of Criteria -warrant is not satisfied A review of the traffic collision history found that there have been no reported traffic collisions at the subject intersection from January 1, 2004 through May 31, 2007. A crash problem is typically indicated by five or more reported traffic collisions at an intersection within a 12-month period of a type that are susceptible to correction by an all-way stop, such as right and left-tum accidents as well as right-angle collisions. The absence of a collision history indicates that the subject intersection is operating in an acceptable manner. Comer Sight Distance Sight distance is the length of road that is visible to the driver to view objects upon the road. Comer sight distance is provided at an intersection to allow the driver of a vehicle stopped on the minor street to view approaching vehicles on the intersecting road and determine when to enter or cross the intersection. The comer sight distance value is established using the design speed of the roadway. Local streets, such as Xana Way, have a design speed of 25 miles per hour in accordance with Carlsbad Engineering Department design standards. In the September 1, 2006 edition of the Caltrans Highway Design Manual, the comer sight distance value provided for the 25 mile per hour design speed on Xana Way is indicated as 275 feet. Staff measured the existing comer sight distance from Camino Michelle in both directions on Xana Way with the driver in a stopped position on Camino Michelle being placed at 10 feet back from the curb projection on Xana Way. From this location, a driver has line of sight about 360 feet to the north and about 590 feet to the south on Xana Way (refer to Exhibit 2). Both distances exceed the minimum required comer sight distance of 275 feet to view vehicles on Xana Way approaching Camino Michelle. ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: July 2, 2007 (continued) Conclusion ITEMNO. 6A Every intersection has unique characteristics that requires a thorough engineering analysis of the traffic, safety, and geometric characteristics of the intersection to be studied. The traffic engineering study may determine that less restrictive measures should be considered before establishing an all-way stop. Staff found that none of the four MUTCD warrants were met to consider establishing an all-way stop at the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle. In addition, there have been no reported traffic collisions at this intersection in the last three years and the minimum required corner sight distance for a driver stopped on Camino Michelle is exceeded in both directions along Xana Way. Consequently, there are no factors present at the intersection to justify the installation of an all-way stop on Xana Way at Camino Michelle. RECOMMENDATION: The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that the request for an all-way stop at the intersection of Xana Way/Camino Michelle be denied. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: No City Council action required unless an all-way stop is recommended to be implemented. ( Engineering Department Attn: Jim Murray-Associate Engineer 1635 Faraday Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008 Mr. Murray: RECEIVED APR 2 O 2007 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ( 4/17/2007 You have advised me an all way stop sign is not warranted at the intersection of Camino Michelle and Xana Way based on the traffic/speed survey the city has conducted at our request. On behalf of the residents on Xana Way, I would like to move forward and petition the Traffic Safety Commission to reconsider this request to have an all way stop sign placed at Camino Michelle and Xana Way. This letter shall serve as such request- and I am looking forward to a call from a representative of the City of Carlsbad to obtain additional information on this process. I want to thank you for conducting the traffic/speed survey, but also feel it was not representative of the speed problem and traffic volume that exist on Xana Way nor did it capture the real problem that exists for residents and their children living on Xana Way. Please let me elaborate further: Initially, speed sensors were placed on street lights to gauge the speed of motorists going north and south on Xana Way. The final reports, which you received copies from the Carlsbad Police Department, showed we did not have a speed problem for the most part on Xana Way. However, when these speed sensors were in place, we observed motorists slowing down to look at the boxes or asking if they were cameras. Unfortunately, motorists will drive accordingly if they feel they are being watched or the chance of a ticket is at stake. Unfortunately, the sensors were noticed rather quickly and speed was controlled. We argue that these were not adequate in gauging the actual day to day speed onXana Way. We would be willing to take incognito video of motorists on Xana Way driving at absurd speeds when they are not "being watched" to prove our case to the Traffic Safety Commission. The City also had vehicle counters at this intersection that you advised did notmeet the number of cars to warrant an all way stop. There was also a review of traffic accidents for the past 2 years. Accidents are only reported to authorities and a record is made when there are injuries involved. Clearly, the known accidents at this intersection for the past few years were not reported with injuries to generate a record for city review. We feel limiting the review to accidents of the past two years only is not representative of the traffic and speed volume at this intersection. ( ( Housing and business development is rampant in our area which will have the effect of increased traffic volume/speed on Xana Way. We ask the City take action now before this known problem lends itself to the injury/death of a pedestrian or motorist. We understand the City has guidelines to follow when considering traffic calming measures. However, they are guidelines and we are asking for "out of the box" thinking and consideration for our concerns. Again, our proposed solutions are the following: 1. Install a stop sign at the bottom of the hill at Camino Michelle and Xana Way. It would break momentum. Additionally, it would most likely eliminate a good majority of drivers cutting through our neighborhood since it would not save them time, as they would need to stop again. This also may be a more cost effective alternative and it would no doubt slow people down going both directions on Xana Way. 2. Place some type of traffic calming device traveling the length of the entrance down the hill ofXana Way off Alga. This would slow motorists down and most likely stop other motorists as using or neighborhood as a "cut through" to . Melrose. We are requesting consideration from the Traffic Safety Commission to reconsider options listed above or other alternatives to assist with our speed and traffic volume problems onXana Way. Please feel free to contact the undersigned with any additional questions. teve M. Smith 6715 Xana Way Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 471-9533-home (760) 809-8783-cell ssrnith82 97@yahoo.com cc: residents ofXana Way ( LOCATION MAP ---J NOT TO SCALE PROJECT NAME RD. -:=_-=..-=..-=..M~l=C_H~E:.::.L_L==_E=-=-..--::._---:~ ~ _-_-_,-, _ ___,n ....... _~ CAMINO V. DEL VISTA LEGEND: qi EXISTING STOP SIGN ~ REQUESTED STOP SIGN REQUESTED ALL-WAY STOP AT XANA WAY I CAMINO MICHELLE DRAl'rN BY: SCOTT £VANS, CARLSBAD E:NG/NffRING DE:PT. 6/12/07 C: \1RAffiC\STOP S/GN-XANA-CAMINO 1./ICHE:LLE:.DWG L_ EXHIBIT 1 DRIVER POSITION NOT TO SCALE 10 (MAJOR STREET) XANA WAY ( LU (MINOR) o :j ~STREET. <:LU -:c: . ~(.) 0~ L __________ _ 275' RE UIRED 590' ACTUAL DRIVER POSITION NOT TO SCALE I I I I LU o:::f ~~ ~(.) 0~ TITLE --, I I I _____________ J 1.. 275' REQUIRED : I 360' ACTUAL 10' /MINOR l ~STREET) ----o,,___ __ _;_ __ _ (MAJOR STREET) XANA WAY CAMINO MICHELLE AT XANA WAY EXISTING CORNER SIGHT DISTANCE DRAfm BY: SCOTT EVANS. CARLSBAD ENGINEERING DEPT. 6 19 07 C: TRAFFIC STOP SIGNS STOP SIGN-CAMINO MICHEU£-XANA2.DWG EXHIBIT 2 : >:· ,:. I l ( ' TABLE A 24-HOUR INTERSECTION APPROACH VOLUMES FEBRUARY 14, 2007 Time 0000-0100 0 2 2 0 0 2 0100-0200 0 5 5 0 0 5 0200-0300 1 1 2 1 1 3 0300-0400 5 1 6 1 1 7 0400-0500 2 2 4 2 2 6 0500-0600 18 4 22 3 3 25 0600-0700 49 13 62 19 19 81 0700-0800 75 33 108 37 37 145 0800-0900 72 62 134 34 34 168 0900-1000 38 48 86 14 14 100 1000-1100 40 56 96 14 14 110 1100-1200 45 63 108 17 17 125 1200-1300 31 79 110 8 8 118 1300-1400 43 77 120 24 24 144 1400-1500 26 93 119 19 19 138 1500-1600 55 92 147 16 16 163 1600-1700 43 121 164 20 20 184 1700-1800 33 148 181 13 13 194 1800-1900 39 149 188 11 11 199 1900-2000 18 90 108 13 13 121 2000-2100 18 55 73 1 1 74 2100-2200 17 51 68 1 1 69 2200-2300 1 16 17 2 2 19 2300-2400 6 18 24 1 1 25 Column Totals 675 1,279 ' ,, 1,954 ' <''' J I ( California MUTCD (FHWA's MlffC.5 2003 Revision 1, as amended for use in California) MULTJWAY STOP CRJTERIA Transportation Division, Public Works Department City of Carlsbad CALC --~J_L_M ___ DATE CHK ,):(IL-DATE 2/22/07 Major St: _X_a_n_a_W~aY~,......,..-------------Critical Approach Speed _C=-a=m=in=o"""M;;;i""'ch;,;;e=lle=~=========== Critical Approach Speed ___ 3_0 ___ mph Minor St --====mph Critical speed of major street traffic > 40mph --------------------D Otherwise ---------------------------------------------C8:l RURAL (R} -URSAN<U) ;~~~~-~~i~~1~~~~m&~:.~~1'.~~-~l!1'.~;~,~!~~;.r{l,1'.frfl\i:,:,:•;J:'ih. • · .. ··.• ,.·.•.·.•.··•••.·•·•"'' :•:'•••• .. Where traffic control signals are justified, the MUL TIWAY 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. :~~~,!~l;~'.1~!~1?~~i~~~,~·~·~~!'.*fi~\;;;;,J?'iiJ,i':,''\~j:¥¥1:·ff•t_([f/l:·:~·:~:i;:Ef<:,;~:fffW(lt:;{~;J.~;?l0'~~J.&,w~(M1:w~::~~~~~·~f\~~};:}';(~·:re·¥,~$~~Jr\~Wf~~'f~'.:;;,:/,i)1 • A crash problem, as indicated by 5 or more reported crashes within a 12-month period that a~ susceptible to correction by a MUL TIWA Y STOP installation. Such crashes include right-tum and left- tum colllstoM as well as rigtff-angte comsioM. 2008 -0; 2005 -0; 2004 -0 :crit4!fja:¢'#1M1n,mum;:ttamc;Vommis :;;o:,·.•5%'·'\{ ....... ;, ... YN%>':i':Yi/3S:S1,:.:~:/i';t ·•.,·,;:,::xi;-:·§~%U~~.i.~~Fr,'c:~:;wy~:$\lillJ:1•i~~,i~;;.:: (All Parts C.1, c.2a and C.2b below must be satisfied) C.1 Major Street Vehicular Volume Yes D No ~ 0700 0800 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 u R 0800 0900 1400 1500 1600 1700 · 1800 Both Approaches 300 210 108 134 120 119 147 164 181 Maior Street C.2 a .. Minor Street Vehicular, Pedestrian & Bicycle Volume 0700 0800 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 u R 0800 0900 1400 1500 1600 -1700 1800 ------_ .. --· ----·· -----· ·--·-· ------- Bo1h Approaches 200 140 37 34 24 19 16 20 13 Minor Street b. Minor Street Vehicle Delay Peak Hour REQUIREMENT THREE CRITERIA SATISFIED 80% Peak Hour Minimum Delay Requirement, Volume seconds per vehicle 30 (Urban). 21 (Rural) CRITERIA B. Four or more reported crashes within a 12-month period. C.1 . Major Street Volume of at least 240 vehicles per hour C,2a. Minor Street Volume of at least 160 units per hour C.2b. Minor Street Average Delay of at least 24 seconds per vehicle 1800 1900 Hour 188 Average= 145.13 Yes □ No~ 1800 1900 Hour ··---·- 11 Average= 21 . 75 Yes □ No □ N/A[gj Average Delay, seconds per vehicle FULFILLED Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ Yes □ No~