HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-07; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Investigate the need to establish an ALL-WAY STOP at the intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland RoadCITY OF CARLSBAD
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
COMMISSION MEETING OF: March 7, 2016 ITEM NO. 6E
LOCATION: Intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland Road
INITIATED BY: Michelle Lin
REQUESTED ACTION: Investigate the need to establish an ALL-WAY STOP at the
intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland Road.
BACKGROUND:
DATA:
The subject intersection is located in the northwest quadrant of the city close to City
Hall (see Exhibit 1). Due to vertical curvature on Buena Vista Way at Arland Road, sight
distance to the east from Arland Road is severely restricted. The request was submitted
by a resident of Carlsbad who expressed concerns about turning from Arland Road due
to limited sight distance to the east.
Buena Vista Way and Arland Road are classified as local/neighborhood streets in the
Mobility Element of the General Plan. Buena Vista Way features curb, gutter, and
sidewalk on the north side between Highland Drive and James Drive. On the south side,
there is an asphalt berm and dirt shoulder. It has a pavement width of approximately 29
feet and 6 inches with a single travel lane in each direction. There is a painted double
yellow centerline, and the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.
Arland Road features curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the west side and is unimproved on
the east side. It has a pavement width of 29 feet and is not striped. The posted speed
limit is 25 miles per hour. There is a street light on the northeast corner of the
intersection, and there are no parking restrictions near the intersection. Single family
residences are located near the subject intersection.
As part of this request, staff conducted an analysis to evaluate whether ALL-WAY STOP
control is appropriate at the subject intersection. The analysis is based on Section 2B.07
of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices {MUTCD), which specifies
the consideration of minimum traffic volumes, collision history, vehicle/pedestrian
conflicts, sight distance restrictions, and other criteria to determine whether or not an
ALL-WAY STOP is justified at a particular intersection. It is also based on the intersection
design criteria contained in the Caltrans Highway Design Manual.
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COMMISSION MEETING OF:
(continued)
CITY OF CARLSBAD
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
March 7, 2016 ITEM NO. 6E
Staff conducted field measurements of the existing sight distance conditions at the
subject intersection. At unsignalized public road intersections, the Caltrans Highway
Design Manual states that corner sight distance should be provided. For a 25 mile-per-
hour roadway, corner sight distance is 275 feet and stopping sight distance is 150 feet.
Corner sight distance allows the driver on the side street to complete their movement
while the approaching vehicle travels at the speed limit of the main street. There is
significant vertical curvature on Buena Vista Way east of its intersection with Arland
Road, which significantly restricts sight distance of westbound vehicles for vehicles
waiting to turn right or left on Arland Road. The results of the sight distance evaluation
conducted by staff are shown in Table 2 and consider the minimum stopping sight
distance and corner sight distance requirements for 25 miles per hour.
Table 2: Sight Distance (SD} Evaluation at Buena Vista Way and Arland Road
Location Measured Sight MinimumSSD MeetsSSD Minimum Corner Meets Corner SD
Distance for ZS MPH for25 MPH? SD for 25 MPH for 25 MPH?
Looking to the West More than 300' 150' YES 275' YES
Looking to the East 174' 150' YES 275' NO
Page 2
COMMISSION MEETING OF:
(continued)
CITY OF CARLSBAD
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
March 7, 2016 ITEM NO.6E
Figures 1 and 2 are photographs that show the sight distance conditions from Arland
Road looking to the west and east, respectively.
Figure 1: Sight distance from Arland Road looking to the west
Figure 2: Sight distance from Arland Road looking to the east
Page 3
COMMISSION MEETING OF:
(continued)
CITY OF CARLSBAD
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
March 7, 2016 ITEM NO. 6E
Due to the intersection meeting the sight distance criteria for ALL-WAY STOP control,
traffic volumes were not collected. In the past eight years, there have been no reported
collisions at the intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland Drive.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the findings contained in this report, the Traffic Safety Coordinating
Committee recommends the installation of an ALL-WAY STOP at the intersection of
Buena Vista Way and Arland Road.
NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
The City Council must adopt an ordinance to establish the ALL-WAY STOP control as
recommended.
Page 4
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Exhibit 1: Buena Vista Wa and Arland Road
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o Existing stop sign
• Proposed stop signs
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