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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-05; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF : DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING PLACE OF MEETING: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION April 5,1999 (Regular Meeting) 3:OO p.m. City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Allen called the Meeting to order at 3:Ol p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Commissioners Allen, Blake, Whitton co~ey, Gillfillan Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Kelly Cain, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Commission approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 1 , 1999, as presented. AYES: Allen, Blake, Whitton NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Thelma Hayes, 580 Laguna Drive, Carlsbad, representing the Pedestrian Action Group, presented an update on the Pedestrian Action Plan suggestion that she made on the 1 lth anniversary of the City Council’s adoption of the Plan, as follows: Responding to the question asked at the March Traffic Safety Commission meeting, “What have you heard from the Arts Commission about the idea of them sponsoring a contest with an award for the design of a bench for the bus stops in Carlsbad?“ Ms. Hayes stated that her suggestion was on the Arts Commission agenda on Thursday, April 15,1999, and was favorably received. Staff was instructed to come back to the next meeting with a fmal proposal. This pedestrian amenity helps the pedestrian link that is essential to the success of a public transportation system. The benches will be contributed by businesses, organizations, and/or citizens wishing to pay honor to someone or as an expression of their own generosity. Mr. Tom Lichtennan, Director of Transportation of NCTD, is researching the number of benches that will be needed. Gloria Flores, Mario Monroy, and Ms. Hayes were invited to the Valley Junior High School PTA Board meeting, at which time the Board was in agreement that something needs to be done regarding the safkty of children going to and h school. Several problems were discussed with Mr. LeMay, Principal of Valley Junior High School, including the lack of sidewalks across the street from the school and other bad areas on Valley Street between Chestnut and Magnolia. This area is shown in photos taken by Ms. Flores. Mr. LeMay indicated that there are as many as 5,000 students present in the area at some time in every school day. There must be more education of both students, and their parents, to promote safety. They need to know the rules, be shown how to obey the rules, and then the rules must be enforced. Currently, there is no police presence at the school. There is little or no signage giving direction and not enough available parking for the loading and unloading of students. There is still time for this Commission to act before the annual budget comes before the City council in June. It is suggested that each Commissioner take responsibility for one school and visit the school both in the morning when classes begin and in the afternoon when classes are dismissed. When each school has been visited, the Commissioners should discuss their findings and determine a course of action to make the necessary safety improvements. rc- April 5, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 Ms. Hayes asked that the Cummission take action, as soon as possible, so that all school children will have the opportunity to go to and fiom school in safety. The Traffic Safety Commission took no action at this time. None NEW BUSINESS: 6A. Avenida de Anita - Carlsbad Village Drive to Marron Road. Reauest to establish an ALL-WAY STOP at several intersections or install meed humDs or a cul-de-sac. Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson presented the staff report as follows: This request was initiated by Gwynne Hodge and Barbara Farrell, representing the Tiburon Carlsbad Homeowners Association. The suggestion has been made that STOP signs andor speed humps be installed at the intersections of Avenida de Anita and Avenida de Louisa, Avenida de Anita and ViaNaranjdCalle Susana, and Avenida de Anita and Via sarbete/Calle Hacienda, andor a culde-sac installed on Calle Susana at Avenida de Anita. Avenida de Anita is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan and does function as a collector road. It has an ADT of approximately 4,700 vehicles which is well within the range of a collector road. TrafXc volumes on a collectur road will vary h 1,200 to 10,000 vehicles. The road follows a curvilinear alignment and is approximately 0.6 miles in length. Avenida de Anita is controlled by a STOP sign where it intersects with Carlsbad Village Drive and at the intersection of Marron Road, Avenida de Anita does function as a 90" turn with double yellow center lines striped in the curve. That double yellow center line is extended throughout the length of Avenida de Anita to create two trafllc lanes. The roadway is 40 feet, from curb to curb, and parking is allowed on both sides except at certain locations that are indicated by a red curb. The speed survey indicates that the critical speed (85th percentile) is 32 miles per hour, which means that 85% of the vehicles are traveling at (or below) 32 miles per hour. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Since September, 1996, there have been four midblock accidents reported on Avenida de Anita. Generally, an intersedon that has five or more accidents in auy 12 month period could be considered as a candidate for the installation of an ALL-WAY STOP sign. Those types of accidents, however, would have to be susceptible to correction by the installation of the STOP sign. Example: A rear end collision problem would not necessarily be corrected by the installation of STOP signs, as such a sign would tend to increase rear end collisions. On the other hand, right-of-way and right angle type collisions might be expected to be corrected with ALL-WAY STOP signs. Since August, 1994, there has been only one accident reported at the intersection of Avenida de Anita and Avenida de Louisa which was a right-of way violation caused by driver inattention. According to City records, there have been no accidents reported at the intersections of Avenida de Anita and Calle SusanaNia Naranja or Avenida de Anita and Via Sorbete/Calle Hacienda. The midblock collisions may be an indication of speeding or some other type of problem on the roadway, and would not be affected by STOP sign(s). An intersection can be considered for an ALL-WAY STOP when traffic volumes are approximately equal on all legs of an intersection. Recent traffic counts indicated that the volumes are not great enough to satis@ the warrants for ALL-WAY STOP sign at any of the subject intersections. Speed humps are not considered for installation on public streets. It is basic City policy not to install speed humps. Regarding the request for the possible construction of a cul-de- sac, the City of Carlsbad Engineering Department has established a cul-de-sac policy in the standards for design and cOIlSfiudion of public works improvements. To be considered, all of the following criteria must be met for a 4O-foot7 curb to curb, local street: 1. Driveway and street intersections must be spaced 150 feet or more apart. 2. The length along streets from entrance to most remote point cannot exceed one-half mile. 3. Traffic volume at entrance cannot exceed 1,200 ADT. 4. Number of dwelling units cannot exceed 120. In April, 1998, it was determined that approximately 70% of the vehicles using Avenida de Anita were residents of h April 5, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 Although the recommendation of the Tdic Safety coordinating Committee was to deny the request for ALL-WAY STOP signs, the speed humps, and the cul-de-sac, they are recommending that a Traffic Calming Program be developed and established in which a variety of techniques could be used to slow vehicle speeds andor minimize cut-through traffk on residential streets. The development of such a program will not only require that City Council direct staff to undertake the program development and return to Council for adoption, but it will take several months to complete. Sgt. Kelly Cain, Carlsbad Police Department, present an Enforcement Profile focussed on Avenida de Anita, as follows: Since September, 1998, there have been complaints from the residents of Avenida de Anita, regarding s-g vehicles. Data collected from the year 1998 shows there were a total of 65 citations issued, 40 of which were for speeding. There were also 4 collisions recorded during that same period. In response to citizen’s complaints, motorcycle officers (as well as the Police Department SMART trailer) were assigned to that area. As this was a “directed enforcementyy, considerably more citations were written. Officers assigned to this area for one week in early November, 1998, wrote over one-half of the total number of citations for the entire year. During the second week in December, 1998, the SMART trailer was placed in the area. At that time enforcement was reduced and data was collected. Unf’tely, computer problems prevented the data hm being retrieved on all of the dates, but the data from the mornings of December 16, and December 17,1998, was retrieved. The presence of Police officers can have only a temporary effect on tr&c flow and is not a permanent (nor practical) solution to the problem of speedmg and other violations. The subject area is posted for 25 miles per hour. However, the critical speed (85th percentile) is somewhat above that and police officers are not allowed, by law, to write citations for speeds under the 85th percentile in a residential area. Sgt. Cain presented statistical information gathered by the SMART trailer and a list of the number of citations written, by category and exact location of the violations. He also presented a copy of a letter, dated March 22,1999, from Sgt. Cain to the Tanglewood Residents and Home Owners Association. Copies of all of the above documents are on file in the Engineering Department. Chsurperson Allen asked if he is correct in his llnderstanding that the critical speed on Avenida de Anita is 32 miles per hour and that police officers are only writing citations for speeds over 32 miles per hour. Sgt. Cain replied that Mr. Allen is correct and that the lowest speed (above critical speed) that the Department can issue a citation for would probably be 34 mph. He explained that they must give one or two miles per hour variance to the radar unit. Chauperson Allen then asked if the critical speed of 32 mph would justify the raising of the speed limit, in that area. Sgt. Cain replied that the present critical speed would not justify raising of the current speed limit and pointed out that if the speed limit were rased, the critical speed would increase awrdingly. He added that he feels that the 25 mph is a valid speed and can be justified. Commissioner Blake asked Sgt. Cain ifhe has any information as to how many of the citations that have been issued in the subject area were issued to actual residents of the area. Sgt. Cain replied that his officers have given an approximation of 30% to 40% as being pass-through traffic (primarily during 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) with the balance of the traffic generated by residents. Chauperson Allen asked how the offkers determine those passing through as opposed to the residents. Sgt. Cain replied that they go by the documented address presented to them by the drivers. April 5, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 Sgt. Cain pointed out that the figures gathered by the SMART trailer (during two 24 hour periods) corroborate Mr. Johnson’s ADT figures and established a critical speed for those two days as 28 mph and 27 mph, respectively. sgt. Cain a@ with Mr. Jlohnson’s rec~mmendations regarding the Traffk Calming Program and urged the commission to uphold the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to the City council to establish Such a program. In conclusion, Mr. Johnson stated that the TrafEc Safety Coordinating Committee concluded that because STOP sign warrants were not met at any of the three locations, ALL-WAY STOP signs, speed humps or cul-de-sacs could not be justified and &fore recommended against the requast for such installations. However, because of the continuing concerns regarding traf€ic throughout the City, the establishment of a Traffic Calming Program by the City Council is recommended by the TrafEc Safety Coordinating Committee. Mr. Johnson explained that to develop such a program, a number of Werent traffk calming programs (throughout the U. S.), will need to be researched. Ideally, staff would work with a citizen’s group to develop a policy, take it to the City council for adoption. Following that, Council would allocate the funds that would be necessary to implement the program. Such a program would end the need to continually deny requests for traflic control devices in low trafic volume areas. Referring to the bottom of Page 3 of the staff report, and the list of various techniques used to “calm” or slow vehicle speeds, Commissioner Blake asked Mr. Johnson to define “chicanes”. Mr. Johnson replied that chicanes is a feature used to cause a meandering effect or a means to cause a driver to slow down in order to negotiate a series of curves created on the roadway. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the criteria for traffic calming is developed by taking into consideration the volumes, the type of street, the alignment, adjacent land uses, etc. Each feature of such a program has that type of criteria so that when a proposed solution is chosen, the solution fits the conditions. Chauperson Allen asked if the construction of a cul-de-sac on Calle Susana would prohibit the flow of safety vehicles on that street. Mr. Johnson replied that a traditional Cul-de-sac at that location would require some type of “crash” through feature and that is generally not done. There would certainly have to be some type of access to that culde-sac. Again, the tra& volumes do not meet the warrants in that area and therefore such construction would not be justified. In addition, the high number of residential units on Calle Susana would be in violation of the City’s cul-de-sac policy. Chairperson Allen stated that it is his understanding that an ALLWAY STOP does not meet the warrants unless cross traffic equals that of the traffic on the main street and asked Mr. Johnson if he is correct. Mr. Johnson replied that Chauperson Allen is correct, in that the entering volume must be generally equal in all directions for at least 8 hours of the day to warrant an ALL-WAY STOP. Chairperson Allen opened Public Testimony. Gwynne Hodg, 3027 Via Salinas, Carlsbad. Using the exhibit on the wall, Ms. Hodge indicated the two large clubhouses in her community and pointed out that parking is a problem, particularly in those areas. She also stated that the combination of dense parking and speed were the contributing causes to the recent injury of a small child in the neighborhood. Ms. Hodge stated that the children of this neighborhood must be protected fiom injury andor death and it is not enough to assume that the parents alone must be responsible for that protection. She pointed out that the City has grown and become considerably more crowded and that the City must take more responsibility for traffic problems. Ms. Hodge alluded to the fact that thea-e is a very large residential project being built, adjacent to Tanglewood, and that traffic will only increase upon completion of that project. Ms. Hodge concurred with Sgt. Cain’s statistics regarding “pass-through” traffk and that it is April 5,1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 just too easy to use Avenida de Anita (to avoid some of the congestion on El Camino Real) to reach the shopping centers and Highway 78. She pointed out that they cannot wait any longer. Summer is coming and the children, as well as adults, will be outside later in the evenings and need the City’s protection now. She concurred with the suggestions for a Traffic Calming Program for the artire city. Ms. Hodge stated that the residents 81p: gratell for the police presence (when possible) but people forget and drive faster after the officers leave, putting everythmg back to the way it was. She suggested that STOP signs would permanently slow people down. Ms. Hodge stated that regardless of whether or not the surveys, counts, etc., meet the warrants for the requested traffic controls, those controls should be constructed andor installed to provide additional safety to the residents of Tanglewood. She concluded by stating that if the Traffk Safety Commission does not agree with her requests and upholds the recommendations of staff and the Traflic Safety Coordinating Committee, she is requesting this item be heard by the City Council. John COW, 2999 Via de Paz, Carlsbad, requested a copy of the staff report. He stated that there have been so many numbers and statistics presented that he is not sure he understands it all. He agreed with Ms. Hodge, in that something has to be done, now, to prepare for the massive increase of vehicular traflic on Carlsbad Village Drive, Marron Road, and College, when those streets are extended andor connected in the near future. He suggested that in the long run, Avenida de Anita will be more than a collector street because he envisions many more than 10,000 ADT, very soon. Mr. Johnson stated he would send Mr. Cortus a copy of the staff report. Chairperson Allen closed Public Testimony. An unidentifjed member of the audience asked why it is so difficult to erect a STOP sign. She indicated that all that needed to be done is to take a sign to a designated spot, drive in into the ground, and there would be an instant STOP sign. Chairperson Allen repeated his earlier statement regarding side street volumes. Mr. Johnson stated that there are a number of reasons why unwarranted STOP signs should not be installed. One of the reasons is that an unwarranted sign creates disrespect for all signs. Example: The purpose of a STOP sign is to assign the right-of-way, not to slow people down, and ifa driver doesn’t see any trac coming fiom the side street(s), he /she will very likely ignore the STOP sign. Other reasons include: A STOP sign can also cause more accidents than it prevents, such as causing more rear end collisions, unnecessary stopping does cause an increase in air and noise pollution, can cause a false sense of security to the pedestrian or the sidestreet vehicle. Mr. Johnson pointed out that staff looks, very careMly, at why a STOP sign is installed or why it should not be installed and the negative results created by unwarranted traffic control devices. Commissioner Blake asked if the traf6c manual information is for the State of California. Mr. Johnson replied that staffgoes by the State of California T&c Manual which contains the STOP sign warrant criteria. Charperson Allen stated that he will vote to uphold the recommendations of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to the City Council and their further recommendations regarding a Traffic Calming Program. ACTION: On motion by Charperson Allen, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission upheld the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to deny the installation of STOP signs, speed humps, or cul-de-sacs on Avenida de Anita. The Traffic Safety Commission further upheld the Trafiic Safety Coordinating Committee’s recommendation that the City Council establish, as one of its goals for 1999/00, to have staff develop a City of Carlsbad Traffic calming Program. VOTE: 3-0 - AYES: Allen, Blake, whitton NOES: None April 5,1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: None REPORTS FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson mound that the next meeting of the Traffic Sdety Commission will be held at 3:OO p.m., in the City Council Chambers on May 3,1999. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of April 5,1999, was adjoumed at 4: 12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carol A. Cruise , Minutes Clerk