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Home My WebLink About2013-09-09; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Revise the prima facie speed limit upon Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane.C COMMISSION MEETING OF: CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT September 9, 2013 ITEM NO. 6D LOCATION: Batiquitos Drive, Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane INITIATED BY: Associate Engineer, John Kim REQUESTED ACTION: Revise the prima facie speed limit upon Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane. BACKGROUND: DATA: The establishment of speed zones in California is governed by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) pursuant to the authority granted to Caltrans in Section 21400 and 21401 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC). The 2010 California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) implemented changes to the procedure for setting speed limits in California. These changes required that the posted speed limit be established at the NEAREST 5 mile per hour increment of the 85th percentile speed. The 85th percentile speed, often referred to as the critical speed, is the speed which 85% of the drivers are traveling at or below. The passage of California Assembly Bill 529 in October of 2011 allowed agencies the option to round speed limits, up or down, to within 5 miles per hour of the 85th percentile speed. This change is reflected in the current 2012 CA MUTCD, which was adopted on January 13, 2012. Based on procedures established by the 2012 CA MUTCD, Carlsbad has an opportunity to revise speed limits on certain roadways based on the measured 85th percentile speeds and its relation to the posted speed limit. Batiquitos Drive, from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane, is one such roadway. Batiquitos Drive is unclassified in the Circulation Element of the General Plan and functions as a collector street. This portion of the roadway from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane is 1.34 miles in length and has a curb to curb width between 48 and 64 feet. The traffic lane in each direction is separated by a raised, landscape median starting north of Gabbiano Lane and ending just west of Kestrel Drive. The remaining segment is divided by a painted median. The subject segment of Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane features concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, bicycle lanes, and street lights on both Page 1 C COMMISSION MEETING OF: (continued) CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT September 9, 2013 ITEM NO. GD sides of the roadway. The subject segment is curvilinear and centerline vertical grades range from 1.74% to 10.0%. Parking is not allowed on either side ofthe roadway except the northerly 1,045 feet of the segment. The subject segment of Batiquitos Drive is currently posted at 45 miles per hour based on the Engineering and Traffic Survey dated June 29, 2010, which showed the 85th percentile speed to be 47 mph. Due to resident complaints of vehicle speeding on Batiquitos Drive, four permanent speed feedback signs were installed on this portion of Batiquitos Drive in early 2012. Speed feedback signs use radar to track and display vehicle speeds and flash the message "SLOW DOWN" when the speed limit is exceeded. This increases driver awareness and results in a reduction in vehicle speeds in many cases. Traffic volumes on Batiquitos Drive are shown on Table A. These counts were obtained at three locations on Batiquitos Drive on June 9, 2010 to determine the two-way, 24- hour average daily traffic volume. TABLE A 24-HOUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane 24-HourADT Date Location NB SB q-09/10 North of Daisy Avenue 3,236 3,473 q-09/10 South of Poppy Lane 3,260 3,370 EB WB q-09/10 East of Kestrel Drive 1,986 2,041 Total 6,709 6,630 4,027 Staff conducted a speed survey on Batiquitos Drive on April 2, 2013 to determine the 85th percentile speed of vehicles and is shown on Table 8. As stated previously, 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 calculate the critical speed. TABLE B SPEED SURVEY DATA FOR BATIQUITOS DRIVE Critical Pace Survey Speed Speed %in Date Location Direction (MPH} IMPHl Pace 4/2/13 At Gabbiano Lane EB/WB 43 33-43 75 Page 2 C COMMISSION MEETING OF: (continued) CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT September 9, 2013 ITEM NO. 60 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 collision reports for the two year period from August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2013. There have been four reported collisions on the subject segment, two of which were speed-related. Batiquitos Drive from Golden Star Lane to Aviara Parkway is currently posted at 40 miles per hour. A speed survey that was conducted on 7 /3/13 indicated an 8Sth percentile speed of 44 mph. Therefore, the existing posted speed limit of 40 mph will not be changed. 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. The Engineering and Traffic Survey performed for this portion of Batiquitos Drive indicate that the 85th percentile speed has decreased from 47 mph in 2010 to 43 mph in 2013 after the four speed feedback signs were installed on the roadway. Based on this reduction in the 85th percentile speed and the revision in the 2012 CA MUTCD that allows local jurisdictions to round down to within 5 miles per hour of the 85th percentile speed, staff is recommending that the speed limit on this portion of Batiquitos Drive be revised. RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends revising the prima facie speed limit upon Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane from 45 to 40 miles per hour. Page 3 C COMMISSION MEETING OF: (continued) CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT September 9, 2013 NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: ITEM NO. 6D An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Batiquitos Drive from Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane, as recommended. Page4 PROPOSED 4OMPHZONE NOT TO SCALE -- LOCATION MAP Proposed Speed Zone for Batiquitos Drive EXHIBIT 1 ._ ______________________________________ _,. ____ _., CITY OF CARLSBAD ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Batiguitos Drive LIMITS: Poinsettia Lane to Golden Star Lane FACTORS A. Prevailing Seeed Data: Direction: Eastbound/Westbound Date of Speed Survey 4/02/13 Location of Speed Survey At Gabbiano Lane 85th Percentile 43 MPH 10 MPH Pace 33 to 43, 34 to 44 MPH Percent in Pace 75% B. Accident History: (8/01/11 through 7/31/13) Speed-Related Accidents 2 Pedestrian and/or Bicyclist Accidents 0 Total Accidents 4 C. Traffic Factors: Average Daily Traffic 6,700 -South of Poinsettia Lane (6/09/10); 4,000 -East of Kestrel Drive (6/09/10) Traffic Controls Traffic Signal at Poinsettia Lane Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Low Bicycle Lanes Bicycle Lane on Each Side Except Northerly 1,045 Feet of Segment On-Street Parking Parking Prohibited on Each Side Except Northerly 1,045 Feet of Segment Other Bike Route oer Circulation Element of the General Plan D. Roadway Factors: Circulation Element Street Classification Collector with modified design criteria Length of Segment 1.34 Mi. Roadway Width 48 Feet to 64 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) Number of Lanes 1 Lane Each Direction Vertical Alignment Roadway Grades Vary from 1.74% to 10.00% Horizontal Alignment Curvilinear Sidewalks Sidewalk on Each Side Driveways Two Driveways Street Lighting Street Lights on Each Side E. Seecial Conditions: Batiquitos Drive provides access to view points and trail heads along Batiquitos Lagoon. An intersection warning sign is posted for eastbound motorists approaching Shorebird Lane. Advance warning signs with an advisory speed lower than the posted speed limit have been posted for eastbound motorists approaching a curve in the roadway west of Gabbiano Lane. Two radar speed-feedback sians have been installed for motorists travelina in each direction. F. Adiacent Land Uses: Sinale-Familv Residential, Ooen Scace, Tot-Lot, Laaoon Trail G. Remarks/Conditions Not Readily Apparent: Batiquitos Drive serves as the only public access to Aviara Golf Club. The road and sidewalk are used by joggers and other pedestrians. Travel lanes are separated by either a raised, landscaped median or painted median. 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 California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, effective January 13, 2012, 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 posting of 40 MPH is found to be annropriate and justified. I. Aeerovals: D Recertification.of existing speed zone per Sections 22357, 22358 and 40802 of the California Vehicle Code. D Establishment of new speed zone. Approved Bryan D. Jones TE, PTP, AICP Date Deputy Director/City Traffic Engineer CA TR2229 NOTE: Appropriate speed survey(s) Is /are attached hereto and made a part hereof. DATE: 4/02/13 TIME: 12:55 PM TO WEATHER: Sunny & Mild CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 1 :40 PM TOTAL VEHICLES: CRITICAL SPEED: LOCATION: Batiguitos Drive at Gabbiano Lane VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: J. Gale ---------PACE SPEED(S): EASTBOUND 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 X 43 X X 42 X X X X 41 X X 40 X X X X X 39 X X X X 38 X X X 37 X X X X X 36 X X X X X X 35 X X X 34 X X X 33 X X X 32 X X 31 X X 30 X 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 1 100 2 1 3 3 99 6 3 2 2 96 4 2 3 3 94 6 3 1 2 5 5 91 8 4 2 4 5 5 86 6 3 5 10 9 9 81 8 4 3 6 9 9 72 12 6 6 12 11 11 63 10 5 5 10 9 9 52 8 4 3 6 5 5 43 4 2 5 10 7 7 38 4 2 6 12 10 10 31 8 4 3 6 6 6 21 6 3 3 6 4 4 15 2 1 3 6 5 5 11 4 2 2 4 3 3 6 2 1 2 4 2 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 Transportation Department Traffic Division 100 _____ 4~3 ____ MPH 75 % -----...C...:----- 33 TO 43 ---'--=-----MPH -----"3~4 __ TO 44 MPH WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 X 48 X X X 47 X X 46 X X X 45 X X X X 44 X X X 43 X X X X 42 X X X X X X 41 X X X X X 40 X X X X 39 X X 38 X X 37 X X X X 36 X X X 35 X 34 X X 33 X 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21