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Home My WebLink About2011-03-07; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Revise the prima facie speed limit upon Loker Avenue East and West, from El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport RoadCITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: March 7, 2011 ITEM NO. 6B LOCATION: INITIATED BY: Loker A venue East and West from El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road City Council REQUESTED ACTION: Revise the prima facie speed limit upon Loker A venue East and West, from El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road. BACKGROUND: At the meeting of January 25, 2011, City Council directed that the item to revise the prima facie speed limits upon Loker Avenue East and West be remanded to the Traffic Safety Commission based on the concerns presented during public comment. The staff reports to revise the speed limits on Loker A venue East and We~t were originally presented to the Traffic Safety Commission on December 6, 2010. Staff has addressed the concerns that were raised at the City Council meeting of January 25, 2011 and is ready to present this item once again to the Traffic Safety Commission for consideration. Loker Avenue East is currently posted at 30 miles per hour. The Engineering and Traffic Survey on file was approved on September 12, 2003 with a speed survey dated May 15, 2003. Loker Avenue West is currently posted at 30 miles per hour. The Engineering and Traffic Survey on file was approved on September 12, 2003 with a speed survey dated April 24, 2003. Based on the requirements contained in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the California Vehicle Code (CVC), these Engineering and Traffic Surveys are considered expired and new Engineering and Traffic Surveys are required. BASIS OF ACTION: The proposed speed limits for the road segments discussed in this report is regulated by section 22357(a) of the California Vehicle Code: "Whenever a local authority determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey that a speed greater than 25 miles per hour would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe upon any street other than a state highway otherwise subject to a prima facie limit of 25 miles per hour, the local authority may by ordinance determine and declare a prima facie speed limit of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 miles per hour or a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour, whichever is found most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is reasonable and safe. The declared prima facie or maximum speed limit shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the street and shall not thereafter be revised except upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey. This section does not apply to any 25 mile per hour prima Page 1 C CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: ( continued) March 7, 2011 ITEMNO.6B facie limit which is applicable when passing a school building or the grounds thereof or when passing a senior center or other facility primarily used by senior citizens." DATA: Loker Avenue (East and West) is approximately 1.22 miles in length and functions as an industrial street located in an industrial park and features many closely-spaced driveways on either side (see Exhibit 1 ). The road follows a curvilinear alignment and has a curb- to-curb width of 52 feet. There is a single lane of traffic in each direction separated by a painted centerline. The subject segment has been improved with curb and gutter, sidewalk and street lights on both sides of the roadway. On-street parallel parking is allowed on the subject road segment. Traffic control on Loker A venue is provided by a minor street STOP control on Loker Avenue East at Palomar Airport Road, two-way STOP control at Loker Avenue East and El Fuerte Street and a traffic signal at Loker A venue West and Palomar Airport Road. Traffic counts were obtained on Loker Avenue to determine the two-way, 24-hour average daily traffic volume. The recent count data is indicated on Table A. TABLEA 24-H R TRAFFIC VOLU 1,650 Loker Ave East e/o El Fuerte Street 3,448 Loker Ave West n/o Palomar Ai ort Road 8,508 Loker Ave West w/o El Fuerte Street 4,009 Staff conducted a speed survey on Loker A venue East on October 7, 2010 to determine the 85th percentile speed. As stated previously, the 85th percentile speed, commonly called the critical speed, is the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles are traveling at or below. A sample of 100 vehicles was measured to calculate the 85th percentile speed. The results of the speed survey on Loker Avenue East are shown on Table B. 10/7 /10 800' e/o El Fuerte Street EB/WB 38 30 to 40 88% Page 2 CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: ( continued) March 7, 2011 ITEM NO. 6B Staff conducted speed surveys on Loker Avenue West on September 29, 2010. The results of the speed surveys on Loker Avenue West are shown on Table C. TABLE C -LOKER A VENUE WEST SPEED SURVEY DATA 9/29/10 1,000' n/o Palomar Airport Rd. EB/WB 9/29/10 1,165' w/o El Fuerte Street EB/WB 39 31 to 41 91% 40 32 to 42 87% 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. Staff reviewed the Police Department traffic collision reports for the two year period from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2010. There have been no reported collisions on Loker A venue East and two reported collisions on Loker A venue West, none of which were speed related. At the City Council meeting of January 25, 2011, concerns were raised by the public regarding the proposed revision of the speed limit on Loker Avenue West. Specifically, a representative from Asymtek, which is a company occupying buildings located on either side of Loker Avenue West, expressed safety concerns for the significant number of employees that cross the street on a daily basis. On February 14, 2011, staff met with representatives from Asymtek to address those concerns. Staff has proposed improvements including a marked crosswalk across Loker Avenue West to highlight the pedestrian crossing between 2747 and 2762 Loker Avenue West, which has been observed by staff to be utilized by a significant number of pedestrians. Proposed improvements also include additional red curb to increase sight distance to and from the crosswalk, high visibility pedestrian signs at the crosswalk, an in-street pedestrian sign to further delineate the crosswalk and pedestrian ramps for disabled access (see Exhibit 2). The California MUTCD requires that the speed limit be established at the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed. A 5 mph reduction from that nearest increment may be justified under certain conditions. Section 22358.5 of the California Vehicle Code states that, "physical conditions such as width, curvature, grade and surface conditions, or any other condition readily apparent to a driver, in the absence of other Page 3 C CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: ( continued) March 7, 2011 ITEM NO. 6B factors, would not require special downward speed zoning, as the basic rule of Section 22350 is sufficient regulation as to such conditions." Since the pedestrian crossing between 2747 and 2762 Loker Avenue West will be properly marked with striping and signage, it is considered a condition that is readily apparent to a driver, therefore no justification for a 5 mph reduction is hereby presented. Based on these findings, staff recommends that the speed limit on Loker A venue East and West be established at 40 miles per hour. 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. RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey and the findings in this report, staff recommends revising the prima facie speed limits upon Loker A venue East and West, from El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road, from 30 to 40 miles per hour. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to revise the prima facie speed limits upon Loker A venue East and West as recommended. Page 4 L ~ 0 :z: NOT TO SCALE PROPOSED SPEED ZONE SLATER PL. s >-~ z 0 i= ~ 0 z z GATEWAY -LOKER AVENUE SPEED ZONE I''-I '-I '- I '--, I 2762 > / ■ PROPOSED CROSSWALK LOCATION @ EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL A SPEED SURVEY LOCATION ~ y 'o i "P 1' (/) ! -I AIRPORT ~- 7 0 '-0, ~ N .) "O l'i " C 0 N "O ., " ell- ! i .£ ~ 0 < u 0 :i ~ _______________________ _,_§ 1 PROJECT NAME: EXHIBIT 1 LOKER AVENUE 1 ~ I I SPEED ZONE s ...._ _____________________________ ___. ____________________ ..._ ____ .c r--~ '-# CITY OF CARLSBAD _,,; ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Loker Avenue East LIMITS: El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road . FACTORS A. Prevailing Speed Data: Direction: Eastbound/Westbound Date of Speed Survey 10/07/10 Location of Speed Survey 0.15 mile e/o El Fuerte Street 85th Percentile 38 MPH 10 MPH Pace 30 to 40, 31 to 41 MPH Percent in Pace 88% Posted Soeed Limit (On Date of Survey) 30MPH B. Midblock Accident Histo!}'.: (10/01 /08 through 9/30/10) Speed-Related Accidents 0 Total Accidents 0 Accidents/Million Vehicle Miles (MVM) None California Statewide Accidents/MVM 1.71 (2007 State Rate for Same Type of Roadway) C. Traffic Factors: Average Daily Traffic 1,650 -n/o Palomar Airport Road (9/02/1 0); 3,448 -e/o El Fuerte Street (9/02/10) Traffic Controls Stop Sign Control at El Fuerte Street and Palomar Airport Road Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Heavy, on Occasion Bicycle Lanes No Designated Bicycle Lanes have been Striped on the Roadway On-Street Parking Parking Allowed on Each Side Other Bus Route D. Roadway Factors: Circulation Element Street Classification Unclassified Length of Segment 0.56Mi. Roadway Width 52 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) Number of Lanes 1 Lane Each Direction Vertical Alignment Relatively Flat Horizontal Alignment Curvilinear Sidewalks Sidewalk on Each Side Driveways Numerous Closely Spaced Driveways Street Lighting Street Liqhts on Each Side E. Soecial Conditions: Roadway used by industrial park traffic, delivery trucks, and commuters. F. Adiacent Land Uses: Light Industrial, Bus Stops G. Remarks/Conditions Not Readily Apparent: Heavy pedestrian usage on occasion, especially during the noon lunch hour when vehicles and pedestrians mix. During inclement weather, such as fog, visibility is reduced significantly. A large number of vehicles park on the street near driveways which reduces the sight distance to and from the driveway. Travel lanes are separated by a double-yellow centerline. 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 Caltrans Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04 effective July 1, 2009 and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with respect to design and prevailing speeds, accident records, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, intersection and driveway spacing, and roadside and traffic conditions not readily apparent to the driver. A speed limit postina of 40 MPH is found to be aoorooriate and iustified. I. Approvals: D Recertification of existing speed zone per Sections 22357, 22358 and 40802 of the California Vehicle Code. D Establishment of new speed zone. Approved ~-ffez-:--IZ-/.9/tc> 1raffic Division Manager Date CARCE 56667 Registration expires 6/30/11 NOTE: Appropriate speed survey(s) 1s /are attached hereto and made a part hereof. C DATE: 10/07/10 TIME: 9:20 AM WEATHER: Cloudy & Cool TO CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 11 :20 AM TOTAL VEHICLES: CRITICAL SPEED: LOCATION: Loker Avenue East~0.15 mi. e/o El Fuerte St. VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: M. Rehfeldt ---------PACE SPEED(S): 30 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % :E # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 X 40 X X 39 X X X 38 X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X X 35 X X X X X 34 X X X X X 33 X X X X 32 X X X X X 31 X X X X 30 X X X 29 X X 28 X 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 2 2 2 100 2 1 2 4 5 5 98 6 3 3 6 6 6 93 6 3 4 8 9 9 87 10 5 6 12 11 11 78 10 5 5 10 9 9 67 8 4 5 10 12 12 58 14 7 5 10 10 10 46 10 5 4 8 9 9 36 10 5 5 10 10 10 27 10 5 4 8 7 7 17 6 3 3 6 5 5 10 4 2 2 4 4 4 5 4 2 1 2 1 1 1 Transportation Department Traffic Division 100 38 MPH 88 % ----------- 30 TO 40 MPH 31 TO 41 MPH ----- EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 X 41 X X X 40 X X X 39 X X X X X 38 X X X X X 37 X X X X 36 X X X X X X X 35 X X X X X 34 X X X X X 33 X X X X X 32 X X X 31 X X 30 X X 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 r 1 '· •• CITY OF CARLSBAD . .,_, ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Loker Avenue West LIMITS: Palomar Airport Road to El Fuerte Street FACTORS A. Prevailing S(!eed Data: Direction: Eastbound/Westbound Direction: Eastbound/Westbound Date of Speed Survey 9/29/10 9/29/10 Location of Speed Survey 1,000 feet n/o of Palomar Airport Road 1,165 feet w/o of El Fuerte Street 85th Percentile 39MPH 40MPH 10 MPH Pace 31 to 41 MPH 32 to42 MPH Percent in Pace 91% 87% Posted Speed Limit (On Date of Survey) 30 MPH 30MPH B. Midblock Accident Histort: (10/01/08 through 9/30/10) Speed-Related Accidents 0 Total Accidents 2 Accidents/Million Vehicle Miles (MVM) 0.63 California Statewide Accidents/MVM 1. 71 (2007 State Rate for Same Type of Roadway) C. Traffic Factors: Average Daily Traffic 8,508 -n/o Palomar Airport Road (9/01/1 0); 4,009 -w/o El Fuerte Street (9/01/10) Traffic Controls Stop Sign Control at El Fuerte Street; Traffic Signal at Palomar Airport Road Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Heavy, on Occasion Bicycle Lanes No Designated Bicycle Lanes have been Striped on the Roadway On-Street Parking 825 Feet of Parking Prohibited at South End (350 Feet on East and 475 Feet on West) Other Bus Route D. Roadway Factors: Circulation Element Street Classification Unclassified Length of Segment 0.69Mi. Roadway Width 52 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) Number of Lanes 1 Lane Each Direction Except at South End Where 1 Through Lane and 1 Right-Turn- Only Lane Exist Vertical Alignment Relatively Flat Horizontal Alignment Curvilinear Sidewalks Sidewalk on Each Side Driveways Numerous Closely Spaced Driveways Street LiQhting Street Liqhts on Each Side E. S(!ecial Conditions: Roadway used by industrial park traffic, delivery trucks, and commuters. Travel lanes are separated by a double-yellow centerline. SiQns warninq of pedestrians crossinQ midblock are posted for motorists travelinq in each direction. F. Adiacent Land Uses: Liaht Industrial, Commercial Retail, Delicatessen, USPS Mailbox, Bus Stops G. Remarks/Conditions Not Readily A(!(!arent: Heavy pedestrian usage on occasion, especially during the noon lunch hour when vehicles and pedestrians mix. During inclement weather, such as fog, visibility is reduced significantly. A large number of vehicles park .on the street near driveways which reduces the sight distance to and from the driveway. Travel lanes are separated by a double-yellow centerline. 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 Caltrans Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04 effective July 1, 2009 and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with respect to design and prevailing speeds, accident records, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, intersection and driveway spacing, and roadside and traffic conditions not readily aooarent to the driver. A speed limit postinq of 40 MPH is found to be appropriate and justified. I. A(!(!rovals: D Recertification of existing speed zone per Sections 22357, 22358 and 40802 of the California Vehicle Code. D Establishment of new speed zone. Approved /#'/4;?~ 1:;i./ 9 /1c,, .f raffic Division Manager Date CARCE 56667 ReQistration expires 6/30/11 NOTE: Appropriate speed survey(s) Is /are attached hereto and made a part hereof. DATE: 09/29/10 TIME: 1:15 PM TO CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 2:25 PM TOTAL VEHICLES: WEATHER: Clear & Warm CRITICAL SPEED: LOCATION: Loker Ave. West-1000' n/o Palomar Airport Rd. VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: M. Rehfeldt ---------PACE SPEED(S): 30 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT SOUTHBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % :E # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 X X 40 X X X X 39 X X X 38 X X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X X X X 35 X X X X X X 34 X X X X X X 33 X X X X X 32 X X 31 X X 30 X X 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 2 4 5 5 100 6 3 4 8 8 8 95 8 4 3 6 5 5 87 4 2 5 10 11 11 82 12 6 6 12 12 12 71 12 6 7 14 13 13 59 12 6 6 12 12 12 46 12 6 6 12 11 11 34 10 5 5 10 8 8 23 6 3 2 4 6 6 15 8 4 2 4 5 5 9 6 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 Transportation Department Traffic Division 100 39 MPH ----------- 91 % ----------- 31 TO 41 MPH NORTHBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 X X X 41 X X X X 40 X X 39 X X X X X X 38 X X X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X X X 35 X X X X X 34 X X X 33 X X X X 32 X X X 31 X X 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 C DATE: 09/29/10 TIME: 9:25 AM WEATHER: Clear & Warm TO CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 11:10AM TOTALVEHICLES: CRITICAL SPEED: LOCATION: Loker Ave. West~1165' w/o El Fuerte St. VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: M. Rehfeldt ---------PACE SPEED(S): 30 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % I# % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 X 43 X X 42 X X X 41 X X X 40 X X X X 39 X X X X 38 X X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X X X 35 X X X X X 34 X X X X X 33 X X X 32 X X X 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 2 1 1 100 2 4 3 3 99 2 1 3 6 5 5 96 4 2 3 6 6 6 91 6 3 4 8 8 8 85 8 4 4 8 6 6 77 4 2 5 10 10 10 71 10 5 6 12 13 13 61 14 7 6 12 12 12 48 12 6 5 10 9 9 36 8 4 5 10 10 10 27 10 5 3 6 6 6 17 6 3 3 6 7 7 11 8 4 2 2 4 4 2 2 2 2 4 2 Transportation Department Traffic Division 100 40 MPH 87 % ----------- 32 TO 42 MPH ---- EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 X 43 X X 42 X X X 41 X X X X 40 X X 39 X X X X X 38 X X X X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X 35 X X X X X 34 X X X 33 X X X X 32 X X 31 X X 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21